PEDESTAL TUBS
Looking to add luxury, longevity, and appeal to your bath? Pedestal tubs are one of the most popular choices when it comes to freestanding tubs. They use a pedestal or plinth to raise it from the floor instead of claw feet. Their design is a modern take on traditional soaker tubs and their look easily makes them a focal both of the bathroom.
These tubs are designed to stand away from the wall and do not require any surround or deck. They can also be tucked into an alcove or can be displayed right at the middle of your bath. Apart from the space of the bath, the only consideration to make is the plumbing of the tub, which can be sorted out by your bath designer or a contractor.
Material Make-up of Pedestal Tubs
Traditionally, pedestal bathtubs have been made of strong, long-lasting cast iron which is coated in porcelain. Due to the material make-up, a cast iron pedestal bathtub can be quite heavy. Here are out three best-selling pedestal cast iron tubs; Wakely, Raynor and Castos. Modern pedestal tubs can still be made of this material but now there are a lot more acrylic pedestal tubs you can choose from. Materials that are not as heavy are being used more and more to construct pedestal tubs. Pedestal tubs made of acrylic material are lighter and easy to install and can, therefore, be used on any level of the home, even the upper levels.
Solid surface pedestal tubs are often made of engineered stone and resin material. The polymer resin is also mixed with stone to produce long-lasting tubs due to their impervious nature. These resin pedestal tubs combine the power of natural beauty and functionality and are easy to clean.
Copper is also another material common in pedestal tubs. These copper pedestal tubs are unique in their look since most of them are handcrafted and hand-hammered. What’s more, copper has its natural anti-bacterial properties that make copper pedestal tubs likable by many homeowners. Their look is striking, owing to their quality polish. Copper tubs, however, more expensive than other materials and require a commitment to maintain.
Designs, Shapes and Sizes of Pedestal Tubs
A freestanding pedestal bathtub may have its shape ranging from oval to rectangle to an almost bowl shape. The most frequent pedestal bathtubs come in slipper and double slipper shape. his design guarantees the bather a quality soak from the comfortable incline on one end of the bathtub. A double slipper pedestal tub offers the bather reclining comfort from any end of the bathtub. You can also decide to go with a double ended bathtub, which has both ends rounded.
Most of these pedestal tubs have a soft white finish but could have any color that fits your taste. For instance, a red or black pedestal tub with silver finishing would be unexpected but bold. Many pedestal tubs also come with packages such as faucets, which have various finishes, mostly in nickel or chrome.
After deciding on the material to settle on, the size and weight of the bathtub is also a key feature to consider before selecting one. Pedestal tubs can measure from 60 inches to 70 inches in length. Be careful when purchasing a pedestal tub made out of cast iron since those type of tubs tend to be very heavy. So make sure your floor can handle a 300 - 600 pound bathtub.
Cleaning of Pedestal Tubs
The process of cleaning pedestal tubs differs depending on the material that makes up the tub. Cast iron pedestal tubs are easy to clean since most of them are highly polished. Similar to the acrylic pedestal tubs, common cleaning solutions can be used to remove dirt and light stains.
Vinegar is also great for cleaning bathtub surfaces, especially for the cast iron and acrylic tubs. Apart from cleaning, vinegar is also a great disinfectant and therefore leaves your pedestal bathtub surface bacteria free. It is also important to note that most of the pedestal tubs are best leaned using soft a cleaning cloth. Abrasive brushes should be avoided as they leave the bathtub surface with scratches, which are undesirable.
