Bathtub Faucets

Introduction

Bathtub faucets can be positioned in a variety of ways, and have finishes that can match your bathroom's other fittings.

Bathtub faucets, sometimes called tub fillers, come in the same finishes that lavatory, or sink, faucets do. But unlike lavatory faucets or even showerheads, bathtub faucets usually have a much higher flow rate. For instance, the maximum flow rate for a showerhead is 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), but it’s fairly common to find tub faucets that dispense water at rate of 6 gpm or higher.

Faucets with higher flow rates will obviously fill up a bathtub faster, but another factor that will affect water flow and pressure is the size of your water valves. Older homes typically have ½-inch valves, which will slow down flow rate; ¾-inch valves will let more water through more quickly. Tub faucets are made for either ½-inch or ¾-inch valves, and most manufacturers have faucets available in both valve sizes.

Besides selecting a tub faucet by its flow rate and valve size, you’ll also want to consider the different types of tub fillers available. The following pages will introduce you to the various tub faucet types and also where they can be placed.

To see different faucet finishes and colors, visit our lavatory faucets page.