We have a Thermobalance III that's in a shower and feeds a fixed and a handheld head. No tub spout. Works fine, though the install was slightly complicated- you can't plug the #1 outlet (tub spout), so it's tied into the #2 outlet (fixed shower). Your install is different, but that does make me think of how the valve's set up. You can only run the tub spout or some combo of the 2 showerheads, not both. It's been in use for ~18 mo.s w/o incident. The temp setting has a detent at 90F or so- we use that when we toss the munchkin in the shower w/ one of us. Volume control is basically on/off, with a slight bit of control between how much goes to the fixed and how much to the handheld. I'd do it again b/c it is a very simple look to the controls.

I'm happy to try to help, but I must say I'm no expert on this stuff! I'm going on my limited experience buying for my bathrooms and what I'm seeing reading the web sites. If your carpenter is your plumber, and he won't check the specs for you, then you might want to call Ira Woods rather than ordering online; their customer service reps generally know their stuff -- or at least how to read spec sheets -- and should be able to give you peace of mind that you're ordering the right parts for what you need. These Hansgrohe Thermobalance I controls you've posted about do have just one handle, which controls the water volume. In the center, there's a knob which controls the temperature. The beauty of a thermostatic valve is that once you find your preferred temperature, it will be set for that temperature every time you turn the water volume handle on. On the Hansgrohe web site, if you click on the link for the installation instructions, you'll also find the user instructions. I've included the direct link below to the PDF for this trim; jump to page 7 and you'll see diagrams which should make the two different controls clearer than my words. If you think having the temperature knob on the same handle as the volume might be a problem for your son, you could consider thermostatic valves have more clearly separate controls for volume and temperature. Here's just one example plucked from the Hansgrohe site: Back to the Metro E you said you liked better, the Hansgrohe site lists 4 different valves which can be used with it: #06622000 (the same one you originally asked about with the Allegro E trim), #06621000 (same valve with "service stops", which allow the water to be shut off at the valve if it needs service), #06300000 (has a second outlet for a tub, which you don't need) or #06301000 (same as the latter, with the built in service stops). From my reading, one of the first two is what you want. If you don't have access in the wall behind the shower with water cutoff valves, then getting the model with the service stops can be a plus if a plumber ever has to service the valve in the future -- but not critical (unless code in your area requires valves to have service stops). I hope that helps. (Again, if you have questions or uncertainty, definitely get an opinion from a professional, or at least from a sales consultant at the plumbing supplier.) -- Eric Here is a link that might be useful: Metro E user instructions on page 7 of this PDF

Mayhem69, the Thermobalance II will let you run one head (turn the valve to the left) or the other (turn to the right), but not both at the same time. You can see the markings on this picture, one of the trims for the Thermobalance II: What you want is the Thermobalance III. This is designed to be able to run three different shower heads, but it can be used for two - and allows you to run either showerhead individually or both at the same time.This is exactly what we did in our next shower with a Hansgrohe (Axor) 10" rainshower and handheld. In a two-device configuration, turning the handle to the left will run one showerhead (A). Turning it part way to the right will run the other showerhead (B). Keep turning further to the right, and both showerheads (A+B) will operate. Turn all the way to the right, and you'll be back to just one showerhead (A) running. Here's a picture of one of the Thermobalance III trims: You can see the marking for "I" on the left, "II" and "III" on the right (well, the "III" is obscured) -- but with only two showerheads, "I" and "III" are the same one. Note that in order to do this, your plumber has to follow Hansgrohe's set-up instructions. One of the valvle outlets has to be connected to another, or the valve won't work right. It's clear in the instructions, but some plumbers may not stop to read them, and you shower won't work right. I suggest printing the page in the instructions and going over it with your plumber. Here's a link to the installation manual for the Thermobalance III; go to page 5 to read about using it in a two-fixture system. We're very happy with this set-up! Service stops are screws on the water input connectors of the valve which serve as water shut-offs. It can be handy for the rare service on the valve, such as replacing the cartridge if it develops a drip later in life. But in your configuration (two water features), it is very important to have service stops, because the water to the valve must be shut off after rough in until the cartridge is installed with the trim after the tile work is complete. Without the water cut off from the valve with two of the valve outlets connected together, hot and cold water in your house can mix together. This is not mentioned in the Hansgrohe instructions; I learned this when talking to Hansgrohe's support people to ask about service stops! -- Eric

We've just had some Hansgrohe systems put in our house. Basically, they sell two types of tub and shower valves. One type incorporates both flow control and temperature control. The roughs (the valve assembly itself and the associated fittings) and the trim (the handles, splash pieces, and everything else that is exposed) are sold separately, and you mix-n-match to get the style and capabilities that you want. Roughs are available with 1, 2, or 3 outlets. You select which outlet by which way you move the handle. You cannot plug an outlet and you cannot leave an outlet unconnected, so you have to choose the right kind of rough for the installation. For a conventional tub and shower combo, you'd choose the 2-outlet rough. After it's plumbed, you move the handle to the right for water to the tub spout, and to the left for water to the shower (or vice versa, depending on how it's hooked up). You do not use a diverter-type tub spout with these. For a shower-only installation, you choose a 1-outlet rough. The other type of valve configuration that Hansgrohe sells is a setup where the temperature control and flow control are completely separate. In this type, you buy a thermostatic control, which controls the temperature but does not have anything to shut off the flow. You can then put one or more flow control valves downstream from it. Our master shower has a single temperature control and then three flow valves for two hand-helds and a rain head. Again, the valve roughs and trims are sold separately.