Copper Bathtub Buying Guide: Sizes, Finishes, Installation & Care

A copper bathtub is the one piece in a bathroom that becomes the room. It is also a bigger decision than an acrylic tub: heavier, more expensive, and made of a living metal that changes over time. This guide covers what to know before you buy one: shapes, finishes, sizes, installation, care and how to pair it with the rest of the bathroom.

Why choose a copper bathtub?

• It warms to the water almost instantly. Copper conducts heat very well, so the tub takes on the temperature of the bath water within moments. There is no cold shock against your back the way there can be with stone or cast iron.
• It is a single, solid material. A solid copper tub has no gelcoat to crack or enamel to chip. Small marks blend into the surface over time.
• It ages instead of wearing out. Copper develops a patina, from warm brown to deep bronze, or blue-green verdigris if it is finished that way. The tub looks better at ten years than at one.
• It is a sculpture. A freestanding copper tub is usually the focal point of the room, which means the rest of the bathroom can be simpler.

Shapes: double slipper, oval and more

The double-slipper shape, raised at both ends with the drain in the middle, is the classic freestanding metal bathtub. Two people can lean back at either end, and the rolled rim gives the silhouette its curve. Most of our tubs use this form, including our two solid brass designs, the Santos and the Verdigris Bath.

A single-slipper tub raises only one end, which suits a tub placed against a wall with the filler at the low end. Oval soaking tubs have a flatter rim and a more contemporary feel. Clawfoot copper tubs stand on feet and read as more traditional.

Finishes

• Polished and satin copper: the classic warm glow inside and out, like the Satin Copper Bathtub.
• Matte black exterior: a dark, quiet outside with a glowing metal inside. See the Black Copper bathtub, or the Santos in solid brass with an unlacquered brass interior.
• Verdigris and blue-green patina: the look metal takes on after decades outdoors, developed before the tub ships. See the copper Patina Bath and the Verdigris Bath in solid brass.
• Hammered copper: a textured surface that catches the light and hides marks.

On most copper tubs the interior is polished copper, so the water glows.

Sizes: how big should a copper tub be?

Measure the bathroom before you fall in love with a tub. Leave room around a freestanding tub so it can be cleaned and so the shape can be seen; tight against three walls, a freestanding tub loses its point. As a guide:

• 59 to 60 inches: compact bathrooms and shorter bathers.
• 66 to 67 inches: the most common size for a main bathroom.
• 70 to 75 inches: large bathrooms, tall bathers, or two people.

Brassna tubs are made to order in four sizes: 59.1, 66.9, 70.9 and 74.8 inches long. Custom sizes can be quoted through our contact page.

Installation: what to plan before delivery

1. Check the floor. A filled bathtub is heavy, especially with a person in it. Ask your contractor to confirm the floor structure can carry the filled weight, particularly on upper floors and older homes.
2. Plan the drain position. Freestanding tubs drain through the floor. The drain must be placed exactly under the tub's drain hole, so set the tub position before the floor is finished.
3. Choose the filler. A freestanding tub needs a floor-mounted or wall-mounted tub filler. Floor-mounted fillers keep walls clear; wall-mounted fillers need the valve planned while the wall is open. Browse freestanding tub fillers.
4. Plan the access route. Measure doorways, stairs and turns from the street to the bathroom against the tub's dimensions.

Copper bathtub care

• Rinse and dry the interior after use, and clean with mild soap and a soft cloth.
• Avoid bleach, ammonia, abrasive creams and scouring pads. They strip the patina back to bare metal unevenly.
• Avoid leaving bath products, especially acidic ones, sitting on the surface.
• To restore shine on polished copper, use a copper polish. To let it darken, simply leave it alone.

The patina is part of the finish, not damage. Most owners let it develop.

Pairing a copper tub with the rest of the bathroom

Copper sits naturally beside unlacquered brass: both are warm metals that age at a similar pace. A brass tub filler, a wall-mount bathroom faucet and a copper sink make the room feel like one design. With a matte black or verdigris tub, oil-rubbed bronze or antique copper fixtures also work well. For a lighter look, pair copper with white plaster, pale stone and warm wood.

Frequently asked questions

Are copper bathtubs worth it?

If you want a tub that becomes the focal point of the bathroom and improves with age, yes. A solid copper tub warms quickly, does not chip like enamel and can last for generations with simple care. It costs more and weighs more than acrylic, so plan the budget and the floor before you buy.

Do copper bathtubs keep water warm?

Copper warms to the temperature of the water very quickly, so the bath feels warm from the moment you get in. How long the water stays hot depends mostly on the room temperature and the volume of water.

How do you clean a copper bathtub?

Rinse and dry after use, and clean with mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid bleach and abrasive cleaners. Use a copper polish only if you want to restore the original shine.

Will a copper bathtub turn green?

Not in normal indoor use. Indoors, copper usually darkens to brown and bronze tones. The blue-green verdigris look comes from long outdoor exposure or from a patina applied before delivery, as on our Patina Bath and our brass Verdigris Bath.

See all bathtubs, made to order with free express shipping to the USA and 60-day returns. Designers and hospitality teams can get project pricing through our Trade Program.