Choosing a Shower

In this months February issue of Homebuilding & Renovating Di Vapor featured in the magazines article: All About Choosing Showers.  A modern, drenching shower experience is the perfect way to start off the day while adding desirability and value to your home.  Here are a few pointers to get you started.

The first consideration when choosing a new shower is understanding your existing water system as this will dictate the kind pressure you can get in your home:

Older homes often utilise a gravity fed system with a cold water tank typically located in the loft and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard.  The larger the vertical distance between the tank in the loft and the shower head, the greater the water pressure received.  If you still get a lower pressure in your shower a water pump can be added to this system.

Combination (Combi) Boiler Systems will heat hot water on demand from a pressurised cold water supply.  This leads to an unlimited supply of hot water as long as the combi-boiler can cope with the demand.  Typically, a boiler that can output between 12-15 litres per minute is ideal.  With a combi-boiler system a thermostatic valve is beneficial to help maintain a constant hot water supply to the shower .

Finally, a mains pressure system, pressurised, unvented or sealed system uses the pressure in the mains water supply to drive the hot and cold water pressure to your shower.  A pressure reducing valve may be necessary .  Water can be heated using a combi-boiler, thermal store or using a cylinder that can store hot water under pressure – a common example being the Megaflo system.  It is unlikely that a pump or thermostatic valve would be required for this system.

Choosing a tray – You should pay careful attention to the strength, durability and reinforcement of the tray.  Equally important is understanding  how easily the shower tray waste can be accessed for maintenance.

Size of Shower head – Options include an overhead shower, handheld shower on slide rail, fixed or ceiling mounted, along with body jets.  This comes down to your water system (as discussed above) along with your personal preferences.  Many steam showers come with an overhead rainfall shower, handheld shower and body jets giving the best of all worlds in one pre-fabricated cabin.

Shower Floor Size – Although many bathrooms are limited in space a small shower can feel claustrophobic, cramped and the walls may feel like they are on top of you.  Therefore, you are advised not to fit an enclosure smaller than 900mm x 900mm.

All-in-One Steam Cabins – These cabins offer a huge number of showering features (overhead, handheld and body jets) and often come with a built in radio or CD system – making it difficult to leave those added showering comforts.  With the added benefits of a steam shower and aromatherapy in your own bathroom you really will have a luxury home spa.