There are different types of shower valves available that you can use when renovating your shower room.
Shower valves come in various styles, and the one you need will be determined by your preferences and what is compatible with your property.
You can manage every aspect of your shower with the different shower valves, from water temperature to water flow and pressure to water direction.
Showers have evolved into emblems of modernity, convenience, and luxury in homes. Showerheads have progressed from simple raindrop, elongated showerheads to temperature-regulating showerheads.
We’re now discussing the various types of shower valves. Each has its distinct features.
Read on as we discuss the different types of shower valves.
1. Thermostatic Shower Valves
Thermostatic valves (TS valves) control pressure and temperature with two valves and two handles, allowing you to alter the temperature without changing the water volume and vice versa.
Furthermore, TS valves may sense and control the water temperature through a wax insert or other thermosensitive element that expands or contracts to restrict the water flow when it reaches the specified heat threshold.
A thermostatic valve ensures that the shower’s water temperature is maintained. Once you’ve adjusted the temperature when you switch on the shower, it won’t surprise you by suddenly going hotter or colder during the shower.
If someone on the same property flushes a toilet or switches on a kitchen faucet, your shower will suddenly startle you with a freezing blast of water if it does not have a thermostatic shower valve. Using a thermostatic shower valve can avoid this.
Types of Thermostatic Shower Valves
Thermostatic shower valves are available in various styles to meet the needs of different homes.
These are some of them:
- Twin Thermostatic Shower Valves: This is the most common style of thermostatic shower valve. One handle controls the temperature, and the other controls the water flow and on/off function. This shower valve will control only one shower.
- Triple Thermostatic Shower Valves: This style of shower valve is ideal for use with a double shower in which both showers must function simultaneously. A fixed overhead showerhead and a handheld shower wand are the most common configurations for this shower style. Furthermore, there will be three handles on these shower valves; one will control the temperature, ensuring that the temperature of the showers is the same and consistent. Also, the remaining two handles will regulate the water flow and on/off functionality for either shower, allowing you to isolate one and utilize it alone if desired.
- Twin Thermostatic valve with diverter: This shower valve is utilized in a double shower that includes an above shower head and a handheld shower wand. You’ll have to choose which shower you wish to use. There will be two handles on this valve. One serves as an on/off switch and a switch from one shower head to the next. The remaining handle controls the temperature of the water.
- Triple Thermostatic Shower Valves with Diverter: This shower valve controls three outlets. These usually consist of an overhead showerhead, a handheld shower wand, and wall-mounted body jets. The valve has three handles, and a single valve controls the temperature of all three exits.
2. Pressure Balancing Valves
Pressure balancing valves (PB valves) are among the most common shower valves. They automatically control the balance of water pressure between hot and cold water.
The valve senses changes in water pressure from the hot and cold water lines as the water travels through pistons and diaphragms. It restricts one side to maintain a constant water temperature (within 2-3 degrees).
PB valves are used with single-handle shower faucets with left and right turns to control water pressure and temperature. They are the most economical shower valve option because they are the industry standard.
In addition, Anti-scald valves, shower pressure valves, and mechanical valves are all names you can call pressure balancing valves.
3. Mixing Valve
This is the valve that came before the pressure and thermostatic. This is a classic hot and cold shower system, where you twist and adjust two valves to acquire the correct temperature and water pressure.
Also, it’s no longer recommended since it might result in scalding if the water pressure changes unexpectedly.
4. Diverter Valves
There are three types of diverter shower valves: tee valve, two-valve diverter, and three-valve diverter.
Tee valves are shower valves linked to the tap in low-cost hotel rooms. While the water adapts to your desired temperature, you can open the faucet and close the tap when it reaches your desired temperature, and the showerhead will automatically dispense water.
Two spinning knobs are used in the two-valve diverter. One controls the temperature between hot and cold, while the other controls the tub faucet and shower water flow.
Three spinning knobs would be on the three-valve diverter. The hot water knob is generally on the left, the cold water knob is on the right, and the third knob in the center diverts water from the shower to the tap faucet and vice versa.
5. Transfer Valves
This is where you may watch shower evolution at its most beautiful. It can send water to multiple outlets at the same time.
As a result, you won’t have to turn off your main shower to use a separate handheld shower.
Furthermore, transfer valves can only open two outlets simultaneously in most circumstances. But newer types can have up to four.
It has a computerized control with various programs and capabilities, eliminating the need to twist knobs and regulate temperature and pressure.
At the same time, because they don’t come with metal shower handles, they’re less prone to rust. The finest thing is that you can precisely control the temperature and pressure you want.
You might also use a timer to run your bath and pause the water flow if someone calls you out of the bathroom.
6. Concealed Shower Valves
Once the installation is complete, the handles are the only pieces of the shower valve visible. This is a prevalent shower valve because it hides any unattractive pipes and provides the shower with a minimalist and clean finish.
The most significant disadvantage of this type of shower valve is the price.
7. Exposed Shower Valves
An exposed shower valve resembles a vertical pipe fastened to your shower wall, with knobs and shower outlets attached.
These shower valves are easier and faster to install because they can be screwed into the tile and do not require any wall cutting; the only part of the wall where pipes will need to be chased out is the lower piece where the hot and cold pipes will need to be connected.
This is one of the most common types of shower valves. It is also less expensive to purchase and install than concealed shower valves.
The pipework may be seen in the shower, which is a disadvantage of these shower valves.
However, many manufacturers will make these exposed pipes as fashionable as possible, often in chrome-plated metal that matches the rest of the shower fittings.
