Member Article

CAST IRON ADVICE FOR CHOOSING CAST IRON BATHS

Cast iron baths are, for many people, the ‘must have’ when creating a beautiful bathroom. With a wide range of options available, how do you go about choosing the right one for you?

Sebastian O’Connor, Showroom Manager at Victorian Bathrooms, a nationwide brand in traditional and contemporary bathrooms, offers some tips and considerations in making the right choice.

1. What style suits my home?

The great thing about cast iron baths is that they look fantastic in either a traditional or modern home. There is even a huge amount of choice in the design of the actual bath which is why it’s always worth doing your research before buying. Roll tops have always been popular although recently we have seen many customers buying the double-ended styles.

2. What size should I have?

Once you’ve decided on a style of cast iron bath to suit your home then it is important to consider the size. For example, how deep would you like it to be? How long and how wide? Does it fit into your existing bathroom space and will it leave you with enough room for storage?

The phrase ‘measure twice, cut once’ is particularly important in the bathroom industry and with most of the baths we stock between: 1540 x 770 to 1800 x 800, you should be sure of the dimensions before you take the plunge (no pun intended).

3. Now, I know the size, what colour do I want?

The aesthetics of the bath are the next consideration. One of the great things about cast iron baths is that they can be personalized. It is great for customers to be able to alter the outside of the bath to suit their own tastes, or to match the rest of the bathroom. I have seen the outside of cast iron baths painted a bright red which actually looks stunning, but is not to everyone’s taste! For a more traditional look, go for a classic white or black. All you need to do is to choose an oil-based paint of your choice so you can stamp your mark on it and completely complement your bathroom suite.

4. Should I go for double or single-ended?

The next major choice is do you want a single or a double-ended bath, which depends on whether you prefer to share bath-time. Whilst both are superbly elegant in appearance, the double-ended design has a much more luxurious, classical look and feel. Of course, with the double-ended baths, the taps and shower-mixer will sit in the centre whereas on the single-ended baths, the taps will occupy one end. With the taps in the middle it allows each person to use their end of the bath as a comfortable back rest. A single ended bath is perfectly angled for single bathing.

5. A wide choice of bases but which one do I prefer?

Consider what kind of feet would you like with the bath? There are a number of options available to suit your needs and tastes.

Many of our traditional baths are supplied with clawed cast feet as standard, with upgrades to chrome or gold plated feet as optional extras to add even more prestige. The more modern style of cast iron baths are equipped with chrome legs or sit astride wooden blocks. Finally, some versions of the baths come with a skirted base or are even free-standing like the Supadeep freestanding bath recently added to the Victorian Bathrooms range.

6. Choose co-ordinating taps and mixers

Taps are another important consideration. Make sure you choose a style of tap that complements your home. If you are looking for classic style, how about the Balmoral series or if you have a more contemporary home, then theMadeirawould be a great choice.

7. How much space will it take up?

Space is an important consideration in any home, particularly so in the bathroom. Many times people will set their heart on a bathroom suite and overlook the fact they also need to find space for towels, toiletries and general bathroom sundries. By putting a little extra thought into the process from the outset, these potential headaches can be avoided. Victorian bathrooms’ stocks a wide range of accessories to cater for this.

Sebastian concludes, “First introduced into theUKin the 19thcentury, cast iron baths are hugely popular at the moment with many people with discerning tastes looking to recreate that Victorian feel. Many of the baths today are hand crafted using traditional methods and can bring a timeless classic style to a home and with more styles than ever to choose from, that heady feeling of luxury can be achieved at an affordable price.”

For more information on Victorian Bathroomsvisit their website at: www.victorianbathrooms.co.uk or call them on: 0845 130 6911.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Victorian Bathrooms .