Drops of Wisdom: How to Choose the Right Showerhead
Whether you like to get wet under gentle raindrops or a torrential downpour, there's a showerhead for all weathers
Janet Dunn
18 April 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
According to research by Energy Australia and Swedish global hygiene company SCA, Australia is a nation of clean-skins, with one of the highest levels of shower frequency in the world, narrowly beaten to top spot by Mexico. On average, 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men shower daily, 29 percent twice a day and nine percent lather up an extravagant three times.
A shower, whether fast and functional or long and lingering, far outstrips soaking in a bath as our favourite way to scrub up. Make your morning or evening splash the best time of the day, with the right showerhead for your needs.
A shower, whether fast and functional or long and lingering, far outstrips soaking in a bath as our favourite way to scrub up. Make your morning or evening splash the best time of the day, with the right showerhead for your needs.
Go shower shopping
In the excitement of building or updating a bathroom, it’s fun to spend time on the glamorous aesthetic elements – fabulous wall and floor tiles, cabinets, basins, luxe towels and accessories for the perfect finishing touch. Don’t forget to devote equal time to choosing a showerhead. It could mean the difference between a water-wise model and a water-waster, a delicious drenching at optimum temperature and pressure, or a disappointing dribble that alternately freezes and boils.
In the excitement of building or updating a bathroom, it’s fun to spend time on the glamorous aesthetic elements – fabulous wall and floor tiles, cabinets, basins, luxe towels and accessories for the perfect finishing touch. Don’t forget to devote equal time to choosing a showerhead. It could mean the difference between a water-wise model and a water-waster, a delicious drenching at optimum temperature and pressure, or a disappointing dribble that alternately freezes and boils.
Line up your options
First, take a survey of shower needs and habits of all the users in your home. Is there more than one shower that needs to be fitted? Are your showers high, medium or low use? What ages are the users? Is a strong massage or soft flow preferred?
Next, check out the options. Broadly speaking, showerheads fall into one of these three categories:
1. Fixed-arm wall-mounted.
2. Adjustable handheld in a cradle or sliding rail.
3. Fixed overhead rain shower.
These styles can be combined into shower systems to suit all users.
First, take a survey of shower needs and habits of all the users in your home. Is there more than one shower that needs to be fitted? Are your showers high, medium or low use? What ages are the users? Is a strong massage or soft flow preferred?
Next, check out the options. Broadly speaking, showerheads fall into one of these three categories:
1. Fixed-arm wall-mounted.
2. Adjustable handheld in a cradle or sliding rail.
3. Fixed overhead rain shower.
These styles can be combined into shower systems to suit all users.
1. Fixed-arm wall-mounted
If a shower is just a fast and functional part of your hygiene routine, achieved in minimal time, this is an economical option and provides a decent shower for those who don’t spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Single wall-mounted showerheads are larger and much more stylish nowadays than the skimpy old-fashioned models that barely did the job.
Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz to give your old bathroom a functional and stylish new life
If a shower is just a fast and functional part of your hygiene routine, achieved in minimal time, this is an economical option and provides a decent shower for those who don’t spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Single wall-mounted showerheads are larger and much more stylish nowadays than the skimpy old-fashioned models that barely did the job.
Find a local bathroom designer on Houzz to give your old bathroom a functional and stylish new life
Pros
Cons
- Budget-friendly – prices start from around $20.
- Available with wide square or round heads and water-saving features.
- A good option for over-bath showers, but the shower arm must be long enough to reach over the lip of the bath.
- Neat and stylish look in a simple bathroom.
- No extra plumbing required.
- Can be easily changed or converted to hand-held models.
Cons
- Restricted height and direction adjustability. This isn’t a consideration with a single user.
- Small range of spray choices.
- With prices starting at around $20, the lifespan may be limited.
2. Adjustable handheld in a cradle or sliding rail
Many of us want much more than a basic rinse – we want a watery experience to look forward to and, when the dams are full, linger over. For convenience, versatility and a satisfying shower, it’s hard to beat this style of shower fixture.
Alone, combined with a small subsidiary handheld wand, basic fixed shower or overhead shower, these are great multitaskers. Prices start from around $150. Top-end models can be loaded with extras such as massage jets and several spray patterns.
Many of us want much more than a basic rinse – we want a watery experience to look forward to and, when the dams are full, linger over. For convenience, versatility and a satisfying shower, it’s hard to beat this style of shower fixture.
Alone, combined with a small subsidiary handheld wand, basic fixed shower or overhead shower, these are great multitaskers. Prices start from around $150. Top-end models can be loaded with extras such as massage jets and several spray patterns.
Pros
Cons
- Height-adjustable, a boon for couples of different heights, washing kids (or even the family pet).
- Changeable direction and spray patterns suit multiple users, ages and mobility levels.
- These models help facilitate cleaning your shower enclosure.
- No extra plumbing is required.
Cons
- Very few. One consideration is that the sliding rail apparatus and flexible hose must be able to withstand being frequently moved. Paying for a reliable brand with a warranty period on parts puts it in a higher price bracket than a wall-fixed style.
3. Fixed overhead rain shower
Topping the fashion stakes at the moment are ceiling-mounted rain showerheads, says Royston Wilson of Royston Wilson Design. These vary from large square or circular fittings flush-mounted in the ceiling or suspended from a pendant, to an entire ceiling of jets.
However, cautions Wilson, as thrilling as showering in a pounding curtain of ‘rain’ is, not everyone enjoys raindrops falling on their heads. There’s somewhat of a gender divide over these deliciously drenching deluges (those with long hair will understand) and a compromise may be necessary. They are a favourite with men, but many women don’t want to wash out a good hair day every time they shower.
Topping the fashion stakes at the moment are ceiling-mounted rain showerheads, says Royston Wilson of Royston Wilson Design. These vary from large square or circular fittings flush-mounted in the ceiling or suspended from a pendant, to an entire ceiling of jets.
However, cautions Wilson, as thrilling as showering in a pounding curtain of ‘rain’ is, not everyone enjoys raindrops falling on their heads. There’s somewhat of a gender divide over these deliciously drenching deluges (those with long hair will understand) and a compromise may be necessary. They are a favourite with men, but many women don’t want to wash out a good hair day every time they shower.
Price range is enormous, from less than $100 to over $2,000. Go for quality if you like a thorough drenching from a comfortable flow pressure, says Wilson. Cheaper versions have small holes that restrict flow and result in an uncomfortable needle-like spray. Choose one that aerates the water flow for a pleasant sensation on the skin.
New Water-Saving Fittings to Help You Bathe With a Clear Conscience
New Water-Saving Fittings to Help You Bathe With a Clear Conscience
Pros
Cons
- A fabulous sensuous way to experience the therapeutic powers of water.
- A good solution for a low-ceiling bathroom where a wall-mounted shower would make the space cramped.
- May be mounted high on a side-wall.
- Because the adjustability is limited, the radius of splash is predictable.
- Larger proportions suit the trend for bigger shower enclosures and wet areas.
Cons
- Very little – or no – adjustability for height or spray direction.
- Unsuitable for users wanting to direct water off the face and keep hair dry.
- Top quality comes with a high price tag, but affordable mid-range models are becoming more available.
- Cost increases if an additional adjustable wall-mounted shower is needed to cater for different users and for ease of cleaning.
- Plumbing upgrades are necessary if you are converting an existing shower, so these models are best left for a new build or major bathroom renovation.
Find the combination
Get the best of all these styles by mixing and matching to suit. For example, a versatile compromise that avoids expensive additional plumbing while delivering a rain-shower effect is a conventional sliding-rail shower or small handheld wand with a wall-mounted rain showerhead on an extending arm overhead.
Unlike a ceiling-mounted rain shower, it’s easier to reach and can be tilted. The small handheld shower is removable for cleaning the bath and tiles and showering children.
Get the best of all these styles by mixing and matching to suit. For example, a versatile compromise that avoids expensive additional plumbing while delivering a rain-shower effect is a conventional sliding-rail shower or small handheld wand with a wall-mounted rain showerhead on an extending arm overhead.
Unlike a ceiling-mounted rain shower, it’s easier to reach and can be tilted. The small handheld shower is removable for cleaning the bath and tiles and showering children.
Double up
Twin showers are a fun way to supervise little ones in the shower. With a soft aerated spray and handheld wand, you can introduce them gently to the sensation of falling water. Coach them to operate taps safely, wash hair, rinse off and get to all the grubby bits, while you get clean too. Twin showers get a tick from the senior crowd too.
Twin showers are a fun way to supervise little ones in the shower. With a soft aerated spray and handheld wand, you can introduce them gently to the sensation of falling water. Coach them to operate taps safely, wash hair, rinse off and get to all the grubby bits, while you get clean too. Twin showers get a tick from the senior crowd too.
On the other hand, says Wilson, although many couples initially love the idea of pigeon-pair showers, the reality is that different schedules and busy timetables reduce these occasions to once-in-a-while luxuries. Houzzer kooky_karen agrees. “It was the biggest waste of money. As with a young family, we very rarely had the time to bathe together.”
A twin-shower arrangement needs a spacious bathroom, with generous width or a long stretch of wall, or capacity for a walk-through shower. Talk to your plumber to ascertain if water pressure is adequate or you may end up with two people having half a shower each.
Go Shopping for Bathroom Fittings … Without the Stress
A twin-shower arrangement needs a spacious bathroom, with generous width or a long stretch of wall, or capacity for a walk-through shower. Talk to your plumber to ascertain if water pressure is adequate or you may end up with two people having half a shower each.
Go Shopping for Bathroom Fittings … Without the Stress
Shower safely
Maximum domestic water temperatures are legislated by water standards authorities to prevent serious injuries, but it’s still possible for shower water to cause discomfort in some circumstances.
Some showerheads incorporate LED lighting with heat sensors that change from blue to green to red as the water temperature rises. These ensure a comfortable entry warmth and are a safety feature in family bathrooms.
Cold Showers Be Gone! Your Essential Guide to Hot Water Systems
Maximum domestic water temperatures are legislated by water standards authorities to prevent serious injuries, but it’s still possible for shower water to cause discomfort in some circumstances.
Some showerheads incorporate LED lighting with heat sensors that change from blue to green to red as the water temperature rises. These ensure a comfortable entry warmth and are a safety feature in family bathrooms.
Cold Showers Be Gone! Your Essential Guide to Hot Water Systems
Go with the flow
In the world’s driest continent, water-saving is an important issue. Wilson says it is now part of the Australian psyche. “Australian Standards dictate that showers can’t deliver more than nine litres a minute. But it’s becoming a moral choice for Australians as well,” he says.
The WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) scheme became mandatory in 2006 and requires all showerheads to be water-efficiency rated. The highest rating is three stars, indicating water usage of six to nine litres a minute.
In the world’s driest continent, water-saving is an important issue. Wilson says it is now part of the Australian psyche. “Australian Standards dictate that showers can’t deliver more than nine litres a minute. But it’s becoming a moral choice for Australians as well,” he says.
The WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) scheme became mandatory in 2006 and requires all showerheads to be water-efficiency rated. The highest rating is three stars, indicating water usage of six to nine litres a minute.
Do a quick check of your shower flow rate. Place a bucket under the showerhead, turn on the cold-water tap fully and turn it off after 20 seconds. Measure the amount of water in the bucket in litres and multiply by three. If you get a number greater than nine, you’re wasting water and money.
‘Low flow’ no longer means a mere unsatisfying trickle. The term is applied across the large range of flow-reducing shower heads. Wilson says they vary widely in the shower experience they deliver. “Cheap ones use restrictors to reduce output,” he says. “Tiny pinholes mean pressure is maintained, but the feeling on the skin is not as comfortable as those that aerate the water. The output from an aerated flow is softer and more relaxing.”
‘Low flow’ no longer means a mere unsatisfying trickle. The term is applied across the large range of flow-reducing shower heads. Wilson says they vary widely in the shower experience they deliver. “Cheap ones use restrictors to reduce output,” he says. “Tiny pinholes mean pressure is maintained, but the feeling on the skin is not as comfortable as those that aerate the water. The output from an aerated flow is softer and more relaxing.”
While water aeration isn’t a new concept, research continues to improve the process. Australia’s CSIRO and New Zealand bathroom company Felton have developed an inexpensive aerating device that works with existing showers and saves 50 percent of water while giving the sensation of full water pressure.
Water-saving is more than an environmentally-responsible move. Householders stand to potentially save thousands of dollars a year by reducing water usage from showers. Many water providers and government agencies offer monetary incentives to switch to water-efficient showerheads. Several states have showerhead swap programs. Check them out with your water provider.
Your turn
What factor would be most likely to influence your showerhead style? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
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See more bathroom photos
Your turn
What factor would be most likely to influence your showerhead style? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
See more bathroom photos
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Adjustable handheld showers on a sliding rail are definitely my first choice. But a word of advice: always replace the shower head facing downward or toward the back wall of the shower stall. This will prevent the next user getting a blast of cold water in the face or having water spraying all over the bathroom when they turn the shower on.
Nothing on shower panel??? They are great, you can choose hand held, body spray, raindrops... all from the same shower. It is used very often in the US and Canada so why not here ??