Clawfoot Tub Enclosures Types

by The Clawfoot Hunter

Adding a shower to your clawfoot tub not only adds and entirely new facet of functionality to your bathroom but it will also add a fantastic visual appeal as well.  Most of the faucet and tub manufacturers have put together packages for consumers who are interested in adding a shower to their clawfoot tub so you will likely be able to find any style or finish to match what you already have in your bathroom.

If you’re somewhat familiar with plumbing and all of the pieces that are required to complete one of these systems you could buy the pieces separately and have a fully customized system.  For the rest of us though I’d suggest purchasing a package that includes everything.  I will go over the different types available below.

Most enclosures come complete with a tub faucet, riser pipe, shower head, shower ring, ceiling and wall supports.

1. Tub Wall Mounted Shower Enclosure
The Clawfoot Tub Wall Shower Enclosure is the most common type of clawfoot tub faucet mounting.  Just as you may guess from the name, these enclosures will attach to the wall of your clawfoot bathtub.

Before you order, you will need to know what the measurements are.  The best way to do this is to get take a ruler and measure from the right side of a faucet hole on the right over to the right side of the faucet hole on the left.  The most common measurement found is 3 3/8 inches.  You may also on occasion find distances of 5 to 6 inches so it’s best to measure before ordering.

You can read a bit more about clawfoot tub wall mounted faucets here.

2. Deck or Rim Mounted Shower Enclosure
Rim mounted shower enclosures will mount along the top edge of your tub.  Rim mountings are usually found at the end of the tub but are also sometimes seen on the side.  These two types are known as End Mount and Side Mount.  It will be important when you are shopping for your clawfoot tub shower enclosure that you specify which type your are looking for since the shower enclosure attaches in different ways.

One of the biggest benefits of having a rim mounted clawfoot tub shower enclosure is that the faucet doesn’t protrude into the shower.  This will allow you more room to move in the shower.  One of the biggest complaints about a clawfoot tub shower is that they are claustrophobic so every inch counts.

You can learn more about deck mounted clawfoot tub faucets here.

3. Free Standing Clawfoot Tub Enclosure
This is the enclosure that you will see the least of out in the world.  The white elephant.  They’re more pricey than all of the other enclosures but I have to admit they are my favorite.  One of the greatest benefits of this style is that it will really show off your finish.  Also, like the deck mounted shower enclosures the freestanding clawfoot tub shower enclosure will give you a little more room in your tub.  If you have a tub that doesn’t have holes drilled yet, I suggest that you see what’s available with this style.  I’m sure that you will be impressed.

I’ve also written a post about freestanding clawfoot tub faucets over here.  Much of the information is transferable.

If you have any questions about any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.