Universal Shower Handle Buying Guide

Selecting the right shower handle involves careful consideration of various factors, from matching existing fixtures to understanding the different types of valves and their functions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision, whether you're renovating your bathroom or building a new home.

Matching Your Existing Fixtures and Décor

When replacing shower handles, it's essential to consider the existing elements in your bathroom. Your choices depend on the fixtures you intend to keep. You'll need to match your new faucets to your tub/shower configuration, bathroom décor, and the finish of other faucets in the room. Other details to consider include whether a tub or tub deck is already drilled with a specific number of holes. It's wise to allocate adequate funds in your renovation budget for your bathtub and shower faucets, treating them as a crucial element rather than an afterthought.

Understanding Shower Valves and Trim

The valve is a plumbing component that controls water flow, concealed behind the control handle and escutcheon (or wall plate). Often referred to as a "rough-in valve," it's integrated into the wall frame during construction and connected to the hot and cold water supplies. "Trim" refers to the visible, decorative parts of your tub/shower faucet set. When purchasing a trim kit, ensure compatibility with the installed valve. Replacing shower and tub faucets requires careful planning, as old valves cannot be easily removed. A plumber will need to open the wall, remove the old valve, and weld the new one in place. However, if you're replacing the entire shower or shower/tub, your contractor will have easier access to the valve.

Types of Shower Valves

Pressure Balancing Valves (PB Valves)

Most tub and shower valves are pressure balancing valves, and some building codes even mandate these as an anti-scalding measure. These valves compensate for temporary fluctuations caused by water usage elsewhere in the building by balancing the amount of hot and cold water in the mix. PB valves are usually accompanied by single-handle shower faucets that turn left and right to control both the water pressure and the temperature. One sign to replace your PB valve cartridge is when you get mostly hot or cold water, suggesting the mixing mechanism isn’t working properly.

Thermostatic Valves (TS Valves)

The Cadillac of shower valves is the thermostatic valve. These valves regulate the water's temperature itself, not just the mix, based on a preset preference. The thermostatic valve requires two handles: one to regulate temperature and one for on/off and pressure. With a thermostatic valve, you have direct control over the water temperature by presetting a temperature control on the valve, providing scalding protection. It maintains the desired temperature to within one degree. You can also set an overall temperature limit on the valve. Due to their design, TS valves are prone to gathering dirt or debris in the check valves that control the flow of water from the hot and cold water taps. If water temperature or volume is unequal or imbalanced, inspect and clear the check valves per instructions from the manufacturer.

Shower Mixing Valve (Manual Valve)

The shower mixing valve, or a manual valve, is the oldest of the shower valve types and is most often found in older homes. There’s a risk of scalding with the mixing valve if the cold water pressure drops since this type of valve doesn’t regulate sudden pressure fluctuations. If you have a mixing valve, an anti-scald pressure-balancing valve or even a thermostatic valve would be a worthy upgrade.

Shower Diverter Valve (DV)

The shower diverter valve (DV) diverts water from a bathtub faucet to a showerhead, or a showerhead and another sprayer, and vice versa.

Shower Transfer Valve (TV)

For water flowing through different faucets or heads, whether alternately or at the same time, the shower transfer valve (TV) is the one you’ll need.

Exposed vs. Concealed Valves

Most valve designs are concealed, meaning they’re hidden within the wall of your shower. Exposed valves are newer but growing in popularity since they can be installed without opening up the wall, and installed mounted on the shower wall or tile. This makes it easier to replace or repair the valve and cartridge.

Shower Head Types

Shower heads have become the star of many bathroom renovations, with a myriad of sizes, spray patterns, and luxury features available. In addition, shower heads are usually not that difficult to change.

Fixed Shower Heads

Fixed shower heads can be mounted on your shower wall or ceiling. They may be basic or elaborate, single function or multi-function.

Handheld Shower Heads

They have been popular in Europe for a long time. They offer several advantages, including the flexibility to aim the spray wherever you like on your body or bring it down to a child, pet, or a pair of sandy feet. A solo handshower can serve as a fixed head when on its slide bar or bracket.

Aesthetics and Functionality

Shower heads can be circular, square or rectangular. Shower heads can provide everything from a single basic spray to seven or eight luxurious functions. Different manufacturers offer a variety of patterns, such as rainshower, fast and slow massage, aerated spray, whirl, soft drench, and more.

Water Efficiency

Government standards now mandate that shower heads use a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm) at a standard 80psi (pounds per square inch) pressure. Going low-flow benefits both the planet and your wallet every time you shower.

Shower Systems

Whether you are renovating or building new, installing a shower system is a big job, especially if you design your own custom system instead of purchasing a prepackaged system. Shower systems can include a combination of valves, volume controls, diverters, shower heads, body sprays and handshowers. Some systems may incorporate a tub filler as well. The real challenge takes place behind the scenes. You and your contractor will need to evaluate your current plumbing system carefully, or plan ahead if you are building new. The positioning of the various components is vital. Consult with your contractor before you decide to incorporate a low-flow shower head into a shower system.

Identifying Your Shower Faucet Type

Your shower faucet and shower valve go hand-in-hand, and so it’s important to properly identify the type of faucet and the valve you own before replacing or repairing your shower system.

A mounted showerhead, or fixed showerhead, directly connects to the shower pipe in the wall.
A handheld showerhead, or handset showerhead, has a hose that runs from the showerhead to the shower pipe behind the faucet handle.

Additional Considerations

Don't Mix and Match

Do not try to mix and match with manufacturers when it comes to shower faucet and valve parts.

Regular Use

Shower valves made by trusted manufacturers are built to last a very long time. To keep them in tip-top shape, use your shower regularly. Both mixing valves and pressure balancing valves have inner cartridges that can wear out over time.

Professional Help

If you’re unsure about anything when it comes to replacing or getting a new shower valve, don’t hesitate to reach out to a plumber. Plumbing can be tricky and mistakes can be costly to fix.

Brands

Kohler: A long-time trusted manufacturer for their resilient brass valves. High quality may come with a higher price tag but longer lifespan.
Delta: A more affordable and easier to install shower valve manufacturer.

Tub and Shower Configurations

The majority of houses and apartments still feature the standard tub/shower combo in the full bath: a bathtub with a shower head and tub spout mounted on the wall. Shower-only trim kits, like combo trims, require a separate valve unless otherwise specified in the product description. They usually include a control and a shower head.

Mounting Options

Deck mount: This can refer to either a faucet mounted on the rim of the tub itself or in a surrounding deck made of marble, tile, etc. Pipes are concealed.
Floor mount (also called freestanding): An option for a tub without pre-drilled holes such as a soaking tub or vintage-look clawfoot tub.
Wall mount: An alternative for a freestanding tub that is close to a wall.

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