Think of some of the most critical components of the bathroom, and the shower is likely to pop to mind. Whether you can’t face the day without your morning shower or end the workday with an evening shower, there’s no denying its importance.
In fact, the shower is where some of us do our best thinking: we rehearse conversations in our head, we daydream, and we relax during these few moments’ relief from the kids (if you’re lucky).
When you think of the shower, you most likely consider the area as a whole, but there are a ton of smaller components that make up this space. It’s a key part of overall plumbing renovations (toilet choice is another; if you need more info on that, read this blog post).
Here are some important things you need to know about a shower renovation.
How to choose a shower: important considerations
Location
It’s often advised that you try, where possible, to keep all your plumbing on the same walls in your home, or organised in a plan that keeps plumbing running along a systematic “path” or “route” (see an example of a simple residential plumbing plan here).
You’ll notice too that in many homes, main bathrooms and ensuites, for example, often share a wall.
This makes bathroom plumbing, drainage, and sewage that little bit easier.
Shower over bath
Families with young children will almost always favour either a separate bath and shower, or a shower-over-bath combination, both of which make bathing baby a lot simpler.
If you spend more time cleaning a dusty bath then actually using it, you might consider getting rid of it altogether. It can create much more room in an otherwise cramped bathroom.
Standard shower
Without the additional room needed for a bath, a standard shower room is a great way to save room in a smaller space.
Have you ever seen a shower in the middle of the room? Unlikely. They’re usually either up against a wall or nestled neatly into a corner. Of course the obvious reasons for that are practicality and plumbing.
Although some of them do look kind of cool, I can’t help but think of an alien abduction (or maybe Katniss from The Hunger Games?) when I see those glass cylinders.
Shower heads
The first choice to make is: fixed or hand-held?
Fixed shower heads
Fixed shower heads are, as the name suggests, fixed to the wall, and are generally limited in their mobility. However, they can be adjusted by height and angle.
Hand-held shower heads
Hand-held shower heads are great for:
- Bathing kids or pets
- Easily rinsing and cleaning soap scum
- Cleaning the shower
- Times when you don’t want to get your hair wet
- Those with limited mobility or disability
- Those who use shower seats
- Carers who need to bathe their patients
Rain shower heads
This is the kind of rain you do want to get caught in.
These modern shower heads lay horizontal and water flows vertically. They can come with adjustable parameters so you can choose your desired water pressure. Water flows steadily and evenly across a larger than average surface area; imagine water droplets rather than the traditional stream of water falling onto your body. It’s simultaneously soothing and invigorating.
Water efficient
These days, people are more conscious than ever about water conservation. Better yet, when we use water-conserving fixtures, we’re simultaneously contributing to a lower water bill.
According to the Australian government, a standard shower head uses 15-25 litres of water per minute. While water-saving shower heads do differ, a three-star rated efficient shower head can use as little as 6 litres per minute. That’s a 75% decrease in water usage!
Your Energy Savings is a government website that provides a ton of information of water-efficient appliances and fixtures, so if you’re conscious of choosing a water-efficient shower head, make sure you check out their useful resources here.
Shower screens
Much more popular than those outdated curtains (that always seem to remind people of poor Janet Leigh in Psycho…), transparent shower screens convey openness throughout a bathroom.
Opaque shower curtains, filled with colours or patterns, can cut a bathroom in half and make it look smaller than it is.
Additional shower features you might love
Wet room
If your budget and space allows for it, a wet room can be a luxurious upgrade to a regular bathroom. They’re particularly in vogue at the moment.
Wet rooms are specifically designed so that screens are omitted and instead the entire bathroom is an open and fully tiled wet area. This creates a slick, contemporary, and fashionable look.
As you’d expect, proper waterproofing and drainage is even more crucial in these types of shower rooms. That’s why it’s imperative you choose a qualified plumbing team for these sorts of undertakings!
Shower renovation: take the plunge
Whether you love a quick shower or indulging in a long bath, your bathroom is the place that should totally relax, soothe, and comfort you. Shower or plumbing renovations are the way to achieve that peaceful oasis you crave, so if you’ve got a vision, let’s bring that vision to life.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not sure where to begin or if you’ve already got your dream shower head chosen, Watermaster Plumbing Solutions is your next stepping stone. Call Sam today or fill in this contact form and let’s start talking.