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 the base of the tub from the floor instead of claw feet. Their design is a modern take on traditional soaker tubs and their look easily makes them the focal point of any 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. Our bestselling pedestal cast iron tubs include Barclay models like Raynor and Wakely. Durable materials that are not as heavy as cast iron are being used more and more often to construct pedestal tubs. Modern pedestal tubs can still be made from cast iron but now there are a lot more materials to choose from including acrylic, copper, and solid surface stone.
Acrylic pedestal tubs are lighter and easy to install, and can typically be used on any level of the home (installing a cast iron pedestal tub on the upper level of a home often requires additional structural support).
Solid surface pedestal tubs are made of engineered stone and resin material. The polymer resin is 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. Copper pedestal tubs are unique in their look since most of them are handcrafted and hand-hammered. Copper pedestal bathtubs may feature decorative detailing along the pedestal base, such as a beaded border. Copper has natural anti-bacterial properties and provides an elegant, striking look. Copper tubs, however, are more expensive than most other types of tubs and require more of 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. This 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 glossy white finish but could have any color that fits your taste. For instance, a matte black or custom color pedestal tub would make a striking centerpiece for your bathroom. 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 under 60 inches to 72+ 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 cleaned using soft a cleaning cloth. Abrasive brushes should be avoided as they leave the bathtub surface with scratches, which are undesirable.
