How to choose a faucet for your clawfoot tub

So, in the midst of your bathroom overhaul, you’ve decided to go with a clawfoot tub. People choose freestanding and clawfoot tubs for a variety of reasons, including creating a dramatic centerpiece feature that draws the eye or complementing a vintage motif in their new bathroom. Clawfoot tubs are a stunning addition to any bathroom design, and the best part about them is that their charming and old-fashioned aesthetic doesn’t take away from their practicality.

However, there are a lot of decisions that go into designing your perfect tub, and some of those surround choosing your tub’s faucet. Clawfoot tub faucets are a little different in style and structure than the ones you would purchase for a traditional built-in tub or tub/shower combination. If you’re new to the world of freestanding tubs, take a look at these guidelines to help you choose the perfect clawfoot tub faucet for your new bathroom:

“The clawfoot tub faucet will depend on the tub itself.”

First: Choose a tub

The first step may be obvious, but it’s very necessary. The clawfoot tub faucet you choose will greatly depend on the tub itself, so choose that first. Everything, from the style to the dimensions and even the faucet’s finish, will likely depend on that decision. If you already have a clawfoot tub, it may be beneficial to use the original faucet while choosing your new one. Remove it from the tub and use it while shopping to compare sizes and shapes.

Consider your needs
Clawfoot tub faucets can range from a single faucet to a more complex style that includes a handheld shower to a full clawfoot tub shower kit and enclosure. That’s why it’s important to think about how you’ll be using the tub before shopping for faucets. If you only plan on using it for soaking, a basic style may be perfect for you. However, if the tub is going to be used by multiple people or to bathe children or pets, one with a handheld shower may make your life much easier.

If your clawfoot tub is going to double as a shower, you’ll need to purchase a shower kit, which will include the faucet, shower head and a clawfoot tub shower enclosure. Remember that if you don’t have another full bathroom in your home, the one you’re remodeling should have both a tub and a shower, so a shower kit may be necessary.

Understand the different styles

There are three basic styles of clawfoot tub faucets, and the one you choose will depend on the tub itself. Here are the three styles:

• Tub wall-mount faucets: Tub wall-mount faucets will be attached to the wall of your clawfoot tub. If the clawfoot tub you’ve chosen has vertical faucet holes in the wall underneath the rim (either on one end or in the middle of one side) you’ll need this style of faucet.
• Rim-mount faucets: Like tub wall-mount faucets, rim-mount faucets attach directly to the tub. However, this style sits directly on top of the rim of your clawfoot tub. Look for horizontal holes on rim of your tub.
• Wall-mount faucets: Wall-mount faucets are necessary if your tub does not have any holes for faucets at all. They attach directly to the wall of your bathroom and hang over the rim in order to fill the tub. That said, wall-mount clawfoot tub faucets will require your tub to be adjacent to a wall or they won’t work.

Measure the dimensions
Once you determine the style of your faucet, it’s important to measure the exact dimension of the holes on your tub. An inexact measurement will leave you with a faucet that’s too small or too large to be installed. Measure from the center of one hole to the center of the other. In many cases the holes will be 3 3/8 inches from center to center, but depending on the style and manufacturer, they may also be 7 or 8 inches apart.

Clawfoot tub faucets differ in style and structure from those for built-in tubs.

Decide on a handle style
Faucets have a few different styles of handles. You’ll have to choose between side-mount and front-mount handles, and also between lever and crosspoint styles. Both of these decisions are almost completely based on personal preference, so choose whichever style you think complements you or your bathroom decor best.

Choose a material and finish
Solid brass is the most common material used for bathroom fixtures. Solid brass bathroom faucets are highly durable and will last a long time. As far as the finish you choose, you’ll have many options. Some of the most common finishes include chrome, bronze, brass and nickel. Within those there are even more options, including brushed nickel, satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and more. Remember that an easy way to create a cohesive style in your bathroom is to choose the same finish for every fixture, so you may want to choose the finishes for your sink faucets, faucet parts, clawfoot tub feet and clawfoot tub faucets all at once.