If you’re remodeling your bathroom, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what kind of shower to install. The good news? There are lots of options to choose from! You might be tempted to buy the cheapest option, but this can be a costly mistake when it comes to your shower. After all, this is where you come back after a hectic day to get a nice relaxing shower.
Read our buying guide on how to pick the right shower for your bathroom that matches your budget as well as your preferences.
Types of Showers
Before we go on to the features, we need to know what type of showers are available in the market. These bathroom showers are mainly divided into three categories:
- Electric shower
- Mixer shower
- Digital shower
Which one will suit your bathroom the best? That’ll depend on some factors, including your shower system, the sort of boiler you have, your budget, and your water pressure.
1. Electric Shower
Electric showers are a cost-effective solution with up to 99.7% energy efficiency. They use a cold-water supply and heat the water on demand, allowing you to take a shower at any time of day. Electric showers are perfect for additional bathrooms (for example, basement bathrooms) and busy houses. Because other shower types may lose pressure when a faucet is switched on or the water closet is flushed elsewhere in the house, which is not the case with an electric shower.
2. Mixer Shower
Mixer showers use both hot and cold-water sources and have greater flow rates. The shower works by combining hot and cold water within the unit and then distributing it via the showerhead. They’re perfect for houses with plenty of hot water, such as those with a combination boiler or a large-capacity hot-water cylinder. You can also install a pump with it to increase water pressure in a low-pressure, gravity-fed hot water system.
3. Digital Shower
Digital or remote-control showers, which are available in either mixer or electric versions, are becoming more popular since they provide a mixture of cutting-edge bathroom technology, elegant design, and can be installed easily. The shower is controlled by a panel that can be placed anywhere within a 10-meter radius, providing greater flexibility in arranging your bathroom. To change the flow and temperature of the water, the panel connects with the power unit, either in the loft or in the airing cupboard. Water at the desired temperature is then transported to the showerhead via the ceiling or wall, with no visible ugly plumbing.
Three Factors You Need to Consider
Half of your job is done when you know how to pick the right shower for your bathroom. Now, let’s dive into the different factors you need to consider before selecting your required type of bathroom shower.
1. Water Pressure System
You’ll want to think about whether your water pressure is usually low or high. Most homes have one of three kinds of water pressure systems:
Gravity-Fed
Your water system is likely gravity-fed if you live in an older home. These systems have a bad reputation for having low water pressure and flow. You must install a shower with a pump mechanism to increase the water pressure. The best thing about gravity-fed systems is that they’re compatible with a mixer shower (with/without a pump), digital shower (with a pump), and any electric shower. You’re good to go as long as the pressure requirement is met.
Combi-Boiler
You have a combi boiler system if your boiler is wall-mounted in your kitchen or tucked away in a closet. You won’t have a cold or hot water storage tank; thus, your water system will be high pressure vented. Combi boilers are perfect for providing hot water on demand and maximum water pressure. That’s why combi boiler systems are best compatible with mixer showers.
Unvented
You have an unvented water system with high pressure if you have a hot water tank but no cold-water tank. With this setup, you’ll be able to pick from a wide range of showers, and since it’s high pressure, you won’t need to calculate your water pressure when purchasing new showers. Once you know how much water pressure you have and how much hot and cold water you have, you can decide what accessories you’ll need and which sort of shower you want.
2. Shower Head
Then you’ll want to think about which type of shower head will provide you the most control in the shower. It plays a crucial part in ensuring that you get the best bathing experience possible.
Shower Heads on Taps
Some bath faucets come with a built-in showerhead. They are usually installed as part of a freestanding bath, maybe away from a wall, and designed to be held by hand. That’s why they’re perfect for those who want to sit in the water and rinse their hair, and they’re also great for bath time with little children.
Fixed Shower Heads
As the name implies, this showerhead style is fixed from the ceiling or on a wall arm. You may combine it with a handheld showerhead for further flexibility and alternate between the two while using it. They’re also known as rainfall or rainforest showers, and if they’re high-pressure, they can provide a very exquisite bathing experience.
Handheld Shower Heads
Handheld showers often include a head with both jet and spray options for flexibility. They also have a greater range of motion and flexibility than fixed showerheads. They may be connected with a wall-mounted slider rail kit, so you won’t have to hold it for the duration of your shower.
3. Style and Design
While it’s important to consider water pressure, water system, and showerheads, you can’t deny the importance of aesthetics! In terms of design, there are two basic kinds of showers: modern and traditional. A traditional bathroom doesn’t mean settling for a less-than-ideal shower. Traditional showers are available in a broad range of styles. Look for vintage-inspired valves with ceramic levers and crosshead handles. They’ll look classy and suit your personality if you are into a classic look. Contemporary showers (also known as “modern”) include the most up-to-date design trends, such as clean lines and basic forms with no fussy frills. Showerheads with square heads and minimalist valves, particularly those without backplates, are now in high demand.
Conclusion
Whether you are remodeling your entire bathroom, replacing a faucet, or looking for a new spray head, this blog post on how to pick the right shower for your bathroom will help. As mentioned above, the most important factors will likely be the water pressure and your household’s water system. Other factors like showerheads and aesthetics can also influence your buying decision. So, before you go out and make a purchase, it’s worth taking some time to study up on some of the options available to make a wise decision for your home.
