xc60 - sounds great - I know just enough to be dangerous. I love this forum. I learn more from it than going to the plumbing showrooms. katmomma, you will have to search this forum for air tubs. I can help you with selecting drop in tubs based on shape, size, quality. You basically want a good quality air tub without the price tag. Mirabelle tubs are well designed, deep and I see that folks on this forum have purchased them as air tubs. They are private label for Ferguson (made by Clarke). I like the feel of their acrylic better than Kohler. I don't see folks talking about Kohler air tubs but they make a solid whirlpool and are priced right. I do not know how the Jacuzzi air tubs are but I personally like their designs - they are priced right for you too. Jason, owned by the former Jacuzzi folks, can get pricey. Same with MTI, Hydrosystems, and Americh. Maax tubs are nice but I see on this forum that folks say that their air tubs are loud.

Wow, I am very late to this, but I feel the need to say something. I sell these tubs for a living and $2,000 is basically a steal anymore. V&A has some of the most reasonable prices, especially since it's a stone composite. Most tubs, especially ones with jets, that are sold in a showroom are far more than that. Never, ever, ever buy a tub off-line or from a bulk store. There are simple reasons for this. One is for warranty. You will want that warranty. Box stores and online will not offer you real warranties. If you buy online and it comes in scratched, the company will do nothing to help you. Neither will your local dealers. There are numerous other reasons that I won't go into. Never, ever buy a tub off of craigslist. Not only can it be a health risk to you, but it resurfacing to sell is normally done very cheap- meaning it's only going to last a few years before it's once again needing to be resurfaced. Resurfacing is not cheap. It's always best to research the style you want. Go with a respected brand and research the prices. Research why they cost that price- especially, when stone comes into play (V&A uses volcanic limestone). Research what comes with what- for instance, American Standard has a very pretty freestanding that comes with a chrome floor mounted filler for about $2,000. It's a basic acrylic, but it's fairly good quality. Buy it from a dealer, where they can get you the warranty and parts if and when needed. Always think about the worst case scenario. Research and find a dealer. Don't buy for the cheap- it will break. I have people in my store everyday wanting us to fix a cheap faucet they got online and we cannot. Do not buy a cheap tub- they are typically single layer and will not hold up. They are often rarely finished, which leads to the tub looking dull and scratched after only a few years. Always, always talk to your local showrooms about offers and the best deals. I just recently spent three days looking for a modern style slipper tub under $2,000 for a customer and found a beautiful one for $1,600 made of double layer acrylic. Also, most freestanding tub fillers run about $1,000 for simple and good reasons- their design is not anything like a deck mount and they are expensive to make and occasionally difficult to install. Also, places like Quality Bath sites charge you lists prices that are typically higher than the price a showroom will offer you... This post was edited by EmilyDesign11 on Tue, Feb 3, 15 at 14:15

I have put 2 claw foot tubs in my house. The first was from Vintage Tubs. It is cast iron and nice. I don't remember which tub exactly, and it has been a few years. My only complaint is the edges of the tub are not as nice as I would have liked. It is subtle, and I may be the only one that notices it. My most recent tub cost a little more, it is also cast iron. It is the Barclay tub and it is a little nicer than the first tub. All of the edges and paint is very nice. The first tub has a deck mount faucet set and the second has the fully freestanding mount. Be sure to decide which you want before you order, so you will or will not have the drilled holes.

Dana, thank you - you made my day! Glad to hear you are saving the tub. You won't be sorry. Believe it or not the original claw tub is a feature which is now included in real estate listings to attract old house buyers. Chances are people who don't like baths just have never lived with a nice deep luxurious old tub. A bath in such a tub bears no resemblance to a bath in one of those horrible shallow modern bath tubs. It might take some getting used to but the claw tub with a tall gooseneck faucet is a great substitute for a shower. After a good soak you rinse off sticking your head under the faucet. Or, some people use the hand held showers. I just have a tub only and I never ever have wished I could have a shower. When I lived with a shower only I really missed having baths and would in fact sometimes go to friends houses to use theirs! For the people who just GOTTA have that stand up shower==see if there is ANYWHERE else in your house where you can put it. The tiled floor with drain sounds like a great solution too.