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TUB FAUCET BUYING GUIDE
An essential part of any bathtub installation or remodel is the tub faucet. With so many styles and configurations available – freestanding, wall-mounted, deck-mounted, and roman tub faucets – this bathtub faucet buying guide will help you choose the best option to complement your bathroom design.
Whether you’re replacing a bathtub faucet or buying one for the first time, keep in mind factors like matching finishes, tub compatibility, water flow rates, and added features such as a hand shower. Read on to explore the different types of bathtub faucets and how to find the right one for your space.
TYPES OF BATHTUB FAUCETS
There are many types of bathtub faucets to fit every bathroom design. Different tubs will require different faucets, so be sure to consider the tub your faucet will pair with when deciding on a style.
FREESTANDING TUB FAUCETS
These faucets stand freely and are designed for tubs that do not have pre-drilled holes. They are also referred to as floor-mounted or standalone faucets since they are tethered to the floor and hang over the edge of the tub, making them placeable wherever you want in the space.
Freestanding faucets offer a great range of flexibility due to the fact they are not attached to the tub and can be placed at multiple points surrounding the tub. Make sure your home has underfloor access before deciding on a freestanding tub faucet, as the water supply lines sit below the finished floor and need enough space to be accessed. These faucets pair well with freestanding or pedestal tubs but can also be installed on clawfoot tubs.
Key Features:
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Flexible placement – Installed directly into the floor, positioned anywhere around the tub.
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Underfloor access required – Water supply lines run beneath the finished floor.
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Compatible tubs – Perfect for freestanding and pedestal tubs, but also suitable for clawfoot tubs.
Best For: Homeowners who want a statement piece with maximum flexibility in bathroom layout.
DECK MOUNTED TUB FAUCETS
Also referred to as rim-mounted faucets, these are paired with tubs that have pre-drilled holes and are fitted on the rim (or flat surface) of the tub. The distance between the two holes varies from tub to tub, so be sure to measure the distance between the two holes center to center (center measurement).
Supply lines are necessary to feed water from the supply line to the faucet itself; therefore, underfloor access is required. Be sure to look for non-bendable and rigid supply lines if you have underfloor access. If underfloor access is not an option, use flexible supply lines to connect the faucet to the water supply. These deck mounted faucets work well with drop-in, clawfoot, and freestanding bathtubs.
Key Features:
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Pre-drilled holes required – Measure carefully (center-to-center) before purchase.
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Connection needs – Use rigid supply lines with underfloor access, or flexible lines if not available.
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Compatible tubs – Common with drop-in tubs, clawfoot tubs, and some freestanding tubs.
Best For: A clean, integrated look with faucets mounted directly on the tub.
WALL MOUNTED TUB FAUCETS
These wall mounted faucets are the most traditional as they mount on the wall over the edge of the tub and keep the deck uncluttered for a clean look. When underfloor access cannot be used, or if you own or want a tub that does not have pre-drilled faucet holes, a wall mount faucet is a perfect solution!
Connected to the water supply directly behind the wall, it hides all supply lines that already exist in your home. This will help save you money if you don’t want to pay extra for water supply lines that other tub faucets may need. Wall mount tub faucets can be used with all bathtub types but are especially useful for alcove bathtubs, providing a clean and uncluttered look along the tub rim. Before installing, ensure the spout will be long enough to reach from the wall to the tub basin.
Key Features:
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Uncluttered design – Keeps the tub deck clear.
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Hidden supply lines – Connect directly behind the wall, saving space.
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Compatible tubs – Suitable for all tub types, especially alcove bathtubs.
Best For: Bathrooms where underfloor access isn’t possible or for those seeking a sleek, modern look.
TUB WALL MOUNT FAUCETS
These tub wall mounted bathtub faucets are designed for mounting on the inside wall of the bathtub. The pre-drilled faucet holes are typically drilled with 3-3/8" centers, but they can vary from tub to tub. It’s important to measure the distance between faucet holes before purchasing a tub wall-mounted faucet to avoid any installation headaches, but generally 3-3/8” is industry standard. Tub wall faucets can be used with a variety of bathtubs, including clawfoot, drop-in, alcove and freestanding.
Key Features:
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Standard spacing – Typically 3-3/8" centers (measure before purchase).
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Compatible tubs – Works with clawfoot, drop-in, alcove, and freestanding tubs.
Best For: Homeowners with clawfoot tubs or vintage-style tubs that include pre-drilled faucet holes.
ROMAN TUB FAUCETS
Typically paired with drop-in tubs and mounted to the tub surround, roman tub faucets require three holes that are drilled into the rim of the tub. If you are thinking about installing a hand shower, a fourth hole is required. Roman faucets are like deck mount tub faucets, except they come with multiple handle options to match the style of your bathroom. To use a roman tub faucet with a freestanding or clawfoot tub, you need to have a platform installed next to the bathtub.
Key Features:
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Multiple holes – Requires three holes (plus a fourth if adding a hand shower).
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Style flexibility – Offered in various handle options to match your bathroom.
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Compatible tubs – Drop-in tubs or clawfoot/freestanding tubs with a nearby platform.
Best For: A luxurious, spa-like experience with elegant faucet styling.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
When choosing the best bathtub faucet for your space, it’s important to look beyond just style. Both design details and technical features affect performance, comfort, and installation.
Key Factors to Consider:
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Handles – Choose between cross handles, lever handles, or porcelain accents depending on comfort and aesthetics.
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Spouts – Options like gooseneck, downspout, or low spout designs change water flow and filling speed.
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Backflow Preventers – Protect against overflows and plumbing issues by preventing water from flowing back into supply lines.
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Thermostatic Controls – Maintain a consistent water temperature for safer, more comfortable baths.
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Hand Shower Attachments – Add flexibility for rinsing, cleaning, or bathing children and pets.
Tip: Not all tub faucet types support every feature – freestanding, wall-mounted, and deck-mounted faucets each have unique options.
FAUCET HANDLES
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Metal cross tub faucet handles are shaped like wheel spoked crosses and give the user an easy grip, even when their hands are wet.
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Lever tub faucet handles are the industry standard and most common handle type and are available in metal lever or porcelain metal lever options. These faucet types accommodate those who have a hard time grasping with their hands.
FAUCET SPOUTS
There are several types of spouts including:
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The gooseneck resembles its namesake, rising from the faucet base and then craning down into or over the tub.
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A downspout injects the water directly down out of the faucet and into the tub for faster filling. If you have a large bathtub, you may want to consider a faucet designed to fill large baths quickly like this one.
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A low spout is usually used with a hand shower and instead of exiting through the top of the faucet base, it curves out underneath and down.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER
These usually sit beneath the faucet through the tub’s sidewall, and the plumbing is attached to the tub drain as well. This prevents the tub from overflowing if it is overfilled or the water rises when a person enters the water.
HAND SHOWER
Many of our bathroom faucets are paired with a hand shower, which rests in a cradle and is attached to the faucet. These handy faucet features serve as an alternative to a standard overhead shower and feature a 4’ or 5’ hose, which makes rinsing off a breeze. Use the hand shower when you clean the tub, or when bathing children or pets.
THERMOSTATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Thermostatic temperature control maintains the water temperature by regulating fluctuations in temperature. Rather than having separate hot and cold valves, the two are mixed and can be adjusted to the perfect temperature. Think of it like your home thermostat, warmer one way and cooler the other so you can find the right balance for your daily bath.
CLAWFOOT SHOWER ENCLOSURE
A shower enclosure easily allows you to add a shower to your existing clawfoot or freestanding bathtub. The hand shower is replaced with a riser pipe for the overhead shower, and most shower conversion kits include a two-way diverter to have the best of both worlds, keeping the hand shower attached! You can learn more about shower enclosures by reading our Shower Enclosure Buying Guide.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SINK FAUCET AND A BATHTUB FAUCET?
Remember this as you search for your tub faucet, sink faucets and tub faucets are not interchangeable. They are completely different systems. Each type of faucet is built for a different task. Bathtub faucets have larger flow rates compared to sink faucets.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY TUB FAUCET?
For regular cleaning, we recommend using a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water, about 1 or 2 tablespoons per 2 cups of warm water. Using a gentle washrag, clean along the entire surface of the faucet and its attachments using a gentle circular motion.
Use white vinegar in a plastic bag to remove lime from stainless steel, chrome, and other protected services by attaching the bag with a rubber band around the spout. Remove after an hour, turn the faucet on to clean out any sediment and leftover vinegar, then wipe clean with a dry cloth. For any bronze or brass finishes, clean using only water and wipe clean.
Although these steps are how you can generally clean a tub faucet, we recommend using the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to ensure you do not damage your new fixtures.
WHICH WATER FLOW RATE IS BEST?
Best is subjective, but tub faucets and fillers usually run at 4 to 7 gallons per minute or GPM. This is because tub faucets do not have flow restrictions, whereas shower and kitchen faucets do. The flow rate depends on your own needs.
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