Bathtub Brands

Tub trouble

Run out of things to renovate?  Looks like it's time to rip out that old shower stall or acrylic tub and replace it with something worth having. 

If you can afford the space, clawfoot bathtubs offer the coolest examples.  Great shapes, exposed hardware, and paintable, cast iron exteriors are often features of these free-standing models.  Constantly touting their classic and conservative graces, the style could also be geared toward a younger, hipper demographic (although the prices would be out of reach for most).  Stake out all possible outlets for a good used clawfoot before going with a new model.

Champagne?

Serving a different function and a very distinct style are whirlpool bathtubs.  Not quite as elegant as the clawfoot, the typical whirlpool is an acrylic tub shaped like an alien vessel and typically depicted among a boring array of greyish tiles.  For comfort, the contours would certainly be more accommodating than a traditional tub, but for some reason the indoors spa-tub insists on compromising its style.  Thankfully, there are a few clawfoot and whirlpool combo models for only an extra grand.  American Standard, Whirlpool and Caspian supply a good selection of both standard whirlpool tubs and clawfoot styles as well. 

And in this corner

A unique style to consider for your bathroom is the corner tub.  These are models that install in a corner leaving one or two finished sides exposed.  It adds variety when compared to the standard drop-in tub with only one exposed side.  Traditionally, they are triangular, but rectangular models are getting more attention lately.  Jacuzzi offers corner models with jets for under 1000 dollars, but Duravit Paiova makes top-of-the-line models for three times that.  Good news for someone who wants something different but isn't in the market for a clawfoot.

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