Pressure-balancing valves are usually enough, but thermostatic valves aren't just about comfort—they're also a safety feature. If you've got elderly folks or young kids at home, preventing sudden temp spikes can be worth the extra investment. Just something to consider...
Good points, but honestly, thermostatic valves can be a bit overkill for most homes. Pressure-balancing valves already handle temp fluctuations pretty well. My folks have had one for years, and no one's gotten scalded yet...just saying.
Totally get where you're coming from on this. When we redid our bathroom a couple years back, I debated the same thing—thermostatic vs. pressure-balancing valves. Ended up going with pressure-balancing mostly because of budget, and honestly, it's been totally fine. My kids are always messing around with the taps, flushing toilets mid-shower (you know how it is...), and we've never had any major temp swings or scalding issues.
I think thermostatic valves probably have their place, especially if you've got someone elderly or sensitive skin in the house, but for most of us, pressure-balancing does the trick just fine. Glad to hear your folks have had good luck with theirs too—always reassuring to hear real-world experiences rather than just marketing hype. Sounds like your bathroom reno turned out great, and that's what matters most in the end.
"My kids are always messing around with the taps, flushing toilets mid-shower (you know how it is...), and we've never had any major temp swings or scalding issues."
Haha, sounds exactly like my house. I went thermostatic though, mostly because I'm a bit of a control freak about shower temps—gotta have that perfect 104°F sweet spot every time. Pressure-balancing valves are solid for most setups, but if you're picky like me (or have family members who complain loudly about minor temp shifts...), thermostatic can be worth the extra bucks. Glad yours worked out!
Haha, I feel this. My kids have a special talent for timing their toilet flushes exactly when I'm rinsing shampoo out of my eyes. We started out with a basic pressure-balancing valve, and honestly, it was fine most of the time. But then my sister stayed over for a week—she's one of those people who notices every tiny temperature shift and isn't shy about mentioning it. After a few days of hearing her yell from the bathroom, we finally upgraded to thermostatic valves.
"gotta have that perfect 104°F sweet spot every time."
Exactly this. Once you get used to that consistent temp, it's hard to go back. I never thought I'd be picky about shower valves, but here we are... At least now when the kids decide to flush every toilet in the house simultaneously (which they somehow manage to do), nobody's screaming from the shower anymore. Glad you found something that works for your family too.
