If you are in the market for a new shower, you will find that there is a wide variety to choose from. The amount of options out there can actually be off-putting and intimidating. However, it is important to think about what you need and want before you actually buy a new shower. If you are struggling to know where to begin, you will hopefully find the following post insightful as we provide tips to help you buy the right one for you.
First of All – Check Your Water Pressure!
You need to check, if you don’t already know what the water pressure is in your property. This is important to know because some shower heads are only designed to work with a specific water pressure levels.
Identify the Type Of Water System You Have
After establishing the water pressure of your home’s water system, you need to identify what type of system it actually is. This is crucial because there are some showers that are not suitable for some water systems. The most common water systems include:
- Gravity Fed/ Loft Cold Water Tank – You are more likely to find this in older homes, and it consists of a water tank in the loft or roof relying on gravity to deliver the water.. From the tank the water is usually sent through a how water cylinder in the airing cupboard, that heats the water.
- Combi Boilers – This system provides heated water on demand and will normally be mounted to a wall. As the hot water is connected to the mains, it delivers high pressure negating meaning a separate pump is not necessary for the shower.
- High Water Pressure – This is the best system if you want a superior shower experience. With the water flowing directly from the mains, its faster and means you don’t need a booster.
- Mains Fed – The water outlets and taps in a mains fed system are connected to the mains and therefore have the same water pressure, regardless of whether they are not or cold.
Pick The Shower Type
- Thermostatic – These are showers that take water from the cold and hot taps and regulate the temperature and flow to ensure your shower won’t be affected by someone using a tap in a different part of the house.
- Electric – These are hugely beneficial, particularly if you do not have a water boiler in your property. Because there is a heating element built into the shower, it provides hot water on demand.
- Power – These showers combine cold and hot that is delivered from a main tap and is particularly good if your water system has low pressure because the additional boost they give can provide some oomph.
Choose A Shower Head
You will find that there are various options out there when it comes to shower heads, meaning there is something out there for all budgets and preferences.
The most common include:
- Waterfall – Rather than the traditional method of projecting the water at an angle, waterfall showers have a ceiling arm that lets the water flow directly down onto you, for a rainfall shower experience. These are the recommended type if fitting a modern frameless shower enclosure.
- Hand-held – These are by far the most flexible forms of shower heads as they give you the chance to direct where you want the water to flow, while also functioning similarly to a fixed head when attached to the holder.
- Fixed – The fixed shower head is the most commonly found type of shower head, which delivers the water from a fixed angle straight out of the wall.
Determine Your Budget
The right shower for you is obviously the one that falls within your available budget. However, you need to think about value for money and the energy-efficiency of different showers and shower heads before just ruling one out over another because it is cheaper.
