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Selections & Finishes ยท Bathrooms & Plumbing Fixtures

Bathrooms and plumbing fixtures.

Shower and tub decisions come early, because the plumbing goes in before the walls close.

Showers

Shower types

Illustration of four corner showers side by side: a white one-piece acrylic shower with molded shelves, a shower with smooth gray stone-look panels on a low base, a white subway tile shower with a recessed niche and a tiled curb, and a curbless shower with a linear drain along the back wall.

Prefab shower

A one-piece or multi-piece acrylic or fiberglass unit. The quickest to install and the fewest seams to clean.

Solid panels

Smooth wall panels of solid surface or cultured stone. Easy to clean, with no grout lines.

Tile shower

Endless looks, built over a waterproof membrane with a curb or step-in.

Curbless shower

A tile shower with no step at all. The floor slopes to the drain, which takes extra framing and planning.

Glass doors

Framed doors are the most economical, semi-frameless has thinner metal, and frameless heavy glass costs the most and looks the cleanest.

Tubs

Tubs

Illustration of three bathtubs in tiled bays: a white alcove tub between three walls with a shower above, a white oval tub dropped into a tiled deck, and a freestanding oval soaking tub with a floor-mounted filler.

Alcove tub

Set between three walls, usually with a shower above. The most economical.

Drop-in tub

Set into a tiled or paneled deck.

Freestanding tub

A centerpiece that needs floor space around it. A floor-mounted filler adds cost.

Shower valves and trim

Shower valves and trim

Every shower has two parts: the valve, hidden in the wall, and the trim, the pieces you see and choose.

Cutaway illustration of a shower wall. On the left, the wall is opened to show a brass shower valve mounted on a wood block between the studs, with red and blue supply lines coming up to it and a pipe running up to the shower arm. On the right, the finished tile wall with the matte black trim pieces pulled slightly forward: a shower arm and showerhead, a round trim plate and a lever handle.

The valve

The brass body inside the wall that mixes hot and cold water. It goes in before the tile, so the brand gets picked early.

The trim

The handle, the round trim plate behind it, the showerhead and its arm. This is where you choose the style and finish. When shopping, look for a "shower trim kit."

Shopping tip

The trim has to match the brand, and often the model, of the valve in the wall. Send us the trim you like, and we'll install the valve that goes with it. Extras like a handheld or a rain head need to be planned before the walls close.

Fixtures

Faucets, finishes and toilets

Illustration of four identical bathroom faucets on a white vanity top in different finishes: polished chrome, satin nickel, matte black and brushed brass.

Finishes

Chrome is the most economical and durable, satin nickel hides water spots, matte black is a modern look, and brass or gold finishes cost the most.

Toilets

Two-piece is the most economical, one-piece is easier to clean, comfort height suits most adults, and wall-hung toilets with the tank in the wall cost the most.

Vanities

A built-in vanity matches the cabinetry; see the cabinets guide. A furniture-style vanity is a freestanding piece.

Ventilation

Every bathroom needs a fan vented outside.

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