I've read that it is very difficult to find fixtures that will allow both to be on at the same time, due to restrictions in overall flow rate. (Yet I still sometimes see replies of "yes, ours does this," so go figure.)

We're planning on this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B8OMLG/ref=emc_b_5_t plus this https://www.amazon.com/Hansgrohe-16181181-Exposed-Thermostatic-Basic/dp/B008B8OJSC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hansgrohe+basic&qid=1565616616&s=hi&sr=1-1

Nervously curious about any feedback from others.

Yes, what you are asking about is called a diverter. I just put a system similar to this in my master bathroom remodel, though I used a Moen rain shower head. The Hansgrohe is a nice system.

Thank you. Is there one brand that is better than the other? I hear that the Delta has more compatibility? Correct me if I am wrong on that

I don't think Delta has more compatibility with other brands. It however is a well priced high quality brand and so it is the choice of many people and so it would be compatible with Delta fixtures for years to come. FWIW, Brizo is the higher end Delta line.

I just finished a remodel and my experience was that I chose the fixtures in terms of style and then my GC and plumber were responsible for getting all of the items to ensure that it was all compatible and worked the way that I wanted.

I have a three way diverter because I have a shower head plus two hand held shower heads - one of mine is by the regular shower head and the other hand held is by the bench. My designer suggested this and I really appreciate having the second hand held by the bench.

My experience with diverters is that mine only allow me to select one of the three options. I do live in California though which does not permit a shower to have more than one shower head working at the same time so perhaps other jurisdictions can be configured in the manner you want. I would check with your GC or plumber in terms of whether this can actually be achieved.

You didn't ask but I opted for a thermostatic valve which means that the water temperature valve is separate from the on/off valve. The other option is a pressure balance which is where there is one valve that controls both temperature and on/off.

You should go to a good kitchen/bath showroom and look at fixtures in person to see what style and finish you want and then give your choice to the plumber who will order everything necessary and be responsible for everything being there when it is being installed.

I second thermostatic. I chose Brizo, which is customizable and has the components you describe. I went with a 2-in-1 showerhead with magnetic docking hand shower and three body sprays.

• Take a look at build.com shower systems.
• The wand is called a "hand shower".
• In many cases the required rough-in valve(s) is included with the system. If not, the system web page will tell you that a rough-in valve is required and which one to buy (when you click 'Add to cart').
• The diverter valve sends the water to the shower head and hand shower. Most diverters send the water to one or the other but there are a few that can send the water to both simultaneously.
• For example, the Delta T11853 diverter valve trim (which requires the R11000 rough-in valve) can direct water to the shower head and hand shower simultaneously.
• For example, the Delta Monitor 17 Series Shower System includes the T11853 and R11000 diverter valve trim and rough-in valve.

The best shower I ever had was in a hotel that had the Hansgrohe Showerpipe 360 Rain Shower System with Handheld Shower. Requires Hansgrohe 16181181 Exposed Thermostatic Basic Set which is the only in-wall part so if something needs repair or replacement, it can be done without tearing apart the wall. I bought the Hansgrohe Croma 220 because my shower was too narrow for the 360 which has a very wide shower head.

+2

The Hansgrohe I linked above also has thermostatic valve. Per reviews, it's very intuitive to use.

Do you have a specific plumbing supply showroom you are working with?? They will help you with all the components - you tell them exactly how things are to operate and where they are to be located in the shower - the same with the GC..

You are building a new home - anything having to do with plumbing should be decided now since he sounds like he is ready to run rough water lines - so that means every bathroom and sinks, potfillers, ref water lines etc for the kitchen as well...

On a side note, if they are asking you about plumbing they are probably already interested in electrical too - so that means what/how many/ what controls etc for every room unless it is just a standard package. But if you want extra outlets or outlets on switches or extra lighting in the kitchen or charging stations - this should all be figured out while the walls are open.

Best of luck

We have not started framing yet so I have a little time. We already have an idea on vanity sizes and amount of sinks per vanity we are going to have. He just wants to make sure he can rough in for the valves. I have also been talking to my electrician already.

I am going to be working with a supply showroom but some of them are very expensive and I feel I can find some of it cheaper on line. I am also looking to gain as much knowledge before I go in as we are meeting with one this Saturday

"I feel I can find some of it cheaper on line."

You can. build.com and decorplanet.com are excellent sites because they have huge selections and excellent search engines. Home Depot and Amazon are also a good place to buy, though Amazon is weak for analysis/selection. The manufacturer's websites are also helpful. I bought vanities, sinks, faucets, toilets, a shower base, shower system, and accessories online. With some study, you can do it. It ain't rocket science.

Thanks wdccruise!

My only concern on the shower stuff is the the valve and if it is correct or not. That is why I want to do some research here and also go to the showroom to ask some questions so I can go online and then hopefully make my purchase there

Build.com, a showroom, or the manufacturer (or the spec book) will be able to tell you which valves are compatible with your desired components, but it will be up to you to determine brand and price point (and if you want to spend more for thermostatic). Build.com won’t be able to tell you if the valve flow rate is sufficient for gpms of the chosen shower components, requirements for which might vary if you’re in CA. For that, you have to check specs. I would double check whatever the showroom tells you.

If you have a Feguson's locally, go there and discuss this with them. Your contractor may well use them. It makes it easy if something is incorrect.

I agree with the above, at least go somewhere like Ferguson to try out systems, and find out exactly what you need to buy before ordering stuff online. Also agree on the thermostatic valve. It’s wonderful.

You don't want to order any stuff because then the responsibility for making sure it is correct and delivered on time is on you.

Select the fixtures you want and tell your plumber or GC what you have selected. He will then order it all and take responsibility for ordering the correct items and having them on hand on the day scheduled to install.

Any amount you think you will be saving is minimal and penny wise pound foolish. In my experience, the amount paid by my designer, GC or plumber with their markup was the same or less than I would have paid if I ordered it myself and any glitches were completely on them.

You pick out the "style" you want and tell your plumber or GC and they ensure that everything is ordered and installed correctly.

To echo what Helen said, although I did my research here and on build.com, I went to Ferguson and Aspire showrooms also. I explained to showrooms that I was working with a builder, GC, and designer, and they sent me a quote to forward to my build team. I did not want the ultimate responsibility of making sure the parts were correct, even though I was heavily involved in the component selection.

"I feel I can find some of it cheaper on line."

As a licenced homebuilder, I tried this. Once. Any savings were nullified by the time and money spent running around when the deliveries were wrong, broken or missing parts.

Since then, I only pick up a few items from lines the plumbing contractor doesn't carry.

"Build.com won’t be able to tell you if the valve flow rate is sufficient for gpms of the chosen shower components"

That's why you buy a Shower System which includes the required components.

"...requirements for which might vary if you’re in CA."

Build will not deliver non-California-compliant products to California. It even has California Compliant Shower Systems.

@wdccruise - not everyone wants a pre-determined shower system; I wanted custom as I mentioned above. And I never said build.com would deliver non-compliant products, I simply said the requirements vary. Anything else?

"not everyone wants a pre-determined shower system"

build.com will put together whatever system the buyer wants. In doing so, it makes sure that the components are compatible. I would imagine many (most?) people would be happy with a pre-determined shower system of which build.com offers 2,384.

@wdccruise - Build.com will put together what you tell them to put together, and if they’re incorrect you’re the one who has to live with the error. You’re free to place blind trust in the person behind the computer screen (which is surprising since you seem to think you know best), but I’m free to recommend to the OP that they double check whatever components are recommended against the specs to make sure the flow rate is sufficient. Especially since the OP may be one of the those apparently raaaare few that doesn’t want one of the random shower systems you linked to, which link fails to take into consideration budget, function, and aesthetic by the way. At a certain point, you’re not being helpful, just strangely combative...do you work for build.com something?

My suggestion would be to find the shower set you want and then get the rough-in valve for that unit, rather than hoping the universal valve will work with whatever you pick down the line. And yes, if you want both a shower head and a hand shower, you will either need a diverter that is built into the valve trim or a separate diverter, depending on the model/combination you pick.

I'd opt for something clean lined and transitional so you don't have to worry about whether it will work with your choices of materials and finishes. I spec Kohler Purist a lot for that reason; or Kohler Loure works, too, if you want it a bit more contemporary looking.