Choosing From A Selection of Pedistal Bath Tubs
It seems funny how things go out of style only to return one day in a new light, even though they may be impractical or less functional then their current counterparts. Pedistal baths are a perfect example. At one time they were made the way they are simply because of limitation in technology and materials engineering. With advances in such things as plastics and ceramic as well as casting and finishes bathtubs took on a much more integrated look and role in our bathrooms. Style and look however are seldom based on practicality and so the desire to have a bathroom styled around a era with pedestal bathtubs makes perfect sense.
Pedestal Baths are made from a couple of different materials. Acrylic, copper and cast iron are among some of the most common materials used in their construction. Copper dates back many years as acrylic is a relatively recent invention. Bother copper and cast iron can be quite heavy so attention to architecture and engineering constraints should be done before deciding on something too heavy for the home. Each material has pros and cons and can vary greatly in cost. One of the nice things about pedestal type tubs is the exposed plumbing. This can make the install job and maintenance easier but on the flip side it means using fittings and finishing the plumbing in ways that are visually desirable as well.
Some people include clawfoot bathtubs under the description of pedestal tubs because they look similar and involve similar space requirements and installation procedures. Claw foot bathtubs are essentially pedestal tubs with feet or legs. This means the load is focused on the legs and floor requirements are sometimes different than when using a standard pedestal style tub. Cast iron claw foot tubs weigh a considerable amount. Acrylic claw foot tubs are usually less than half the weight of a cast iron tub and also have the two added benefits of costing less and not being susceptible to corrosion. They are not as durable though.
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