Installation notes: concealed built-in shower systems
Concealed systems are the most specification-sensitive family in our shower range. The valve body sits inside the wall, which means the rough-in has to be right on the first pass — corrections after tiling are expensive.
Rough-in depth
Every VALA concealed valve publishes a minimum and maximum installation depth from the face of the finished wall. Confirm the value against the wall build-up (substrate plus adhesive plus tile) before the first fix, and leave the protective cap on the valve until the tiler has finished.
Orientation
The valve body has an up mark cast into the housing. A valve installed upside down will function but the thermostatic response will behave incorrectly on cold start; this is the single most common concealed-system error on site.
Pressure test
Pressure test before the wall is closed. Record the test result in the handover file — the concealed valve is the one component on the project that cannot be re-tested after tiling without destructive work.
Control plate and commissioning
The control plate installs only after the tiling is finished. Commission the thermostatic response the way you would for an exposed system: full range, 30-second settling time, documented flow rate. Hand over the control plate reference with the room file; it will be needed for any future cartridge swap, which can be done through the plate without opening the wall.
When to specify concealed
Concealed is the correct choice in new build, full refurbishments, and any project where the wall is already open. For retrofits where the wall is closed, an exposed tall or sliding rail system is a more honest choice.
Request physical samples or open a project inquiry for rough-in drawings and finish matching.
