Choosing the right concealed thermostatic shower valve

Emeline solid brass 2-way concealed thermostatic shower - one of the models offered by Bathroom Heaven
There are many thermostatic showers on the market, and prices vary widely. Going by the pictures of shower valves you find on websites and in catalogues it's often hard to spot the difference between cheap valves and expensive ones. How can you be sure you are getting a good quality shower without overpaying?  Here is a brief guide to help you make the right choice.

Shower Body

The most important part of your concealed shower valve is not the chrome part that's visible in your bathroom, it's the part that sits inside the wall that really counts.  The body should be a single casting in high grade brass (separate parts bolted together are cheaper to make, but may be more prone to leaking). Bodies should also be individually pressure tested at the factory at high pressure, to ensure the casting is good - check with the manufacturer.  

Shower Valve Components

Find out also about the thermostatic valve (the component that sets the temperature).  Plastic valves may not last as long as brass ones.  All components should be easy to remove from the shower body by means of a quick release nut - this means if you ever do have to replace a component you can do so by simply isolating the water supply, rather than having to remove and re-plumb the unit.  Check also that component spares are readily available from your retailer.

The shower body should have an easy means of fixing to the back of the bathroom wall cavity, and an adjustable concealing plate, to allow for different depths of cavity.

Flow Rates

Check the flow rates too.  Some thermostatic showers are not engineered for UK water systems and may give a very low water flow at lower water pressures.

Shower Outlet Options

If your shower is over a bath, you may want to take the opportunity to do away with bath taps altogether, using a 2 or 3-way shower valve with diverter to choose between shower and bath (requires an extrafill, which replaces the standard bath waste).  This diverter type of shower is also useful if you want more than one shower outlet - a fixed head shower and a shower kit, for example.

Concealed Shower Finish

Finally, you want your shower to last a long time.  Go for a good quality (chrome plated) solid brass concealing plate and handles - they look so much nicer than plastic and will look good for a lot longer.

In our opinion it's worth spending a bit more to get a good thermostatic shower that will last, since leaks and other problems can be very expensive to sort out.  Bathroom Heaven follows a very thorough and vigorous process in selecting its shower valves, and we aim to find a good balance between quality and value for money.