The cloud of thoughts disappears, the outside world is muted, and you feel the bliss of hot water cascading down your body. It's no wonder that showers are the perfect way to start or end a day.
However, there are so many bathroom showers, and selecting the ideal one involves much research. So, to save you some time and effort, we have compiled a list of the 18 popular types of bathroom showers and a buyer's guide.
Different Types of Bathroom Showers
Get ready to be showered with knowledge about the various types of bathroom showers available. This segment explains the classes and their features in detail.
Manual Mixer Shower
The Manual Mixer Shower is one of the most widespread showers available. It is a great choice for those looking for an affordable shower option. This traditional type of shower mixes hot and cold water to create the perfect temperature for your shower.
You have a valve that allows you to control the temperature and a knob that controls the water pressure. This shower type is easy to use and simple to install, plus they don't take up much space in your bathroom.
Thermostatic Mixer Shower
The Thermostatic Mixer Shower is a more advanced shower that offers greater temperature control than a manual mixer shower. This shower has a thermostat that helps regulate the water temperature, so you don't have to worry about it getting too hot or too cold. They have a thermostatic valve that you can set to your desired temperature, and it will maintain the same for each shower.
Having a digital control panel, these showers are commonly known as "digital showers." This shower type is ideal if you have young children or elderly family members living with you, as it can help prevent scalding. Thermostatic Mixer Showers are also great for those who want to save energy, as they can help reduce your water and energy bills.
Electric Shower
The Electric Shower is a popular choice for many homeowners as it brings a great deal of convenience. Since they have a built-in heating unit, they don't need a hot water supply like electric showers or manual mixer showers. All you need is a cold water supply, and you're good to go. They are very easy to install as there is no need for a pump or any serious plumbing.
Electric showers are available in various power ratings so that you can find one suitable for your home's water pressure. Suppose you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom or building a new home. In that case, you will want to consider an electric shower because they don't have this underlying requirement of a hot water supply.
Walk-In Showers
This type of shower is perfect if you have a small bathroom as it doesn't require a lot of space. They are also easy to clean and can be customized to your liking. You can choose from a variety of materials, colors, and designs. You can also add features such as shelves, benches, and even niches for shampoo and soap.
Walk-in showers come in different shapes, from rectangular to curved, and even corner models. Most walk-in showers come with a door, but some are open. The main disadvantage of a walk-in shower is that it can be extra cold if the water is not warm enough. Another thing to remember is that walk-in showers can be slippery, so you need to add a non-slip mat or flooring to prevent accidents.
Prefabricated Shower
This type of shower is popular primarily because it's easy to install and doesn't require much work. Prefabricated showers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are made from different materials such as acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain. You will find them in pre-assembled kits that include everything you need for installation. Simply connect the plumbing and caulk the seams.
They are usually a quadrant shower enclosure, but they have necessary features like a shower base, shelves, a grab bar, etc. Prefabricated showers are your best bet if you are tight on budget; however, your choices will be limited to what they have to offer.
Custom Shower
A custom shower is ideal if you want something unique and exclusive. You can have it designed to your liking and needs. Custom showers are made to order, so you will need to work with a professional who can help you create the perfect shower for your bathroom.
For obvious reasons, this will be a shower built from scratch over which you will have complete control. A custom shower will provide you with a unique design with all your desired features. There won't be anything limiting you but your budget and the size of your bathroom.
Corner Enclosure Shower
The corner enclosure showers are a great space-saving option for small bathrooms. As the name implies, this shower type is designed to fit perfectly in the corner of your bathroom. They have a pair of glass panels extending from the bathroom corner, usually making a square. However, they are available in different shapes and materials. You can find them with or without doors.
One advantage of a corner enclosure shower is that it doesn't require a lot of space. Another is that they can make your bathroom look bigger. They are available in different materials such as glass, acrylic, fiberglass, and even metal.
Neo-Angle Enclosure Shower
The neo-angle enclosure showers are very similar to the corner enclosure showers, with minor differences in shape. Most of them have five sides placed in a diamond-like shape fitted into the corner of the bathroom. They offer a modern, fancy look to your bathroom while providing all the necessary features.
The main advantage of neo-angle showers is that they provide more space than corner showers. You can have an entry door in the center or go with no door. Most neo-angle showers are frameless, which gives them a sleek and elegant look. They are suitable for small bathrooms as they make the most of the available space.
Tub-Shower Combo
A tub-shower combo is a great way to save space in your bathroom. It's a combination of a bathtub and shower placed in the same area. They are like a walk-in shower but with a bathtub. You get a tub-shower combo by replacing your bathtub with a shower base and adding a shower door or curtain.
You must have seen this combo in hotels and apartments. They may not be very attractive, but they are practical and can save you space and money. However, they may not be very comfortable for tall people as the showerhead may be too low.
Single-Setting Showerhead
This is the most common type of shower head you will find in homes. As the name implies, it has one setting for water temperature and pressure. They have limited functioning options as you can't change the flow type. The water just comes out in a single setting.
The advantage of a single-setting shower head is that it is effortless to use. You just need to turn it on and enjoy the shower. They are very affordable and can be found in any store. So if you want a simple shower, this is a budget option you can look into.
Multi-Setting Shower head
A multi-setting shower head gives you more options than a single-setting shower head. As the name suggests, it has multiple water temperature and pressure settings. This means you can have a different flow type every time you shower.
They are easy to use, and you can comfortably move between the given settings and select the desired flow. You can also adjust the stream to be wide or narrow. Multi-setting shower heads are more expensive than single-setting showerheads, but they offer more value for the money.
Handheld Shower Heads
Handheld showerheads are very convenient as they can be detached from the wall and used as a handheld device. This means you can use them to shower yourself or someone else. They are also great for cleaning the shower area and washing your pets. You can also get them in combination with the fixed ones.
A handheld showerhead gives you a lot of flexibility. You can use it as a fixed shower head or detach it and use it as a handheld device. You can also adjust the flow type and water pressure. If you are looking for a shower with convenience, this is one for you.
Shower Tower
A shower tower is a complete showering system with everything you need in one unit. It has a fixed shower head, a handheld showerhead, body jets, and a control panel. You can use all the features together or separately. They are perfect for luxury bathrooms as they offer a spa-like experience.
The best part is that the shower towers are very versatile. You can use all the features together or separately. You can control the flow and select the area you want to focus the shower on. Such feature-rich shower heads are perfect for those who love luxury and convenience.
Concealed Shower Head
A concealed shower head is hidden behind the wall or ceiling. They are prevalent in modern homes as they give a sleek and minimalistic look. Concealed shower heads are also great for saving water as they have a low flow rate. You can have several options for the flow; however, rainfall or waterfall are the most common types.
You can have some additional features, such as in-built LED lighting. However, concealed showerheads are a bit more difficult to install when it comes to installation. Plus, they are comparatively expensive as you need to have access to the back of the wall or ceiling to install them.
Exposed Rain Shower
An exposed rain shower is mounted on the wall and has a long arm that extends over your head. It gives you the feeling of standing in the rain. Rain showers are also trendy in modern homes as they provide a luxurious look. Exposed rain showers are easier to install than concealed ones.
The best part about rain showers is that they have a relaxing and refreshing feeling. You can also find some high-end variants that add air bursts to give you the effect of realistic raindrops. However, they are a bit more expensive than the regular ones.
Body Shower
Body showers are a great way to relax your muscles and enjoy a spa-like experience at home. They are mounted on the wall and have multiple jets that target different areas of your body. These showers have numerous flow settings, and the strong jets are perfect for shooting an ache. Moreover, you can find other settings such as massage or mist.
Body showers are very convenient as you don't have to hold the showerhead. Plus, they offer a very relaxing experience. Their design is similar to the tower shower, except they have multiple jets instead of one fixed and one handheld showerhead. Body showers are perfect for those who love luxury and convenience.
Waterfall Shower
Waterfall showers are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your bathroom. They have a unique mounted head which gives a heavy rush of water that gives the illusion of standing under a waterfall. With hot water, this shower emulates a natural hot spring. Such features make them a shower option that is very relaxing and offers a spa-like experience.
They are usually made of high-quality materials such as brass or stainless steel. The one thing to keep in mind is that they have a high flow rate and can use a lot of water. So, if you are looking for an eco-friendly option, this might not be the one for you.
Steam Shower
These are the luxury showers that come with built-in steam generators. They create steam by heating the water and helping you relax your muscles. You get all the features of a shower and the benefits of a sauna. Steam showers are perfect for small bathrooms, taking up very little space.
Imagine having one of these at home; you'll never want to skip showers, even during winters! You can also find some variants with aromatherapy, chromotherapy, and music playback features. That being said, they are pretty expensive and require professional installation.
These were some of the most popular types of bathroom showers. Now, let's move on to the factors you need to consider before buying one.
Shower Buying Considerations
When buying a bathroom shower, there are certain elements you need to consider to make sure you are getting the best one for your needs. Here, we'll discuss those factors in detail.
Shower Type
The first factor is picking the type of shower you want. As discussed above, there are different types of showers available in the market, and each one has its own set of features. So, you need to decide which kind of shower you want according to your needs and preferences.
For instance, if you are looking for a luxurious experience, you can go for a waterfall or steam shower. On the other hand, if you are looking for something simple and convenient, you can opt for a rain shower or walk-in showers.
Water System and Pressure
The next thing you need to consider is the water system in your home. As we discussed above, different shower types have different pressure requirements. You need to make sure that the shower you are choosing is compatible with the water system in your home. Otherwise, you might face low water pressure or no water problems.
These are the most common home water systems:
- Gravity system: This system uses the force of gravity to provide water from the tank placed at a high level. It utilizes a cold-water tank that flows water down. Since the tank is placed high, it doesn't need a pump. However, getting one can increase the flow pressure.
- Unvented water system: Large amounts of heated water are stored in a tank under high pressure for immediate use.
- Combination boiler: This system heats the water as needed; thus, it doesn't store heated water like the unvented water system.
Installation
The next factor that demands your attention is the installation process. This partially comes into consideration when selecting the shower type. However, some showers require an elaborate installation process, while others can be easily installed.
There are some options like prefabricated showers that can be installed without professional help. You can go for it if you are comfortable with a DIY installation; otherwise, you'll have to get it installed by a professional. Therefore, keeping the installation process in mind makes finalizing a shower easier.
Existing Design
Showers can instantly change the look of your bathroom, so it's essential to make a wise decision. You don't want a shower that looks like it doesn't belong in your bathroom. Therefore, you need to consider the existing design of your bathroom and select a shower that complements it.
For instance, you can go for a corner shower if you have a small bathroom. These are compact and take up very little space. On the other hand, a walk-in shower is better if you have a large bathroom. These are spacious and provide a luxurious experience.
Material
The choice of material is also an important factor to consider. It decides the look of your bathroom and the durability of your shower. There are different materials, and each has its pros and cons.
The most popular materials used for bathroom showers are:
Tile
Tiles are a popular choice for bathroom showers. It's a stylish choice and comes in different colors and designs. They are widely used for floors, and you can play with the colors and styles to get nearly endless options. However, one downside is that they require regular maintenance.
Stone
If you want a modern and elegant look for your bathroom, you can go for stone showers. Stone is available in different materials like granite, marble, and limestone. Stone bathrooms are relatively easy to clean and maintain. However, they can be quite costly.
Glass
You can never go wrong with glass as it will give your bathroom a sleek and modern look. Glass is available in different designs, colors, and styles. You can even get frosted or clear glass. The material is easy to clean but needs to be handled with care. You can find glass primarily used in the walk-in, corner, and frameless showers.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass showers are a popular choice as they are pretty affordable. They come in different colors and designs to match your bathroom décor. Fiberglass is a durable material that is easy to clean and maintain. However, it's not as stylish as some other materials on this list.
Acrylic
Acrylic is another affordable material that is widely used for bathroom showers. It comes in different colors, designs, and styles. Acrylic is more durable than fiberglass. The material is easy to clean and maintain; also, it's very affordable.
Doors
Doors can also be an important point to consider as they impact the style and functionality of your bathroom. It is also a matter of convenience as different doors provide different levels of accessibility. Moreover, certain types are more suitable for small bathrooms and others for large bathrooms. This makes doors an essential consideration while selecting a shower for your bathroom.
You can find several types, and these are the most common ones:
Sliding doors
Sliding doors are an excellent choice for small bathrooms as they don't require much space. The door slides open and closed on a track. You can find them in different designs and styles to match your bathroom.
Pivot doors
Pivot doors are similar to sliding doors, but they open outward. Owing to this attribute, they are also called swinging doors. They require more space than sliding doors as they need an area to swing open. The hinges are located at the top and bottom of the door. They work best with glass showers.
Hinged doors
Hinged doors are the most common type of doors used for bathroom showers. These are similar to pivot doors as they open outwards with a swing. However, the hinges on these are visible as they are located on the side of the shower door. You can also find hinged doors that swing inward.
Additional Features
Showers are getting advanced with time and come with impressive features. You can find elements that can enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality multiple times. What kind of features you want in your shower is up to you. This factor comes into play when you are going with a custom shower.
You can opt for features like a simple grab bar for better accessibility or built-in seats for a more comfortable experience. Handheld showerheads and steam generators are some other examples of convenience and luxury. You can also find features like LED lights and rainfall showerheads in some high-end models.
Budget
Your budget is like the last checkpoint of all the factors discussed above. All your considerations and choices come together to create the final product at a certain cost. And you need to ensure that this cost and your budget are aligning. You can find different types of showers in a variety of price ranges. It's also necessary to have a realistic budget in mind.
While you can save a lot with a prefabricated shower, going custom will cost you more. On top of that, if you want some additional features, they will surely add to the cost. However, it will be worth it as you'll get what you want. Therefore, it's best to go with a shower that meets all your needs and is affordable.
