The Many Types of Showerheads

[missmanors]

When choosing a showerhead, the first decision to make is deciding the experience that you'd like to have in the shower.

If you want to turn your shower into a retreat, you may want to consider multiple showerheads, which mimic the whirlpool experience without the whirlpool. Multiple showerheads or shower tiles (shaped like a tile square and blends into the tile itself) can be installed in the walls and ceiling. These are directional and can be moved around to hit specific parts of the body. Most systems have a thermostatic valve which keeps the water at a preset temperature which has the benefit of not having to wait for the water to heat up, and also can avoid scalding temperatures.


For a spa effect without the plumbing expense ... As relaxing as multiple showerheads are, they can be expensive to plumb, as each head requires a separate plumbing line. If you want that same kind of luxury without having to replumb the bathroom, you may want to try a shower panel instead. A shower panel, similar to custom showering systems, uses multiple heads, but they're arranged in one panel that requires only one plumbing line.

If you want the gentle downpour of a warm summer rain consider a rain-can shower, installed overhead or on the wall. This type of shower head has a large diameter so the water covers more of your body than a standard showerhead. Many custom systems and shower panels use rain-can showers, or you can install one solo. Just remember that as the diameter gets bigger, water pressure will decrease. Globe Union makes a 3-spray rain-can that allows you to change the rain pattern from hard to soft, plus a motor that helps increase water pressure.

If you want extreme flexibility you may opt for an adjustable-arm showerhead, which usually comes on a sliding bar to go up or down for family members of varying heights, and a removable showerhead for added convenience. A removable shower head is very convenient when cleaning the shower, or for washing the dog or a child.

If you want to conserve as much water as possible ... Government regulations dictate that the maximum water flow out of a showerhead can only be 2.5 gallons per minute, but low-flow showerheads often go much lower, down to 1.5 gallons per minute. But saving water doesn't mean giving up the relaxing shower experience. Newer versions of low-flow showerheads basically add air to the stream, which helps force out water at a faster rate to increase pressure. Look for a high-end low-flow showerhead that uses technology to make the water pressure seem higher than it really is. Newer low-flow showerheads are great for people who like the idea of saving water, but not actually giving up their water pressure.

If you want just the basics look for a showerhead with holes in the center as well as the perimeter for the best spray pattern.

[badmomma]

We purchased a low flow showerhead and it works great. Our biggest problem is hard water. It requires that I soak my showerhead in vinegar every couple of months. Other than that I love it.

[homealone]

Great tips here Missmannors. There are so many types of showerheads that it can be rather difficult to choose which one is going to be the best for your house hold. Though with these tips that you have kindly given to us it will make that decision much easier. I love to save on the bills around my home so when I replace my showerhead I will be looking for a high-end low-flow showerhead. Thanks for making this decision much easier for me.

[patricia]

oh man i hate the low flow shower heads..yes, yell at me, its ok...but i am spoiled...i want a stronger flow of water when i take a shower....its the best feeling and i hate the ones that replace water with air....all that does is blow the water around faster, but its still a little bit of water, takes forever to get all my hair shampooed!!