install 2 2 way valves.

I have a three way diverter as I have two hand held shower heads and a fixed shower head .

In my experience, you select the fixtures and then the plumber orders the rough fixtures including the diverter valves that are compatible with the fixtures you select.

I am not sure why 2 diverter vales would be preferable to one three way diverter. My diverter valve matches the other fixtures in the bathroom. It works very well once the positions were explained to me.

I am worried about diverter valve having to match fixtures. Shouldn't they be independent choices? Which diverter valve should I buy so that it works with fixtures from many brands?

I am not a professional but when I recently remodeled, I was advised by my designer and GC that the process was to pick the fixtures and then they would order compatible rough choices.

Why is this an issue for you?

The only time it might be an issue is if the valve needs replacement in the future and you need to make sure that it is compatible with the existing plumbing.

As D is saying, it's the face plates that matter. Unless you dont want them to match. I mean, you could put in a Kohler shower valve, a Delta tub spout, a Moen diverter and some one elses hand held shower if you want, but none of them will match each other.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I now have a better understanding of the different settings water-flow, temperature and diverter. I am thinking of keeping it simple by separating the diverter from the rest of the functions. I think having a separate temperature setting knob is helpful especially for kids or older people. I am planning to keep the diverter outside of the wall to save on installation and maintenance costs. The first diverter valve will choose between handheld shower and shower heads. The second diverter to choose between a shower head and a rain shower head. Can anyone recommend a shower arm/diverter that is strong enough to accommodate these 3? Any comments appreciated.

You need to speak with your plumber.. that is a lot of plumbing work and costly to figure that out. And its more confusing. You just need a 6 way diverter - 1 for the showerhead, 2 for the handheld, 3 for the handheld and showerhead, 4 for the rain head and 5 for the rain head and shower head ( or whatever order you want them in...). You will still want to have a volume and temp control as well.

This type of thing is not something you can do on your own. I suggest you meet with your plumber or local bath showroom specialist.

Yes. I am beginning to realize that Debbie ! I visited Lowes and Home Depot and they only sell complete packages. It is hard to create a package that I want by choosing components.

Get out of the big box stores as you can certainly find diverters to create what you want in a real plumbing supply store. I have no idea why the strength of the shower arm is at issue since the shower heads are attached separately from the diverters.

I am also not understanding why you would have a diverter OUTSIDE the shower since the purpose of a diverter is to enable a person to change the source of the water INSIDE the shower. I am not seeing any advantage in terms of maintenance or installation to having one diverter which is inaccessible while showering. My controls are completely accessible from outside the shower because they are near the entrance of the shower so I enter the shower when the temperature and source of water is what I want and then I can adjust while showering.

However I think you still are not grasping that you need to buy everything from the same brand since the trim (shower heads and what you see) needs to match the rough (e.g. the actual diverters and other mechanisms). Pick the "trim" you like and tell your plumber or GC what you have selected and what configuration you want and then have him order exactly what is necessary.

In terms of pricing, generally Delta and Moen are the best quality for the money. Delta is guaranteed for life and parts for repairs if necessary are always going to be available and will fit.

Joe Macker, here is an old thread from this forum that will fully explain all the differences in valves. Using the search function at the top of the forum will give you entry to wisdom provided here by pros and homeowners who came before. Thermostatic versus Pressure Balance Valves

As Nancy suggests, read the link she posted. It is very informative.