The beauty, size, and practicality of cast iron tubs make them a highly sought-after addition to any bathroom. Not only do they provide an eye-catching centerpiece in the room and give it a timelessly elegant look, but also are perfect for taking long baths. It’s no wonder so many people dream of having one installed in their bathrooms!
But before you decide to purchase a cast iron tub, wouldn’t it be important for you to know the logistics of these pieces? How much do they weigh in comparison with others? Will one person be able to manage them on their own? And can they even fit into any upper levels of your home? These are all essential questions that must be addressed and considered before making such an investment. So if investing in a beautiful and luxurious cast iron bathtub is what you have in mind, here’s some information that may come in handy!
What Are Cast Iron Tubs Made Of?
Cast iron tubs are aptly named – they are made of cast iron! However, due to the porcelain outer layer that covers up the metal core, we usually don’t find these types of baths in good condition. Much like steel bathtubs, this coating is what protects the underlying surface and keeps it looking pristine for longer.
Manufacturers begin crafting a bathtub by molding the iron into its desired shape. After it hardens, they then combine it with porcelain and coat that in enamel to preserve it from chipping. Exposed iron can be corrosive; therefore, an extra layer of protection is necessary for preserving the base metal from oxidation. The combination of porcelain and enamel provides this safeguard needed for long-lasting durability.
How Heavy Is An Old Cast Iron Bath?
Cast iron tubs are incredibly dense, meaning they weigh a lot. Empty cast iron tubs can range from 225 pounds to 500+ pounds depending on size and model. But don’t forget – once you fill it up with water (and possibly a bather!) the weight increases significantly!
The amount of weight that a tub can hold depends on its size and type. Freestanding and alcove cast iron are the two main kinds of tubs, each with its unique capacity to endure various amounts of weight.
Freestanding Cast Iron Tubs
Free-standing tubs, such as the claw-footed style that is renowned for its distinguished feet, offer an abundance of versatility in terms of installation. As long as you have access to plumbing fixtures and fittings, they can be situated almost anywhere throughout your bathroom interior.
Freestanding cast iron tubs offer a much greater range of freedoms in terms of size, placement, and design compared to their more enclosed counterparts. As such, these particularly claw-footed tubs are frequently used as the statement piece for bathrooms – making them a great choice for those who want some drama!
These baths come in various sizes from 55” up to 72” lengths and 27-32″ widths; moreover, they weigh between 250 – 500 pounds depending on size. So if you’re looking to make an impact with your bathroom look no further than freestanding cast iron tubs!
Alcove Cast Iron Tubs
Conversely, you can pick an alcove cast iron tub. Unlike free-standing models that necessitate only one wall for set up, this type of bathtub requires three walls to complete installation and replicates the usual bath/shower combination typically found in many houses as it needs a specific area inside your bathroom to be placed.
In small bathrooms where space is limited, alcove tubs are the perfect solution to make a statement with style and practicality. Their rectangular shape gives them an elegant look while also utilizing floor space more efficiently than free-standing models. Despite their design limitations, these types of tubs provide great options for homeowners who want to maximize their bathroom’s potential.
While the standard size for an alcove bathtub is 60 inches, you may come across a selection of sizes that work with different alcove dimensions. The three enclosed sides are typically unfinished, making these tubs light in weight since they don’t require as much material to finish them off.
On average, a typical 60-inch cast iron bathtub can easily weigh between 300 and 325 pounds – quite hefty!
How Do You Move A Cast Iron Tub?
Moving a cast iron bathtub is far from simple, as they are incredibly heavy. To make the installation process simpler for yourself, gather some friends to help you move the substantial tub into place.
Before you start, it’s important to plan your journey for the tub through your home. Where is its current location? How will you get it where it needs to be? Make sure that all places the bathtub must pass – doorways, hallways, and around corners especially – can accommodate its size by measuring them ahead of time. Additionally, make sure there’s enough space in your bathroom when maneuvering the tub; double-check those measurements before proceeding! Lastly, ready up any plumbing connections while also offering support as needed before installing the tub.
After you have identified the ideal route for moving your tub and confirmed that it will fit, make sure to equip yourself with all the necessary protective gear. Furthermore, get a dolly to aid in transporting the item through your home safely. Finally, request assistance from some friends or family members who can help cover the tub with a blanket before its journey – this not only protects it against any potential damage but also safeguards your house walls from any unforeseen incidents!
To make the moving process simpler, procure a few straps and dollies. You may require up to four of these helpful tools to move your tub. Then you must decide on how to place it onto the furniture dollies into its desired location. One potential solution would be an incline ramp or if possible, manually lift it with help from others!
As you contemplate the best option for yourself, keep in mind that these tubs are weighty and can cause harm if not handled with caution. Once the decision is made, prepare your safe journey by covering it up securely (such as a light blanket) then lay it on its side onto the dolly to move.
Carefully bring the tub into your house, taking extra care not to damage any walls in the process. There’s no rush – take as much time as you need! When it comes time to get a cast iron bathtub placed and connected with plumbing fixtures, be sure that you are comfortable doing so before starting. If not, don’t hesitate to call upon an experienced professional for assistance; installing one of these pieces can be quite frustrating due to its hefty weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can You Put A Cast Iron Tub On The Second Floor?
Due to their formidable weight, installing a cast iron tub on the second story requires more than just carrying it up the stairs. Extra measures must be taken for its immense load capacity as well. For example, extra support may need to be added to ensure the safe installation and use of your new bathtub.
Opting to place a cast iron tub on the second floor or higher of your home requires extra reinforcement in its bathroom framing. An acrylic or fiberglass tub is far lighter than its 200-pound-plus counterpart, so if you’re considering replacing yours with one made from cast iron, it might be wise to evaluate the structure supporting it.
Not only must you factor in the bathtub’s weight, but also its heft after it’s filled up with water and a bather. A gallon of room temperature water is approximately 8.34 pounds; cast iron tubs can hold between 32 to 82 gallons of H2O in an alcove or freestanding form respectively. This means that an alcove variant may reach 265 pounds when full while a larger free-standing one could hit 680 lbs! When someone hops into the bubbly liquid bliss, then those numbers would skyrocket even higher – depending on your bather’s body weight too!
The lesson behind this story is clear: weigh the tub’s weight carefully and ensure your bathroom can handle it. When in doubt, contacting a certified contractor as taking cautionary measures will always be more beneficial than regretting later.
Can One Person Move A Cast Iron Tub?
Moving a cast iron tub is certainly not an easy task, and it’s even more complicated to do alone. Even if you have the right tools, getting the bathtub in place will require additional help – so make sure to call upon some extra hands before attempting this move! Having multiple people around can also decrease any risk of injury by ensuring that the process is done as safely as possible. Ultimately, one person might be able to lift a tub with specialized equipment; however, having assistance during installation makes all the difference.
Cast iron tubs can prove to be a cumbersome and daunting task for even the strongest of individuals. Their heavy, bulky frame makes them difficult to move without assistance. If you don’t have any extra hands around to help transport your new bathtub – no worries! Enlisting the services of professional movers is an easy solution that will guarantee success in installing this luxury item into your bathroom.
With professional installation, you can ensure that you don’t have to go through the hassle of moving or installing your cast iron bathtub yourself. On average, installation costs range from $1,230 – $2175 and may vary depending on the tub type and level of difficulty when it comes to placement. The cost does not include the price of purchasing a new tub which can prove expensive in itself!
