A bathtub faucet is a type of bathroom hardware fixed to the edge of the bathtub, the floor, or the wall.
It also includes the spout portion itself that pours water into the tub, a valve to connect the spout and handles to a waterline, and the controls to turn water on or off and change the water temperature.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each style so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing your next set of tub fixtures.
Different Types of Bathtub Faucets
Bathtub faucets come in different frameworks to support the types of bathtub designs on the market. Here are different types of bathtub faucets that may fit your bathtub type.
1. Clawfoot bathtub faucet
These different types of bathtub faucets typically include a bathtub-mounted or floor-mounted spout and control handles, with a space overhead for a handheld showerhead to rest.
2. Wall-mount Bathtub Faucet
Wall-mounted bathtub faucets protrude from the wall and have control handles on either side or a singular handle located above them on the wall.
This faucet option is a space saver as it attaches directly to the wall. Wall-mount faucets will come either with or without a diverter valve, which is needed for a shower.
3. Freestanding
Freestanding bathtub faucets get installed on the floor, meaning you may need to enlist the help of a professional to run a water line beneath.
Freestanding models are made for freestanding tubs with slim edges and set away from walls.
They also usually come with built-in handles that jut out from the faucet portion to provide a solution for tubs set away from walls or tubs with thin rims.
These faucets are the most expensive faucet style.
4, Roman
These are typically wall-mounted or built into the tub edge. This bathtub faucet is designed to replicate the luxury of an ancient Roman bath.
Roman faucet styles are available in deck mount, wall mount, and freestanding faucet styles.
It has a pull-down spray head and sculpted curves that add to its elegant look. It is available in several finishes, including chrome, polished brass, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, and antique copper.
They come in several curved, corner, or oval styles, depending on your taste and budget.
5. Waterfall faucet
This type of faucet gives the appearance of a waterfall cascading from the faucet spout.
Waterfall faucets consist of a tub spout with a thin, rectangular opening. This causes water to come out of the faucet in a sleek waterfall-like shape for an elevated, modern look.
The spout is generally wide, which helps create the waterfall effect. Waterfall faucets are available in wall mount, deck mount, and freestanding styles.
6. Spout-Only Bathtub Faucet
As the title implies, this bathtub faucet is the spout portion only. You would choose this if you were replacing only the spout portion of your faucet and not the entire plumbing.
Just changing the spout can give a surprising new look to your fixture and change the water flow into your tub.
7. Deck-Mount Bathtub Faucet
The deck-mount bathtub faucet sits on the edge of your tub. This option works well for bathtubs that do not have a shower.
Deck-mount bathtubs typically come with handles to install on either side of the spout.
When choosing this type of faucet, you’ll need to make sure your bathtub has enough edge room for the spout and handles.
Deck-mount faucets do not include diverter valves, so if you have a shower, you’ll need to purchase a separate diverter or consider a handheld sprayer.
8. One-Hole Faucet
This faucet has one spout and one handle, which is swiveled to the right or left for either hot or cold water. As it requires only one hole for installation, it is generally less costly than a three-hole faucet
They are useful when replacing all of your bathroom accessories to match one standard style throughout your whole bathroom.
The most popular finish is brushed nickel, which can be used as a substitute for stainless steel.
9. Vintage Faucet
This style of faucet will typically come with a handheld shower sprayer to complete the antique look.
Vintage faucets put the finishing touch on a traditionally inspired bathroom.
They look like they hail straight from the Victorian era and are often outfitted with a telephone shower head that looks similar to the rotary phones of the past.
10. Three-hole bath faucets
The most common bath faucet is the 3-hole bathtub faucet. This type of faucet has three sections, two handles, and a spout. The handles work well and can handle hot and cold water.
This three-section setup helps you avoid getting burned since you can control the temperature closely using two handles.
It has a separate emergency shutoff valve that is required by many national plumbing codes.
11. Wide-Spread Three-Piece Faucets
These faucets have the same features as a three-piece faucet: a spout and two separate handles for hot and cold water, but they are connected by a plate, allowing for a larger distance between each piece.
There are more than ten varieties of widespread three-piece faucet styles that you might have to choose from, and needless to say, these come at very affordable prices.
These faucets are more prone to leaking than a one-hole faucet.
This allows for additional features like a shower sprayer or soap dispensing system to be added to the setup.
12. Sprinkle bathtub faucet
A sprinkler bathtub faucet uses a unique type of spout. Instead of the traditional cylindrical spout, it uses a setup where the water comes out in a rectangular pattern.
A small series of borders will go to the sides of the spout, where the flat body in the middle allows the water to flow gently into the sink basin, although a cover may go around the entire surface of the spout.
13. Minispread Faucets
Minispread faucets are a scaled-down version of the widespread faucet. They are still a three-hole system, allowing for precise control but streamlining and compacting the hardware appearance.
14. Spout-Only Bathtub Faucet with Diverter
This is usually in the form of a pull-up knob on the spout or a concealed pull-down diverter.
Adding a diverter to the bathtub faucet allows the water flow to be directed through either the bathtub spout or the shower.
You’ll need a faucet with a diverter if you have a shower installed in your bathtub.
15. Tub Wall-Mount Faucet
The tub wall-mount faucet is specially designed to be mounted on the tub’s interior wall. It has pre-drilled faucet holes in different places that can differ from one bathtub to another.
It would be best to consider the distance between faucet holes when choosing this bathtub faucet to eliminate issues during installation.
16. Floor-mounted faucets.
Floor-mounted bathroom faucets are the most commonly used type. Depending on how they were made and their design, they can be installed on the wall or floor. They usually include hot and cold water valves that allow the mixing of cold and hot water.
This type of bathtub faucet is not for the average DIY amateur, as it requires you to punch some holes in the floor and lay piping for a water source.
17. Vessel Filler faucets
This faucet has an artistic flair that will enhance the appearance of your bathroom in general. Vessel fillers are long, sleek, and elegant.
A vessel filler is a spectacular addition to any bathroom and can make your bathroom look like it came right out of a high-end home design magazine.
18. Bathtub Faucet Handles
You will have to choose from either of these bathtub handles for your bathtub faucets.
19. Cross Handles
Cross handles will look like an “X” design on the faucet knob. There is a stem at the bottom of the handle that you turn to control water flow. You can easily replace them if they become worn out or damaged beyond repair.
20. Knob Handles
Knob handles will consist of a large button-type fixture that is turned to control water flow. Hot and cold will each be controlled by their knob.
This type of handle is a very basic one. It comes with a simple spout and lever. You use this type of handle when you need an easy-to-use faucet.
21. Lever Handles
This is the most common type of handle. When you pull a lever, water flows out of your faucet. This is a low-cost option that’s easy to replace if it wears out.
Lever handles are pushed up or down to control water flow. As with knob handles, hot and cold water will each have a lever.
What to consider when purchasing a bathtub faucet
When choosing the bathtub faucet, you should keep essential things in mind, such as spout height, flow rates, matching finishes, the number of pieces, and the material of the valve.
The most important factors to keep in mind are the price of the faucets, longevity, material, and style of the faucet.
Final Words
The choice of bathtub faucet is important because it determines how easy it will be to use the tap and how convenient your bathing experience will be.
Perfect tub faucets not only increase the beauty of the bathtub but also offer a comfortable experience.
