4x6 shower - two showerheads?

7 years ago

Hello,

We are planning a 4x6 ft shower in our master bath with a 72in glass door (https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdx/dreamline-enigma-x-72-x-76-single-sliding-frameless-shower-enclosure-with-clearmax-technology-dln3586.html).

The main showerhead will be on the left side wall behind the 30in fixed panel. Looking at the Delta Cassidy line. ( https://www.build.com/delta-dss-cassidy-17t01-h2o/s973574?uid=2414879#reviews)

I'd like to have a handheld on a bar I can use for showering without wetting my hair, in addition to cleaning/pets.

Dilemma is:

1. Should we put the handheld on the same or opposite wall? Opposite wall would allow us both to shower at once, though I doubt we'd be doing that routinely.

2. If on opposite wall should we use a diverter (which allows either separately or both together) vs have it on a separate valve? (would be great, but is it worth an extra $450 for installation by plumber)?

3. Is thermostatic really worth the extra cost over pressure balanced, especially if we go for two valves?

Thanks for the help!

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Comments (2)

Nancy in Mich
7 years ago
I have this set-up, wall shower head with a hand-held. I also have a rain head. I also do not mind a lot of chrome stuff in my shower!

The first thing you have to consider is where you live. If you are in California, the laws are very strict about not having two shower heads that run at the same time. In that case, a simpler either/or choice is all you need in your diverter.

I chose a thermostatic valve after having a bad experience with a pressure balanced valve (a cheap Lowes basic one) slowly failing us after less than 10 years. I like that when I turn on my showerhead, it will shortly be at my set temperature. If your husband and you are not constantly changing the temp, you will like that just turning it on gets you your desired temp without making adjustments. And it does not vary during the shower, either.

On where to place the second shower head, there are a couple of things to consider. If you might ever be sitting on a shower stool, the hand-held control needs to be in reach for you. If you have a built-in bench the hand-held needs to be in reach of the bench. If you do not live in an area with water shortages or in California, you may sometime want to run both shower heads at the same time, and my experience is that if you are sore or injured, having a warm water spray hitting that spot while you are showering can be very nice. In a shower as large as yours, putting the hand held on the opposite wall from the main shower head pretty much makes that impossible. If you ever want to use the hand-held as a body spray, put it on the side wall. It is just a matter of having the plumber bring the water supply around the corner. Put it on a slider that is also a grab bar, and you have a very useful tool.
Ralica Houston thanked Nancy in Mich
Jennifer Schonhoff
6 years ago
Hello, we are designing a 4x6 shower and have many similar thoughts and questions. What did you end up doing and do you have finished pictures?
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