I’m now at the ‘buy twice’ stage after fitting a cheapish thermostatic exposed shower valve in the autumn. The cartridge is failing, and making a high pitched whine whenever it feels like it, so it’s going back for a refund.

What are STW’s go-to manufacturers for decent shower valves that might last a bit longer? Are Bristan still any good? Ideally I need one to swap onto this 150 centre wall plate so I don’t spend all day swearing at it.

Commercially I spec Armitage Shanks and the maintenance guys I speak to like them as they’re the easiest to maintain and go wrong the least often. Not sure about their domestic stuff and they’re a bit expensive but the feedback we get is their stuff is good.

Bought cheap. Then bought grohe. Haven’t touched it since.

I always use Hansgrohe Ecostat on any job I spec. Never had a faulty one yet in 10 years of fitting them.

Hansgrohe and Crosswater are two good brands.

@martinhutch,

What was the original valve you fitted? I’m embarking on a new bathroom/shower room in January and want to avoid your mistake!

@nobbingsford

Micoe, via Amazon. The perils of buying in a hurry on Prime…

EDIT:

Can’t fault their returns process though. Contacted them to ask about repair/replacement and they insisted on refunding me immediately, despite me protesting that I needed to buy and fit a new one first!

Forgive my ignorance, is Grohe the same as Hansgrohe?

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

No they have the same roots but are different companies.

Micoe, via Amazon. The perils of buying in a hurry on Prime…

Thanks Martin.

Anyone have any experience of the Mira thermostatic valves for sale quite cheaply at Screwfix and B&Q?

Like this one:
Mira Apt Shower

Ideal Standard Easybox slim control (only one I could find designed to fit in a stud wall) Hansgrohe everything else.