Bathroom Fixtures

Bathroom Fixtures covers what you see and use every day in a washroom. Shower heads make up a large share: rainfall heads with extension arms, handheld combos with diverters, filtered heads from SparkPod and Aqua Earth, and high-pressure models from CircleSplash and Cobbe. There are also vanity lights in one- to three-light layouts, centerset faucets, bathroom exhaust fans and motor assemblies, soft-close toilet seats, hands-off bidet sprayers and freestanding toilet paper holders from FORIOUS and others.

For a shower head, compare flow rate, usually 1.8 or 2.5 GPM, spray settings and whether you want a fixed head, a handheld or both with a diverter. Nearly all North American shower arms use a 1/2-inch NPT thread, so fitting is rarely an issue. With faucets, count the holes in your sink or counter and measure their spread: centerset faucets fit 4-inch spacing, widespread models need about 8 inches. Toilet seats come in round or elongated shapes; measure from the bolt holes to the front edge. Vanity lights should be rated for damp locations and sized to roughly three-quarters of the mirror width.

Wrap shower arm threads with plumber's tape before installing a new head, and hand-tighten to avoid marring the finish. Wiring a vanity light or fan means switching off the breaker first; a bathroom fan must vent outdoors, not into the attic, or moisture will condense on the roof deck during cold weather. Filter cartridges in filtered shower heads need replacement on the schedule the maker gives.

Frequently asked questions

Will a new shower head fit my existing shower arm?

Almost certainly. Shower arms in Canada and the US use a standard 1/2-inch NPT thread, and nearly every shower head is made to fit it. Wrap the arm's threads two or three times with plumber's tape in a clockwise direction and tighten by hand, adding a gentle quarter turn with a cloth-wrapped wrench if it drips.

What is the difference between centerset and widespread faucets?

A centerset faucet has handles and spout on a single base designed for three holes spaced 4 inches apart, end to end. A widespread faucet has separate handles and spout for holes roughly 8 to 16 inches apart. Single-hole faucets need just one opening, though many come with a deck plate to cover a three-hole sink.

How do I know if I need a round or elongated toilet seat?

Measure from the centre point between the two seat bolt holes to the front edge of the bowl. About 16.5 inches indicates a round bowl, while about 18.5 inches means elongated. Also check the bolt spacing, which is standard at 5.5 inches on most North American toilets, and look at the bowl shape from above.

Do vanity lights need to be rated for wet locations?

Fixtures mounted above the vanity, away from the shower spray, generally need a damp-location rating. A wet-location rating is required for lights inside a shower enclosure or directly exposed to water. Check the label on the fixture and your local electrical code, since requirements for zones near tubs and showers vary.