Diverter OR Volume Controls OR Both?

skavan

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

am trying so hard to understand what I need for a new shower that has:

A fixed head high performance shower head
A separate hand shower
A thermostatic control
Separate Volume Controls for handshower and fixed shower

I think I have figured out that I need:

A thermostatic valve (in the wall)
A thermostatic valve trim (the pretty lever on the wall)
Two Volume Control Valves (inside the wall)
Two Volume Control Levers (on the wall)
The Shower Head (and neck)
The Hand Shower (and slidebar, and holder and hose)

But - here's where I am stuck:

do I need a diverter? If so, why? If not, then what is their purpose?
Do I need a rough in valve before we get to the thermostatic valve (#1 above)
Do I need 1/2" or 3/4" stuff?
Lastly, can I get a quality set up (Kohler/Grohe/Delta/Moen) that does the above for less than $1200 all in (in Brushed Nickel or similar)!?

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

LE

11 years ago

Do you want to use both showerheads at the same time? We have a diverter that goes between a rainhead and a handheld on a bar. The temperature is just set at a comfortable setting and we don't move that. The only issue is that if you switch from one to the other, you want to step back before the colder water from the pipe above the rainhead drains onto the top of your head. But in Jamaica, that might be desirable! I find all this confusing, too. We also went with the Hansgrohe and the iboxes, as that seemed to simplify things for some reason.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

johnn
11 years ago
Are you going to have a tub spout as well, or shower only?

-john
chispa
11 years ago
It also depends on where you are located. Here in LA county, code does not allow for multiple shower sources, so you can't run the fixed showerhead and handheld at the same time ... so in this scenario you have a diverter and can use one or the other, but not both. Of course people figure out ways around this and we kept our old set up when we remodeled our master shower.
Related Professionals
Bainbridge Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Victoria Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Durango Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Vicksburg Bathroom Remodelers · Sugar Land Bathroom Remodelers · Eureka Bathroom Remodelers · Ogden Bathroom Remodelers · Hot Springs Tile and Stone Contractors · Tyler Tile and Stone Contractors · Dubuque Tile and Stone Contractors · Alpena Tile and Stone Contractors · Muskegon Tile and Stone Contractors · Palm Desert Tile and Stone Contractors · San Luis Obispo Tile and Stone Contractors · York Tile and Stone Contractors
catbuilder
11 years ago
Why do you want a fixed and a hand-held? The fixed isn't necessary, since the hand-held provides the same function, unless for some reason you want to run both at the same time.
Debbi Branka
11 years ago
I love my fixed and handheld. My husband discovered that if you point them at each other and stand where they cross, both sides of you are always being showered with hot water and you never have one side cold. It's luxurious! We can use each one separately or both at the same time. We used all Delta fixtures. I was confused about what we needed, so I just called Delta, told them what I wanted to do and which fixtures I was using and asked them what I needed. They told me and everything went perfectly.
skavan
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all.
1. No tub spout.
2. Located on island of Jamaica
3. Fixed + Handheld is my preferred use case.
So - back to the original question -- do I need diverters AND volume controls?
Debbi Branka
11 years ago
Can you call the manufacturer of the fixtures you have chosen? They should answer you quickly and correctly, like Delta did for me.
johnn
11 years ago
So the idea with a diverter is to have one control output in two different places.. So you could have one control and when you change the diverter, it swiches between the shower head and the hand shower.

I think you could also plumb it with two totally separate controls, then you would NOT use a diverter in either.

As for volume control, I think it comes down to preference.. When we recently re-did our shower, we got a unit without volume control.. I thought I would miss it, but in practice I don't.

Random thoughts. Pressure balanced is much cheaper than thermostatic. If you want to hit that price range AND have two controls instead of a diverter, you might find the thermostatic will blow your budget.

If/what kind of rough-in box will depend on the brand/model you buy. We purchased a Hans Grohe, and they require an "ibox" for each control.

-john