How to Select the Standard Height of Shower Valve? Easy Methods

A shower valve basically controls the amount and temperature of the water running and flowing inside the shower. However, with the passage of time, these valves need proper maintenance. In case you are planning to remodel or install a valve, the height of shower valve plays an important part in this installation. 

Therefore, this blog will determine the factors that you need to consider before adjusting the valve of the shower and bathtub in the bathroom. In addition, we will discuss different types of these shower valves and their installation heights depending on certain factors.

What is the standard height of a shower valve?

Usually, the standard range set for the height of a shower valve is around 35 inches to 50 inches. But this is not a particular law that one has to follow. It depends on the person’s choice of how high or low he wants to keep the valve.

This standard is actually applicable to everyone’s bathroom. Because a valve installed in this range of height allows easy access for the user, whether he is a grown-up kid or an adult, That is why the standard height is around 35 inches to 50 inches.

This height may vary with the different types of valves you use in your bathroom. But if you install the valve at a height outside this range, it can be dangerous, especially for kids. Furthermore, the design of a shower also determines the height of the valve. It is important to get help from a professional plumber who can guide you more effectively regarding the height of the valve from the bathroom floor after considering some factors.

What factors decide the height of shower valve in your washroom?

Now, we will discuss the major factors that contribute to deciding the height for installing a shower valve inside a bathroom. Each factor has its own particular reasoning, and one should keep these factors in mind while doing so.

Your Requirement and Choice:

Your choice and preference are major factors that contribute to deciding the height of a shower valve. If you are comfortable at your preferred height where you can access the valve easily for controlling the amount or temperature of the water, you should stick to your choice and install the valve in that position.

If you are an American, you would prefer the height of the valve to be around 40 inches. This is because you do not want to bend to access this valve. Similarly, using your feet to control the valve is not an effective way because you may lose your balance while doing so and standing on one foot. 

Height of family members:

Another important factor that decides the height of shower valve is determining the height of your family members. Usually, members of a family tend to have a similar height. But in case, your family has members that have varying heights. 

Therefore, it is important to consider everyone’s height and install the valve in a position where anyone can access it easily. To exactly determine the height of the valve, take the average height of everyone in your house. Now, you mark the point where the shower valve can be installed. 

You should stand everyone near that marked point to see everyone can access the point easily. That is the simplest way to know about the perfect and suitable position valve in your bathroom.

Types of Shower valves:

One last important factor that can affect the installation point of a shower knob is the type of shower. Nowadays, modern showers are available that require the users to adjust the shower height and valve height at certain differences to give an aesthetically pleasing view. 

Let us discuss the different types of showers and the height of valves according to the nature of the showers.

Bathtub Shower:

In case you have installed a bathtub shower, then the height of the valve will be around 25 inches above the floor. This is because you can access the knob easily while laying inside the bathtub. But if you installed the knob at the standard height that we discussed earlier, you have to stand inside the bathtub to control the pressure or temperature of the water. This becomes quite difficult for you to access the knob. 

Rainfall Shower:

Now, if you have installed a rain shower, then definitely the height of shower valve will be above the standard height. This is because of the installation of a Rainfall Shower at more height to give you a rainfall experience. 

So, if the height of the shower is above the normal height, the knob position for controlling pressure and amount of water will also shift upwards a little. For a rainfall shower, the height of the valve is above 50 Inches from the floor. 

Detachable Shower:

A detachable shower can also decide the height of the water valve. Such showers do not have a fixed shower head rather a shower head stand fixed on a certain height. But the height of the shower head stand does not decide the position of a shower valve. 

It is actually the shower head that is detachable, responsible for the position of the valve. If this detachable shower has a smaller pipe length then the knob will be installed at a higher position. But if this detachable shower has a longer pipe length, then you may install the shower valve at your preferred height.

How high should the shower head be?

In the United States of America, the average height of a person (male or female) is around 67 inches. Considering this height, the height of the shower head should be a minimum of 75 inches and the maximum can be according to the height of the user and the ceiling surface. It means this height can vary in the range of 72 inches to 80 inches considering the height of the ceiling is 90 inches. 

After installing this shower head at a particular position, you may choose the height of shower valve according to the shower head position. 

FAQs

Q. How high should the shower valve be above the tray?

The average height of a shower valve varies in the range of 40 inches to 50 inches above the tray. This is for easy access to this shower knob by any person in your house. This should also be done while keeping in mind the position of horizontal shower grabs. 

Q. What is rough in for a bathtub faucet?

Rough in is actually a valve that is connected with the nozzles of the tub by the plumbing system. It is present in the guts which are behind the wall. However, these valves are for controlling the temperature of water inside the faucet or shower. So, you need these valves to adjust the hot and cold water in the shower according to your requirement. 

Q. How far should a tub spout be from the valve?

The shower valve should be more than 6 inches above the tub spout for easy access to it. Furthermore, it should not be at more than a height of 11 inches from the tub spout.

Q. Can a shower head be too high?

No, you should not install the shower too high or too low. There is a problem of water pressure and flow in both cases. Therefore, a reasonable height is perfect for installing this shower head inside your washroom. 

Bottom Line:

Shower knobs play an important part to control the amount, pressure, and temperature of water in the shower. However, the height of shower valve depends on your personal choice, the average height of family members, and the type of shower head you have installed. So, it is necessary to keep these considerations in mind while remodeling your shower.