What is a tub/shower trim kit?

15 years ago

Hi,

I am trying to figure out what a trim kit is and what does it usually include?

Our house was built in 1998. I want to do a semi-remodel on our master bath without spending a small fortune.

I've started on my way to freshening it up by painting the vanity a dark french roast, with new onyx porcelain floor tile (a marble look), FS paint in a gorgeous medium green, new lighting and a satin nickle sink faucet. I'm not planning on spending a king's ransom, by any means. Or not a typical HGTV budget, anyway.

We are also putting new flooring throughout the house.

Goodbye yucky carpet!

(By the way, both bathrooms previously had CARPET!)

Problem is, that we have a 3 piece, tub filler/shower with a single acrylic knob set made by Delta from 1998. I'm assuming that since it is from that era, that it doesn't have the valves, flow and thermostatic controls etc. that the modern faucets do.

I do know that when my husband turns on the outside spigot to water the lawn, I will scream if I'm in the shower.

My question is, how do I improve the cosmetic features without tearing out the whole wall for a new system? (It is already tiled in white 4x4 and that's OK for now.

(It is not financially reasonable at this time to re-tile it, nor, tear out the wall.)

Would a trim kit do the trick? Is that what I need?

What specs do I shop for?

How do I figure out what the rough-in is like without ripping out the walls? Is there any way to get the model, collection name, or just some specs?

I can't find anything on the faucet itself other than the Delta name.

It's very confusing and a time consuming self education in order to try to find plumbing answers. Plus, I have a lot going on right now with the kitchen and the rest of the house getting new flooring and paint in the next few weeks. (Choosing paint, OMG!)

So, that's why I came here.

We can always synchronize the time for showering and watering the lawn.

I just want some nice looking shower and bath faucets to go with my other upgrades.

HELP!

Thanks for any info. Much appreciated!

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Comments (3)

pricklypearcactus
15 years ago
As I understand, a trim kit is the visible pieces of the shower/tub faucet/head/controls. Behind the walls there will be a shower valve where the hot and cold water go in and pipes for the shower head and tub faucet come out. The actual shower head and tub faucet are part of the trim kit. The temperature/volume handle(s) that connect to the shower valve are also part of the trim kit. It is the shower valve, not the trim kit that provides you with the pressure balance or thermostatic control. Changing the trim will only change the look.
suero
15 years ago
You might be able to replace the Delta tub filler/ shower control with an exposed thermostatic tub filler that has a connection for a shower hose. I believe that both Grohe and Hansgrohe make such a device.
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MongoCT
15 years ago
Like the others wrote, the trim kit is just the "pretty shiny parts" that you see. Based on your description you want either a pressure-balanced or a thermostatic valve.

The PB or TS valve will be a brass valve body. A chunk of metal. That gets buried in the wall. The trim kit has the chrome or nickel (or whatever) knob, lever, escutcheon plate, etc, the things you put your hands on to turn on the valve or change temperature.

For changing out the valve, if you have access to the back of the wall that the valve is on, often times you can cut an access hole there, install the new valve, and patch the drywall. Easy.

Many shower valves have large escutcheon plates (the flat "plate" shaped thing that goes against the wall to hide the hole in the wall) that can hide the hole made if you need to go through the tiled side.

A very decent and affordable pressure-balanced valve is made by Symmons, the Temptrol series. They aren't the most gorgeous by any means, but they have been around forever and will last forever. I have a few in my own house. You can get the entire setup (valve body, shower head, tub faucet, and trim for $100-$150. You can go higher than that too.

The version below is less than $100. They have "prettier versions" too. You can use the included shower head, or substitute one you already have. But it's an excellent valve, and whenever I've needed replacement parts they get sent for free, no questions asked.

The Symmons escutcheon plate is large enough where you can go through the tiled wall, change the valve, and the escutcheon plate will hide the hole. No retiling required.

Just another idea.