For some homeowners, a clawfoot bathtub is a perfect way to bring style and comfort to the bathroom. This kind of tub is a great fit for homes with a rustic layout, and it's also an excellent choice as a central feature in a larger bathroom. There's also the fact that this kind of tub allows you to take a deep, luxurious soak.

There are several considerations to factor into your decision when buying a clawfoot tub. In addition to the style, you'll have to determine whether your home needs any upgrades to support this feature.

Karen Egly-Thompson, writing for the home design site Houzz, says one of the key decisions is whether the tub will be cast iron or acrylic. Cast iron tubs typically feature this material with a layer of porcelain on the inside. While vintage tubs are usually made of cast iron, modern tubs favor acrylic.

Cast iron tubs are most likely to be found in houses built between 1890 and 1940, the heyday for clawfoot tub production according to the company Vintage Tub & Bath of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. They're the best option for homeowners seeking an antique look, are fairly inexpensive, and do a good job of retaining heat for long baths. However, this kind of bath weighs hundreds of pounds and is quite a hassle to move. It will also be permanently scarred if the porcelain is scratched.

Acrylic tubs are lighter and better at preventing heat transmission, so that the water will heat up faster. Though the porcelain scratches more easily than a cast iron tub, the damage can be repaired through sanding and polishing. This kind of tub is also a more expensive option, though.

Both cast iron and acrylic tubs have plenty of options when it comes to style. The most common type is a roll rim tub, which is rounded at one end. Double-ended tubs are rounded on both ends. The slipper style rises on one end to allow for easy reclining, while double slipper tubs have this incline on both ends.

Vintage Tub & Bath says another option is the pedestal tub. This offers a standing tub similar to the clawfoot style, though it sits on a pedestal base rather than the traditional feet.

The faucets for the tub can be mounted in numerous ways. The home design site Apartment Therapy says some tubs will come with faucets and showerheads as part of the package. These can be mounted at one end of the tub or on the side. Other clawfoot tubs come with no drillings for faucets, allowing the homeowner to mount plumbing fixtures from the wall or ceiling.

Shannon Lee, writing for Old House Web, says your choice of clawfoot tub should be dependent on some of your home's characteristics. Most importantly, you should make sure your house's frame is strong enough to support this kind of tub, especially if you'd like to go with the heavier cast iron option.

You might also have to update your house's plumbing or appliances. Clawfoot tubs hold plenty of water, so you might need to upgrade to a second or larger hot water heater if you plan to use the tub frequently. You also need to make sure the plumbing in your home is compatible with a clawfoot tub, especially when it comes to drainage.

Egly-Thompson says that if you already have a cast iron clawfoot tub in your bathroom, the cheapest option is to restore it. This process involves a deep cleaning of the tub and a re-glazing of the interior by a professional. You can also give the tub a new look by sanding and repainting the exterior.

Egly-Thompson says there are several markets to search for a clawfoot tub. These include architectural salvage firms, tub refinishing businesses, and the classified section.