Most Delta shower kits on our site, such as the SKD7, SKD11 and SKD12, bundle a Monitor 14 Series pressure-balance trim with a shower head and a slide-bar hand shower, but all 12 SKD kits compared here list their rough-in valve (R22000, or R10000/R11000 for the SKD16) as not included, so the valve is the first thing to buy; browse the full Delta shower faucets collection to see kits, trims and valves together.
Quick answer
- A Delta shower kit is trim, shower head and hand shower in one box. It is not a complete shower: the pages say the rough-in valve is bought separately.
- Pick the valve behind the wall first. The R22000 is the rough-in named on 11 of the 12 kits, and the SKD16 names R10000/R11000 instead (for example the R10000-UNWS valve and the R11000 diverter rough).
- Pressure balance or thermostatic? SKD7, SKD11, SKD12, SKD19 and SKD21 use Monitor 14 Series pressure balance (Delta lists ±3°F). SKD13, SKD14 and SKD20 use the TempAssure 17T thermostatic cartridge.
- Need to keep it simple? Choose a kit. Want a specific head or trim? Buy a trim and head separately; our guide to Delta shower valves and trims explains the matching rules.
- Finishes are narrower on kits than on trims: six kits list Chrome, Matte Black and Champagne Bronze, and four are Chrome only.
Jump to: What is in a kit · Kit comparison · Valve vs trim · Monitor 14 vs 17 vs TempAssure 17T · H2Okinetic, Raincan and ProClean · Rough-in requirements · Buying trim separately · Steam showers · Who should buy which · Our recommendation · FAQ
What is in a Delta shower kit
Delta's introduction on the kit pages describes a convenient kit that has everything you need in one box after the rough-in is installed. In practice that means three parts: a valve trim (handles, plate and, for the pressure-balance kits, the Monitor cartridge), a fixed shower head, and a hand shower on a slide bar or holder. The head and hand shower are chosen for you, which is the whole appeal: the finish, shape and spray settings are already matched.
Two kits add extras. The SKD21 and SKD2 each include a tub spout (the SKD21 page says non-diverter), and the SKD20 adds two surface-mount body sprays.
Delta SKD shower kits compared
| Kit | Valve trim as listed | Shower head | Hand shower | Finishes on the page | Rough-in named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKD1 | Thermostatic, ProClean | 12" spray face, H2Okinetic UltraSoak | 7-setting ProClean | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze | R22000 |
| SKD2 | Thermostatic, ProClean, with spout | 12" spray face, H2Okinetic UltraSoak | 7-setting ProClean | Champagne Bronze, Matte Black, Chrome | R22000 |
| SKD6 | 17 Series, 3-setting diverter, separate temperature dial | 3-setting H2Okinetic | Slide bar, 24 in. wall bar | Chrome | R22000 |
| SKD7 | 14 Series pressure balance, 3-setting diverter | Single-setting Raincan (Soft Rain) | H2Okinetic 4-setting, 60 in. hose | Chrome | R22000 |
| SKD11 | 14 Series pressure balance, 3-setting diverter, square | 3-setting H2Okinetic Raincan | H2Okinetic 4-setting, 82 in. hose | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze | R22000 |
| SKD12 | 14 Series pressure balance, 3-setting diverter, round | 3-setting H2Okinetic Raincan | ActivTouch 9-setting, 82 in. hose | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze | R22000 |
| SKD13 | TempAssure 17T thermostatic, 3-setting diverter, square | 3-setting H2Okinetic Raincan | H2Okinetic 4-setting, 82 in. hose | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze | R22000 |
| SKD14 | TempAssure 17T thermostatic, 3-setting diverter, round | 3-setting H2Okinetic Raincan | 7-setting ProClean, 60-80 in. hose | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze | R22000 |
| SKD16 | Ara 14 Series, single lever, 3-setting 2-port diverter | 7-5/8" square, 3-setting H2Okinetic | H2Okinetic single-setting, 60-82 in. hose | Chrome | R10000 / R11000 |
| SKD19 | 14 Series pressure balance, 3-setting diverter, square | Single-setting Raincan (Soft Rain) | H2Okinetic single-setting, 60-82 in. hose | Chrome | R22000 |
| SKD20 | TempAssure 17T, 6-setting diverter, two body sprays | H2Okinetic UltraSoak single-setting | 7-setting ProClean, 27.75 in. slide bar | Chrome, Matte Black, Champagne Bronze, Stainless Steel | R22000 |
| SKD21 | 14 Series pressure balance, 6-setting diverter, with tub spout | 9.75" single-setting round Raincan | 4-setting, slide bar, 72 in. hose | Stainless Steel, Matte Black, Chrome | R22000 |
Source: the Delta text on each linked product page. "Rough-in named" is the valve the page says is not included and must be purchased separately. Check the page for the exact model, finish and trim details before you order.
Valve vs trim: what you buy where
A Delta shower has two halves. The rough-in valve goes in the wall and carries the plumbing connections; the trim is what you see and touch. Delta's separate-rough-and-trim approach means you can install the valve first and choose the trim later.
- R10000-UNWS MultiChoice Universal valve: valve body only, accepts a single, dual or dual thermostatic cartridge, with a trim kit sold separately and the cartridge shipping with the trim. Delta lists back-to-back capability and three connection types (IPS, PEX and universal).
- R22000 with integrated diverter: a rough-in with a one-piece forged valve body without stops and back-to-back installation capability.
- R11000 3/6-function diverter: a three-port diverter rough for use with a 3- or 6-setting diverter trim, with the cartridge shipping with the trim.
We deliberately do not repeat the R10000 vs R22000 explanation here; it is covered in detail in our Delta shower valves and trims guide.
Monitor 14, Monitor 17 and TempAssure 17T in the kits
Delta describes the Monitor pressure-balance valve as keeping the water temperature within a safe ±3°F (±1.6°C), helping to protect you from sudden changes in hot or cold water pressure. That is the 14 Series single-lever or two-handle trims (SKD7, SKD11, SKD12, SKD19, SKD21) and the SKD16.
The 17 Series trims have separate controls for volume and temperature. The SKD6 is a 17 Series kit with a separate temperature dial, listed with Monitor pressure balance. The TempAssure 17T kits (SKD13, SKD14, SKD20) use a thermostatic cartridge that Delta says measures and monitors the water temperature and automatically adjusts to maintain a more precise temperature.
The simple rule: a pressure-balance kit reacts to pressure swings, while a thermostatic kit also holds a temperature setting. Which is right for you depends on how your home's plumbing behaves and how much control you want; the valves guide goes deeper.
H2Okinetic, Raincan and ProClean
- H2Okinetic. Delta says H2Okinetic sculpts water into a wave pattern for a drench spray that feels like more water and more pressure. The kit pages list 1.75 gpm (6.6 L/min) for the shower heads and hand showers, at the test pressure shown on each page.
- Raincan. The round or square overhead shape. The SKD7 and SKD19 use a single-setting Raincan with a Soft Rain spray, and the SKD21 has a 9.75" single-setting round stainless Raincan.
- ProClean. A hand-shower spray that Delta says cleans shower surfaces at least two times faster than standard sprays. It is on SKD1, SKD2, SKD14 and SKD20.
- Touch-Clean. Soft rubber spray holes you can wipe with a finger to remove lime.
- ActivTouch. The SKD12 hand shower lists nine spray settings, including a Pause feature that reduces water to a trickle.
Rough-in requirements to check before you order
- Name the rough-in on the kit page. The SKD pages say "not included, will need to be purchased separately".
- Check tub use. Delta's installation sheet for the R22000 says the rough-in body is not recommended for tub installation. The SKD21 and SKD2 include a tub spout yet name the R22000, so confirm the correct valve arrangement with Delta before you order for a tub/shower.
- Body sprays need extra planning. The SKD20 page says its surface-mount body sprays need a 1/2 in. male threaded pipe fitting that extends 1/4 in. beyond the finished surface.
- Back-to-back and depth. The valve pages list back-to-back capability; wall thickness and extension kits are covered in our valves guide.
- Tubs. If the shower is part of a tub, our guide to Delta tub fillers covers the floor-mount, Roman and wall-mount options and the rough-in each needs.
- Use a licensed plumber for the in-wall part if you are unsure. Local code applies.
Buying trim separately instead of a kit
If you want a specific look, the trim route gives wider finish choice. Examples from the Trinsic line (covered in full in our Delta Trinsic faucets guide): the Trinsic T14059 valve-only trim, the T14459-LHD tub and shower trim (less shower head, listed for the MultiChoice Universal valve R10000-UNWS) and the T17459 Monitor 17 H2Okinetic tub and shower trim with a listed flow rate of 1.75 gpm at 80 psi. You then add a separate shower head and hand shower. See the Delta shower faucets collection for the other lines.
Steam showers, briefly
Delta's SteamScape range is a different kind of system: a generator, a control and a steam head. The SimpleSteam 6kW kit EST06 page lists a SimpleSteam generator, a square control and a square steam head, a 35 ft cable, and notes the control must be installed inside the shower area. Generators come in sizes from 4 to 15 kW. Sizing depends on the shower enclosure, so check Delta's sizing chart and our SteamScape steam generator kits before choosing.
Who should buy which
| If you want... | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A straightforward matched set with pressure balance | SKD11 or SKD12 | 14 Series trim, H2Okinetic head, slide-bar hand shower with 82 in. hose |
| A simple, soft overhead rain shower | SKD7 or SKD19 | Single-setting Soft Rain Raincan |
| Fine control over hand shower sprays | SKD12 | ActivTouch 9-setting hand shower |
| A thermostatic valve and a cleaning spray | SKD14 | TempAssure 17T with ProClean hand shower |
| Square lines with thermostatic control | SKD13 | TempAssure 17T, square, H2Okinetic |
| Body sprays as well as head and hand shower | SKD20 | Two surface-mount body sprays |
| A larger 12" spray face | SKD1 | 12" spray face with UltraSoak |
| Separate volume and temperature controls | SKD6 | 17 Series with separate temperature dial |
| A specific trim style from a bath collection | T14059 or T17459 | Trim only; add your own heads |
Our recommendation
For most tub and shower renovations we would start with a Monitor 14 Series pressure-balance kit such as the SKD11 or SKD12, because it is the simplest matched set and the valve is a standard Delta rough-in. Step up to a TempAssure 17T kit (SKD13 or SKD14) if you want the thermostatic cartridge and separate controls and you are comfortable with the extra cost of that valve. Buy trim separately if you want a particular collection or a finish the kits do not offer.
Comparing Delta with other brands first? Read Are Delta faucets good? for the brand and its warranty.
A kit is not right for everyone. If your wall already has a valve, match the trim to that valve instead of buying a kit that names a different rough-in. If you are unsure, send us the existing valve model number before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a Delta shower kit?
Delta's SKD kit pages describe a valve trim, a shower head and a hand shower in one box. Some kits add a tub spout (SKD21, SKD2) or two body sprays (SKD20). The rough-in valve is listed as not included.
Does a Delta shower kit include the rough-in valve?
No. Each SKD kit page says the rough-in is not included and must be purchased separately. Most name the MultiChoice Universal R22000; the SKD16 names R10000/R11000.
What is the difference between pressure balance and thermostatic?
Delta says the Monitor pressure-balance valve keeps the temperature within a safe plus or minus 3 degrees F during sudden pressure changes. The TempAssure 17T thermostatic cartridge measures and monitors the temperature and adjusts automatically, per Delta.
What does H2Okinetic mean?
Delta describes H2Okinetic as technology that sculpts water into a wave pattern to give the feeling of more water and pressure. The kit pages list 1.75 gpm (6.6 L/min) for the shower heads and hand showers.
Which Delta shower kit has a cleaning spray?
The SKD1, SKD2, SKD14 and SKD20 pages list a ProClean hand shower spray, which Delta says cleans shower surfaces at least two times faster than standard sprays.
Which kit includes a tub spout?
The SKD21 and SKD2 pages list a tub spout, but both name the R22000 rough-in, and Delta's installation sheet for the R22000 says that rough-in body is not recommended for tub installation. Confirm the valve arrangement with Delta before ordering.
Can I use a Delta shower kit with my existing valve?
Only if the valve and trim are compatible. The kits name the rough-in they are designed for; if your wall has a different Delta valve, compare series and model with our valves guide or contact us before ordering.
What finishes do the kits come in?
Six SKD kits (SKD1, SKD2, SKD11, SKD12, SKD13, SKD14) list Chrome, Matte Black and Champagne Bronze. The SKD20 adds Stainless Steel, the SKD21 lists Stainless Steel, Matte Black and Chrome, and the SKD6, SKD7, SKD16 and SKD19 are Chrome only.
Do I need a plumber to install a Delta shower kit?
The in-wall rough-in is plumbing work and local code applies. Follow the installation instructions that come with your model.
Are Delta steam showers sold as kits?
Yes, the SimpleSteam kit page lists a generator, control and steam head. Steam is a separate system from the shower kits in this guide, and sizing depends on your enclosure.
By Plumbing Market. Product details are taken from Delta's product descriptions on the linked pages; always confirm the exact model, finish, rough-in and installation requirements on the product page.
