Bathtub Faucets
This category covers bathtub faucets, valves, and trim for new construction, remodels, and service calls. Products are grouped by mount type, since the installation location decides the rough-in, supply connections, and deck prep a job needs. Knowing the main bathtub faucet types early prevents return trips: a deck mount faucet needs predrilled holes, a floor mount filler needs supply lines stubbed through the floor, and a tub and shower combination needs a valve that feeds both the spout and the showerhead.
If the tub is still being selected, review bathtubs alongside the faucet so the deck, drillings, and drain position line up. Tub fixtures in this category include complete bathtub faucet sets as well as trim-only components for existing valves.
Shop by Mount Type
A deck mount tub faucet installs on the flat rim or deck of a drop-in, undermount, or platform tub, with the valve and spout set through predrilled holes. Hole count and spacing on the tub or surround must match the faucet before ordering. Deck mount tub faucets keep the wall free of plumbing and place the handles within reach from outside the tub, which also makes the valve easier to access for service.
Floor Mount & Freestanding Tub Faucets
Freestanding tub faucets, also called floor mount tub fillers, stand on a riser beside a freestanding or clawfoot tub. The hot and cold supplies and a mounting bracket are stubbed up through the floor during rough-in, before the finished floor goes down. On a concrete slab, supply routing has to be planned before the pour, or the slab must be cut. Many models add a hand shower on a holder at the riser.
Roman tub faucets mount on the deck or ledge of a built-in soaking tub or tub surround. They typically come in 3-, 4-, or 5-hole configurations, with the added holes used for a hand shower and diverter. Confirm the hole count and the deck thickness the valve accepts before drilling stone or tile. Roman sets usually pair a separate rough-in valve with trim, so both parts should come from the same product line.
Tub and shower faucets supply both the tub spout and the showerhead from one in-wall valve. A diverter, located either in the spout or in the valve trim, sends water up to the showerhead. This combination is the standard setup for alcove tubs in single-family homes and multifamily units. When the tub will not serve a shower, a tub-only valve and spout is the simpler option. For shower stalls without a tub, see shower faucets.
Wall mount tub faucets place the valve in the wall and the spout above the tub rim, leaving the deck clear. They suit alcove tubs and freestanding tubs set close to a wall, and exposed wall mount styles are common on clawfoot tubs. The spout has to clear the rim and land water inside the basin, so check spout reach against the wall-to-drain distance before roughing in the valve.
Buying Considerations
Valve Type and Rough-In Fit
Pressure balance valves hold outlet temperature steady when pressure shifts elsewhere in the building, such as when a toilet flushes. Thermostatic valves regulate to a set temperature and usually add separate volume control, which suits larger showers with multiple outlets. Diverter and transfer valves route water between the spout, showerhead, and hand shower. Trim kits are built for specific valve bodies, so identify the existing valve model or cartridge before ordering trim for a remodel. For new work, source the valve body, stub-outs, and supports from rough-in products along with the trim.
Spout Connections and Replacement
Tub spouts connect one of two ways. IPS spouts thread onto a 1/2-inch threaded pipe nipple, while slip-on spouts slide over a copper stub-out and lock with a set screw. Diverter spouts add a lift gate for the shower. For a tub faucet replacement, measure the stub-out length and connection type, and source cartridges or seals from faucet parts and repair if the valve stays.
Faucet Sets vs. Trim-Only Components
Bathtub faucet sets bundle the parts a job needs, such as the valve, trim, spout, and showerhead, under matched model numbers. Trim-only bathtub faucet fixtures cover the visible components and assume a compatible valve is already in the wall. Drains, overflows, and supply connections usually come separately from bathtub parts and accessories.
Finishes, Handles, and Styles
Bathtub faucet styles range from traditional cross handles to modern single levers, in single-handle, two-handle, and three-handle configurations. Finishes such as chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and bronze tones should match the showerhead, tub drain trim, and nearby accessories.
Code and Compliance Notes
Most US plumbing codes require pressure balance or thermostatic scald protection on tub and shower valves and limit tub filler hot water to 120°F. Federal rules cap showerheads at 2.5 gpm (2.0 for WaterSense). Confirm local code and ADA requirements before specifying bathtub faucets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy bathtub faucets in the US with deck mount, wall mount, and freestanding options in one place?
Plumbing supply distributors that organize by mount type let you source deck mount tub faucets, wall mount tub faucets, Roman faucets, floor mount fillers, and tub and shower faucets together, along with the rough-in valves, spouts, and repair parts the job needs. This category groups bathtub faucets into those five mount types for side-by-side comparison.
What should a bathtub faucet set include for a tub and shower install?
Most bathtub faucet sets for a tub and shower install include the trim, tub spout, and showerhead, and some also include the rough-in valve. Check the listing: if it says trim only, a compatible valve body from the same product line must already be in the wall or be ordered separately.
Is a deck mount or wall mount tub faucet better for a drop-in tub remodel?
A drop-in tub with a wide deck suits a deck mount faucet, since the valve and spout install through holes in the deck and stay reachable for service. A wall mount faucet keeps the deck clear but needs the valve in the wall and enough spout reach to land water inside the basin.
Should I spec a pressure balance or thermostatic valve for a tub and shower faucet?
A pressure balance valve compensates for pressure changes to prevent scalding and covers most residential tub and shower jobs with a single handle. A thermostatic valve holds a set temperature and usually adds separate volume control, which suits larger showers and multiple outlets. Both types meet common US scald protection requirements.
Is a Roman tub faucet or a freestanding tub filler better for a soaking tub?
Roman tub faucets need a deck or ledge around the tub, so they fit built-in soaking tubs and platform surrounds. A soaking tub with no surrounding deck needs a floor mount or wall mount faucet instead. Freestanding tub faucets require supply lines stubbed up through the floor before the finished floor goes down.
How do I know if a new tub and shower trim kit will fit the existing rough-in valve?
Identify the manufacturer and model of the existing valve body or cartridge, which is usually visible once the old trim is removed, and choose trim listed for that valve. Trim kits are designed for specific valve bodies, and trim from a different product line usually will not mount or seal correctly.
My tub spout won't divert to the shower. Do I need an IPS or slip-on replacement spout?
Match the existing connection. If the pipe coming out of the wall is threaded, use an IPS spout. If it is a smooth copper stub-out, use a slip-on spout that locks with a set screw. Measure the stub-out length as well, since each spout is built for a set range.
What do I need for a tub faucet replacement when the valve body is behind tile?
If the valve body is in good condition, a tub faucet replacement can often be done from the front by swapping the cartridge, trim, and spout without removing tile. Replacing the valve body itself usually requires an access panel on the back side of the wall or cutting into the tile, so check behind the wall first.
How do I choose a faucet for a freestanding tub that has no deck holes?
Use a floor mount tub filler beside the tub or a wall mount faucet on the adjacent wall. Floor mount fillers need the supply lines and mounting bracket installed during rough-in. For wall mount units, check the spout reach against the distance from the wall to the tub basin.
What code requirements apply to tub and shower valves for scald protection in the US?
Most US plumbing codes require tub and shower valves to provide pressure balance, thermostatic, or combination scald protection that meets ASSE 1016, and limit hot water to bathtub fillers to 120°F, typically through an ASSE 1070 device or a compliant mixing valve. Local amendments vary, so confirm requirements with the jurisdiction.
What are the main bathtub faucet types, and which kind of tub does each one fit?
The main bathtub faucet types are deck mount (drop-in and platform tubs), floor mount or freestanding (freestanding and clawfoot tubs), Roman (built-in soaking tubs with a ledge), wall mount (alcove tubs and tubs set near a wall), and tub and shower combinations (alcove tubs that also serve a shower).
How many deck holes does a Roman tub faucet need, and what should I check before drilling?
Roman tub faucets typically use 3, 4, or 5 holes: two handles and a spout, plus one or two more for a hand shower and diverter. Check the faucet's specification sheet for hole diameter, spacing, and the maximum deck thickness the valve accepts before drilling stone, tile, or acrylic.
What should a plumber check before roughing in a floor mount tub faucet on a concrete slab?
Confirm the tub's final position and drain location, then route the hot and cold supplies and set the rough-in bracket before the pour, following the faucet's rough-in dimensions. On an existing slab, plan to cut and patch concrete for the supply lines. Also confirm the riser height suits the tub rim.
Which bathtub faucet styles and finishes are most common in residential remodels?
Common bathtub faucet styles include modern single-lever trims, transitional two-handle designs, and traditional cross-handle faucets. Chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and bronze tones are widely available. Match the finish to the showerhead, drain trim, and bath accessories in the same room.
Should I buy tub fixtures as trim only or as a complete set with the valve?
Buy trim only when a compatible valve is already in the wall and in good condition, which keeps a remodel simple. Choose complete tub fixtures with the valve included for new construction or when the existing valve is worn or no longer supported. Complete sets also keep model numbers matched across parts.