How to Pick the Right Shower for Your Bathroom
The No-Frills Guide to Picking the Best Shower for Your Bathroom
Showers are one of the best features of a bathroom providing a place for you to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. However, when choosing a shower, many of us fail to understand the importance of water pressure systems, often ending up with ones which we hate or have a poor excuse of a water trickle. While there are many types of showers available in the market, you need to understand how to pick the right shower that fits your bath space, plumbing, and your preferences.
Wait. Do you already have an excuse ready like you don’t know how to go about it, or don’t have the time to choose. Fret not; we have pretty much done the research for you and are here to present a handy guide that will take out the hurdle of X factors and allow you to buy the right kind of shower for your abode.
To that effect, there are certain attributes that influence the type of showers in your homes. So what are these? Let’s dig in to find out.
Factors that Decide How to Pick the Best Shower
1. Budget
Your budget is one of the preliminary factors that decides the kind of shower accessory that would go well into your home. To illustrate, a corner shower area or a combination of bathtub and shower could cost comparatively less than a bathtub or a separate tub and shower area respectively. Furthermore, replacing fixtures and adding plumbing systems could also add up to your expenses. So before heading to a choice, fixate on the amount of money you intend to spend to avoid any surprises.
A typical Walk-in shower found usually in small and medium-sized bathrooms
A bathtub shower combo which is quite space-saving as well
2. Bath Space
The space in your bath area also plays a major role in deciding the right kind of shower that would work for you. So, remember to keep in mind the available floor space before making a buy. Also, now that it’s spring time, have you given a bathroom a through cleaning yet? Do check out our handy guide to thorough bathroom spring cleaning.
With that sorted, these are the different types of shower variations you can opt for –
o Walk-in showers
Walk-in showers are generally people’s first choices as they serve well to save space while also being as an excellent addition to your bathroom. Firstly, it eliminates the need for bathtub, and secondly, it serves fitting to smaller spaces, while also proving to be versatile and stylish enough to look trendy.
Additionally, they can also have other features included such as
a bench or seat along with accessibility needs such as rods, etc., for support. Such showers are not just a place to have a bath but also to relax and rest in the absence of a bathtub. Also, you can easily accommodate a bath caddy such as The Showergem to store all your bath essentials in a handy manner. It’s not just easy to install, but also cost-effective and rust-proof.
A typical Walk-in shower found usually in small and medium-sized bathrooms
A bathtub shower combo which is quite space-saving as well
o Bathtub Shower Combo
Though walk-in showers act as a great addition to small bathrooms, the lack of bathtubs can be a bit on the downside. This is where the Bathtub Shower Combo steps up and becomes one of the common utilities found in households. These are often contained to an edge-saving space while also providing you a rich bath experience.
o Freestanding Tubs
Freestanding Tubs spell richness and elegance, and might we also add, a touch of sophistication. With their intricate detailing such as classic claw foot or smooth ceramic finish, Freestanding Tubs, in fact, render a vintage and yet cosy feel to your bathroom. Though configuring ceiling showers can be tricky, handheld showerheads often do the trick. In some cases, you can even find wall-mounted railings that support the shower, with the tub enclosed by curtains to still maintain the cosy and antique vibe.
A typical Freestanding tub such as this made of ceramic, can be quite elegant in your bathroom
When your bathroom doens't have too much space, opt for a typical Corner shower like this
o Corner Showers
Corner Showers can be the most fitting options in cases of tiny bathrooms. There are often lots of corner spaces that are left neglected in almost every bathroom. Consequently, Corner Showers which are small, utility-rich and readily fitting in any bathroom are an ideal option to make use of the corners.
3. Plumbing System
Another crucial factor that you need to consider when brooding over the question “how to pick the right shower” is the plumbing and water heating system. In other words, it is quintessential to understand your bathroom’s plumbing system to get the best buy as water pressure plays a major role in influencing your shower experience.
So how do you identify your water system? Here is a simple breakdown.
If your home doesn’t possess a cold-water tank but does have a hot-water tank in your airing cupboard, or a has a combi boiler which can perform in the absence of both hot and cold water tanks, then your household has a high-pressure system. In fact, most new homes have incorporated this system which enables ample pressure suited to the likes for a revitalizing and long shower.
If your home has a cold-water tank in your loft and a hot-water tank in your airing cupboard, your household has a gravity fed low-pressure system. It is a common system adopted, especially in older homes. Though low pressures may seem unsuitable on first glance, it does provide for options that you can readily adapt in your homes for a comfortable shower. Particularly, Power Showers work extensively to this purpose of refurbishing the pressure. Moreover, if the hot-water tank is large enough; it can even support additional pumps that can further boost pressure.
How to Choose the Right Shower for My Bathroom – Types of Showers
Now, with the kinds of shower enclosures and bathroom plumbing discussed; the next key of interest points to the types of showers. While the plumbing systems may have already eliminated some choices, it is still absolutely essential to know the variants to form an informed decision.
o Electric Showers
Electric showers are one of the most efficient and popular choices of showers that can work great for households. This very-quick and easy-to-install type of shower draws water from the main cold water supply, which, on demand or while use, heats up the water and provides hot water in an instant.
Thus, even if your main heater is broken, there is always a supply of hot water on demand; and since this type of shower doesn’t store any of that hot water, it is extremely economical saving up to 99.7 percent of energy! In fact, did you know that higher the kilowatt power of the shower, better and hotter is the flow?!? Thus before buying, check the power rating of the electric shower without fail.
o Mixer Showers
Mixer showers take in water supply from both hot and cold water tank to deliver increased water flow rates. As the name suggests, it mixes the waters, controlling the flow through the showerhead which could either be fixed or adjustable. As a result, these are suitable for homes that have a fixed hot water supply, be it from a geyser or combination boiler. Some of them even feature temperature controls to enable you to set the right temperature. Suitably, some mixer showers have the provision of having pumps in case of decreased water pressure.
o Eco Showers
Eco Showers regulate water usage in a shower enabling efficient use of water in any given pressure systems. This system could actually be incorporated in any given shower system where you select a temperature and keep it maintained. Interestingly, it offers 50 percent water reduction as compared to traditional water showers.
o Power Showers
Power showers, as the name suggests, increase water pressure in homes to deliver a highly refurbishing shower. It’s working depends on a gravity-centric, tank-fed water system that boosts water flow with some of them even equipped with pumps to further increase pressure. Given these factors, it is extremely suitable for households with low water pressure and can also be combined with other variations like electric showers. However, it is not advisable for high-pressure systems.
o Digital Showers
Digital showers have a remote device or a control panel to provide you with an assortment of interesting lifestyle settings that are the culmination of technology, design, style, and comfort of living.
First, the panels can be located within 10 meters giving you the freedom of bathroom configuration. Second, the Power unit can be located in the top attic or airing cupboard for temperature changes and water flow controls. Third, the panels allow you to select custom temperature settings and other showering needs that are tailor-made to your liking, while the remote control can be employed for the same, even outside the showering area. On that note, you can understand the versatility and comfort of digital showers. And another added advantage is that no unsightly plumbing is visible as they are recessed within the wall.
However, no matter which type of shower you choose, be sure to read through our blog on the perfect shower routine recommended by experts.
How to Pick the Right Shower Head
Now that you get an idea of how to pick the right shower, there are still more options of shower heads that you need to choose from.
o Shower heads on taps
Bath taps with shower heads are quite a common accessory found in many homes, especially in those with free-standing bathtub ones. Normally, you would have a rack to hang the shower head, which on use, is handheld. This derivative of the shower head is very comfortable when taking a bath sitting, or when washing hair and giving your kids a bath as they are very easily accessible.
This Shower head on tap is most commonly found in homes
The Fixed shower head is usually found affixed to the ceiling or wall
A Handheld shower head usually offers flexible options
o Fixed shower heads
The shower heads are fixated to the ceiling (rain shower) or extended on an arm from the wall. Used in wet areas of the restroom, these are quite common and mostly have a single or double water outlet pattern. It is not uncommon to notice handheld showers or faucets accompanying this shower head model for added versatility. From rain showers to waterfall settings, there are some vivid luxurious options which are sure to get you surprised.
o Handheld shower heads
These shower heads are extremely comfortable with their different water outlet options from jet to spray settings. Additionally, they also provide more flexibility and reach than conventional fixed ones. But, if you feel that you are missing out on the traditional ones and aren’t exactly comfortable holding the shower head for the duration of your shower, fret not, as these heads can be wall mounted on a rail kit and be adjusted to your optimum length.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shower goes a long way in creating the impeccable bath experience that is suited to your thoughts, preference, budget, and décor. Daunting as that sounds, we are sure that now, you get a clear idea on how to pick the right shower! Be it on the occasion of remodelling your old bathroom or constructing a new one, these tips will come in handy before you make your next investment.
