PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2026 20 BathroomProducts


Concealed or exposed? – an installer’s guide


Concealed or exposed shower valves is one of the most common specifi cation dilemmas in the industry. Roca recently spoke with installer Todd Glister, founder of Glister Services, about the things to take into consideration and what he decided to do when refurbishing a bathroom in his own home.


T


he answer is rarely about aesthetics, says Todd. It’s about budget, build type and having an honest


conversation with your client before a single pipe is chased in.


First-fi x reality “The fi rst-fi x costs on a concealed system are roughly three times that of an exposed valve,” Todd explains. “With an exposed bar mixer, you’ve got two pipes coming out of the wall. Half an hour to fi rst fi x, an hour to second fi x. A concealed system means a lot more plumbing in the wall. Every feed must come out in exactly the right place.” For budget-conscious projects,


an exposed valve properly installed is a solid, cost-eff ective solution. For higher-spec builds, or where a matching in-wall bath valve is already being fi tted, a concealed system makes natural sense. There is also a longer-term


advantage worth fl agging to clients: a quality concealed system – such as the RocaBox – allows easy access for maintenance or to change the front plate, if the bathroom’s colour scheme alters in the future, without disturbing the surrounding tiling.


Pressure check Test water pressure and fl ow rate before a shower head is chosen, not after. “Too many people have a combi-boiler on 7 litres per minute and want a 300mm overhead head,” says Todd. “Make sure you’ve got the fl ow rate and pressure to support what you’re specifying.” This is a particularly


Todd Glister Founder of Glister Services


common issue on combi-boiler installations, where available fl ow rate is often far more limited than clients assume, and where pairing an undersized system with an oversized head results in a disappointing performance that will ultimately refl ect on the installer. Asking the right questions


Make sure you’ve got the flow rate and pressure to support what you’re specifying


at the survey stage and being prepared to steer the client towards a more appropriate head size or system confi guration, is what separates a well-specifi ed shower from one that causes call-backs.


Ceiling-mounted heads Todd opted for ceiling-mounted fi xed heads over wall arms in his own home (pictured above) and makes a strong case for recommending the same on new builds or renovations with accessible ceiling voids. “On my new build it was


When a full refurb project isn’t an option


How can installers help their customers to revamp their bathroom without having to commit to the cost of a full bathroom refurbishment? James Abrams, sales director at Roxor, has some answers.


strip-out. For installers, smaller upgrades can be a practical way to support customers with more modest budgets, while still opening up opportunities for fi tting work, added value and longer-term customer relationships. When a full refurbishment isn’t


W


the right option, installers can focus the conversation on high- impact upgrades that can improve


e know that a bathroom refresh doesn’t always need to start with a full


both the appearance and usability of the room without changing every fi tting or altering the layout. Taps, showers, mirrors, cabinets, vanity units and brassware are all practical areas to recommend, but the important detail is to avoid treating these as isolated swaps. This is where installers can help


customers get more from a smaller project. If a customer is replacing basin taps, for example, there might also be an opportunity to suggest matching shower fi ttings, wastes, accessories or a new touch sensor mirror for a more integrated


fi nish. This helps the customer feel they’ve achieved a better overall result, while potentially increasing the value of the job.


Like-for-like Installers also play an important role in advising what is realistic within the existing bathroom layout. Like-for-like replacements are often the most straightforward and cost-eff ective option, particularly where existing pipework, fi xing points and standard product dimensions can stay put. This can reduce labour


James Abrams Sales director at Roxor


time, limit disruption and make the quote feel more achievable for the customer. Showers are another good


example of where installer input can make a big diff erence. Customers might primarily be drawn to the look of a product, but it is just as important to consider aspects like water pressure, valve compatibility, pipework,


straightforward. Instead of bringing the supply up to a height in the wall, I just brought it into the ceiling and it’s a much better fi nish,” he notes.


Controls outside Designing controls to sit outside the spray zone is a fundamental principle of a well-installed shower, not an optional upgrade, Todd maintains. “I’ve been to many bathrooms


where you have to lean right in to turn the valve on and you get a cold, wet arm,” he says. “That’s just terrible design. My main criteria is always: can the user turn the valve on without getting wet? In my en-suite, you slide the shower door open a few inches, press the button and the shower’s running – you’re staying dry until you choose to step in.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/36


wall condition and whether the existing system can support the upgrade they are looking for. Getting this right from the start helps avoid problems on site and gives the customer a clearer, more confi dent recommendation. These smaller upgrades can be


a useful way to turn lower-budget enquiries into worthwhile work. They give installers shorter, lower- disruption jobs that customers may be more comfortable approving, while still creating opportunities to recommend practical, coordinated improvements that make the overall project feel more valuable. My best advice is to guide


customers towards the areas where they will see and feel the biggest diff erence. A full refi t simply isn’t suitable for everyone, so by focusing on upgrades that are practical, compatible and add aesthetic value to an existing bathroom, installers can support homeowners in creating the space they want while building a relationship that lasts beyond a single project.


◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/37


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