I'm looking to upgrade my guest bathroom's shower system, specifically for a bathtub with elegant wall panels made from some composite stone material. I really want to install a shower that features a rain-style shower head, a bathtub faucet, and proper controls. One crucial thing to note is that I absolutely do not want a handheld shower head at all. I just don't like them, and I'm not keen on the idea of drilling new holes or making any major plumbing changes in the walls. My main question here is: why is it so challenging to find a complete system that doesn't include a handheld shower head? I found a model I like, but it comes with a handheld option that I'm trying to avoid.
4 Answers
Most rain shower systems include a handheld sprayer because manufacturers realize that rain heads often don’t rinse off well, especially in the groin area. They look nice but can be ineffective for thorough cleaning. The handheld option is there to help your guests get completely rinsed off without having to stand under water for ages. Plus, positioning yourself to rinse your armpits can be a struggle with the rain style—either you lean back and get soaked or lose the warm water flow altogether.
Honestly, anyone who has to clean a shower with just a fixed head will probably curse your name! I rented a place like that, and it was such a hassle. I ended up using a bucket to rinse the walls and corners—it was miserable! That's likely a big reason why most systems come with handhelds.
Totally agree! I had a house with just fixed heads, and it was such a pain to clean. I finally switched to handhelds everywhere, and cleaning is so much easier now.
If you love a specific system but don’t want a handheld, maybe just go for the system and leave that part out during installation? Sure, you'll need to do some work on the existing valve or wall, but it could be an option. You could also check if they have a compatible trim kit for your current valve.
I had a rain showerhead installed pretty high up and quickly disliked it because the water pressure was too weak to clean effectively. It made things tricky, especially for private areas. If you really want to avoid the handheld, why not check out specialty plumbing stores like Ferguson’s? They might have more options than the standard Home Depot or Lowe's.
You could always get a plug for the handheld outlet if you really want to install it without using that feature.