There’s so much more to showering than taking care of cleanliness; whether you prefer to start or end the day with a shower, it’s a refreshing activity that also has a positive effect on washing stress away, relaxing, and sometimes even boosting inspiration.
The shower head is one crucial component that can make a huge difference in your showering experience, providing you with the rejuvenating results you’re after instead of feeling like a chore.
But, with so many options of sleek, stylish, and functional showers heads available, finding the ideal one may not turn out to be that easy. Especially not when each model amazes you with what it has to offer in terms of appearance, material, and settings. Taking your preferences into account and what you’re after in the showering experience can be of help in narrowing down the options that would most suit you, including aspects like:
Shower Head Type
How many types of shower heads are there? Well, in basic terms, there are: fixed, handheld and rain.
The Fixed
As implied by the name, the fixed is the choice that you have installed on the wall or ceiling, allowing you to have a hands-free shower so you can use your toiletries without having a shower head in the way. You may not have that much flexibility when it comes to the adjustability of the water flow, but these shower heads are very versatile, easy to install and use, available in a range of designs and are among the most affordable.
The Handheld
As you might guess, this is the one you hold when you shower. It may seem like a hassle when you use toiletries to wash up, but it’s the option that provides a more convenient and personalised experience since you have a say in the height and angle of the water flow. This makes it perfect for handling specific areas and tasks like rinsing certain body parts that are not so easy to reach or showering kids or pets.
The Rain
Anyone after something even more personalised and luxurious should consider the rain option as it’s known for offering a relaxing spa-like effect. Its name comes from the soothing and gentle water flow that resembles rainfall. The large surface provides excellent coverage, giving you the feeling as if you’re outside, showering in the rain. Despite these advantages, it’s a choice that requires more water pressure so it would function optimally and at the end of the day, you get to spend more water.
The Dual Setup
If you’d be up for benefitting more from both the overhead shower head and the handheld shower head, then there’s the perfect solution for you in the form of the dual setup. This helps you make the most of both worlds, reaping more convenience, adjustability and personalisation based on your needs. There may be more to the installation and the initial investment, but it’s a flexible choice that’s particularly in the interest of people with different showering preferences who share a household.
The Filtered
Sometimes, hormonal issues, skin-related issues, hair loss or thyroid issues can be due to a water problem. Tap water can have chlorine, sediments as well as other contaminants that lead to all sorts of health problems, so if this is a concern (especially if you have hard water in the area) then be sure to consider getting a filtered shower head. Keep in mind, however, the filtration process can slow down the water pressure.
Shower Head Material
This factor has as much to do with durability and ease of cleanliness as it has to do with aesthetics. The plastics may be widespread, lightweight and cheap, but they don’t have the longevity of metals like high-quality 304 stainless steel that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. In addition, you have a range of finishes and colours, more so with the metal range, from sleek and modern matte black showerhead and gold showerhead options to standard metallic like brushed nickel and chrome.
All in all, you have a vast array to choose from based on your taste, preference in terms of style and what your bathroom décor is already about. Whether you’re up for creating a cohesive look by choosing all tapware in the same material, finish and colour or would like to mix it up a little and create a more vibrant yet cohesive result, it’s up to you.
Shower Head Efficiency
In recent years, as the public awareness of global warming and the need for sustainability increased, so did the trend of choosing eco-friendly solutions. The showering is no exception, and you’ve got various WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) rated shower heads to pick from that can help you with water efficiency and sustainability. Not to mention, this efficient fitting can certainly positively affect your savings too as prudent water use leads to lower water bills.
The acceptable Australian average water flow rate for shower heads is between 7.5 and 9 L/min so choose from shower fixtures that are created for a flow within this range. In terms of water pressure, the standard water pressure in Australian residential homes is between 300 and 500 kPa or 43 to 47 psi. Give this a thought when selecting to ensure the right fit and avoid impacting the pressure.
Shower Head Costs
Same as with any shopping, cost plays a crucial role in the choice. This is also where you get to consider the type of shower head you prefer, as well as the material, finish and rating you require. The more durable all-metal designs range from about $80 to $180, though some may even be as high up as $200 and more as opposed to plastic that is up to $70.
In addition to this, the cost consideration should further include installation, specifically whether or not you need to hire a professional or if you could do with a DIY project. Check the installation sheet to be certain you choose the right option for your needs and budget.
