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Stepping into a shower is how many of us start or finish our day. As it’s such an integral part of our daily routine, it's important you choose the right shower for you and your bathroom. This simple guide takes you through all of the important factors to consider when choosing a new shower.

Shower jargon busting

What are thermostatic showers?
Thermostatic showers continuously regulate the temperature of the water flowing through it, so it will not change if water is used elsewhere in the home whilst the shower is on.
What does water flow rate mean?
Water flow rate measures the flow of water by litres per minute through the showerhead. The higher the flow rate, the more powerful your shower will be.
What does the number of shower outlets mean?
It refers to the number of different ways water can exit a shower; a single outlet can feed either a handset or a fixed head, a double outlet can feed both a showerhead and a handset, and a triple outlet can feed a shower head, handset, and a bath filler tap.
What does ceiling fed vs rear fed shower mean?
A ceiling fed shower is fed from and attached to the ceiling, whereas, a rear fed shower is fed from and attached to the wall.

Who will be using the shower?

When buying a shower, it’s important to consider who will be using it and its main purpose. Will it be for a family for everyday use, or an individual for luxury and relaxation, or both? Family showers may need to be easy to use and durable, whereas, showers for smaller or individual households might be chosen for style and luxury.

Consider what water system you have

If you have a gravity-fed system, such as a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard or in the loft, you will generally have poorer water pressure. Adding a pump to your shower will help to increase the pressure. If you have a combi boiler or unvented cylinder, you can opt for a high-pressure shower system.

Choose a style of shower

Is your bathroom more contemporary style, or classic? Modern showers have a minimalist design, with clean lines and angular forms to create a striking look. Pair up your contemporary shower with a square shower head to achieve this on-trend look. Check out all of our modern mixer showers from page 210 of our latest brochure.
If your bathroom has more of a classic design, a traditional shower like the iflo Kidlington, Heritage Dawlish or the Bristan Trinity shower would be the perfect statement piece, featuring rain can showerheads and timeless control levers it's the perfect addition to a period property.

Choose a type of shower

Concealed shower
‘Concealed’ refers to the way the shower valve is mounted on the wall. A concealed valve has it's working parts hidden behind the wall, and only the controls are visible. Concealed showers, like the iflo Abingdon, are a great option for modern and contemporary bathrooms as they give a clean, minimal look.
Exposed and bar valve showers
Exposed valves are wall-mounted on the shower wall. Bar valves are an exposed valve that takes both a hot and cold water feed. Look out for features like Cool Touch, which are great for family bathrooms as the valve doesn’t get hot.
Electric shower
Electric showers, such as the Mira Galena, are heated by passing cold water through an electric heating element and are a great option for bathrooms without an existing hot water feed to the shower. When buying an electric shower, be sure to check what kW power it is to ensure it’s suitable for your needs.
Digital shower
Digital showers use digital technology to operate temperature and flow rate. The shower can be controlled by the unit itself, or by a remote or smartphone. Great for those days where you want the shower to be hot as soon as you step out of bed.

Book a bathroom design appointment

Whether you're just starting out with your bathroom project or you're in the final stages of choosing your shower, we're here to help. Explore our range of showers in our latest brochure or book an appointment to visit your local Bathroom Showroom where our friendly team can help you choose the right shower for you.