Shower Valves
Thermostatic

The most important element in the shower, is the valve. As we mentioned in our Custom Shower article, If a single valve is used, it should be a single handle thermostatic temperature control valve, and preferably a 3/4" thermostat valve when used in a custom shower.

Temperature control in a custom shower is much more than a performance consideration, it is a safety consideration.

A pressure balance valve is not a high flow valve, and cannot be expected to replace a thermostatic temperature control valve, especially in a multiple shower outlet installation.

Kohler
Kohler offers two innovative custom showering valves, the HiFlow Rite-Temp, single control pressure balancing valve, and the HiFlow Thermostatic Valve with separate volume and temperature controls.

The Rite-Temp valve maintains stable water temperature by automatically adjusting the mixture of hot and cold water in response to any changes in the pressure of either the hot or the cold water supply. It will shut off completely if the cold water supply is interrupted. It has a 3/4" inlet and a single outlet port on top of the valve.

This Thermostatic valve maintains selected shower temperature at all the shower outlets (within 1° F) regardless of changes in the temperature of the hot or cold water supply.

The temperature is selected by dialing the temperature handle to a setting within the 70 to 110 degree comfort zone. The handle design also features a safety detent at 100° for added protection.

It automatically adjusts the mixture of hot and cold water in response to changes in either the pressure or temperature of the hot and cold water supplies.

It includes an automatic shut off if the cold water supply is interrupted as well as a safety stop at 104°F - all to help prevent scalding. A manual safety stop override feature allows a maximum water temperature of 120°F. It requires a 3/4" supply to produce optimum results.

Grohe
Grohe offers Grohtherm or Grohtemp thermostatic control valves.

Grohtherm
The high flow 3/4" Grohtherm thermostat valve is perfectly suited to meet the demands of large multiple-head custom shower systems. With adequate water pressure, one 3/4" Grohtherm thermostat valve can supply enough water to simultaneously power a shower head, a personal hand shower and up to four body sprays, and maintain a specific, pre-selected water temperature as well. If more outlets are needed than can be accommodated by one valve, two or more valves can be installed, but each must have access to a main supply line.

Grohthemp
The 3/4" Grohtemp thermostat valve requires a separate volume control and is ideally suited to large multiple-head custom shower systems. Given adequate pressure, the 3/4" Grohtemp valve can supply enough water to simultaneously power a shower head, a personal hand shower, and up to four body sprays while automatically maintaining a specific water temperature at each outlet.

Temperature is selected by dialing either the notched or lever Chiara handle within the 60 to 110 degree comfort zone. The Grohtemp thermostat valve is available in a 1/2" version with or without an integrated volume control. The new handle design also features a safety stop at 100° for added protection.

Both valves allow water temperature to be pre-set and eliminate the need to manually re-adjust temperature settings as the water heater empties, thus saving water and energy. The Grohtherm thermostat valve is available in a 1/2" version as well, with or without an integrated volume control. Grohtherm thermostat valves are particularly important for small children, and physically disabled or elderly people.

Accurate to within 1° Fahrenheit, temperature is selected by dialing the temperature handle to a setting within the 70 to 110 degree comfort zone. The handle design also features a safety detent at 100° for added protection. All are sold with a variety of trim options.

Moen
Moen offers a number of both pressure-balanced and thermostatic valves. Its popular Posi-Temp model is a pressure-balancing cycling valve which maintains water pressure so effectively, it promises consumers will never feel a hot or cold surge in water (commonly referred to as "shower shock").

Posi-Temp offers a higher flow rate than competitive systems so that the time to fill a bathtub with hot water is significantly shortened and a better overall showering experience can be achieved. In addition, a larger comfort zone - from 90° to 110° F - makes it easy for consumers to pinpoint their exact level of water temperature comfort.

The Posi-Temp valve is available on five Moen shower styles - Asceri®, Monticello® Inspirations^TM, Villeta^TM, Traditional^® and Chateau^®. Three of these collections - Asceri, Monticello and Villeta - are built on Moen's exclusive M-Pact^TM system, which allows consumers to change or upgrade the style of their bath in just minutes - without changing any behind-the-wall plumbing.

The Moentrol valve offers all the same great features as Posi-Temp, plus volume control and temperature memory. Volume control allows consumers to adjust the amount of water that flows through the tub or shower - from a gentle stream to full force. With temperature memory, Moentrol users can get the same temperature as the previous shower by just pulling the handle out - no need to fuss with adjustments.

The Moentrol valve is compatible with Moen's vertical spa experience, which provides consumers the flexibility to customize a showering system by adding a showerhead, hand shower or body sprays. Moentrol is available in a basic valve style and also with a built-in, three-function transfer valve.

Moen's top-of-the-line valve is the ExactTemp, which allows users to accurately dial up water temperature using the valve's thermostatic control.

In addition to all of the benefits of Moentrol, ExactTemp's precision temperature control means that the water temperature doesn't fluctuate - even as the hot water in the tank gets lower.

The precision thermostatic control lets users dial up the same temperature day after day - much like a thermostat. This permits the homeowner to set the precise temperature he wants on a dial control and the valve will ensure a stable temperature. It is also pressure-balanced.

ExactTemp is available in three- and five-function transfer valves in the Asceri and Monticello Inspirations trim styles. By adding a showerhead, hand shower or body spray, consumers can have a truly customized spa in their own homes.

Each Moen ExactTemp or Moentrol valve can accommodate up to four different components. Each main valve should be plumbed from the water supply to ensure adequate flow.

Delta
Delta has recently announced a thermostatic valve in their Select Series. We will post the information as soon as it is available, or you may contact us for more information.

See Also:
Introduction to Showers
Thermostatic Shower Valves
Hand-Held Showers
Custom Showers - Part 1 -The Basics
Custom Showers - Part 2 - Shower Sprays
Custom Showers - Part 3 - Shower Towers
Custom Showers - Part 4 - Body Spas
Custom Showers - Part 5 - Carwash Showers
Shower Doors - Part 1
Shower Doors - Part2
Ventilation

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