On the hunt for the best shower? We know that when you're looking for bathroom ideas for a complete redesign or even for a simpler update, choosing the best shower for your bathroom is a crucial part of planning. Ultimately, it will mean the difference between a very satisfying shower, and a lukewarm trickle.
So if you don't know where to start, if you're wondering what is the best shower for a combi boiler, and so on, you can look to our guide, to discover the main types of shower available, and which is best suited to your home’s water system.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TYPE OF SHOWER
Before you even start to think about the type of shower enclosure or shower head you need, get to know your bathroom's plumbing and water heating systems, whether for your family bathroom or for an en-suite bathroom. Unless you are willing to upgrade, you may be restricted by what is already in place, eliminating some of the options.
Electric showers
Quick and easy to install, electric showers draw on a cold-water supply and heat the water on demand so you can jump in at any time of day. They’re also extremely economic – up to 99.7 per cent energy efficient – as the cold water is heated by an element, providing hot water instantly, with no wastage. The higher kilowatt rating you choose, the better the flow will be.
Mixer showers
Mixer showers draw from both hot and cold water supplies and usually deliver higher flow rates. The shower works by mixing hot and cold water within the unit and then delivering it through the showerhead, which can be fixed, adjustable, or as a handset on a riser rail. They’re ideal for homes with readily available hot water, such as a combination boiler or large-capacity hot-water cylinder. If required, a pump can be added to a low-pressure, gravity-fed hot water system to increase water pressure.
Thermostatic showers
Once you have set your ideal temperature, thermostatic electric and mixer showers will automatically ensure this remains virtually constant – even if someone turns on a tap elsewhere in the house. Although temperature-stabilised electric showers provide adequate temperature control for most homes, the demand for thermostatic peace-of-mind is growing, particularly if children or elderly people need to be taken into account.
Water saving shower heads
Eco showers limit the flow of water to an efficient, usable level no matter what your household pressure system, whilst maintaining your selected temperature. Available in both electric and mixer variations, they can offer up to 50 per cent reduction in water usage when compared to conventional mixer showers.
Digital showers
Available in either mixer or electric variations, digital or remote control showers are an increasingly popular choice as they offer a combination of state-of-the-art bathroom technology, stylish design and ease of installation. The shower is controlled by a panel, which can be located within a 10-metre radius, giving you more freedom in your bathroom layout.
The panel then communicates with the power unit, located either in the loft or airing cupboard, to adjust the flow and temperature of the water. Water at a preferred temperature is then delivered through the ceiling or wall to the showerhead, and there is no unsightly plumbing visible.