shower valve advice needed
 

I am in the midst of installing a 3rd bathroom in the basement of our home. I have installed a fiberglass 2 pc. shower stall and I'm now ready to frame the wall that the hot/cold plumbing will run through. Obviously this will also be the wall that the shower valve control body will be installed. So I figure my next step is to purchase the shower valve so I can stud the wall for easy access and support of the valve. I want a simple chrome setup but prefer pressure balancing and want a single handle. My price point is 100.00 - 150.00 and I want to purchase locally at Lowes or Home Depot. Finally I am familiar with Moen and Delta but there are others out there. What would you guys recommend for this situation ? Keep in mind this is a 3rd bathroom so it is not going to be used much, if anything I'll have to remember to exercise all the fixtures once in a while to keep everything working. I plan on purchasing today/tomorrow. About 99% of the time it is just the wife and I in the house. Any advice is appreciated.

We are slowly getting rid of all the Price Pfister fixtures that originally installed in our home. I wouldn't recommend buying their products.

My plumber was VERY strong on Moen and Delta. I too have had issues (catastrophic failure) with Price Pfister. I forgot until Jim reminded me.

By a decent valve. Forget it.

Larry

Moen = Made in America

Others = Not Made In America

I like our Moen fixtures that were purchased 5-6 years ago but the Delta fixtures are going to be replaced as they don't last very long...

For you guys that are using Moen which cartridge style do you have ? There is what I call the " old " style which is a brass insert about 3-4 inches long and about 3/4 inch in diameter. Then there is the " new " style which is a larger diameter shorter in depth style insert. I know the old style has been around forever and is proven. Not sure about newer style.

I like Moen because I can still get parts for 20 year old fixtures.

I installed both Kohler and Price Fister and both have sent out parts for free when something went wrong. I don't think you can buy a non pressure balanced shower faucet.

Good point. Another suggestion...easily reached ball valve on each of the lines before reaching the fixture.

Kohler has a plamt in France but I would bet the one you buy here would be made in Texas

Anything not made in CHINA. Read the box.

Don't try to out wit yourself on a shower valve. But, if you can pick one up at a plumbers' supply, it might be a tad better. Lowes, HD, etc. apparently get theirs built to a price point. Kinda like buying Costco TV, the serial number is unique to Costco.

NO proof of this.

Well right or wrong today I bought a Moen Adler shower valve setup. Appears to be a nice brass piece and will do what I want it to do. Total price out the door was $95.00 so I'm happy.

If you can, put in an emergency shut off valve like those under sinks. I never understood why they don't do this on showers and baths. If you have to pull it out you have to shut the water off to the whole house.

Yes I am planning on installing shut off valves for that exact reason.

Grohe.....made in Germany.

Go to a local dealer not a little box.

We like the look and jobs from Moen. Have Kohler also. Like both.

I don't install much of Delta, or Moen products, but many of the other slightly upper end companies have their shut offs built into the valve. Take the trim off and half a turn with a flat screw driver and its off.

I would spend a little more and get a Grohe, or Newport brass. You can always get parts for those. I have never been a big fan of Kohler, but they are OK too.

I stay away from the home centers. All junk IMO.

I like Grohe, and have had pretty good luck with Delta holding up over time. The most recent failure I can think of is with a Moen, but that was in a kitchen sink application.

Guys the Moen is installed. I have not put water to it yet but all initial plumbing has been hooked up. Thanks for all the advice. SmileWavy