Unlacquered Brass Shower Systems: The Complete Buying Guide

An unlacquered brass shower is the most dramatic place to use a living finish. Steam and daily use push the patina along faster than anywhere else in the house, and an exposed system turns the plumbing itself into the centerpiece. This guide walks through every choice you will make, in the order you should make it.

1. Exposed or concealed?

An exposed shower system mounts on the face of the tiled wall: the valve, the vertical riser pipe, the rainfall arm and often a handheld are all visible brass. It is the classic look of English bathrooms and old hotels, and it is the style most people picture when they search for an unlacquered brass shower.

A concealed system hides the pipes in the wall so you only see the trim, the shower head and the handles. It reads cleaner and more modern.

• Choose exposed if you want the shower to be a feature, if you are renovating without opening the whole wall, or if you love vintage style.
• Choose concealed if you prefer a minimal look or your tile is the star of the room.

Most of the systems in our unlacquered brass shower collection are exposed, because that is where solid brass really shines.

2. Pick the valve: pressure-balance or thermostatic

The valve is the part that mixes hot and cold water, and it matters more than the shower head.

• Pressure-balance valves keep the hot/cold ratio steady when someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap elsewhere, so you do not get a sudden blast of hot or cold water. Simple and reliable.
• Thermostatic valves hold the actual temperature you set, usually with one control for temperature and a separate one for flow. They cost more but feel more luxurious, especially with a rainfall head and a handheld running together.

Most U.S. plumbing codes require shower valves to have anti-scald protection of one of these two types, so ask your plumber which your local code expects before you order.

3. Rainfall head, handheld, or both?

• Rainfall head only: the purest look. Best when the head is big (8 inches or more) and mounted high enough to stand under.
• Handheld only: practical for small showers, rinsing the walls, washing pets or children.
• Both (the most popular choice): a rainfall head on the riser plus a handheld on a hook or slide bar, with a diverter to switch between them. You get the experience and the practicality.

Systems like the Oasis rainfall and handheld set and the solid brass rainfall and handheld system include both.

4. Check the numbers before you order

Exposed shower systems have a few measurements that must match your bathroom:

• Overall height. Many exposed risers are around 4 to 4.5 feet tall plus the valve. Our Nashville exposed shower, for example, stands 51 inches with an 18-inch shower arm and an 8-inch rain head. Make sure the head ends up comfortably above the tallest person who will use it.
• Arm extension. A longer arm puts the water in the middle of the shower instead of against the wall.
• Valve centers. Two-handle exposed valves are usually set at a fixed distance between hot and cold inlets (6 inches on the Nashville). Your plumber needs this number to place the supply lines.
• Connection size. Most residential showers use 1/2-inch IPS connections. Confirm it matches your supply.
• Flow rate. U.S. federal rules cap shower heads at 2.5 gallons per minute, and some states (including California) cap them at 1.8 GPM. A 1.8 GPM head with a large face still feels generous.

5. How unlacquered brass behaves in a shower

A shower is warm, humid and splashed every day, so the brass will start to change within weeks. Expect:

• The bright gold of a new fixture softening to a warmer, deeper tone.
• Faster darkening on the handles and the handheld, which are touched the most.
• Water spots, especially if you have hard water.

If you love the aged look, just wipe the brass with a soft, damp cloth and dry it now and then. If you prefer it bright, polish it with a brass cleaner every few months. Because there is no lacquer, nothing can peel, and you can always change your mind. Our guide to patina and water spots covers this in detail.

6. Finish the shower

A brass shower looks unfinished next to a chrome drain. Add a matching solid brass square floor drain, and consider a brass tub filler if the bathroom has a freestanding tub, so every piece ages together.

7. What does an unlacquered brass shower system cost?

Designer brands commonly charge well over $1,500 for an exposed brass shower set. Brasslik systems are solid, lead-free brass sold directly, with complete exposed systems starting around $500, free FedEx shipping in the U.S. and Canada, a 5-year warranty and 90-day returns.

Frequently asked questions

Will an unlacquered brass shower turn green?

Brass can develop small green or dark spots where water sits for long periods, especially with hard water. Regular wiping and drying prevents it, and a brass polish removes it.

Can I install an exposed shower on an existing tiled wall?

Often yes, if the hot and cold supply lines can be brought out at the right spacing. Your plumber may only need to open a small area behind the valve.

Is unlacquered brass harder to keep clean than chrome?

It shows water spots in the same way, but it never needs to look "perfect": spots blend into the patina over time. Many owners find it easier to live with than chrome for that reason.

Do I need a special valve for a rainfall head and handheld together?

You need a diverter (or a thermostatic valve with separate outlets) to send water to one or both. Complete systems include the diverter.

Ready to choose? Browse all unlacquered brass shower systems, or read Unlacquered Brass: The Complete Guide to learn more about the finish.