When it comes to choosing a shower set, aesthetics, function, and quality go hand in hand. These three elements led us to partner with the best—the Brooklyn-based Watermark Designs—to offer beautiful, solid brass bathroom plumbing designed to coordinate with our bath hardware collections. From controlling water pressure to choosing a custom finish, this guide will walk you through how to find the right shower set to fit your bath.
We offer two main types of shower sets: thermostatic and pressure balanced.
Our standard shower sets consist of two main pieces: a shower arm, and a knob or lever control panel. We also offer several options that include a handshower, tub filler, or both. When you’re shopping for a shower set, you’ll notice a price and function between the two main types.
Thermostatic Shower Sets
Our thermostatic shower sets offer a luxury shower experience with optimal water temperature, water flow, and energy savings. The main distinction is that a thermostatic valve senses and controls the actual water temperature, while a pressure balanced valve senses and controls only the ratio of hot water to cold. Thermostatic sets have two handles: one to control water flow and one for adjusting the water temperature. Once you set your ideal temperature, the water will be at your preferred setting each time you turn on the shower.
Our Blair Thermostatic Shower Set controls water temperature with one knob, and water flow with the other.
Pressure Balanced
Our pressure balanced shower sets allow you to control both the water flow and temperature through a single knob. As the name suggests, these sets are pressure-balanced via an internal sliding disc that reacts to changes in water pressure and adjusts the flow of hot and cold water to keep a set temperature.
Both our thermostatic and pressure-balanced sets are crafted with a valve set to a maximum water temperature, which prevents scalding— so that flushing the toilet or running the washing machines will not affect the water temperature while showering.
Pressure balanced shower sets, like our West Slope Shower Set, control both temperature and water flow with a single knob.
Our shower heads are sold separately, so you can choose the style you like and pair it with any of our shower sets (just check the width of the shower arm in your set—the standard width is 1/2-inch). Choose from our range of versatile finishes that match back to the rest of our bath plumbing, hardware, and lighting collections. When choosing your shower head attachment, there are two important factors to consider: flow rate and flow style.
Flow Rate
Flow rate—also known as gallons per minute (GPM)—is a measurement of how many gallons of water are released per minute. Most modern shower heads have a flow rate less than 2.5 GPM (when at a standard water pressure of 80 psi) for ideal efficiency and water conservation. We offer shower heads with a range of options, from 2 GPM to water-saving 1.8 GPM.
Our custom finishes make it easy to perfectly pair your shower head to your shower set for one cohesive look.
Flow Style
Our shower heads offer two special types of flow style.
Rainfall: Our Round and Square Shower Heads feature spaced out jets with a medium water flow, creating a relaxing rainfall effect. This style is ideal for taller showers and pairs well with our wall and ceiling mount shower arms.
Rainfall shower heads offer a broad and soothing water flow.
Jets: We offer shower heads with several jet options, each carefully engineered to ensure no streams of water cross. These shower heads offer the option to customize your shower experience, from relaxing rain to intense spray.
For a more customizable water flow, choose from our 6-jet or 8-jet shower heads.
Shop our versatile shower sets and shower heads for a luxurious addition to your bath.
Related Reading:
Watermark Designs + Rejuvenation Shower Systems
How to Choose Bath Hardware
How to Customize Your Bath Vanity
If you are planning a bathroom remodel with a designer or a contractor, you have likely been asked what kind of shower system you want. There are only two basic systems, and chances are you have used both at some point, but the technical plumbing lingo can make it all a bit confusing.
Pressure balance shower system
With a pressure balance valve, you have one lever that is your on/off function and controls only the temperature of the water, not the volume of the water. When the valve is on, it is all the way on (2.0 gallons per minute in California). You cannot decrease the volume of water coming out, but you can always use an adjustable shower head to change the pressure.
Thermostatic shower system
With a thermostatic system, you typically have two levers or controls. One lever controls the temperature of the water (thermostatic valve), and a second lever controls the volume of the water and the on/off function (volume control valve). This system allows you to set the temperature once and for all so that each time you take a shower it’s set the way you want it. You can also adjust the volume of the water coming out, but 2.0 gallons per minute is still the maximum. This valve is more complex and therefore is more expensive than the pressure balance valve.
Shower systems by Douglah Designs featuring Rohl (left) & by Kallista (middle & right):
A pressure balance system
A thermostatic system with volume control
A thermostatic system with volume control
Diverter valve
With either system, you can add a diverter function to the shower. A diverter allows you to have more than one shower head (or a tub/shower combo). In California, you can only have one shower head running at a time, so each shower head needs to be on it’s own diverter port that cannot be operated at the same time as another, and the valve cannot have any shared ports. Today, “all-in-one” valves are available that combine the diverter, volume control, and thermostatic valve on one escutcheon plate for more simple look.
So what’s popular?
Our design team usually suggests a pressure balance system in hall, kids, and guest bathrooms, and a thermostatic system with a fixed shower head and a handheld shower head on a diverter function in the master bathroom.
Shower systems by Kallista & valves by California Faucets:
A thermostatic system with volume control and diverter
A thermostatic system with volume control and diverter
A mostly obsolete system in California (though with the right diverter, would still be allowed)
Pressure balance valve
Thermostatic valve with integrated volume control
Thermostatic valve with volume control and diverter