Victorian Antique Bath

Is your bathroom a boring white box? Then go vintage with a reclaimed roll top Victorian bath! Freestanding baths can work to create a stunning focal point for your bathroom while also adding a touch of elegance and personality. Antique Baths can source your antique cast iron roll top bath and create the authentic look you dream of.

If you live in a Victorian house with a spacious bathroom, there are many different bath options you can choose and you may feel overwhelmed by the different styles, sizes, shapes and depths of baths available. Depending on your space, an authentic roll top Victorian bath could be a great option.

Cast iron baths are extremely heavy and you need to check your floor is strong enough for the cast iron bath plus the water it holds. If you do not feel confident checking and making the decision yourself, it is always best to speak to a builder, get them to look at your floor joists.

The benefits of authentic antique baths

Original antique cast iron baths are extremely strong and incredibly durable.  They will last a long period of time as can be clearly seen by the number of reclaimed Victorian cast iron roll top baths that are still available for sale today.  Cast iron is a very hard material to damage and can not be easily scratched or dented.  When cleaning, it is very resistant to most abrasive products and when they start to wear they can be easily re-enamelled to preserve them further.

One of the major benefits, is that cast iron can retain heat which will keep your bath water hotter for long periods of time.  Always fill your bath with the hottest water possible prior to using it and don’t forget to check the temperature with your big toe first!

Victorian bath history

Most roll top baths have feet that are in the shape of a claw.  This style of bath is referred to as a clawfoot bath.  They were popular in the late 19th century, although the design actually comes from before that, and originated in Holland.

The Victorian cast iron bath slowly spread to England where it slowly became popular as bathing was starting to become fashionable.  Early bathtubs in England were made of cast iron, copper and sometime tin.

David Buick invented a way for bonding porcelain enamel to cast iron and many companies began successfully selling porcelain enamelled cast iron baths.  We still use this process to this day.

These “Clawfoot baths” usually need more water than a standard bathtub due to their size.  They also come in four main styles

• Classic roll top baths
• Slipper baths – Where one end is sloped and raised giving a more comfortable position.
• Double slipper baths- Where both ends are sloped and raised.
• Double ended baths- Where both ends of the bath are rounded.

Bath Taps

When you purchase one of our lovely Victorian antique cast iron roll top baths, you should not skimp on the type of antique taps you purchase and the decor you choose. There are some traditional taps and showers available in a range of finishes, often with porcelain handles.  Standing taps are also available which stand on the towards the end or side of the bathtub giving a very authentic period feel.