Shower Heads with Arm

What a rose and arm set is

A rose and arm set is a shower head and the arm that holds it, sold together in one box. The rose is the head, the part with the nozzles. The arm is the pipe that comes out of the wall and carries the rose. This collection holds sets from three makers: Phoenix in its Vivid, Cromford, NX and Lexi ranges, Caroma in its Luna range and Clark in its Round Basic range. Each listing names the rose and the arm in the box, so the finish and the thread match from the start.

The first question is whether a set suits your outlet, and which one. After that come the outlet height, the thread, the flow, the finish and the fitting. For the arms on their own, see shower arms. For the heads on their own, see shower heads and wall shower heads. For the wider guide, see showers.

Why buy a set and not the parts

A set removes the matching job. The rose and the arm come in one finish, and the listings state that the rose fits the arm. A retailer category page for arms says arms and ceiling arms use a universal thread, described as compatible with Australian fittings. A guide on arm and head compatibility adds that most arms and heads share a standard half inch thread. So the parts usually fit. The risk is not the thread. It is the weight of the head, the length of the arm and the tone of the finish, and a set settles all three.

Buy the rose alone when you are keeping an arm you already have. Buy the set when you are changing the arm, or when the old arm is corroded, short or the wrong finish. A set also suits a renovation, because the Vivid listings say the fixed position suits replacement renovations and saves space.

The sets in this collection

• The Vivid sets pair a round rose with a wall arm: a 230 mm rose on a 400 mm arm, a 230 mm rose on a curved arm, and a 155 mm rose on a slimline arm.
• The Vivid Slimline in 316 stainless steel pairs a 250 mm round rose with an arm in marine grade steel, for outdoor and coastal use.
• The Cromford set has an adjustable head angle and a brass arm, in brushed nickel, brushed gold and chrome.
• The NX sets pair a 250 mm or a 290 by 210 mm rain head with an upswept arm.
• The Lexi universal arm and square rose has an adjustable height and angle and a dress plate.
• The Luna fixed overhead pairs a 200 mm rose with a brass arm that connects through the wall.
• The Clark Round Basic sets come as a fixed shower and an adjustable shower, in chrome.

The brand pages go further into each range. This page covers the choice that is common to all of them.

The arm shapes

The shape of the arm decides where the rose sits. A supplier guide describes the basic types as a standard arm with an angle, a straight arm that suits rain heads, and a gooseneck or S-shaped arm that raises the head. The sets here use four shapes.

• A straight wall arm, such as the 400 mm Vivid arm, holds the rose at a set distance from the wall at the height of the outlet.
• A curved arm, such as the Vivid curved set, sweeps out and down.
• An upswept arm, such as the NX sets, rises after it leaves the wall. The NX listings say the upswept arm gives additional height from the wall, for a fuller soak.
• A rectangular brass arm, as on the Cape and Quil sets, is a straight-sided arm with a push-fit adaptor.

A retailer category page lists a standard arm with a 60 mm backplate and a 400 mm reach, and says a 400 mm arm is the standard length for most arm and head combinations. A gooseneck on the same page lists a 378 mm reach and a 408 mm height, which is the kind of rise an upswept arm adds. So the first rule for any set is to check the height of the outlet. If the outlet is too low, choose an upswept or gooseneck set. If it is too high, choose a straight set with a rain head.

Arm extension, rise and reach

People search for a head with an arm extension when the head sits too close to the wall or too low. An extension moves the head out, and a rise lifts it. The two are different. A longer straight arm gives reach. An upswept or gooseneck arm gives height as well as reach. The NX listings call the upswept arm additional height from the wall, and a plumbing guide puts wall arm projection at 300 to 400 mm, so a 400 mm arm sits at the top of the normal range.

The Cromford set lists an arm reach of 288 mm and a projection of 55 mm, with an adjustable head angle. That is shorter than the 400 mm Vivid arm, which suits a narrow shower. Choose the reach by the width of the enclosure: the rose should sit over the middle of the shower and clear the screen.

The flange or dress plate

The flange is the plate that covers the hole where the arm enters the wall. A step-by-step guide to arm replacement describes it as the decorative flange, which slides away from the wall to expose the threaded connection and slides back when the arm is in. The Lexi universal arm and square rose lists a dress plate in the box, which does the same job. The other sets here list a rose and an arm, and the listings do not name a flange, so check the listing if a clean wall finish matters to you.

The roses and their sizes

The roses run from 155 mm to 290 by 210 mm. The 155 mm Vivid Slimline rose is rated 4 star at 7.5 litres per minute, and so is the 200 mm Luna rose. The 230 mm Vivid roses are rated 3 star at 8.5 and 9. The 250 mm roses on the NX Cape, Iko and Quil sets and on the 316 stainless Vivid Slimline are rated 3 star at 8 to 9. The Orli rose is 290 by 210 mm at 8, and the Clark sets are 3 star at 9.

Guides put round fixed heads at 200 to 300 mm, with 150 to 200 mm for low-pressure systems, and advise avoiding heads over 250 mm on low pressure unless a pump is fitted. A bigger face does not add flow. It spreads the same water across more nozzles, so the streams soften. A 155 mm rose suits a modest supply and a small enclosure, and a 250 mm or larger rose suits a strong supply and a roomy one.

Adjustable or fixed

The Clark Round Basic adjustable shower lists an adjustable arm for easy height adjustment, and the fixed version does not. The Cromford listing says the head angle adjusts, and the Lexi universal arm lists an adjustable height. The Vivid listings say the fixed position suits replacement renovations and saves space. An adjustable set helps when the household differs in height or when the spray hits the screen. A fixed set is simpler and has no joint to loosen. If you choose an adjustable set, fix the arm into solid backing and keep the rose to a sensible weight.

Outdoor and coastal sets

The Vivid Slimline in 316 stainless steel is the set for a shower outside or by the sea. Its listing describes it as suited to outdoor kitchens, laundries and coastal residential areas because of the corrosion resistance of 316 marine grade stainless steel, with a 250 mm round rose and a fixed position, rated 3 star at 9 litres per minute. A maintenance guide says 316 is the grade for coastal and marine settings, with 304 not suitable there, and that 316 wants washing every 3 to 6 months by the coast. For the wider choice, see outdoor showers and stainless steel showers.

Finishes and what they are made of

The finishes in the collection are chrome, black, brushed nickel, brushed gold and brushed brass, plus the stainless steel set. The Vivid listings describe a quality chrome plate finish, and the Cromford lists an electroplated finish on brass and ABS. According to a retailer help page, PVD is significantly harder and more durable than traditional plating. For finish-led browsing, see chrome showers, black showers, brushed nickel showers and brushed brass showers.

Match the finish to the mixer and the other fittings. A buying guide advises choosing a finish that suits the basin mixers, bath taps and accessories. A set in black or chrome is the simplest to pair, since both tones sit with most fittings.

Does a set need a diverter?

No. A rose and arm set takes water from one outlet and has no diverter. A diverter is a separate part that switches the water between two outlets, such as an overhead and a hand shower. A home remodelling guide describes a diverter as a control valve that directs water between outlets so one supply can serve several features. If you want a hand shower as well as a set, you need a mixer with a diverter or a twin system, and the plumber should know before the linings go up. For the combinations, see double shower heads.

When a set is not the answer

A set is the wrong choice when the water comes from the ceiling, when you want a hand shower, or when the outlet is a fixed rail. A retailer page says droppers mount to the ceiling and lower the head with few extra components, and that a taller ceiling takes a longer dropper. For a head over the middle of the shower, see ceiling showers. For a hand shower on a slider, a rail suits the household better than a fixed set, because the hand piece moves to the height of each person. See shower on rails.

Pressure, flow and the star rating

The Cromford set lists an operating pressure of 150 to 500 kPa, and most other sets do not state one. Pressure is easy to test with a 10 litre bucket and a timer. A fill in under 60 seconds is a good sign, and guides advise avoiding large overhead heads on supplies below about 200 kPa. A manufacturer guide says a high-pressure style head changes the nozzle design to feel stronger and cannot increase mains pressure.

A government planning page says the Plumbing Code of Australia requires new developments to use showerheads of no more than 9 litres per minute, which equals 3 stars. It says 7.5 litres per minute or less earns 4 stars if the head passes the spray tests. A buying guide gives the saving from 9 to 7.5 litres per minute as more than 5,000 litres a year. Some instantaneous gas hot water systems need a higher flow to fire, so a low-flow head may not suit them. If you have one, check before choosing a 4 star rose.

How high a set should sit

Heights come out near the same figures in every guide. A fixed wall rose sits 2000 to 2100 mm above the finished floor to the centre of the arm outlet, or 2100 to 2200 mm for a tall household. A manufacturer guide asks for at least 20 cm between a rain head and the user's head. Retail guides also say to confirm the height at rough-in, before tiling. If the outlet is below 2000 mm, a straight arm cannot reach the height, and an upswept set adds the rise.

How to clean a set

Three care guides for tapware agree on the routine. Dry the fitting after use, since drying prevents mineral deposits and water marks. Cleaning regularly with warm water or mild soap on a soft or microfibre cloth, followed by a rinse and an immediate dry, is enough. For chrome, a soft-bristled toothbrush works on a limescale spot. On matte black the guides advise avoiding abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, bleach, vinegar and lemon juice, because acid can damage the coating over time and dull the finish. A cleaning guide gives a schedule for the head: monthly if your water is hard, every two to three months if it is soft, and a wipe after each shower.

Fitting a set

Swapping a set on the same outlet is a simple job, and the fitting guides agree on the steps. Turn the water off first and protect the finish with a cloth between the wrench and the arm. Unscrew the head, slide the flange away from the wall, and unscrew the old arm anticlockwise. Wipe old thread tape from the fitting in the wall. Wrap new thread seal tape clockwise two to four times around the new arm, screw it in clockwise until it is secure, slide the flange back and fit the rose. Turn the water on and check for leaks.

A homeowner guide adds that you should inspect the fitting inside the wall, turn a stuck arm slowly, and stop if the arm may snap. Call a plumber for leaks that will not stop, a changed outlet, or a fitting that moves. A Western Australian regulator page says owners and occupiers may replace a shower head themselves, while other water supply plumbing there is licensed work. Check your own state before you start.

What is in the box

• The Vivid sets: the rose, the arm and the installation instructions.
• The Cromford set: the rose and arm, an installation kit and the instructions.
• The NX sets: the rose and the arm.
• The Lexi universal arm and square rose: the rose, the arm, a dress plate and the instructions.
• The Luna fixed overhead and the Clark sets: the rose, the arm and the installation instructions.

Parts a listing does not name are not included. Buy them together so the finish matches. For mixers, see shower mixers.

How to choose a rose and arm set

1. Measure the height of the wall outlet and the height you want the rose to sit.
2. Pick the arm shape: straight, curved, upswept or gooseneck, to suit the outlet.
3. Select the reach: 400 mm for a roomy shower, shorter for a narrow one.
4. Size the rose to the shower zone and your pressure, using the bucket test.
5. Check the star rating and flow against your hot water system.
6. Choose a finish to match the mixer, and the stainless steel set for outdoor or coastal use.
7. Book a licensed plumber if the outlet changes.

The outlet height decides the arm shape, and the reach decides how the rose sits over the shower. Settle those two before the finish.