Mixer Shower - Which make/model/shop do you recommend?

dupfold · 6 Aug 2008

Hello

I will soon be purchasing a mixer shower (along with a negative head pump) so interested to hear what makes/model you would recommend please? Interested in showers with independent spray force and temperature selections controls and would prefer consealed design but happy to consider exposed too.

I've been looking at Mira and Aqualisa but wondering if there are any others I should consider? I'm happy to spend up to £250 for the shower (minus the pump).

Any recommendations for 1.0 - 1.5bar pump would also be helpful . Budget for pump £250, £300 tops.

Also wheres the best (cheapest) place to purchase please?

Thank you

tonybhoy · 6 Aug 2008

Lydll do a bar mixer for £14 ,I kid you not and they are excellent. I have two fitted in my own house.

You will still have to buy the rail kit and a bracket (you would need this anyway) but you can buy these for about another £50 in total.

Pump? Prob a Mira which will cost you around £350 but they are the best available IMO.

dupfold · 6 Aug 2008

Here's my shortlist. All pretty similar in design so what is the real difference? Would I simply be paying for the name when it comes to Mira or could I expect it to last longer than the cheaper options?

Architeckt Eclipse Concealed Thermostatic Shower & Kit http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/architeckt-eclipse-concealed-2010-17112
£149.97

Gainsborough Ambassador Chrome Concealed Thermostatic Shower http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/gainsborough-ambassador-2210-18110
£149.97

Mira Silver Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/mira-silver-thermostatic-1699-17771
£175.97

Grohe Avensys Concealed Dual Control Shower & Kit http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/grohe-avensys-concealed-dual-1391-15171
£239.97

Mira Discovery BIR Thermo Mixer Shower
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34435...tatic/Mira-Discovery-BIR-Thermo-Mixer-Shower#
£239.99

Aqualisa Quartz thermostatic chrome shower QZ3111
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=300152702104&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020
£275.00

Triton Unichrome Thames Thermostatic Bar Diverter Shower & Kit http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/triton-unichrome-thames-1698-17446
£289.97

Mira Excel Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:uk
£312.97

jmower · 6 Aug 2008

Anything Mira is a safe bet, slight bit more pricey but definitely worth it.

buster52 · 6 Aug 2008

I have used aqaulizer thermostac mixers for years very reliable also very little too go wrong and easy to repair when they do

tonybhoy · 7 Aug 2008

Aside from Lydll which is a Grohe valve,I believe, I would plump for Mira ,Grohe & Aqualisa in that order and a Mira pump.

dupfold · 7 Aug 2008

Thanks guys. I don't really know a lot about showers and in these instants tend to stick to the brand names, but having said that, is there a real big difference say between the Mira Silver Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome (£175) & the Mira Excel Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome (£312)?

Where can I purchase a mira 1.5 bar pump please? Been looking at the Stuart Tuner "Moonsoon", but a bit out of my price range.

buster52 · 7 Aug 2008

unless you know a plumber with a trade account, you would do just as well to search the internet.
with the aqualizer if you raise the cold water storage tank on a stand in the loft and run 22mm supplies to within about 3ft of the inlet the ceiling just above the shower and 15mm to the shower itself you can get away without a pump this would give a very good flow

dupfold · 7 Aug 2008

Unfortunatly I don't have a loft and been advised I will need a negative head pump.

I've been looking at the Stuart Turner Showermate twin 1.4 pump but a little confused with the write up which reads....."In negative head situations the pump may be manually switched by means of an air switch or non-latching pull cord switch."

At the risk of sounding stupid.....does this mean I would manually have to use a switch on the pump each time I use the shower?

Apart from the above I can't find any Stuart Turner negative head 1.4 or 1.5 bar. All the ones I come across are either 2.0 or higher, which would not be suitable

buster52 · 7 Aug 2008

yes an air switch would manually turn on the pump, if you do not have a loft how big is the storage tank and hot water cylinder is there enough to supply a pumped shower if not you would be sucking in air as the water runs down quicker than a ball valve will fill the tank

dupfold · 7 Aug 2008

Yeah, storage tank and hot water cylinder size is fine.

Please confirm, so with an air switch I would need to MANUALLY turn it on each and everytime I use the shower?! Don't fancy that.

Can anyone recommend a decent and quiet 1.5 bar negative head pump please?

random · 7 Aug 2008

dupfold said:
Thanks guys. I don't really know a lot about showers and in these instants tend to stick to the brand names, but having said that, is there a real big difference say between the Mira Silver Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome (£175) & the Mira Excel Thermostatic Shower BIV All Chrome (£312)?

Where can I purchase a mira 1.5 bar pump please? Been looking at the Stuart Tuner "Moonsoon", but a bit out of my price range.

On the Excel you can independntly control flow rate and temperature. The picture of the other shower suggests you can only control the temperature.

I have an Excel ev in our en-suite which I am very happy with and I'm looking at putting the same shower in our bathroom. I'm no expert but I would recommend the Excel. The cheapest place I have found it is £300 at trade depot.

tonybhoy · 7 Aug 2008

If Carlsberg made mixer showers then it would probably be an Excel

dupfold · 7 Aug 2008

Yep, defo think I'll go with Mira.

With regards to pumps again, are Techflow decent/reliable pumps?

marie27 · 20 Aug 2008

Hiya

I have just bought a Triton Alya Thermostatic mixer from Homebase - I was lucky to get it £200 instead of £400, so I don't know whether there are still any for sale.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...talogId=1500000701&langId=-1&searchTerms=alya

It's not installed yet, but this will be my third Triton in about 25 years!

Have fun shopping

M

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Mixer Shower - Which make/model/shop do you recommend?

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