shower head handheld vs. stationary; need both?

dunia

15 years ago

Can anyone comment on the virtues of ordering both as opposed to ordering a large head on the handheld one

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Comments (4)

mrsmonkey
15 years ago
Dunia, I was about to ask the same question as I'm about to buy ours...
kirstysea
15 years ago
We're doing both in our primary bathroom (is a small house) and a handheld only for the extra basement bath. I can't speak to actual function since it's not done yet.

When DH and I discussed it, we agreed we both prefer a regular showerhead for daily use (mounted high since we're both tall) with the handheld mostly for kids/dog/cleaning.

I admit I was also biased since my folks have a handheld and I *hate* it--the spray is narrow, the angle is weird, and it gets knocked off its holder occasionally and sprays water every which way. When we were shopping, the sales guy did say that the designs have improved significantly since the parents put theirs in 10 years ago, and he's probably right-- they are probably much better now, and would work just fine.

For us, since the walls were open already, and the plumbing/tile is all new, we decided not to chance it and just put in both with a diverter. (we put the handheld on the opposite wall) The cost differential wasn't huge since the hansgrohe 3 way valve was not much more expensive than the 2 way.

The spare bathtub doesn't get daily use, we opted for a handheld on a bar, since it seemed to offer the most flexibility.

Hope that helps and good luck with everything!
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Here is the link to the photo http://www.faucetdirect.com/index.cfm?page=product:mediaGallery&uniqueId=2004458&filename=5543image1337100349.jpg
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Since this is a "medical" and as such might be a temporary need, and you say you have no desire to run more than one head at a time, the simplest and least invasive would be to replace your existing shower head with a hand held retrofit kit. Yes, you can buy additional brackets so the head can be mounted elsewhere on the wall. And you are correct, the bracket needs to be matched to the head, they are not necessarily universal. A lot of showers I build, I also make a teak bench for them. In addition to an extra bracket or two on the wall, often times I'll add a bracket to the edge of the bench. I'd look for the longest hose you can find. Personally I find the segmented metal hoses lay flatter and loop over themselves less than the plastic hoses. Plastic versus metal head? Plastic is fine in a decent head, but in a $9.00 head the entire thing might be too lightweight and spray water everywhere regardless of what material it is made from. Mongo
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we have these in our baths. it replaces the existing head and provides a handheld. either or both cna be used at once. if the link does not work goto lowes and it is item 65183 Peerless handhels massage shower head. teh handheld unit has a suction cup mount that you put anywhere and can move easily. turn the dial to provide water to the handheld, and if you want the regular head to work you turn it on during your shower and back to handheld when done. this way she does not have to stand to do it. we got it because 2x my wife has had to use a shower stool, once for a torn ACL and once after her Csection. BTW, it was actually cheaper to buy this than it was a handheld and a diverter seperately. Here is a link that might be useful: peerless shower massage handheld head
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davidandkasie - I'm glad your wife loves it. I'm not sure we want both at the same time. We have all we need, but the diverter. Maybe we should look for a diverter that will allow both. Guess you don't know what you like until you try it. DH might like both. chisue - we will have it on a vertical bar to be able to adjust the height. It was the valve part that had me confused. I don't know if we'd want it on at the same time. I don't like water from above me when taking a shower and DH loves it and hates the cord from a handheld, but he might like both at the same time.
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suero
15 years ago
FYI the recommended setup for a handicapped accessible shower is for both a fixed and a handheld.

In my case, DH insisted on a fixed head and I insisted on a handheld. He likes his showers much cooler than I like mine. We compromised on a fixed for him, a handheld for me and two thermostatic valves.
nkkp
15 years ago
FWIW - I wouldn't live without a handheld! I find it is much easier to wash me - and the shower walls - with a handheld. In the house we are building, my son's bath has a handheld only, and the master has both - although we just have one thermostatic valve with diverters.

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shower head handheld vs. stationary; need both?

Comments (4)

mrsmonkey

kirstysea

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