Shopping for Shower faucets.
Geezus $500 for a faucet? And I need 3?
Gotta find an alternative.
I want a single lever unit that has the temperature selector separate from the flow control. I also need an outboard diverter so I can select between overhead, hand held, and wall jets.
Anyway – Moen – Delta – PF – American Standard – anybody have anything to say good or bad? I’m shy about imports or house brands ’cause I want to be able to walk into a good hardware store in 20 years and buy parts.
THanks
Peter
Replies
Delta- The less expensive models perform as such. Quality improves with cost.
American Standard-Quality products, again the more $ you spend the better the product.
Moen- Another quality product, just beware replacement parts are extremely costly down the road.
PF-Price Pfister? Stay Away!!!!!
The above opinions are based solely on my personal experience.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Ceramic Disk (AS) is better than rubber (Delta/Moen) for longevity and operational ease. Go to on-line sources for best deals, as in CyberBath and Faucet Outlet.
Online....
Ya know, I've found this whole process to be very disorganized.
We went to HD EXPO, Loews and HD.
All have some on display - EXPO the most. Nobody had knowledgable help - beyond being able to show us where they were and in EXPO's case which were thermostatic. (see $500 faucet moan above) When I asked about outboard diverter valves they all glazed over and showed me to catalogs.
So I went online and found that one probably can save money - once one has identified exactly what one wants - preferrably including part numbers.
When I searched a manufacturer stating single handle, shower only, etc etc. 9 or 10 would come up but with only very sketchy descriptions and hard to use photos.
My plan is to go to an actual plumbing supply showroom, seek professional advice and, unless the price is way out of wack, buy them there.
Still and all, though, I value the input of those here since that's field knowledge which in most cases trumps the book larnin' of guys in showrooms!
Peter
I had wanted a bath/shower unit with ceramic cartridge and an external diverter, as I intended to use a hand shower solely and didn't want a spout diverter. I wasn't concerned about thermostatic control. They all have anti-scald. I particularly like the American Standard web site as you can download detailed specs and installation instructions for all of their products. Removes some of the disorganization you mentioned. I chose the Jasmine system, discarding the included shower head. The water comes out of the wall at about waist level through a hose up to a bar-mounted hand shower. The control is offset to the side to keep it out of the shower stream. You'll have to grapple with the plumber over this, as they're symmetrically oriented. The wall supply is also offset to the opposite side of the control by an amount equal to the natural curl of the supply hose when hanging between the hand shower and the wall supply. I bought the unit from Faucet Outlet for about 30% less than retail and about 15% less than HD. Hand shower is Hansgrohe, and it has a self-cleaning feature. I have water minerals, even with a softener.
The bath boutiques will only sell to you at retail, as their expectation is that you'll contract through a plumber, who'll get a discount from them. I've found their sales staffs are well dressed, fashion smart, and mechanically inept. Expect to pay full retail to the plumber, though you may be able to bargain a few points. I've had plumbers complain to me about guiding people to the on-line sources, citing a threat to their livelihood. I ask them if they've ever gone to an AutoZone for repair parts instead of taking the car to a mechanic. They often respond that they won't guarantee any item they install if it's not purchased from them. I don't worry about this much if I've purchased quality to begin with and the item isn't too complicated (like thermostatic control).
I'm doing the plumbing so pipe routing as needed isn't an arguable issue - unless I'm off my meds :~)
Like I said though - if I get good help from a supply house I'm willing to pay for it as long as it isn't exhorbitant.
Sounds like I'm seeking to do what you did but with 3 output options.
I've read a few threads via Google groups searching which back up the speculation that HD sells a *made to price point* product, while products sold by traditional vendors are the upper quality end of the manufacturers line.
In Auto Parts the example would be what happened to FRAM filters when they went into the Checker/AutoZone market. If you cut open an oil filter made before the mass market push and one now you'll see a large difference in filtration material.
PC