As I dive into a bathroom remodeling project or think about tweaking a few details, I often find that the fixtures grab my attention first. In my experience, simply updating the shower fixtures can transform the entire look of a bath area.
Changing faucets is a small task that can make a big impact. However, it’s not as straightforward as picking any handle off a hardware store shelf. Different shower handle types come with their own set of features. In this article, I will explore the various types of faucets available.
What is a Shower Faucet Handle?
Your bathroom’s handle setup consists of two main components: the shower valve and the shower faucet or handle. The shower faucet is the visible part on the exterior of the shower, while the shower valve, usually embedded in the shower wall, is a behind-the-scenes component.
The key difference between the two lies in their functions: the shower faucet operates the shower valve, which in turn controls water pressure, temperature, and flow.
Types of Shower Faucets Handles
In addition to having a certain number of shower valves, there are different shower faucets by the number of handles. In other words, you can have one-handle shower faucets, two-handle shower faucets, or even three-handle shower faucets. The more handles you have with your shower, the more valves you are going to have.
The shower faucet that you select will depend on a number of factors, like the space you have to work with and your budget. Generally speaking, the more fixtures that you have, the higher your budget is going to be.
Single-Handle Faucet
The single-handle shower faucet operates the temperature and flow of hot and cold water. You might also have a diverter, such as a knob or pull-up. Diverter valves control the flow between the shower and the bathtub faucet.
The diverter is typically found on the control plate of the shower trim kit if there is no tub but can also often be found on the tub spout.
A single-handle shower faucet is space-saving, and it also offers a sleeker, more contemporary design. You’re also going to save money on your budget as well. On the flip side, the single-handle shower valve type can be fussy to work with, and you may not get consistent water temperature when you only have one handle in the shower system.
Double-Handle Faucet
Another common type is the two-handle shower faucet, where hot and cold water is controlled by separate faucets. In these handles, you have the water pressure diverter on one side of the shower faucet and the water temperature control on the other handle.
Triple-Handle Faucet
In a three-handle shower faucet, there are two temperature faucets and a faucet to function as the diverter. Here, you are going to have additional components as there will be a shower valve for every faucet.
There are more diverters in the three-handle shower faucet system. These will contain both thermostatic valves and pressure balancing valves that control water flow and temperature in different components.
In every setup, you can have a steady water temperature, but in the three-handle system, you control it from the trim plate before you even have running water.
Many of these three-handle kits include technology that prevent scalding you, and these are also more energy-efficient handles.
Anti-scald valves mean that you don’t even need to think about the water flow and temperature because it will never get too hot. On the other hand, these are typically the most expensive shower attachments as they require more hardware and more labor costs for installation.
The three-handle system with additional valves and diverters also helps you to control the flow of water, another energy-efficient pro to this system. If you want to conserve water from each handle, there are built-in controls here. The drawback to this is the upfront expense, but you will save on water costs, and this system could pay for itself in time.
Many newer homes will have thermostatic, and pressure balancing valves that prevent water from flowing between pipes. These shower valves include spools that control water output in each of the cold and hot water lines.
There are connections between the pipes and shower valves that allow you to mix the water by turning the mixing valve to your preference. There is a shower cartridge connected to the shower valve that balances the water pressure and temperature. All of this adds up to costs for both time and labor when you are renovating your bathroom.
This is a more extensive and expensive handle type, but you will still need labor costs for any handle. When you are choosing faucets, the more handles you have, the more expensive the project will be. Selecting energy-efficient handles ensures that your project will pay for itself in time.
Types of Shower Faucets by Bathroom Layout
When you are renovating your bathroom, there are so many choices to make, and most of them will determine what type of faucets you will get. There is a real estate adage that says that bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms that sell the home. You may be thinking of staying in your home forever, or you may be renovating to sell it.
From start to finish, your bathroom configuration will influence every decision. Do you have a bathtub and shower now, or just a shower? This is the configuration that will influence your faucet decisions.
In any event, choosing whether to completely redo the layout or simply change the fixtures to update the look, you want the finished project to sell the room to anyone, including you.
At the same time, bathrooms sell homes because potential buyers see this room as an escape from the everyday. Your faucets can create that escape, even if that is the only change you make in a room.
Tub and Shower Layout
The tub and shower configuration in your bathroom will mean your faucets control both your bath and shower water. You will typically have a two-handle system here, but a one-handle system is becoming more common.
As mentioned, in the one-handle system, the diverter is connected to the faucet, and you use a lever or a knob to control the water between the bath and shower. Here you don’t have the option to control water pressure as much.
Many older bathroom layouts will have a two or three-handle system. All are connected to their own valves, but there will still be the main diverter.
Shower-Only Layout
If you have just a shower, the shower trim kit will have valves for the handle and the shower heads. You’ll be able to control the temperature from the thermostatic shower valve. Here you will have a fixed head or a handheld head.
The handheld head is a nice look if you are going for the antique or vintage style in your bathroom, as this style has been around since the start of the 1900s. You have the added flexibility here of using the head with your hand.
The fixed shower faucet is one that is mounted on the shower wall or ceiling. They will swivel so that you can make adjustments.
Shower Handle Mounts
When you are determining which kind of faucet to get based on your bathroom configuration, you will need to consider which kind of mounting to use. There are different kinds of faucet mounts. Those include deck mounts, floor mounts, and wall mounts.
A deck mount is one that is connected to a bathtub and shower configuration. This will be mounted on the edge or rim of the bathtub itself. You won’t see the pipes of the deck mount here, and this look can be very elegant.
Floor mounts are another popular mount for faucets where you might have a tub that has holes in it already, such as a large soaker or a clawfoot tub. The water system is installed through the flooring of the bathroom. This is a free-standing style that works beautifully.
The wall mount puts the water supply through the wall so that the handles can be turned from the wall of the stall or bathtub configuration.
The next choice you will have to make is the type of faucet based on aesthetic. Do you want vintage? Do you want a lever or a knob? There are different kinds of faucets here too.
Lever handles are faucets that are lever in nature, where a long handle comes from the water output trim. You will pull or push the lever in the direction of your choice to get hot or cold water.
Knob handles are handles that look like door knobs but are connected to the water supply of the bathroom. Here you will turn the knob like you would a doorknob but in the direction you want for the bathroom.
Cross handles are faucets that are cross-shaped and turn like knobs but are slightly more elegant. These can take on a vintage or antique look to add a sense of ambiance to the bathroom more than the other types of faucets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Shower Tap Handles?
Tap handles come in a variety of types. Some of the most common include:
- Knob Handles
- Traditional Round Handles
- Lever Handles, Cross Handles
- Push-Button Handles
- Touchless/Sensor Handles
- Thermostatic Handles
- Joystick Handles
What Are the Different Types of Shower Faucets?
Shower faucets come in various types, each with unique features and operational styles:
- Single-Handle Faucets (control both water temperature and flow with one lever or knob),
- Dual-Handle Faucets (separate handles for hot and cold water)
- Pressure-Balanced Shower Valve (pressure-balancing valve maintains consistent water temperature by adjusting the pressure of hot and cold water, preventing sudden temperature changes)
- Thermostatic Shower Valve (has separate controls for water flow and temperature)
- Diverter Shower Valve (switches water flow between different shower outputs),
- Digital/Electronic Faucets (feature digital displays and controls for water temperature and flow)
What Is a 3-Handle Shower?
A three-handle shower faucet has three separate handles: one for hot water, one for cold water, and the third diverts water between different shower outputs.
Conclusion
Matching the faucet type to the bathroom’s aesthetic and the user’s practical needs is essential. As a designer, my take is that function should drive the choice, but there’s always room to blend in the latest trends for a stylish, contemporary look.
