How to choose the right shower for you and your home

Struggling to know what shower is best for you and your family's needs? Read our guide on choosing the right shower.

By Becca Green | 20 September 2019

Whether it’s over the bath or walk-in luxury, make sure your shower is the best it can be.

Image: Aqualisa

At the most basic level, a shower must provide an effortless and constant flow of water at the right temperature and in a space that allows you to move around freely without feeling hemmed in on all sides. For lots of us, it’s our only opportunity to take 10 minutes for ourselves within a day, so it’s important to choose a shower that works perfectly for you.

The planning process

Image: Merlyn

Whether you are renovating or building from scratch, following a well-thought-out planning process is your best route to creating a great bathroom with shower or dedicated shower room.

Start by drawing up your wish list of features, whether that’s an overhead rain-effect drenching, massage jets, a sleek digital design or a steam enclosure, and your style preference: Edwardian, Art Deco or modern for example.

The next step is to assess whether you have sufficient space for everything on your list, and that fittings will work with your home’s water pressure. It’s worth seeking advice from an architect or bathroom designer.

You won’t need planning permission unless the room is part of a big new extension. But check with your local authority to be certain that you are complying with rules.

Whether it’s over the bath or walk-in luxury, make sure your shower is the best it can be.

aqualisa quartz smart shower - how to choose the right shower for you and your home - home improvements - granddesignsmagazine.com

Image: Aqualisa

The planning process

Image: Merlyn

Whether you are renovating or building from scratch, following a well-thought-out planning process is your best route to creating a great bathroom with shower or dedicated shower room.

You won’t need planning permission unless the room is part of a big new extension. But check with your local authority to be certain that you are complying with rules.

Types of enclosure

There are three types of enclosure: with hinged or pivot doors; with sliding doors; and walk-ins consisting of a tray and fixed panels.

The right choice will depend on its position in the room and how much space you have. To fit even the most compact shower unit, you’ll need at least 760×760 millimetres for comfort, and most enclosures measure 1,850-2,000 millimetres in height, so make sure your ceiling is high enough.

An alcove can be the perfect place to create a made-to-measure shower, complete with a tray or wet room tanking and a sliding or pivot door.

How to keep it flowing

Image: Methven

Make sure that the fittings you want are compatible with your water systems. ‘If you choose body jets and multiple showerheads you will need plenty of water and good pressure. Installing a pressure booster and high-capacity hot-water system may be necessary,’ says architect Robert Wilson from Granit.

Limescale can affect the look and running of a shower – a particular problem in hard-water areas. Showerheads can become blocked and the calcium carbonate deposits will dull valve controls and glass panels.

A water softening unit can be installed in hours and it will go wherever is most convienant – under the sink, in the loft or even outside.

The wet room

piattibelli shower tray - how to choose the right shower for you and your home - home improvements - granddesignmagazine.com

Image: Neolith

If you’re looking for something more luxurious, modern waterproofing methods mean even the smallest space can be transformed into a dedicated wet room. It will need to be sealed, have non-slip tiles underfoot and underfloor heating for comfort.

If you want a wet-room-style walk-in as part of a bigger bathroom, one or more glass panels will prevent the rest of the room getting soaked. All glass screens must be toughened and meet British Standard EN 12150-I, with the usual thickness being six to eight millimetres.

Words: Sarah Wilson