1, 2 or 3-way shower system?

WIAWSNB

proformance said:

WIAWSNB said:

Ah! That's perfect. You have the plumbing services already in that wall.

I would personally - and also strongly recommend - you replace the bath/shower deck mixer with a bath mixer only.

Then a completely separate wall-mounted thermostatic shower mixer of your choice with a diverter for rainhead and handset. Literally billions to choose from.

I'd go for a 'known' brand, tho' it doesn't have to be 'high-end' if you don't want. Mira, Aqualisa, Triton etc etc should provide good service. But go Grohe or Hansgrohe etc.

Obvs it has to be 'thermostatic'. And I'd strongly recommend one with an adjustable flow control - it's astonishing how many do not - they are just on/off.

Is your water hard or soft? If 'hard', then perhaps look more upmarket as they might/should be more resilient. Grohe, Hansgrohe, etc etc are the typical ones, I understand, but I'm sure folk on here can recommend a good selection.

A 30kW combi - same as me - should give a cracking shower. 

Thanks!

I agree on tap tiers BTW. I have a Hansgrohe faucet on the bathroom sink, and it is incredible! 

Regarding your recommended setup - it sounds like you're suggesting (what I've learned) is called a "2-way thermostatic valve/diverter", to control the rainfall shower + the handheld shower. And a separately controlled tap/faucet mixer.

Two questions I have:

1) Is there any reason why you have not suggested going with a "3-way" setup? I.e. one controller for all three outlets, where the faucet is either (just a) spout, or the filler itself (see attachments)
2) Whether 2-way or 3-way, is there any disadvantage to putting the controller in a different place to the outlets (shower heads) themselves? I.e. in a position that means we don't get wet when turning the water on (or changing the temp)

Thanks in advance!

As Plumb says it's a purely personal choice.
The added complexity of 3-way doesn't appeal to me. And, if it goes faulty, you lose it all until repaired.
But entirely your call. 
I don't see any setup that doesn't mean yer hand gets wet changing settings. Unless you go remote digital...
Bonkers. :-)
In short, check them all out and choose what you like. No overriding pros or cons.

proformance

WIAWSNB said:

Albermarle said:

Then a completely separate wall-mounted thermostatic shower mixer of your choice with a diverter for rainhead and handset.

If it was me, I prefer just a traditional shower head that can be attached to the wall, or detached and hand held, rather than these rainhead/drench ones, with a separate handset.
Like this.
Aqualisa Varispray Adjustable Shower Kit | Victorian Plumbing.co.uk

Yeah, that's chust you :-)

you also advocated for a 2-way system, no?

WIAWSNB

proformance said:

WIAWSNB said:

Albermarle said:

Then a completely separate wall-mounted thermostatic shower mixer of your choice with a diverter for rainhead and handset.

If it was me, I prefer just a traditional shower head that can be attached to the wall, or detached and hand held, rather than these rainhead/drench ones, with a separate handset.
Like this.
Aqualisa Varispray Adjustable Shower Kit | Victorian Plumbing.co.uk

Yeah, that's chust you :-)

you also advocated for a 2-way system, no?

Albe's example was a single rail-mounted handset. There is nothing wrong with that. If a single handset is what you want, go for it.
If you like a rain head, then go for that. 
If you want both - and I would, and is what I have bought to fit early next year - then buy that.
It's a personal choice. That is all.
I'd suggest that a sole rain head is too much of a compromise. A single handset ditto. So, I'd recommend both.
That's what I mean by a 2-way system. 
And I'd also suggest keeping it separate from the bath filler. It's simpler, neater, easier to use, more practical, looks better, is more desirable on resale.
Are you retiing? Cool, in which case mount the shower control higher up, and the handset rail ditto.
Chances are you'll use the handset mostly, but you'll enjoy a rainfall at times.
And, the other thing I recommended was to ensure the shower control has a 'flow' rate control too. Some do not.
Thermostatic, obviously.

proformance

Oh I got you. 
We'll definitely stick to an overhead + handheld (mounted not railed) set up. 

I guess the only question is:
2- way shower control + traditional mixer faucet 
Or 
3-way shower and tap control with just a spout (or filler) 

proformance

I would also like to know if it is common and/or permissible to mix and match (valve/control vs outlets)? 

If so, which "bits" does it make sense to splurge vs save on? Ie a fancy valve/control or the outlets themselves? 

WIAWSNB

proformance said:

Oh I got you. 
We'll definitely stick to an overhead + handheld (mounted not railed) set up. 

I guess the only question is:
2- way shower control + traditional mixer faucet 
Or 
3-way shower and tap control with just a spout (or filler) 

Again, your call.
But I would definitely, for reasons of simplicity and aesthetics and I suspect cost, keep the bath mixer tap as only that - a separate entity employed to fill yer bath.
So, a completely separate bath and shower. 
And I have to ask - why would you have a fixed handset, as you currently do, instead of a rail? 
Most folk would use the handset for their everyday showers. Why? Because it can be aimed and angled to supply the shower where it's wanted, to the top of the head when washing hair, and to the shoulders whilst the conditioner is doing it's job. And removed and aimed wherever to tackle the nether regions.
You cannae dae tha' with a fixed handset, unless permanently held in one hand. Bonkers.
And then you have the rain head for when you just want to be rained upon. 
Perfection.

proformance

WIAWSNB said:

proformance said:

Oh I got you. 
We'll definitely stick to an overhead + handheld (mounted not railed) set up. 

I guess the only question is:
2- way shower control + traditional mixer faucet 
Or 
3-way shower and tap control with just a spout (or filler) 

Again, your call.
But I would definitely, for reasons of simplicity and aesthetics and I suspect cost, keep the bath mixer tap as only that - a separate entity employed to fill yer bath.
So, a completely separate bath and shower. 
And I have to ask - why would you have a fixed handset, as you currently do, instead of a rail? 
Most folk would use the handset for their everyday showers. Why? Because it can be aimed and angled to supply the shower where it's wanted, to the top of the head when washing hair, and to the shoulders whilst the conditioner is doing it's job. And removed and aimed wherever to tackle the nether regions.
You cannae dae tha' with a fixed handset, unless permanently held in one hand. Bonkers.
And then you have the rain head for when you just want to be rained upon. 
Perfection.

The handset is on a mount. It is used exclusively for cleaning the bath. Our overhead shower is what we use to shower ourselves.

PS. It's riveting to read about how differently we all wash ourselves! 

proformance

WIAWSNB said:

proformance said:

WIAWSNB said:

Ah! That's perfect. You have the plumbing services already in that wall.

I would personally - and also strongly recommend - you replace the bath/shower deck mixer with a bath mixer only.

Then a completely separate wall-mounted thermostatic shower mixer of your choice with a diverter for rainhead and handset. Literally billions to choose from.

I'd go for a 'known' brand, tho' it doesn't have to be 'high-end' if you don't want. Mira, Aqualisa, Triton etc etc should provide good service. But go Grohe or Hansgrohe etc.

Obvs it has to be 'thermostatic'. And I'd strongly recommend one with an adjustable flow control - it's astonishing how many do not - they are just on/off.

Is your water hard or soft? If 'hard', then perhaps look more upmarket as they might/should be more resilient. Grohe, Hansgrohe, etc etc are the typical ones, I understand, but I'm sure folk on here can recommend a good selection.

A 30kW combi - same as me - should give a cracking shower. 

Thanks!

I agree on tap tiers BTW. I have a Hansgrohe faucet on the bathroom sink, and it is incredible! 

Regarding your recommended setup - it sounds like you're suggesting (what I've learned) is called a "2-way thermostatic valve/diverter", to control the rainfall shower + the handheld shower. And a separately controlled tap/faucet mixer.

Two questions I have:

1) Is there any reason why you have not suggested going with a "3-way" setup? I.e. one controller for all three outlets, where the faucet is either (just a) spout, or the filler itself (see attachments)
2) Whether 2-way or 3-way, is there any disadvantage to putting the controller in a different place to the outlets (shower heads) themselves? I.e. in a position that means we don't get wet when turning the water on (or changing the temp)

Thanks in advance!

As Plumb says it's a purely personal choice.
The added complexity of 3-way doesn't appeal to me. And, if it goes faulty, you lose it all until repaired.
But entirely your call. 
I don't see any setup that doesn't mean yer hand gets wet changing settings. Unless you go remote digital...
Bonkers. :-)
In short, check them all out and choose what you like. No overriding pros or cons.

Why would hands get wet at all in either a 2 or 3-way valve set up? The controls would be positioned away from out the water outlets.. 

WIAWSNB

proformance said:

The handset is on a mount. It is used exclusively for cleaning the bath. Our overhead shower is what we use to shower ourselves.

PS. It's riveting to read about how differently we all wash ourselves! 

I can post pics?

Albermarle

WIAWSNB said:

proformance said:

The handset is on a mount. It is used exclusively for cleaning the bath. Our overhead shower is what we use to shower ourselves.

PS. It's riveting to read about how differently we all wash ourselves! 

I can post pics?

Best not