Thoughts on BEST Plumbing Fixtures?

last year

last modified: last year

Hello Talented people of Houzz! :)

I'd love your opinions about the "best" plumbing out there. If you could have your dream bathroom with the most high-end fixtures, what would you choose?

For my home, my bathrooms have 10' ceilings with a limestone Archway entrance, and I'm looking for new shower fixtures like those shown in the below inspiration photos. I'm in LOVE with the long shower arms coming down from the ceiling. Problem is... I have no idea where to source them.

Who makes the "best" plumbing?

Where could I find something like this?

I'm looking for something of really good quality and longevity.

I'm also looking for a nice stone tub. I found NativeTrails, but I'm having a hard time finding others to compare to.

Featured Answer

elunia

last year

Watermark (Brooklyn), Waterworks, Samuel Heath are some of the fixtures we are looking at for a primary bath renovation — specifically matte brass/unlaquered/living finish. Definitely see whatever fixtures/finishes you are considering in person. FYI, we were told Watermark is experiencing delays up to 6 months.

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Comments (14)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
If you want to know what fixtures will cost the most then check Waterworks

https://www.waterworks.com/us_en/henry-ceiling-mounted-8-shower-rose-arm-and-flange-hnsh30

If you want a company that has everything already matched with a finish like faucets, cabinet knobs, mirrors and light fixtures then consider RH. It's one stop shopping.

https://rhmodern.rh.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1274044

If you don't want to give away all your money you will find the same items from Kohler, Moen, etc.

https://www.build.com/product/summary/1816349?uid=4302936&jmtest=gg-gbav2_4302936&inv2=1&&source=gg-gba-pla_4302936!c1707632144!a68158363098!dc!ng&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaSaBhA4EiwALBgQaPGfDce7-Dd58hR6FgEWn2LzYVvE3k-YMZ3lMn6lAmAlpYqwLD5RlxoCos4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sometimes your decision will be based on the metal finish you're looking for.

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/12-rain-shower-head/products/5d1511b516b7e251d84d5f75
Elizabeth Williams
Original Author
last year
Hi @BeverlyFLADeziner have you heard of Watermark Designs? I was just looking at their site when you commented about Waterworks. Here's the "Watermark" : https://watermark-designs.com/collections/watermark-collection/elements. I'm curious if you have any opinion about that company.

Yes, I have a high budget for this. What else comes to mind besides Watermark?

For some reason, I hadn't considered RH for plumbing, although I'm getting a sofa from there. Thank you for this, I will take a look and see. :)
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As long as the fixture is available to the plumber from a pumping supply house and meets the standards of your state, you can choose fixtures from as many manufacturers as you like. But be careful if you want the finishes to match. The one thing I would not recommend buying used or from an overstock outlet is a toilet. The major issues with toilets from any manufacturer is the quality of the casting and where the bad ones go. Can you guess? I suggest putting the toilet base on a flat concrete floor and seeing if it rocks before leaving the store. Also the size and finish of the trapway and the quality of the seal of the flapper in the tank and the reliability of the float/valve are of major importance. Kohler has been the worst for flushing mechanisms for 30 years but I hear they have gotten better but I will still not specify one. Toto toilets are so wonderful it doesn't matter what they look like.
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I look for the ability to repair the equipment easily. I bought all Moen faucets because I can go to any parts store on any day of any week and get replacement cartridges for $10. Moen has used the same cartridge for 30 years or so. I bought an American Standard Cadet "3" toilet after using a Toto for six months and pricing the Toto. The performance of the two toilets is as identical as I can see and hear, but the AS is only about $150. Terry Love is a shill for Toto, so you won't find much about anything else on his site. For shower heads I like to feel the force of the water washing the soap off. I also try to stick with water conserving heads. Rain type heads are neither of those. The one I like is called a Europa. It's under $15 hanging on the rack at Lowe's and/or Home Depot. It is not in with the official shower heads but in with replacement heads. It is easy to disassemble if it gets clogged. For a tub we got a Jacuzzi brand. They claim their internal plumbing all points down so any water in the piping will drain out when the water drains out of the tub.
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I ordered all from Amazon, both for bathroom and kitchen. Much of what I ordered was from the Amazon used and returned stuff. All of it was in perfect condition, including my Houzer sink which was 138.00 and had been 400.00. I did have one thing come with a mark and was able to return it, no questions asked. It comes in 2 days and there was no back-order. I ordered Moen, Grohe and Kohler items for much less than even my contractor could get. I understand I have the responsibility if there is a problem, but the guarantee is with the Manufacturer anyway. HTH
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The Kohler Bellwether tub is very nice looking, and I came close to buying one, but I tried it out (yes, you go to the showroom and climb in) and found the 60x30 very narrow to sit in - I'm not a particularly large person. The 60x32 is a little roomier (and deeper), but the front end, isn't straight down - it has a sort of slope which shortens the bottom area of the tub. Less room to straighten your legs. Additionally, you have to get a tub spot that extends at least 7 inches or so, or the water will hit the wall of the tub rather than the bottom. You'll be quite limited in your choice of spouts. I don't want to discourage you from buying it - it's very pretty, and many people are very happy with it. I'm just saying that if you like to take baths you should absolutely try sitting in any tub before you buy it. After I nixed the Bellwether I found another one I liked a lot (I don't even remember which) but I made my husband, who takes most of the baths in the family, take a ride to try it (he was so sure it'll be fine - a bathtub's a bathtub he said) and as soon as sat down he realized it wouldn't be good for him - the back didn't have enough of an angle for him to lean back comfortably. It really comes down to personal preference, and you should be sure you'll get what you want. It's very permanent. Many things can be replaced if you're really unhappy and you're willing to spend the money. Replacing a bathtub is a lot more complicated. In the end we got a Toto 1525 cast iron tub. Just love it.
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Elizabeth Williams
Original Author
last year
hi @Rhonda Schechter thank you! For the tub, I'm looking for something with a stone/cement appearance, such as this Native Trails tub: https://nativetrailshome.com/product-category/bathroom/bathtubs/nativestone-bathtubs/.

Do you have any opinions about it? What about any other "stone" tubs out there? Thanks! :)
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
"Best" is kind of a loaded term. "Best" in terms of function isn't necessarily the same as "best" in terms of design. So a lot will depend on your budget. Mid-range lines with good design are Brizo or Kohler. High end lines like Gessi (from Italy), Rohl, Watermark, Kallista, or Waterworks are all beautifully made and functional, but pricey.

I'd visit a good plumbing showroom that carries both mid and high end lines so you can see them in person and also see the different finishes available.
Elizabeth Williams
Original Author
last year
Thank you, @Sabrina Alfin Interiors. Those are very good points.
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
You're welcome. FWIW, I spec both Brizo and Kohler a LOT. They check all the boxes for me for design and function, and they won't bust the budget.

Here are two baths we did for one client that used Brizo:

Beauty and the Baths: Primary Bath · More Info

Beauty and the Baths: Primary Bath · More Info

Beauty and the Baths: Jewel Box Powder Room · More Info

The decorative p-trap in the above photo is Kohler. Bonus: Kohler's gold finish matches the Brizo gold finish.
Elizabeth Williams
Original Author
last year
Thank you again, @Sabrina Alfin Interiors. Wow, gorgeous bathrooms. My eye went straight to that P-trap... oh, how the little details matter. (Side note, in the first pic, is that Tech-Lighting "Essence" tape light in the shelving? My project will be using lots of those, as well as Element 3" Downlights... did you have a good experience with Tech-Lighting?.. https://www.techlighting.com/Media/OnlineCatalog/2021-tech-lighting-essence-brochure/)

BTW, i visited your page, loved the Portola Valley house, so warm and inviting.
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
No I believe the LED strip lights we used were Maxim. But so many manufacturers make similar products. Tech Lighting is a reputable brand so you're fine using that if it works for your project.
kudzu9
last year
last modified: last year
The way the internals of plumbing work is not rocket science, and long lasting finishes and excellent quality internal parts are features of even moderate cost fixtures. So don't confuse spending a lot of money with "best." There are many moderately priced fixtures that will perform just as well as pricy ones...and a US-based company may have replacement parts more readily available when you need them in 10-20 years than some exotic item from, say, a small city in Italy. Look for name brand manufacturers that have been doing business in the U.S. for a long time and who offer lifetime warranties. Look at the styles you like without regard to price. Look at reviews after you narrow your choices down. And if the fixtures you like don't cost an arm and a leg, don't feel you made a wrong choice.
Elizabeth Williams
Original Author
last year
@kudzu9 that is very wise advice, thank you!
roarah
last year
I have had better quality with finish longevity with my Grohe fixtures than waterworks or kholer.
Fori
last year
If you haven't tried using that style showerhead, try to do so before installing one. Some people hate 'em. :)
V Lyn
last year
This company’s work is beautiful.
https://stoneforest.com/collections/stone-marble-bathtubs

Thoughts on BEST Plumbing Fixtures?

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