What makes bar mixer showers vary so widely in price? All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[martinXXYY44]

Some help please... I need to buy a bar mixer shower that the plumber is going to fit to replace the old one. I'm a complete plumbing novice... These bar mixer showers vary hugely in price from under £100 to over £500. What is it about the difference in quality between these that makes such a huge price differential? Thanks in advance.

[stoneyboy]

Hi martinxxyy44,
At the cheap end of the market you may find a non-thermostatic shower. You will also find thermostatic ones but they will not carry a brand name. If you need a low pressure model these will be more expensive because they will have larger waterways.
If you live in a hard water area all valves - no matter how much they cost - will become sticky due to scale build up. Expect a life of 3 years if this is your situation,
Regards S