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Clawfoot Tub Faucet Buying Guide Part 1
Clawfoot Tub Faucet Buying Guide Part 1
When selecting a Clawfoot Tub faucet you can choose from our great pre-made packages, or you can build your own! We have everything you need to put together the perfect package. Read through this information guide which will help you put together a clawfoot tub faucet kit package. Part 2 will instruct you how to put together a clawfoot tub with a full shower enclosure. Here at Faucetlist.com we have everything you need. If this guide is in any way lacking or confusing you are welcome to contact us anytime with questions.First, you must answer a few questions. Do you want a clawfoot faucet with hand shower or without? Do you want a clawfoot tub faucet with handshower for use just while taking a bath or do you actually want to be able to use the clawfoot tub as a your main shower as well? Most clawfoot tub faucets which include a handheld shower are great for use while you are taking a bath, but don't really work well as a main shower. If you want to set up a complete clawfoot tub & shower combination with shower curtain rod we can help you put together the perfect package. Skip to part 2!
We have clawfoot tub faucet packages available in oil rubbed bronze, satin nickel, chrome, and polished brass. We also offer tub faucets for both wall mount and deck mount installation. With one of these packages you will have everything you need to get your clawfoot tub up and running with an operating handheld shower.
Parts that make a clawfoot tub faucet package
First, we need to understand the anatomy of a clawfoot tub faucet package and what makes it work. The packages linked above are actually quite simple. With a standard clawfoot tub you have hot and cold water lines running up out of the floor near where you place the tub. These water lines must be connected to the actual tub faucet. They are connected by the appropriate supply lines and supply stops. You also have the drain hole in the floor for emptying the tub water. For this, a finished clawfoot tub drain is perfect. Here are the four parts of the standard clawfoot tub hardware package:- (2) Clawfoot Tub Supply Stops
- (1) Clawfoot Tub Supply Lines (sold in pairs)
- (1) Clawfoot Tub Drain
- (1) Clawfoot Tub Faucet
1. Clawfoot Tub Supply Stops
Connected directly to the hot and cold water lines, you have the emergency shut-off valves. These are also known as supply stops. In case you ever need to shut the water off to your clawfoot tub faucet to perform a repair or have another problem, it is important to install supply stops in between the hot and cold water lines and your clawfoot tub faucet supply lines. You will need two of these supply stops, one hot and one cold. We sell clawfoot tub supply stops with both the hot and cold button. This means if it's the cold side you can use the blue indicator button and if it's the hot side you use the red indicator button. The stops themselves are identical in function. You will need to purchase 2.
2. Clawfoot Tub Supply Lines
Once the stops are installed, you will need to choose your supply lines. Supply lines are Sold in Pairs so you will need to buy one pair. You have some options here. If your tub is set up for a deck mount faucet, you will need straight supply lines.If your clawfoot tub is designed for a wall mount faucet you will have to purchase supply lines that come up straight but then bend at the top to direct the water into the wall of the tub. There are two types of wall mount faucet supply lines: single offset and double offset. Which type you need is usually determined based on how far apart your hot and cold water supply pipes are set in the ground and how far apart the holes in your clawfoot tub are. If you have a new construction project you likely can go with either style. Double offset seem to be more common since with single offset supply lines the hardware can look a bit cramped together. You can cut supply lines to fit different height requirements.
Clawfoot Faucet Supply Lines come in a variety of finishes to match whatever decor style you are going for. We also carry some free standing supply lines. Freestanding supply lines are designed so you can go straight from the hot and cold water lines up and over the lip of the tub. You can install the faucet directly to the freestanding supply lines which are designed to support the faucet's weight.
3. Clawfoot Tub Drains
Because of the exposed nature of clawfoot tub hardware, it is important that you purchase a drain finished to match your other bathroom fixtures. A clawfoot tub drain installs in between the two supply lines. The L shape of the drain fits underneath the tub to meet the bottom drain hole. The upper part is for the overflow hole at the top of your tub wall. The pipes of a clawfoot tub drain can be cut to accommodate most clawfoot tub sizes. Generally these will fit even vintage clawfoot tubs.There's not too much decision making when it comes to the drains. Just match it up with the finish of your other clawfoot tub hardware and you'll be good to go. These high quality Clawfoot Tub Drains will be the perfect compliment to your other fixtures.
4. Clawfoot Tub Faucets
On to the fun part! Now that you understand a bit about the hardware necessary to deal with the water issues (supply and removal), you now are ready to pick out the actual clawfoot tub faucet. Our clawfoot tub faucets come in Satin Nickel, Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Polished Brass finishes. We offer many different handle options such as metal lever, metal cross, porcelain lever, and porcelain cross handle fixtures. Take a look through some of our styles and you will definitely find a great Clawfoot Tub Faucet.
When selecting your clawfoot tub faucet, in addition to style, you should consider a few other things. Most important is do you need a Wall mount clawfoot tub faucet or a deck mount claw foot faucet?
Wall Mount Clawfoot Tub Faucets
This is quite obvious to some people but just to clarify, a wall mount faucet is one that mounts into the tub wall. This means you should have holes in the actual tub wall somewhere near the top. The holes typically measure 3 3/8" from center to center. If you try and measure center to center (it's a little tricky to judge where the exact center is) and come close you probably have 3 3/8". This is a standard size. Remember our 90 day return policy is here just in case! Of course it makes everyone's life easier to just get it right the first time so if you are not sure if a faucet will fit your tub, check with us first! Shop Wall Mount Tub Faucets.
Deck mount Clawfoot Tub Faucets
A deck mount claw foot faucet typically mounts to the lip of the clawfoot tub (if it bends over in a horizontal fashion) or to a platform (deck) near the clawfoot tub. Sometimes with a deck mount installation you don't have exposed hardware, in which case you should not bother purchasing the nice finished drains and supply lines since nobody will see them - you can go with a more rough look which is less expensive. Somedeck mount faucets mount into holes that are 7" from center to center. Other's also follow the 3 3/8" from center to center. We carry some faucets with swivel elbows to accommodate vintage tubs which might not conform to any hole standard.
Clawfoot Tub Faucet with or without Handshower?
You can also decide whether or not you want to purchase a clawfoot tub faucet with diverter and hand shower or a clawfoot tub faucet without hand shower. A handshower adds a new level of functionality to your experience making washing easy in the tub. It's also great for cleaning the tub. This is NOT a substitute for a full shower since the hand spray is not really made for that. If you purchase a clawfoot tub faucet with hand shower your tub fixture will have an extra diverter handle in the middle. Observe the fixture on the right, the large middle lever allows you to switch between the tub filler part and the hand shower with ease. Our items all operate with a smooth ceramic disc cartridge making the handles easy to move while at the same time keeping them 100% drip free. Check out some clawfoot tub faucets now! Oh yeah, you might also like to see a few clawfoot tub soap caddies for a final finishing touch!How to make a Clawfoot Tub Faucet with Shower Package
If you wish to convert your clawfoot tub into a tub/shower combination you will need a few more items. In addition to the clawfoot tub hardware package explained above, you will also need to purchase the clawfoot tub shower conversion fixtures. So what do you need? Continue to the next post about how to make a Clawfoot Tub Shower Buying Guide.
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or by Email: sales@faucetlist.com