Essence Pressure Balance Valve Trim with Cartridge, Hard Graphite

I was reluctant to pay so much for my Grohe hardware but I am so glad I chose it. Every piece I bought is gorgeous. The shape and color are absolutely stunning. The fixtures are actually metal, not the plastic junk that so many other brands are selling. My contractor said he loves using Grohe because of the quality and ease of installation. I'm super happy with my purchase. You will be, too.

Everything works well, with smooth operation.

I'm a novice DIYer, and just installed this in my shower (along with the matching valve) and all-in-all, I think this is a nice package: very sleek and attractive, feels high-quality, was pretty easy to install, works well, etc.I will mention a few things, though:1. Make sure to follow the directions VEEEERRRRRYYYY carefully. Pay particular attention to the size of hole you need to cut in your wall - at first, I made the hole too big, and the escutcheon didn't cover it! I had to pull out a few tiles and redo it with a smaller hole. But then... the hole was too small, and the screws for affixing the faceplate couldn't access the holes! Luckily, I just (veeery carefully) used a masonry bit to expand the hole enough. Yet, even this wasn't perfect, as there is a raised section on the back of the cover plate that needs to fall into the hole - as it is, mine sits on top of the tile a little, and I had to add some caulk to fill the gap. Luckily it only stuck out a few MM, and it still looks great. But don't make my mistakes!2. The screw that holds on the handle took me a number of tries to get to work - for some reason, it was screwing all the way through the hole, instead of being stopped by the brass piece it should grab onto. I think that i just needed to tighten the screw more that holds on the brass piece, as it eventually worked.3. You also really need to make sure to pay very close attention that the DEPTH of the valve syncs up wit the depth of the the trim handle/plate, and the wall treatment you have (a stall or tile). If you don't get this right, you handle and plate might stick out too far or not have enough space to be affixed properly. There is some wiggle room (the piece between the handle and the plate slides back and forth) but still, make sure you take time with this!Once those little issues were figured out (and they were my issues, not issues with the product, though I guess they could have made it more "idiot proof"...) the final product is great. Feels really nice to use (heavy metal handle and plate), looks really classy and sleek, etc. Works well, too.It is pricy, but if it has the looks and feel you're looking for, it seems like a solid choice.

We renovated our bathrooms and decided to go with simple and elegant look. These valves and controllers were easy to install, no plumber needed. Premium look and quality.

This Essence series from Grohe reflects a minimalist clean and simple design. It makes for an easy to keep clean fixture with a simple wipe down and dry buffing. You can purchase the trim only or get the bundle which includes the appropriate required rough-in valve. This is one of Grohe's entry level trims yet it also reflects the attention to detail and quality that they are known for. 5 stars for excellent design and quality.

This looks and feels superior to most trims pieces we looked at in stores. You will need the proper pressure valve in order to use this. I had a plumber do the install as a mistake here could cause a lot of damage to your home. Ultimately I am completely satisfied with the finish and ease of cleaning. I do recommend using a microfiber towel when cleaning as to achieve the highest shine possible.

This is a gorgeous shower control with the usual Grohe quality -- that is to say, very high. This comes with a small engraving of the name and red/blue dots to indicate hot versus cold settings.I like this one, and of course the signature Starlight chrome is gorgeous, but I'm slightly less of a fan of the actual control lever. It widens slightly, but it isn't their best design.All of those subjective opinions aside, the quality and workmanship is great. 10/10!

Really was disappointed that this particular Grohe item was manufactured in China. It is not the quality that we have enjoyed from previous Grohe products. The movement of the handle is abrupt and it is really not worth the $$$ we paid. Very disappointed!