Everyone I've talked to who decked out their shower with tons of valves never used any other than the standard one coming out the side wall.

 

You also need a ton of volume if you want to use two or three features. The rainhead alone is a volume hog. I, too, have heard clients say they have multiple heads and use either the rainhead or regular head exclusively. Usually a rain head and a handheld is all that is needed. I mean, gee, whatcha gonna do in there and how long will your hot water last?

 

Acknowledged...

What about a preferred online shopping or does Lowes or Home Dept provide enough choices and price.

 

I"ve had good success with major brand stuff, either from the box stores or from plumbing supply houses. One caveat, however, most plumbing houses have separate showrooms where their wares are sold, and you'll probably need to sit down when they quote you prices. Hans Grohe for example is solid 440 stainless and weighs a ton......to match the price. All to run water through it, so go figure. You won't go wrong with Delta, Price Pfister, Moen to name a few.

 

Is it ever acceptable to run a water supply line on the exterior wall? I've furred the existing wall over with 1-1/2 lumber (2 X 4's flat) with a 1/2" gap agaist the existing exterior wall for the purpose of a nice new and flat / square surface (the house is old and nothing is square) I could install additional insulation.

 

Is the external wall concrete? To answer your question , it is never acceptable to put water on an external wall, BUT sometimes it is necessary.

 

No it's an old Balloon framing style of wood-house. I wanted to install the controls on the side / exterior wall so they would be beside the side wall bench, that way I could sit back and have the shower head spay down on the person (me) in a sitting position.

 

Where are you located? In colder climates you will experience frozen pipes in that wall, no matter what insulation procedures you use. Insulation only keeps cold/hot air from passing through. If there is no heat, then the cold will win. Some will introduce room air into the wall cavity to preclude this freezing effect, but it will be at the cost of condensation, and that is why I don't like water on outside walls.

 

I'm in Maryland