How Do I... Choose a Shower?

Confused by all the different shower styles on offer? A bathroom expert reveals how to navigate through all the options

Georgia MaddenNovember 22, 2018

In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Daniela Santilli, marketing manager at Reece, provides some helpful buying tips for selecting the right shower for your new bathroom.

Melissa Lunardon

What are the main things to consider when choosing a new shower?

Who will be using the shower? What you choose will largely depend on the type of bathroom you are creating and who will be using it. In an ensuite, luxurious showers with invigorating spray patterns give the users a relaxing, spa-like experience; and when space allows, dual showers let two people shower at once. In a family bathroom, a rail shower will accommodate users of different heights, while choosing a style with a hand-held showerhead makes it easier to clean children and pets.

What shape and size is your bathroom? The shower you choose needs to suit your bathroom’s layout. Overhead showers are a great choice for small bathrooms as they won’t take up any wall space; while a larger, more open bathroom can accommodate a wall-mounted style or even a dual shower.

Peter Schaad Design Studio

Is it a new build or retrofit? Another major consideration is whether you’re building your bathroom from scratch or upgrading an existing one.

In a new build, you will have greater flexibility of choice as you won’t be restricted by current infrastructure, such as the position of plumbing.

If you are putting a new shower into an existing outlet, make sure your new selection will work in your bathroom without the need to move tiles or plumbing. Typically, rail showers are the best option for retrofits, as they have more standard fittings.

Tip: When choosing where to position your new shower, make sure you consider drainage – water must be able to drain away effectively.

What are the main types of showers?

Twin shower: This style combines a hand-held shower and an overhead shower in one – great for users of different heights or when members of your household have different showering styles.

Ceiling-mounted shower: A space-savvy style that is mounted flush to the ceiling.

Overhead shower: This style can be installed with a wall or ceiling arm.

Rail shower: The shower head slides up and down a vertical rail, making it ideal for users of different heights.

Hand shower: The shower head is attached to a hose that is fixed to the wall with a bracket.

Tip: Putting a shower over a bath? Opt for a rail or ceiling style. And if your bath is not enclosed by a screen, avoid choosing a hand-held shower, which can slip out of a user’s hand, spray around the bathroom and create a slip hazard.

Bearcanvas Interiors

What are showers made from?
Generally stainless steel, solid brass or chrome plated-metal. Brass is the most durable and resists mould, rust and other marks. Brass shower heads can be coated in almost any finish to suit your bathroom’s style and colour scheme.

Stainless steel is another popular and durable material. It’s stain-resistant, low-maintenance, and retains its lustre over time.

Reece Australia

What’s trending in showers?

Personalised settings: These high-tech styles allow you to customise everything from water pressure and temperature to spray patterns for a fully customised showering experience.

Thermostatic shower mixers: These give you precise temperature control and keep water temperature consistent, regardless of where else in your house water is being used. As you can set water temperatures to an exact degree, these styles are ideal for homes with elderly people or young children (some styles will only allow you to access higher temperatures by operating a special safety switch).

Luxury outdoor showers: Think twin-rail styles with an overhead and hand-held shower and a foot wash, all of which make showering outdoors an indulgent experience.

I’d like a walk-in shower… What do I need to consider?
Wet room-style bathrooms are hugely popular as they help create an open, inviting feel and make your bathroom appear bigger than it actually is.

Drainage: This is the most important thing to consider when you’re planning a wet room, because without a fully enclosing shower screen, water can reach every corner of the space. Drainage should be positioned at the lowest part of the bathroom floor to prevent puddles and slip hazards.

BuildHer Collective

Waterproofing: Proper waterproofing is essential to protect your flooring and bathroom structure from water damage.
Go wall-mounted: Choosing a wall-hung vanity, toilet and storage will keep your belongings off a damp floor and add to the illusion of space.
Consider adding protection: A single-pane transparent shower frame will help curtail shower splashes and will protect your fixtures from water run off.

Eco Outdoor USA

How can I tell how water-efficient a shower is?
Look for the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating label. Stars range from zero to six; the higher the star rating, the less water the shower uses, which saves you money. As an example, a WELS three-star rated shower can use as little as seven to nine litres of water per minute.

Reece Australia

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