How to Choose a Shower
Don’t know your deluge head from your digital mixer? Never fear. Check out this expert advice on finding your perfect shower
Sophie Baylis
15 December 2014
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
If you’re buying a new shower, you’ll want to make sure you’ve chosen the most suitable type of system, that the water pressure in your house will support it, and that it does exactly what you need it to do. As part of our Bathroom Planning guide, we asked advice from three pros in the know.
Professional advice from: Heidi Beresford of UK Bathrooms; Duncan Heeles of Bagnodesign Glasgow; Barbara Osborne of Methven UK
More in this series: How to Choose a… Shower Enclosure; Shower Head; Shower Tray; Bathroom Tap; Vanity Unit; Bath Material
Starting your bathroom project? Read How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
Professional advice from: Heidi Beresford of UK Bathrooms; Duncan Heeles of Bagnodesign Glasgow; Barbara Osborne of Methven UK
More in this series: How to Choose a… Shower Enclosure; Shower Head; Shower Tray; Bathroom Tap; Vanity Unit; Bath Material
Starting your bathroom project? Read How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
1. Check your home’s water system
Before you even start looking for your new shower, get to grips with your water system and know what the water pressure is in your house, because this seemingly mundane information is going to affect your options.
“Suppliers of shower systems, heads and handsets will stipulate a minimum set water pressure requirement for their products,” explains Barbara Osborne. “You really need this for the shower to work properly or, in some cases, for it to work at all.”
More: How to Save Water in the Bathroom
Before you even start looking for your new shower, get to grips with your water system and know what the water pressure is in your house, because this seemingly mundane information is going to affect your options.
“Suppliers of shower systems, heads and handsets will stipulate a minimum set water pressure requirement for their products,” explains Barbara Osborne. “You really need this for the shower to work properly or, in some cases, for it to work at all.”
More: How to Save Water in the Bathroom
Types of water system: There are three common types of water system in the UK. This can give you a hint as to whether you have high or low water pressure in your home.
The first is a gravity-fed system, which means a cold-water tank in the loft and a water cylinder directly below it (usually in an airing cupboard). This type of low-pressure system is found in most homes.
The second kind of water system is an unvented system. This means a hot-water storage cylinder takes cold water directly from the mains – meaning you don’t need a cold-water tank. The water is heated by an in-built coil; as the coil gets hot, the water within the cylinder heats, ready for use. This is a high-pressure system.
The third kind of water system you might have is a combi boiler, which heats water on demand whenever a hot tap is turned on. The water feeds in directly from the mains, without a cylinder or tank. A combi boiler is a high-pressure system.
The first is a gravity-fed system, which means a cold-water tank in the loft and a water cylinder directly below it (usually in an airing cupboard). This type of low-pressure system is found in most homes.
The second kind of water system is an unvented system. This means a hot-water storage cylinder takes cold water directly from the mains – meaning you don’t need a cold-water tank. The water is heated by an in-built coil; as the coil gets hot, the water within the cylinder heats, ready for use. This is a high-pressure system.
The third kind of water system you might have is a combi boiler, which heats water on demand whenever a hot tap is turned on. The water feeds in directly from the mains, without a cylinder or tank. A combi boiler is a high-pressure system.
Your water pressure: Each shower system, showerhead and handset is labelled with its water pressure requirements, so once you know what kind of water system you have, it should be much easier to choose the most suitable kind of shower.
“Water pressure is a measure of how forcefully water is pushed through the pipes and to your shower,” says Barbara. “It’s measured in bars. A 0.1 bar rating is considered low pressure, while 1.0 bar and above is considered high pressure. A qualified plumber can test your system to establish the exact pressure if you need this.”
Find a plumber in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
“Water pressure is a measure of how forcefully water is pushed through the pipes and to your shower,” says Barbara. “It’s measured in bars. A 0.1 bar rating is considered low pressure, while 1.0 bar and above is considered high pressure. A qualified plumber can test your system to establish the exact pressure if you need this.”
Find a plumber in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
2. Consider the different shower types
Once you’ve figured out your water system and water pressure, it’s time to actually choose a shower.
There are various types to choose from. Here are the pros and cons of each so you can decide which would work best for you.
Once you’ve figured out your water system and water pressure, it’s time to actually choose a shower.
There are various types to choose from. Here are the pros and cons of each so you can decide which would work best for you.
Electric showers: If you don’t have a hot-water supply or boiler, this is a problem you can quickly solve with an electric shower. “The electric shower heats the water to the perfect showering temperature,” explains Heidi Beresford. “The only disadvantage is that this is a slightly dated showering style that gives less water volume than a more luxurious deluge head.”
Electric showers also tend to have a weaker flow than mixer and power showers. To improve water pressure, choose an electric shower with a built-in pump.
Electric showers also tend to have a weaker flow than mixer and power showers. To improve water pressure, choose an electric shower with a built-in pump.
Always get a qualified fitter to install an electric shower. “This is mainly down to the fact that there is electricity involved and everyone knows the dangers of mixing electricity and water!” explains Heidi. “Some manufacturers even say in their warranties that a qualified person must install the shower in order for your guarantee to be valid. So it’s worth getting it done professionally in case you run into any faults in the future.”
Mixer showers: A mixer shower does exactly what it says on the tin, combining hot and cold water on demand. Because mixers may be suited to either low- or high-pressure water systems, check that the one you buy is appropriate.
A luxurious rain shower like this one will require high water pressure. If yours is low, you could always consider buying a separate pump to increase the water flow.
A luxurious rain shower like this one will require high water pressure. If yours is low, you could always consider buying a separate pump to increase the water flow.
Bath shower mixers: If you are combining your bath and shower, you will need a bath shower mixer. These come in a range of styles and prices, so shop around.
A popular option comprises bath taps and a shower attachment, as seen here. You simply turn on the taps as if to fill the bath, pull the diverter and water will flow through the showerhead instead. Always check that the diverter is good quality and easy to use.
A popular option comprises bath taps and a shower attachment, as seen here. You simply turn on the taps as if to fill the bath, pull the diverter and water will flow through the showerhead instead. Always check that the diverter is good quality and easy to use.
Digital showers: A growing trend in bathrooms is digital showering. You can get digital showers in either electric or mixer models.
“A digital shower integrates wireless shower panel technology,” explains Duncan Heeles. “That means it thermostatically blends hot and cold water to the temperature and pressure you’ve chosen.”
The benefits of digital showers include precise temperature and pressure control, and easier installation, since you no longer need to access pipes. “Most digital showers come equipped with pre-programmed settings and should mean your shower experience is free of those pesky spikes in temperature when someone uses a kitchen or bathroom tap at the same time,” adds Duncan. They do, however, tend to be pricier than other shower types.
More: What Kind of Technology Could Improve My Bathroom?
“A digital shower integrates wireless shower panel technology,” explains Duncan Heeles. “That means it thermostatically blends hot and cold water to the temperature and pressure you’ve chosen.”
The benefits of digital showers include precise temperature and pressure control, and easier installation, since you no longer need to access pipes. “Most digital showers come equipped with pre-programmed settings and should mean your shower experience is free of those pesky spikes in temperature when someone uses a kitchen or bathroom tap at the same time,” adds Duncan. They do, however, tend to be pricier than other shower types.
More: What Kind of Technology Could Improve My Bathroom?
3. Get the lowdown on shower valves
The shower valve may not sound very exciting, but it’s what drives the water to your shower handset or fixed head. ‘It’s important because it’s how you operate the water flow and temperature for your shower,’ says Barbara Osborne.
Unless you have an electric shower, which is in its own unit, then the shower valve can either be concealed or exposed.
The shower valve may not sound very exciting, but it’s what drives the water to your shower handset or fixed head. ‘It’s important because it’s how you operate the water flow and temperature for your shower,’ says Barbara Osborne.
Unless you have an electric shower, which is in its own unit, then the shower valve can either be concealed or exposed.
The benefits of a concealed valve: A concealed valve is recessed into the wall; the controls are on the surface, but all the water outlets and pipes that connect to them are hidden inside the wall.
“Visually, a concealed valve can be appealing because it masks pipework and fittings,” says Barbara. “There’s often more flexibility of design options with concealed valves, as manufacturers offer a wide range of concealing plates and different handles. And you can use concealed valves with lots of different shower heads/handsets, which means you can usually achieve both the aesthetic and the functionality you want.”
Most concealed valves are designed to allow easy access for maintenance and repair, often simply by removing the concealing plate.
“Visually, a concealed valve can be appealing because it masks pipework and fittings,” says Barbara. “There’s often more flexibility of design options with concealed valves, as manufacturers offer a wide range of concealing plates and different handles. And you can use concealed valves with lots of different shower heads/handsets, which means you can usually achieve both the aesthetic and the functionality you want.”
Most concealed valves are designed to allow easy access for maintenance and repair, often simply by removing the concealing plate.
The benefits of an exposed valve: An exposed valve typically consists of water controls and a horizontal bar, and has all the outlets and associated pipes visible on the wall. “They are quick and easy to install and cause no disruption to the tiling of the bathroom,’” says Barbara. “For the budget-conscious, exposed valves also tend to be cheaper. They can offer a variety of features, such as separate flow and thermostatic temperature controls, eco-flow control and pre-set maximum temperatures.”
The main drawback of an exposed valve is the lack of design options. “As the workings are visible on the wall, this can hamper aesthetics and leave less choice for the design,” Barbara says. “They can also take up more room in your showering area.”
The main drawback of an exposed valve is the lack of design options. “As the workings are visible on the wall, this can hamper aesthetics and leave less choice for the design,” Barbara says. “They can also take up more room in your showering area.”
Manual shower valves: Shower valves can either be controlled manually or thermostatically.
A manual shower valve allows you to adjust both the temperature and flow rate. “Manual valves offer a high level of temperature control through the valve. But if the cold water supply is reduced by something like another tap in the house being turned on, you’d have to adjust the shower to stop the temperature from rising,” explains Barbara. “Manual valves tend to be less expensive and offer great value for money.”
A manual shower valve allows you to adjust both the temperature and flow rate. “Manual valves offer a high level of temperature control through the valve. But if the cold water supply is reduced by something like another tap in the house being turned on, you’d have to adjust the shower to stop the temperature from rising,” explains Barbara. “Manual valves tend to be less expensive and offer great value for money.”
Thermostatic shower valves: Thermostatic shower valves are perfect for families, because they can accurately control the water temperature within an agreed level, which is pre-set at installation. “This means that if the temperature of incoming water changes, the valve will respond to compensate and keep the temperature constant,” explains Barbara. “And if the hot or cold water flow fails, the valve will shut down to prevent scalding – particularly important if you have young children at home.”
Outlets and diverters: Shower valves control the flow of water to the ‘outlets’ or, as we tend to know them, showerheads.
There are four main types of showerhead:
Though it can seem complicated, knowing the options will mean you can choose your ideal shower system and really understand what the differences are. And after the hard work is done, you’ll be able to relax in style in a shower that’s the perfect temperature and pressure for you.
Tell us…
What type of shower would work best in your bathroom? Share your thoughts about it in the Comments below.
There are four main types of showerhead:
- Fixed and mounted on the wall
- Mounted on the ceiling
- A shower column, made up of a fixed showerhead and a hand shower
- A shower kit and slide rail, made up of a hand shower on a slide rail.
Though it can seem complicated, knowing the options will mean you can choose your ideal shower system and really understand what the differences are. And after the hard work is done, you’ll be able to relax in style in a shower that’s the perfect temperature and pressure for you.
Tell us…
What type of shower would work best in your bathroom? Share your thoughts about it in the Comments below.
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This article is very informative for me) I prefer showerheads, which mounted on the ceiling. They look like waterfall and can add to design something unusual) I can advise also this site with interesting ideas: https://houseofenki.com/ :)