Choosing The Right Shower - By: IC

Showers don't just provide a way to get clean, their therapeutic and relaxation properties are well documented. Some people invest large amounts in what they see as one of the most important elements of the household. Nothing quite beats jumping into the shower after a hard day's work, or indeed to wake oneself up. This guide aims to acquaint the reader with some key factors to consider with choosing a shower. Not all homes will be equipped to accept certain showers, so it's important to check yourself or seek the advice of a friend or plumber.

The most versatile system is the electric shower, which can easily be installed in any household. Only connected to the cold supply, these shower units heat the water through a long, twisting heated copper element, which rapidly heats the water. When I lived in a student house, these were a godsend as even after three guys had used the shower, there wasn't cold water left for everyone else. The main disadvantage with electric showers is that they don't generate the pressure of showers connected to the hot water mains.

Not all homes have shower access to the hot water mains, but if they do then they are a popular option, with more versatile options for fitting shower heads. Some busy homes would have people racing to get into the shower first thing in the morning though, so a compromise with a two bathroomed household could be to have an electric in one bathroom and one connected to the hot water mains in the other. Although these have always been extremely popular in countries such as Germany, mixer showers are much more common nowadays in the UK. These don't require separate hot and cold taps, instead they work by rotating a single handle left or right.

Dedicated shower pumps are connected to the hot water mains and cannot be used with most electrical setups. This increases the pressure and makes for a most satisfying showering experience. These generate pressures that electric showers can only dream of, at a cost as you'll use more water and go through the hot water supply quickly. Despite this, they are a popular option and when you use such a shower, you realise why.

Choosing the right shower head is an essential aspect of creating an enjoyable experience. Some common types of shower include fixed head and slider rails. In general, fixed shower heads are larger and many can offer a 'rain effect' shower. Sliding rails offer the opportunity for members of the family of different sizes to use the shower, and detachable shower heads are an absolute must if you have dogs or other large pets in the family! Some people prefer the use of adjustable shower heads, which offer adjustment between a concentrated jet and a wider, more dispersed spray.

Larger bathrooms in particular offer the opportunity to have separate baths and showers with dedicated enclosure, but don't think that having to use the bath for shower duties means that it'll be inferior. Whilst dedicated enclosures allow for more luxury options such as steam showers or shower featuring side-firing jets, the bath with a shower panel is so popular due to convenience, space saving and cost saving characteristics. Having an electric shower fitted about the bath taps is ideal, as the bath can be filled and there still be hot water available. There are many 'bath to shower conversion kits' available, which contain all the necessary hardware to turn your bath into a more convenient, economical shower.

About the Author

IC endorses Daniel Johansson who is a keen DIYer who is actively interested in electronics and home improvement. He has written on behalf of Victoria Plumb, who supply showers and many more bathroom installations and accessories.

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