Thermostatic shower column: is it a worthwhile investment?
Key points
1. Definition. A thermostatic shower column brings together on a single rail a thermostatic mixer, an overhead shower, a hand shower and its hose. It is fixed to the wall and usually connects to the existing water supply points, with no concealed installation.
2. Price. In our shower columns, range, thermostatic columns start at around €560 incl. VAT and exceed €1,900 incl. VAT at the top end, installation not included.
3. Benefits. A stable temperature, locked at 38 °C by default, and 10 to 15 litres of water saved per shower compared with a standard mixer, according to our tap guide.
4. Who is it for? It is a worthwhile investment if you want to renovate a shower without opening up the walls, especially with children or older people in the home. In a complete renovation, a concealed thermostatic mixer gives a more integrated look, for a higher budget.
What is a thermostatic shower column?
A thermostatic shower column is a ready-to-install set that combines, on a wall-mounted rail, a thermostatic mixer, an overhead shower and a hand shower. You set the temperature once, the thermostatic mixer holds it, and you switch from rain shower to hand shower in a single movement.
What exactly does a column include?
The components vary from one model to another, but the same elements are almost always there. The product sheet for the Hansgrohe Pulsify S Puro 260 EcoSmart column sums it up well: overhead shower, hand shower, shower thermostat, rail, slider and hose.
The overhead shower makes most of the difference compared with a standard set-up. On facq.be, diameters range from 20 cm on the Paffoni Nordica Basic column to 25 cm on the Facq Création shower column, and 26 cm on the Grohe Euphoria 260 column.
How does it differ from a mixer with a shower rail?
A thermostatic mixer combined with a simple shower rail offers the same temperature safety, but no overhead shower. The column adds the comfort of rain from above, without drilling into the ceiling or concealing anything in the wall.
| Criterion | Thermostatic mixer + rail | Thermostatic column | Concealed thermostatic mixer + overhead shower |
| Stable temperature and safety stop | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overhead shower | No | Yes, on an arm fixed to the rail | Yes, wall- or ceiling-mounted |
| Connection | Existing supply points | Existing supply points | Valve body in the wall |
| Building work | Minor | Minor | Wall opened up, complete renovation |
| Budget | Lowest | Mid-range | Highest |
| Best suited to | Small budget, small shower | Renovation without major work | New build or major renovation |
How much does a thermostatic shower column cost at Facq?
Expect to pay from €560 to over €1,900 incl. VAT for a wall-mounted thermostatic column, and over €3,000 incl. VAT for a concealed thermostatic set, according to the "from" prices shown in our shower columns range. These amounts do not include installation.
Which columns are entry-level?
The Facq Création shower column, with a stick hand shower, 150 cm hose and round head, is listed from around €560 incl. VAT. The Paffoni Nordica Basic column, with CoolTouch technology, is around €640 incl. VAT. The Ideal Standard Ceratherm T25 Ideal Rain column, with a 260 mm two-spray overhead shower, starts at around €720 incl. VAT.
What does the mid-range offer?
The Grohe Euphoria 260 column is listed from around €900 incl. VAT, and the Hansgrohe Pulsify S Puro 260 EcoSmart at around €990 incl. VAT. At this level, you mainly gain in spray quality and water-saving technology.
What about the top end, and concealed models?
The Hansgrohe Croma Select S 280 column with thermostat, available notably in a Brushed Bronze finish, starts at around €1,910 incl. VAT. The Grohe Grohtherm SmartControl set, a concealed thermostatic mixer with shower set, is listed from around €3,400 incl. VAT.
What does a thermostatic column really bring day to day?
A temperature that no longer fluctuates
The thermostatic mixer holds the chosen temperature "regardless of variations in pressure or temperature in the network", as our
tap guidepoints out. In practice, the shower no longer turns scalding when someone opens a tap elsewhere in the house. Our article "Which shower should I choose for my bathroom?" stresses that this is particularly useful in Belgian homes built before the 1980s.
Protection against scalding
The temperature is locked at 38 °C by default, and going higher takes a deliberate action. This safety stop matters: according to our article on the family bathroom, some 300 children are seriously burnt every year, and one burn in five is caused by bath or shower water.
Lowering the temperature of the hot water cylinder is not the answer: the Departement Zorg (the Flemish health department) recommends keeping a storage water heater at 60 °C or above to limit Legionella. The thermostatic mixer reconciles the two: water stored hot enough to stay safe, and water that comes out at a temperature that poses no danger.
Savings on water and hot water
By removing the trial and error of adjusting the temperature, the thermostatic mixer saves 10 to 15 litres per shower. The overhead shower plays a part too: according to its product sheet, the EcoSmart technology on the Pulsify S Puro 260 cuts hot water consumption by up to 60 % by limiting the flow rate.
By way of comparison, our article on the shower head states that a rain shower uses 9 to 18 l/min depending on the model, against 6 to 9 l/min for a water-saving shower head. A large overhead shower without a flow limiter can therefore cancel out part of the saving: check the flow rate before the diameter.
Is a thermostatic column easy to fit in a renovation?
Yes, in most cases: the column connects to the existing exposed supply, as our tap guide explains. That is what makes it attractive when you want to transform your shower without redoing the tiling.
What to check before you buy
Ceiling height first: the rail and the overhead shower arm must fit without touching a sloping roof or a suspended ceiling. Then the wall: it must be able to take the rail fixings, ideally without drilling through a grout line or a fragile tile.
Pressure matters too. Our shower head article points out that a large rain shower needs 2 to 3 bar; below that, the rain turns into a trickle. If your pressure is low, choose a smaller head or an aerated spray model.
Should you use an installer?
It is strongly recommended. Replacing a mixer with a column requires sound connections, a perfectly plumb rail and a watertightness check. Our Install+ service puts you in touch with an installer near you.
When is a thermostatic column a worthwhile investment?
When is the column the obvious choice?
The column is ideal for a family bathroom, where children and adults take turns in the shower and everyone benefits from getting their temperature without fiddling. It also suits older people, who can be startled by a sudden change in temperature. Finally, it is the simplest way to transform an existing shower without opening up the walls.
When should you prefer another solution?
If you are completely redoing the bathroom, a concealed thermostatic mixer is worth considering: the body disappears into the wall and the overhead shower can be placed on the ceiling. The budget is higher, and the position must be calculated to the millimetre before tiling. Conversely, on a small budget, a thermostatic mixer and a water-saving shower head on a rail already provide the safety and most of the savings.
How long does a column last?
Its lifespan depends mainly on limescale. In Belgium, water hardness exceeds 20 °F in most provinces, as our shower article points out. Limescale blocks the nozzles and wears the thermostatic cartridge, as we explain in our article on the effects of limescale on your installations. Running a finger over the silicone nozzles after showering is often enough to keep them clear.
| FACQ tip |
| Before choosing a column, measure your water pressure and the height available below the ceiling. These are the two criteria that determine which overhead shower diameter is possible, far more than style. |
Thermostatic column: come and try it before you choose
A thermostatic shower column is a worthwhile investment if you want more comfort and safety without major building work. Its price is justified by the stable temperature, the anti-scald safety stop and the hot water saved, provided you choose an overhead shower suited to your water pressure.
In our EXPOcenters, our advisers show you columns from different brands side by side: diameters, sprays, finishes and controls. Book an appointment to compare them. For installation, the Install+ service puts you in touch with a qualified installer.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is a thermostatic shower column worth the price?
Yes, if you want an overhead shower without major building work. It provides a stable temperature, a safety stop and 10 to 15 litres of water saved per shower, according to our tap guide.Q2. How much does a thermostatic shower column cost?
In our shower columns range, wall-mounted thermostatic columns start at around €560 incl. VAT and exceed €1,900 incl. VAT at the top end, installation not included. A concealed thermostatic set costs over €3,000 incl. VAT.Q3. Can you install a shower column without breaking into the wall?
Yes. A wall-mounted column connects to the existing, exposed water supply points. You only need to check the ceiling height and that the wall is solid enough to fix the rail.Q4. Does a thermostatic column work with low water pressure?
The thermostatic mixer does, but a large rain-effect overhead shower needs 2 to 3 bar. With lower pressure, choose a smaller head or an aerated spray model.Q5. Thermostatic column or concealed thermostatic mixer: which should you choose?
The column suits a renovation without major building work. The concealed mixer, more discreet and more expensive, is planned during a new build or a complete renovation, as it requires opening up the wall.Q6. How do you maintain a thermostatic shower column?
Regularly rub the silicone nozzles to prevent limescale. If the thermostatic mixer becomes stiff to adjust or the temperature drifts, have the cartridge checked by an installer.