Remodeling or building a new shower? Then you need a shower valve. But navigating the different types of shower valves and buying one isn’t such an easy decision. For starters, there are hundreds of different shower valve types, all made from different manufacturers with different features and benefits.
If you’re not familiar with shower valves, they are like the heart of the shower, controlling the flow of water and temperature to the shower head, tub spout, body sprays, etc. Getting the right shower valve kit will not only ensure that you have the shower of your dreams, but that you won’t create a plumbing nightmare if there should ever be any repair needs with the product in the future.
In this article, I’m going to make sure you have a simple understanding of the different types of shower valves, their features and benefits and how to avoid the most common pitfalls. I’ll wrap it up by giving you a list of my top choices of shower valves on the market.
If you just want to skip the details and get our #1 Best Selling Shower Remodel Kit, here’s the list of products you’ll need.
Types of Shower Valves
Explained
In a nutshell, there are three different types of shower valves on the market: pressure balancing shower valve, thermostatic shower valve and diverter shower valve. Don’t skip through this section on how to choose a shower valve, because you’ll likely end up with something that doesn’t suit your needs.
Pressure Balancing Shower Valve
Ever flush a toilet when someone was in the shower, only to get yelled at because you burned them with hot water as a result?
That’s because you didn’t have a pressure balancing shower valve! Depending on how old you are, they may not have been in existence at the time. Today it is plumbing code to have pressure balancing in your home - making it one of the most important types of shower valves.
What you experienced is cold water being pulled away from the shower to the toilet, dropping the level of cold water while keeping the amount of hot water the same - resulting in scalding hot water in the shower. Pressure balancing shower valves can sense these pressure changes in the hot and cold lines and partially close down one side to continue to deliver a consistent water temperature.
These valves can require more frequent maintenance, as the internal cartridge balancing the pressure usually has a spool in it that can get locked up over time due to scale and heavy mineral deposits. That will inevitably cause your valve to not produce a consistent water temperature until you get a pressure balance shower valve replacement cartridge. But that’s a small price to pay for safety.
Pro-Tip: Most manufacturer’s back up their valve cartridges, and other parts, with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. So when in need of a part or troubleshooting, contact the manufacturer’s product support line to get to the bottom of the issue and the free parts necessary to make the repair. Read more here: https://www.theshowerheadstore.com/blogs/news/shower-head-faucet-warranty-information
One of the common pressure balancing valve problems is that there isn’t the ability to control the volume of water. So when you turn on the shower it starts at the coldest temperature at full water pressure. There are certain valves that offer temperature memory and volume control but you need to know exactly what to look for. Hang around until the recommendations section, and I’ll give you some good options.
When choosing between types of shower valves, you also need to know how many shower heads you will be using for your project. Pressure balancing valves are good for one to two shower heads at most, as they are equipped with standard sized ½” water inlets. As for larger showers with more shower heads and body sprays, you’ll need a different valve type because this ain’t gonna cut it.
Price-wise, the pressure balancing shower valve is the value buy.
Thermostatic Shower Valve
Thermostatic shower valves operate in a similar manner as pressure balancing valves, with respect to maintaining a consistent water temperature even when other appliances are running water in the house.
So how do thermostatic shower valves work? Unlike a pressure balancing valve that uses a spool to control pressure changes, thermostatic shower valves use...well...a thermostat that regulates the temperature. This is a much more precise way to control the water temperature. You can literally control the temperature down to a degree, while with pressure balancing valves you’ll be sticking your hand in and out of the shower to find the “right” temperature.
Once you pinpoint the exact temperature that you want for your shower, you never have to deviate from it. That’s because thermostatic shower valves have a dial for the temperature and a separate control for the water volume. Again, with most (but not all!) pressure balancing valves, once you shut off the water you lose the temperature “memory”.
Because of this design, thermostatic valves are one of the best types of shower valves for larger showers with multiple shower heads and/or body sprays. This is due to the fact that they typically have at least ¾” water inlets, allowing more water to flow through the valve to the multiple devices being used.
Price-wise, this is the more expensive valve.
Diverter Shower Valve
The previous two types of shower valves are “main” shower valves that control the flow and temperature. Diverter shower valves, on the other hand, are optional valves that divert the flow of water between multiple shower heads. So, if you are only planning on using one shower head, you can skip using a shower valve with diverter.
Diverter valves are IN ADDITION to the main rough-in shower valve. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen clients buy diverter valves thinking that they were the main shower valve, only to be sadly disappointed when passing it along to their plumber...leading to project setbacks.
You’ll find these diverters installed just above the main shower valve with their own separate control. For pressure balancing valves, you’ll only ever need one of these diverter valves (as you’ll only be able to use up to two shower heads). For thermostatic shower valves, you can have multiple diverters to control all of your shower heads and body sprays. Typically, for thermostatic valves you need one diverter per shower head or spray.
Pro tip: When shopping for diverter valves, keep an eye out for 2-way diverter shower valves and 3-way diverter shower valves. A 2-way valve means that you can divert water between two shower heads, whereas a 3-way valve can run water to those independent shower heads or to both at the same time. I’d always opt for the 3-way! For thermostatic shower valves, you’ll typically need one diverter per shower head or spray.
Value bomb: If you want to save money on your project, or aren’t touching the rough plumbing in the wall, you can elect to use an external shower diverter. This type of diverter installs onto your shower arm and operates the same way, diverting water up to two different shower heads.
Avoid These Shower Valve Pitfalls!
Consult Your Plumber
I wanted to take a brief pause here for a PSA before moving along. Please talk to your plumber about the types of shower valves you may need for your project and make sure you are on the same page before proceeding any further.
Miscommunications at this stage of your project can lead to unnecessary setbacks, which cost you time and money.
Do You Even Need A Shower Valve?
This is an important question to ask before spending too long exploring the different types of shower valves. Make sure you even need to provide a shower valve for your project. Two instances come to mind where you normally wouldn’t have to.
In that case, I would give you a word of warning. If the valve is not a
pressure balancing shower valve
, make sure that they change it out to bring the shower up to code. If it is up to code and you decide to keep it, determine the brand and valve name so you can find the right shower trim to go along with it. (For example: Moen (brand) Posi-Temp (valve name).
Some plumbers have preferred valves and will install one without even consulting you (of course the best plumbers will inform you, but let’s not assume anything). If this is the case, and you are comfortable with that, confirm the brand and valve name so you can get the compatible trim (which I’ll discuss later), same as in the previous instance.
Types of Shower Valves
: Connection Type
When exploring types of shower valves and installing them, it’s important to understand that there are different connection types.
CC
Copper connection (CC) means that the plumber will have to directly solder the copper pipe into the valve.
IPS
Iron Pipe Straight (IPS), also known as 1/2" NPT, connections are threaded connections on the valve, where the plumber would attach an adapter to the valve before soldering the copper pipe into the adapter.
PEX
PEX is a plastic tubing that is preferred to copper due to its flexibility, resistance to scale, corrosion resistance and ease of installation (no soldering).
More and more new construction is moving away from copper pipes to PEX. Although it’s been around in the USA since the 1980’s, it does take some time for new home construction to catch up to all of the older homes with copper pipes.
Those are just some of the connection types, which is why it’s important to consult with a plumber first before going on a shower valve shopping spree.
Other Things To Consider When Exploring Types of Shower Valves
Number of Valve Ports
Are you installing a walk-in shower or a tub/shower combo? That’s important to know, because there are 3- and 4-port shower valves. A three-port valve will have one for hot, one for cold and one port up to the shower head. A four-port valve will additionally have a port down to the tub spout.
Remember, a plumber can always cap a forth port on a valve if you only need three but he can’t create a fourth port if you only provide a three port valve. So know what you need before you buy one of the types of shower valves.
Check/Service Stops
Service stops on a shower valve are optional but certainly come in handy, especially if you are in an apartment or condo.
They allow you to shut off the water to the valve so you can repair it without having to shut the main water source off. If you live in a building with multiple other residents, this could mean that you would have to shut off the water to the building or floor before you can fix your valve, which will take some time to get approved by the building’s superintendent. Even if you live in a single family home, with these check stops you can work on the valve without cutting off running water to your washer, dishwasher, other bathrooms...you get the point.
I think they are worth it to have for the little extra cost of the upgrade. They can mean the difference between getting your valve repaired in a few hours or a few days.
Shower Valve Brands to Consider
When shopping for different types of shower valves and trim kits, I am a big advocate for choosing reputable, well-established brands. Here's why:
The top brands that I would consider for your shower valve and trim kit are as follows:
Sure, there are dozens of brands to choose from, but these are the most reputable American brands that the majority of plumbers know and trust. While an experienced plumber can install any type of shower valve, the more foreign or complex the project, the longer the project will take and that means more money out of your pocket.
Avoid These
Shower Valve and Trim Kit
Pitfalls!
Not All Trims Contain Valves
Just like there are different types of shower valves, there are different types of shower trim kits too. So don’t assume that just because you buy a valve that you’ll get a trim or vice versa.
Although Home Depot and Lowes, for example, sell kits that include both the valve and matching trim, that’s more of the exception than the rule. These big box store sets are usually very cheaply made with plastic components, and don’t offer much in the way of shower head performance.
Hey, I love Home Depot as much as the next guy, I'm just letting you know that the standard material quality there is sub-par.
When you shop online or from showrooms, especially from reputable name brands, the valve and trims kits are typically sold separately.
Again, you’ll just need to confirm the product details to know what exactly is included and buy the trim kit that matches the brand and valve model.
Not All Trims Contain Accessories
Additional accessories that you will need for your shower remodel are as follows:
Of course, you may want to add things like a slide bar or body sprays, which are mostly never included with these sets. Usually buying all of the components as one set is more economical and helps you to avoid issues with product compatibility. The downside is that there are less options when you look for a “complete” set.
I’ve written a previous article on this topic that dives into more of the fashion plumbing side, instead of the rough-in shower valve topic that we are covering now. You can read it here: Shower Remodel 101
Valve-Trim Compatibility
Simply put, you cannot use any old shower trim with any type of shower valve. The trim is the decorative escutcheon plate and handle that you see and touch, which controls the valve inside the wall. Like a car, where you wouldn't use Mercedes-Benz parts on a Toyota, the same applies to shower valves and trims.
And it even goes a step further. Brands, such as Moen and Kohler, even have different types of shower valves that require specific types of trims. So you cannot just assume, “I have a Moen valve, any Moen trim kit will work.” You must identify both the brand name and valve type before selecting your trim kit.
Top Recommendation for Valves and Trims
Here are our top pick for the different types of shower valves, factoring everything that we’ve discussed above. To keep it simple, we’ve selected our #1 favorite valve and trim. But keep in mind that many brands typically offer 10-20 different styles of trims for each of their valves, so you can do your own research if you find that this style isn't necessarily your cup of tea.
Valve Recommendation
I thought it was a great bargain when I purchased it.
It was not no matter how inexpensive it is. The knobs are very very hard to turn. I needed a pair of pliers just to turn the knobs. I couldn't turn it with my fingers. And when I did loosen it one of the valves would not close completely. I stuck the entire gang valve into a bucket of water with an air pump attached to it and bubbles would be coming out of the closed valve at the knob. It was leaking air. Needless to say, I returned it. Don't waste your time with this.
Update: I bought a different gang valve which is great. Look up my review on the other gang valve (Como Air Flow Control Distributor Aquarium Lever Pump Valve).
.