Buying a brass shower system is a significant investment — both financially and in terms of the renovation work required to install it. Making the wrong choice at the selection stage is expensive to fix once the tiles are down and the pipes are in. This checklist gives you the eight questions to answer before you commit.
1. Is It Solid Brass or Brass-Plated?
This is the most important question of all. Solid brass means the entire fixture body is made from brass alloy throughout. Brass-plated means a zinc alloy or plastic core with a thin electroplated brass coating. Ask for the product specification sheet and look for 'solid brass body' in the materials section. If the listing says 'brass finish' rather than 'solid brass' — it's plated.
2. What Type of Valve Is Included?
Confirm whether the system includes a thermostatic or pressure-balancing valve. For any system over $400, thermostatic should be the standard. Check that the valve is WRAS-certified (UK) or ASSE 1016-certified (US) for compliance with local water regulations.
3. What Is Your Water Pressure?
Most thermostatic shower systems require a minimum dynamic pressure of 1.0–1.5 bar at the valve to function correctly. Rainfall heads require 1.5–2.0 bar for good performance. Test your existing shower pressure or ask your plumber to measure at the bathroom supply point before selecting a system.
4. What Finish Will Work Best in Your Bathroom?
Unlacquered brass patinas over time — beautiful if you love the living finish, a surprise if you expected it to stay gold. Oil-rubbed bronze is darker and more stable. Polished brass is bright but shows fingerprints. Confirm the finish type and its expected aging characteristics before ordering.
5. Does the System Include Everything for Installation?
· Thermostatic valve with cartridge installed
· All pipe sections (in exposed-pipe systems)
· Pipe brackets and wall fixings
· Shower arm and ceiling/wall flange
· Rainfall head with water inlet connection
· Handheld shower with hose and holder or rail
· All compression fittings and connections
A complete shower set should include everything above. If items are sold separately, calculate the true total cost before comparing prices.
6. What Are the Installation Requirements?
Confirm whether the system is designed for exposed (surface-mount) or concealed installation. Exposed systems can be installed without opening walls. Concealed systems require the valve to be recessed into the wall cavity — a job that requires tile removal if you're retrofitting. Clarify this with your plumber before ordering.
7. What Guarantee Does It Carry?
A genuine solid brass shower system should carry a minimum 2-year guarantee on workmanship and a 5-year guarantee on the thermostatic cartridge. Be cautious of products with no stated guarantee or with fine print that excludes the valve mechanism.
8. Can You See Real Customer Installations?
Request or search for real customer photos — not studio renderings — of the system installed in actual bathrooms. This is the best way to verify that the finished installation looks as good as the product photography suggests and that the pipe proportions work in a real space.
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Zayian's Brass Shower Systems Checklist: All 8 Boxes Ticked Every Zayian shower system is solid brass throughout, includes a WRAS-certified thermostatic valve, ships as a complete set, and carries a 2-year craftsmanship guarantee. Shop the collection at zayian.com/collections/brass-shower-systems. |