Rio Grande Thermostatic Clawfoot Tub Faucet: A Thermostatic Clawfoot Tub Faucet Done Well

Strom Plumbing Rio Grande
Thermostactic Clawfoot Tub Faucet

The Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet is named after a big river.  In fact, the Rio Grande river is so big that its name literally means "big river" in Spanish.  Is the Rio Grande moniker symbolic to the Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet?  Not really.  The Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet is manufactured by Strom Plumbing and Strom Plumbing names all of its faucet series after rivers.  The rationale for naming faucet series after rivers is that Strom means "stream" or "river" in the Strom family's native land of Norway.  The Strom Plumbing faucets with a shepherd's hook style spout, including the Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet, are all part of the faucet series named after the Rio Grande River.

Although its name might not have special meaning, the Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet is a remarkable clawfoot tub faucet.  For a thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet, the Rio Grande faucet is a relatively compact faucet.  This makes the tub wall mounted version of this faucet a great choice for smaller clawfoot tubs where space inside the walls of the tub come at a premium.  The arched spout of the Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet projects up and over verses the down and out approach of most thermostatic tub faucets.  It is one of the most code-compliant clawfoot tub faucets on the market because not only does it have the anti-scald thermostatic valve, integrated pressure balance, and integrated anti-siphon, it also has a spout that extends above the flood plain (tub rim).  The Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet is available with a handheld shower (which will increase its' profile and price) and can be configured for mounting on a tub wall, on a tub rim, on a flat wall, or on freestanding supply lines.

In Mexico, the Rio Grande River is known as Rio Bravo.  In English, the word "bravo" is used to applaud a job well done. The Shop 4 Classics Old House Blog says "bravo" to Strom Plumbing for the Rio Grande thermostatic clawfoot tub faucet.

Forged Stainless Steel Door & Cabinet Hardware Accents For Rustic Contemporary Style

Rustic contemporary may seem to be an oxymoron but it is actually one of the hottest design trends. True to its name, rustic contemporary style represents a careful blending of rustic accents into otherwise contemporary home designs resulting in a modern look that is also inviting. Rustic contemporary style homes include typically contemporary features like open floor plans with modern appliances, plumbing fixtures, and furniture. Carefully chosen rustic features are incorporated to add contrast, interest, and warmth to the sophisticated contemporary setting. The rustic component of rustic contemporary style often varies reflecting regional themes, however, the choice of quantity and style of rustic accents should be tempered as to not overwhelm their more understated contemporary surroundings. Smartly chosen and well placed rustic accents become eye-catching focal points against contemporary backdrops. Likewise, larger rustic design features like reclaimed hardwood floors, natural stone accents, stone tile backsplashes, and rustic wood cabinetry provide a contrasting backdrop to surrounding modern furniture and modern accent pieces.

Finding the right door and cabinet hardware to complement rustic contemporary interior design can be a challenge. Acorn Manufacturing’s forged stainless steel door hardware and forged stainless steel cabinet hardware offer a unique blend of rustic and contemporary style. Stainless steel door hardware and cabinet hardware is commonly sleek and modern in design while forged door hardware and cabinet hardware has been made of iron and traditionally almost exclusively been rustic in design. This combination makes Acorn’s forged stainless steel door hardware and cabinet hardware an ideal choice for rustic contemporary themed homes.

Go With The Flow: Improving Water Flow of Clawfoot Tub Faucets and Clawfoot Tub Showers

Low or irregular flow is not only a complaint heard by urologist and proctologists. It is also a common complaint in the plumbing industry. In plumbing, poor water pressure from showerheads and faucets is frequently caused by debris left behind by hard water. Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in hard water form deposits that restrict water flow or get trapped in valve openings. The majority of homes in America have hard water so this problem is not isolated to old homes or antique plumbing. The good news is that [A] hard water is not a health hazard (some even argue that the minerals in hard water contribute toward a healthy diet) and [B] cleaning faucets and showerheads can inexpensively reduce the buildup that causes poor water flow.

Sunflower Showerhead

Hard water deposits are often visible on showerheads and handheld showers as white build-up around nozzles where water is discharged. The build-up can clog nozzles or cause erratic spray patterns. Soaking a showerhead overnight in distilled white vinegar will dissolve mineral deposits or loosen them so they can be gently brushed away from nozzles. If this does not improve flow, hard water debris may be blocking the showerhead's flow restrictor. Modern showerheads, including antique reproduction showerheads for clawfoot tub showers, have flow restrictors integrated in them to conserve water. Essentially, a showerhead flow restrictor is a disk with a small hole in it. The small hole in the disk limits the amount of water that passes through the disk but it can also be easily clogged by debris in hard water. The flow restrictor is usually located at the threaded end of the showerhead. Soaking the flow restrictor in vinegar and cleaning as previously described will open the port to restore normal flow to the showerhead.


Improving water flow for a clawfoot tub faucet is often as easy as cleaning the aerator. Aerators are installed on the end of faucet spouts to mix air into water to reduce splashing and create the perception of greater water pressure. When sediment from hard water gets trapped in the aerator, water flow is actually restricted by the aerator. Uninstall the aerator from the end of the spout and clean it just as described for a showerhead.

Thermostatic Clawfoot Tub Faucet

Our final hard water victim is faucet valves. Just as we described how hard water deposits and debris can block the port in showerhead flow restrictors, it can also block clawfoot tub faucet valves. The build-up around valves will not be as easily detected as it is on showerheads and aerators because valves are internal but reduced flow or irregular flow are strong indicators that valves are blocked by hard water buildup. Antique clawfoot tub faucets with compression valves are particularly susceptible to hard water because the minerals deteriorate rubber washers causing the faucet to drip. Hard water can also be especially problematic for thermostatic clawfoot tub faucets and showers because they include additional check valves that are easily overlooked when troubleshooting flow issues. The check valves, or vacuum breakers, are integrated into the inlets on thermostatic clawfoot tub faucets to provide anti-siphon protection. If check valves get blocked by hard water deposits they will prevent water from reaching the thermostatic mixing valve. If you have a thermostatic faucet that isn't mixing correctly, there is a good chance that it is because one or both check valves are clogged. The location of check valves varies depending on the faucet and cleaning them is best left to an experienced, licensed plumber.

Routine maintenance of clawfoot tub faucets and clawfoot tub showers is an important step in reducing flow problems caused by hard water. Clean showerheads and faucet aerators regularly to improve performance and extend the life of your faucets and showers. If removing buildup from aerators and showerheads does not solve flow problems, consult with your trusted plumbing professional for help maintaining faucet valves.

Unique Rustic Cabin Door and Cabinet Hardware Helps Create a Getaway from the Everyday

Summer is fast approaching and for many this means a trip to their summer getaway cabin to ready it for the vacation season ahead. For some this may entail more than removing the layer of dust that gathered over winter.  Their to-do list may also include renovation projects designed to refresh the look of their favorite summer retreat. Cabin interiors and exteriors often feature rustic themes designed to take their owners worlds away from the hustle and bustle that they left behind. The cabin’s interior may include art and accent items reflecting the region’s flora and fauna. For example, a Minnesota lake cabin may be decorated with figures of moose and pine trees whereas the interior of a Florida beach house may feature figures of pelicans and palm trees. Items that reflect the region’s history are also common decorative pieces found in a cabin’s interior and exterior. For example, western items such as horse and cowboy figures, Indian blankets, horseshoes, and even barbed wire accents are commonly included in the design of ranches throughout the southwest.

Cabin door, cabinet and other home hardware choices are also often very different than those commonly found in homes in the city or suburbs. As with the choice of décor, unique hardware is available in a wide variety of rustic themes. Bronze, copper and forged and cast iron are commonly used to produce hardware that offers not only a unique look but also unique textures making these metals popular choices for interior and exterior hardware for cabins of all types.

Lustrous brass and chrome hardware looks out of place in a cabin’s rustic appearance, but bronze and copper naturally patinas over time to add to a cabin’s rustic character.  Mission Metalwork’s line of solid cast bronze and copper and cabinet hardware and house numbers feature unique tumbled textures that enhance the hardware’s rustic appearance making their hardware ideal for cabin renovation projects.

Hand forged iron is another excellent choice for cabin renovation projects and Artesano Iron Works produces some of the most unique forged iron hardware available. With so many designs available, Artesano Iron Works collection of hand forged iron cabinet hardware, door hardware, and home hardware is likely to have unique options for your cabin whether it is has a southwestern theme or a classic northeastern wilderness theme.

Antique Revelry also has a diverse collection of cabinet hardware.  Antique Revelry's collection includes many cabinet knobs and drawer pulls made of natural bronze and cast iron, however, it is their forged iron and forged copper drawer pulls that  have been the most popular with those renovating cabins and lodges.

Wrought Iron Hardware and the Spanish Colonial Revival

In architecture, a revival is a motif that recycles designs from a previous architectural period. Greek, Dutch, Gothic, and many other architectural themes have experienced periods of revival. In this entry of the Shop 4 Classics Old House Blog, we review the Spanish Colonial Revival which, as its name suggests, invokes designs from Spanish Colonial architecture.

The Spanish Colonial Revival started in the early 1900's. After reaching its peak in the 1920's and 1930's, it began to fade in the 1940's. While Spanish Colonial Revival homes can be found throughout the United States, they are most heavily concentrated in coastal areas of the Southwest and West. It is no coincidence that those areas also happen to be Spanish colonies from the prior century.

The Spanish Colonial Revival was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement that emphasized simple designs integrating regional building practices, materials, and history. In the case of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, those designs featured Spanish motifs with forms and materials native to the Southwest. Spanish Colonial Revival homes are most easily recognized by their earth tone stucco exteriors and red tile roofs. Typically a single storey, Spanish Colonial Revival homes are characterized by arched passageways, courtyards, and deep overhanging eaves intended to help cool the home in the warm climates most frequently associated with these homes.

Although dark bronze and cast iron architectural details weren't unusual, hand forged wrought iron hardware and accents tended to be the metal of choice during the Spanish Colonial Revival (see Forged Iron vs. Cast Iron). The hefty half-rounded entry doors of Spanish Colonial Revival homes were supported by iron strap hinges and accessorized with iron door knockers. Limited windows were usually tall casement windows with iron window hardware. Wrought iron fireplace screens and fireplace accessories decorated chimneys. Hand hammered wrought iron drawer pulls and iron cabinet knobs accented traditional Spanish style furniture and iron lighting fixtures hung from wooden beamed ceilings.

Its heyday has passed yet buildings and homes that recreate designs from the Spanish Colonial Revival continue to be built today. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture remains most popular in the Spanish influenced areas of the Southwest, as it has always been, but its impact can even be seen here in the Midwest in areas like neighboring Mission, Kansas.

All American Wood Register: Wood Registers And Air Returns Made In The USA

All American Wood Register manufactures wood registers and wood air return grilles. Their name makes that fact clear. The wood registers and grilles are made exclusively in America. Again, that is made obvious by their name. What is not made obvious by their name is that All American Wood Register offers variety. And while variety may be the spice of life, it can also spur indecision. Today, we sort through the variety of wood vent cover options available from one of Shop 4 Classics' newest manufacturers to ease the selection of an All American Wood Register vent cover for your next project.

Register vs. Air Return Grille
As previously stated, All American Wood Register offers both wood registers and wood grilles. Grilles are typically used on return ducts while registers are used on supply ducts. In traditional residential heating and cooling systems, airflow is regulated on the supply side so registers have a damper (or louver assembly) while grilles do not. All American Wood Register dampers or constructed from heavy gauge, welded-steel and feature a durable baked-on epoxy coating. They attach to the wood grille with four screws. Like the wood grilles, the steel dampers are made in the USA by experienced craftsmen. All American Wood Register dampers are uniquely equipped with a thumbwheel airflow control that is recessed into the wood grille. The recessed damper control is a popular feature because it simplifies sanding and finishing, eliminates the hazard of a raised lever, and makes sweeping and vacuuming around the register easier.

Surface Mounted vs. Flush Mounted
All American Wood Register vent covers are offered for surface mount or flush mount. Flush mount wood registers and grilles rest in a specially constructed wood frame. The wood frame is permanently installed along with new hardwood flooring or cut into a retrofitted hardwood floor. The vent cover insert and frame are flush with the finished floor surface. The vent cover insert can be lifted out of the frame to clean the duct. Unlike flush mount wood vent covers that are exclusively used with hardwood floors, surface mount vent covers can be used on floors, walls, and ceilings of all types. They are also often called "drop-in grilles" or "self-rimming grilles" because the bottom of the grille drops into the duct opening and the top rests on the surface to create a rim that covers the opening.

Horizontal Slots vs. Vertical Slots
All American Wood Register wood registers and air return grilles are available with three different slot configurations; horizontal, vertical, and MaxFlo™. The horizontal slot wood registers and grilles are milled from a single piece of solid wood. The one piece construction provides the greatest strength and durability which makes them ideal for high-traffic floor areas. Horizontal slots offer mono-directional airflow that aims air in a single direction and can be positioned so ductwork isn't visible. Vertical slot wood registers and grilles provide bi-directional airflow that diffuses air in two directions to balance air movement. All American Wood Register's MaxFlo™ slots are bi-directional vertical slots designed to maximize air circulation. The MaxFlo™ wood registers and grilles have fewer louvers (vanes) that are spread further apart than traditional vertical slots to allow more air volume to pass through the grille. While not a recommended choice for high traffic floors, the MaxFlo™ wood vent covers are an excellent choice for areas that require greater air exchange.

Wood Species
Shop 4 Classics currently offers All American Wood Register vent covers in five different wood species. All wood vent covers are unfinished so you can stain or paint them to match your décor. The open grain of red oak, white oak, cherry, and hickory make them a great choice for stain while the closed grain of maple provides a smoother surface that makes it the recommended wood species for painting.

Choose All American Wood Register wood registers and wood air return grilles for your next project. The variety is unmatched and, oh yes, they are made in America. In addition to discount prices and free shipping for orders over $100, Shop 4 Classics offers the HARDWARE5 promotion code for an additional 5% discount on All American Wood Register orders of $500 or more or the HARDWARE10 promotion code for an additional 10% discount on All American Wood Register orders of $1,000 or more.

When Choosing Bungalow Hardware One Style Does Not Fit All

The American bungalow home is an example of the compact style of homes built during the early 1900's through the 1940's. Bungalows are often described as having low pitched roofs, front facing dormer windows, and large front porches. However, this characterization does not even begin to describe the actual wide array of shapes, sizes and even distinctive qualities of bungalows that exist in the United States. The time period when the bungalow was built often had an effect on its design. Some bungalows incorporated features of earlier housing styles that were fading in popularity at the time (such as Victorian) while others incorporated features from emerging new design trends (such as Modernism). Location factors, specifically regional tastes and building material availability, also influenced the design of the bungalow. Bungalows of the Midwest feature wood, stone, and/or brick exteriors while bungalows found on the West Coast more commonly have stucco exteriors.

Original door hardware and other home hardware found on a bungalow is also often a reflection of what was popular where and when the home was constructed. Therefore, a bungalow may have ornate Victorian era style door hardware with crystal knobs or could have very different Craftsman style door hardware with designs reflecting influences of the American Arts and Crafts movement. Likewise, the bungalow home’s original hardware may also be a reflection of its location. For example, bungalows located in Southern California may contain iron hardware with Spanish influences whereas those in Northern California may include rustic hardware featuring nature themes of the Pacific Northwest.

Since most bungalows are approaching, or already are, a hundred years old, it is quite possible that some if not all of the home’s original hardware has been replaced. Fortunately, today’s home owners who are renovating their bungalow have many antique reproduction hardware options available from which to choose. They can choose hardware that resembles the home’s original hardware or choose, as many do, to complete their bungalow with iconic Craftsman and Mission style hardware that is associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. Regardless of the style of hardware you choose for your bungalow, it is a good idea to try to remain consistent with your choice throughout your home. This simple rule of thumb is especially true when shopping for bungalow hardware because their compact design and typically small number of rooms make inconsistencies in hardware selection all the more noticeable.