Showers are one of the most important aspects of bathroom design. While they contribute little to the bathroom's aesthetic design, bathroom showers are essential to making a bathroom usable and functional. Fortunately, today's bathroom showers are designed for comfort and performance as well as visual appeal. Showers come in various styles and offer a wide range of features, but not all types will work for every bathroom. This article discusses some of the factors you need to consider when buying a bathroom shower.

Installation

Before looking at designs and features for your bathroom shower, you need to know where and how you want to install it. If you are replacing an old shower, check the existing fixture to see if any other components need repair or replacement. Not all showers are installed the same way – some come with storage tanks or require an existing storage tank, while some are self-contained. Electric showers are self-contained, so they are easier to install than pumped or pressure showers.

Showerheads

Showerheads are the top part of your shower where the water comes out. The perforations on the nozzle determine the direction and pressure of the water flow. There are four general types of showerheads:

Rainfall. These are oversized showerheads designed to imitate rainfall. The nozzles are wide and finely perforated, so that water flows over a wide area in small, soft drops.

Pleasure showers. These showerheads can be set from fine mist showers to powerful jet massages. Most models have about four shower settings; high-end models include a steam shower option.

Spinning showerheads. These have rotating nozzles that release water in a cascading flow, providing a warm overall massage. Variable speeds and a steady setting are offered in most models.

Multifaceted showerheads. These showerheads have multiple nozzles, facing different directions and individually adjusted. This allows you to direct water jets to specific areas of the body at specific jet pressures.

Shower enclosures

Shower enclosures protect the rest of the bathroom from moisture damage and steam from steam showers. Water splashes gradually erode the grout and tile material, while hot steam can encourage bacteria, mold, and mildew buildup. By separating your shower from the rest of the bathroom, you limit steam and moisture to a specific area, allowing easier cleaning and maintenance.

Enclosures range from simple cubicles to large walk-in showers. Your choice should depend on the size of your bathroom and the features you need. For small bathrooms, corner cubicles are great space-savers, and frameless models create an illusion of wider space. If you have a large bathroom, you may want a full walk-in shower with multiple showerheads, massage jets, and other advanced features. Some even have computerized controls and inputs for mp3 or audio CD players.

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