The Shower Buyers Guide

It's a big decision picking the best shower for your house. After all, it's both an invigorating wake-up call in the morning and a relaxing way to end your day after work. When you begin looking, there are a few things to consider - is it possible to put it over a bath? Is my home's water pressure sufficient? What's the difference between a manual mixer and a thermostatic?

Although there's a lot to consider, we can guide you through your decision making process in this guide so that you have all of the information to make an informed choice on the perfect shower for your home.

Considerations for Your New Shower

Here are just a few things to consider before we discuss the best kinds of showers to get for your home:

Bathroom Size

If you have a smaller bathroom, a fixed or rain shower head may not be the best option. An adjustable riser shower might work better in a small space, allowing you to move it freely. The same goes if you want to install a shower over your bath; make sure it will direct the water towards the area where you're standing rather than straight down into the taps below.

Height and Ease of Use

Consider your family and other people who will use your shower. How easily can everyone access the controls? This is important for comfort as well as safety. Taller people shouldn't have to bend down to alter the controls, and shorter people or children should not have to stretch up; find a comfortable position that works for you and your family.

Water and Heating System

Some showers simply aren't a good fit for your house, depending on your heating system. A mixer shower with a combi boiler can be great since you'll have lots of water pressure. A gravity system, on the other hand, might not provide the pressure you require. Check to see whether the shower you're considering is appropriate for your home.

Types of Showers

There are many different shower types on the market, each with its own set of features and benefits. But which one is right for you? Here's a few types of shower that are currently on the market:

Manual Mixer Showers

The manual mixer shower performs similarly to your bath's mixer tap. Simply change the temperature using each of its own heated and cooled water sources, and you're done. Ideal for homes with higher water pressure - a manual mixer will not cause any difficulties! This shower type is also ideal for use over a bath.

Thermostatic Showers

Thermostatic showers, like manual showerheads, have a hot and cold water supply. The distinction is that you adjust them both with a single control. It will stay within 2°C of the ideal temperature for as long as you choose! Choose this shower type if you want to place it over a bath or in a shower cubicle.

Digital Showers

Digital showers with temperature and flow controls allow you to dial in the ideal shower settings for your specific preferences. Some can even be controlled remotely, allowing you to wake up to a warm shower. With several features, they may also include an eco-mode to assist you in saving water while showering.

Concealed Shower Valve Showers

A concealed shower valve is designed for a wall-mounted installation, with all of the internal parts hidden from view. They can be manual or thermostatic and are perfect for modern, minimalist bathrooms where you want the focus to be on the sleek lines of your fittings rather than unsightly plumbing.

Fixed Head Shower

As the name suggests, this is a shower head that doesn't move. It's permanently attached to the pipe and sends a stream of water down at where you're standing. This type of shower is great for saving space.

Handheld Shower

Handheld showerheads are attached to a pipe with a hose that can be moved around. Some manual mixer showers come with the option of adding on one of these handheld attachments for extra convenience and flexibility. They're perfect if you want to use your showerhead over a bath or in another location where it's not suitable for installation directly from. We use Hansgrohe products for our showerheads as they are the most modern and sleek designs on the market.

As you can see, finding the perfect shower for your home is easy once you know what's available on the market. There are showers to fit every bathroom, no matter the size or how good your water pressure is. Here at MaPlumb, we have years of experience fitting all kinds of showers - so get in touch with our experts today to see how we can assist you in creating the perfect bathroom.