When you are buying a new shower, you need to make sure you have chosen the most suitable one for you water pressure and you need to make sure your house supports it. This shower buying guide article will help you to find the best solution for your bathroom.
Type of Water System
On the market there are 3 common types of water systems:
- Gravity-fed system: it is a low-pressure system and it can be found in most homes-
- Unvented system: here you don’t need a cold water tank because the water is heated by in-built coil. The coil is heating up and so is your water. We are talking about high-pressure system here.
- Combi boiler: this type heats the water on demand (whenever you open a hot tap). We are also talking about high-pressure system here.
Water Pressure
When you are buying a shower system you should pay attention on the marks. These marks are important because they tell you what the water pressure requirements for this exactly system are. We are measuring water pressure in bars. Low pressure rating is a 0.1 bar and 1.0 is rated as a high pressure. If you buy inadequate shower system it might not even work.
Location
You need to consider about plumbing and drainage. If you want a cheaper way you should keep all of your plumbing in a central area. If you plan your water system like that it will also need less time to travel the distance so it’s more energy efficient solution.
Next thing you need to consider is the shower access. You should be able to enter it easily and exit it safely. If your shower will be close to the bathroom door you should probably buy a curtain or maybe sliding door to not interfere with the bathroom door.
Shower Heads
There are many types of shower heads on the market and for most of people the shower head makes the center of a perfect shower. You can find shower heads with different functions and different energy efficiency and you will need to weight up what your priorities are.
When you are buying a shower head you should consider your water pressure because when the shower head has more holes it doesn’t always mean it is more powerful because that depends on what kind of shower you have installed and the main thing, it depends on your water pressure.
On the market, we can find a lot of shower heads but these are three main types:
- Fixed shower head: it can be attached to the ceiling or maybe fixed into the wall. They can create a stylish and elegant look but the con is that you can’t remove the head so it doesn’t offer a versatile use.
- Riser kit shower head: the position of the head can be moved so you can detach it at any time.
- Combination shower head: this is probably the most versatile solution because it can be both detached and fixed.
Shower Shape
You have to make sure you measured the space well so the shower can fit perfectly into available space. You can choose from square, D-shaped, rectangular etc. It is important that the enclosures are pretty popular and the fit nicely into most bathrooms. If your shower is placed into corner you should choose pentagonal or quadrant enclosure.
Type of Shower
At so many different shower looks and styles you will definitely find a shower that suits your taste and your home. Here are some of the main types of showers:
- Manual mixer shower: if your home has a good hot water supply this is the right thing for you. Manual mixers are actually really easy to install and they work really simple. These kind of showers require hot and cold water supplies and a minimum of 0.1 bar of water pressure. These kind of showers are perfect for families because it mixes hot and cold water so you can have a desired temperature each time showering.
- Thermostatic mixer showers: these ones need hot and cold water supply as well as the minimum 0.1 bar of water pressure. You have incorporated thermostatic valve which will keep your water temperature at a constant.
- Electric showers: they need only cold water supply and also 0.1 bar of pressure. The good thing is you don’t need to pay for water heating but the bad side of this one’s is that they need to be integrated by electrician and plumber so you can’t do it by yourself. But the good part of it is that it can be more economical.
- Shower panels: all you need for showering combined in one great shower system which includes shower head, hand held sprayer, rain fall shower head sometimes even led colored lights and body sprays.
Shower Trays
Every shower needs a shower tray, so the water can drain away. You can find designs made for enclosure and the others are made to lie flush with the floor. As the best option there are ceramic trays because they are strong and stable. A resistant option is enameled steel and acrylic or maybe those made from stone and water-resistant hardwoods.
Luxury Features
If you can afford something more expensive here are some trends:
- Steam showers: you can install it into existing bathroom or you install a new construction. The system is working from a breadbox-sized generator which turns water into steam and you get a luxurious spa feeling.
- Digital controls: you can buy a multi-sensor and the program controls flow intensity, temperature, lighting and even music. You will also need a professional to install you the digital wiring.
I hope we have shown you some options to consider before buying or upgrading your showers. If you are still wondering on what to get you can visit: http://ever-unfolding.net for more. And happy showering J