Shower column or set buying guide

Gone are the days of the single jet shower and its too-short hose, replaced now by showers with a set of hydromassage nozzles. Multi-jet showers can have water savers and anti-lime features. Whether rainfall or jet massage, we’ll help you wrap your head around these shower heads.

Shower Column Set

Important features

  • Shower
  • Flexible
  • Built-in mixer
  • Material
  • Hydromassage
  • Chromotherapy

What you should look for in a shower set?

A shower set is no doubt necessary bathroom equipment, so for use in a shower or bathtub, you’re going to need:

  • A showerheador handset
  • A flexible hose
  • A shower bar

You can also install optional accessories with certain types of a bath or a shower. These accessories can be anything from a soap dishto storage shelves. The shower handset is of variable quality with many models available on the market. Depending on the model you select, they may be a multi-jet and include watersaver, anti-lime, and other features. The hose attached to these handsets is of paramount importance.

You want to make sure that it has sufficient length to accommodate your use but not so long as to become cumbersome or tangled.

Additionally, you want to avoid materials that are prone to wear or breakage as these will limit the lifespan.The shower column is a more elaborate arrangement that offers built-in hydromassage nozzles. It is sometimes called a hydromassage shower column.

Hand shower, shower hose, shower bar: which should I choose?

The shower head or handset is the flagship product of the shower set. They can be found at all prices and in all forms. Let’s look at the selection criteria:

  • Round, square, or rectangular– depending on its shape and the type or arrangement of the nozzles, each shower head does not provide the same water diffusion. Based on their wide availability, round nozzles seem to be the most popular shape.
  • Single jet– this is the classic set-up, and with good reason. This simple setup offers steady pressure and good diffusion of water.
  • Multi-jet– a range of options help you to select the most comfortable setting. Classic stream, pulsing massage, or jet bubbles, there is a setting for all tastes. Depending on how important this is to you, it may be worth installing one of these models.
  • Manufacturing material– predominantly ABS, their quality is very often priced dependent.
  • Water saving and anti-lime – options that are found on the most sophisticated shower heads.
  • The flow rate– generally between 12 and 16 litres/minute, it is rarely specified.

The shower hose is also of great importance. Whichever model you choose, the basic design is always the same. The shower hose is made of flexible plastic that connects the mixer to the shower head.

This hose may then be sheathed in an outer hose which differs from model to model in material, quality, and design. To choose your shower hose, there are several criteria to consider:

  • The dimensions are variable –adapted to different configurations, they are generally between 1.25 m and 2 m. To make the right choice, the length should exceed the height of the tallest person in the family by about 10 cm.
  • The materials – there is usually a choice between plastic, brass, and stainless steel. The brass and steel hoses are spiral-shaped, while those in plastic can be smooth. Steel models are intrinsically more resilient than the other materials.
  • The shower bar –this must also be the right size. Why? For the comfort of all, young and old alike. Installed at about 110 cm from the ground, it must be accessible and comfortable. If you’re installing this as part of a renovation, know that you can find models with adjustable fasteners into any existing holes.
  • The handset or shower head –they can be round, square, rectangular, and even star-shaped. They are available in different sizes, up to 50 cm for square models while classic models usually run about 20 cm in diameter. Chrome-plated brass shower heads offer increased strength.
  • Lighting or colour therapy – colour affects emotions and well-being, so whether you’re looking for something to give you a little pep in your step in the mornings, a soothing sanctuary, or to indulge your disco fever, installing an LED lighting system will help you set the right mood.

Shower tap: mixer, mechanical mixer or thermostatic mixer?

When choosing your shower set, on the water supply side, you have a choice between three models of shower taps:

  • The manual mixer– this is the classic version where you have a handle for cold water and a handle for hot water. It’s up to you to get the mix right, and this shower mixer is neither economical nor practical.
  • The mechanical mixer –allows you to regulate the mix of hot and cold water with a single nozzle. You move the lever from left to right to adjust the temperature and raise it from bottom to top to adjust the flow. The mechanical mixer fits all types of shower set-ups.
  • The thermostatic mixer–you pre-set the water temperature precisely (some come set to 38°) via a handle graduated in degrees and flow through another handle. Temperature and flow are controlled independently. Be careful, make sure that your shower can accommodate the thermostatic mixer before you begin to install it as these are not compatible with all models of shower faucets.

What materials make up a shower set?

Shower units are available in a variety of materials, but the specifics depend on the model.

While the choice is usually between metal or synthetic materials, here are a few of the most commonly found options:

  • Plastic– usually represented by chrome-plated ABS, it’s the most economical and comprises most of the lower-end kits. It’s also considered easy to maintain.
  • Syntheticresin –these models are very resilient if you can find them.
  • Metal– the main material of high-end models. A range of metals can be found, including brushed stainless, stainless steel, chromium plating, aluminum, brass, etc.

Should I use different configurations?

Yes, depending on your needs or desires, you can find a shower set that offers a multitude of features. The high-end models offer a combination of features.

If you’re willing to look, you should be able to find exactly what you want:

  • Hydro-massage nozzles
  • Color therapy
  • Multi-jet shower head
  • Thermostatic mixer
  • Water saver
  • Anti-lime

And all in premium materials.

One last tip for choosing your shower set

For ease of use, do not forget to check that your pressure and flow systems are compatible. It’s necessary to have a flow of about 15L/minute with a pressure of 3 bars. Pressure below 2 bars is too low to be functional and pressure above 5 bars is too high and require a pressure reducer to be installed. What is the risk if the pressure is too low? You will not be able to use more than one water point at a time. While this seems like a small concern it becomes extremely inconvenient and problematic very quickly.

The latest trend in shower attachments is the shower column or panel.  Folks looking to upgrade their bathrooms in the Mississauga or Greater Toronto Area might consider this option as a fun and functional alternative to the stationary or corded shower head and fixtures that have been commonplace for so many years. Should you find yourself in the area, the certified staff member at Kitchen and Bath would love to walk you through the showroom and answer any questions you might have about these new age products.  Another nice thing about these neat new fixtures is that they can perform multiple tasks that include the traditional cascade-style shower while giving you other options like a handheld feature as well.

Common shower columns styles and shapes:

Hand shower – Most all shower panels come with a hand shower attachment for hard to reach places and they are usually connected with a metallic length of hose.  These come in hand for cleaning and bathing.  Some are actually built on a vertical brace that extends from panel to allow the hand shower to slide up and down to increase its reach with utilizing additional hose.

Shelving – It is always nice to have a couple of extra shelves in your shower to hold various soaps and beauty products.  If your shower was built without those amenities, you might consider a new shower column that comes with some nice shelves built in that do not require any extra work from your contractor to install.

LED lighting – Moving into the realm of pure aesthetics, many shower panels can have LED lighting included that will set a mood or help to elevate your shower to a nice soothing sanctuary where you can rejuvenate.  Many of the shower columns and panels on the market today offer lights that change colour, pulse or dim depending on your preference.

Multiple handles – Having a shower column or panel does not mean you have just one handle for all of your water functions.  You can easily find products that have handles for both hot and cold water like more traditional fixtures and there are panels that also have handles for a faucet in case you want to fill the tub or a vessel quickly.

Various styles – You can typically find a shower column that will fit seamlessly into whatever your bathroom style might be.  This would include various metals and plastics and you can customize them however you like to fit many different colour schemes.

Overhead options and sprays– The portion of many of these shower columns and panels that extends overheard can be customized to whatever style you would like, whether it is a gentle rain or a vigorous pounding blast.  Many also offer horizontal jets that are designed to help you clean the areas you need most.

Are Shower Panels a Good Idea?

Shower panels are just bigger showerheads that assume the place of your currently existing showerhead. They are some few feet tall and their width could just be a foot wide. The panels entail several body sprayers and multiple showerheads, which are set up on the top, the side or on the surface. They therefore entail a whole system with fixtures that can be simply mounted on your shower wall. Shower panels are deemed a good and fitting idea due to varying reasons. This article looks at exactly that.

  • They Occupy Minimal Space

Shower panels help to enhance and maximize the space of the bathroom. This can be attributed to the fact that they are essentially designed to be specifically mounted on the wall thus ultimately according you more space to work with. They can be very good even for a tiny or small bathroom because they mostly deal with height and not width. For people who have an existing shower space already, the shower panels can also be installed and mounted on that space.

  • Water Efficiency

Shower panels use less water than ordinary shower systems since they use a plumbing system of just a single showerhead. They are therefore instrumental in subsidizing water bills hence sparing you the ultimate hassle of upgrading or replacing your existing water heater.

  • Wide Array of Styles and Sizes

Shower panels come in different styles, sizes and designs that you can select and use to match with your bathroom. They are very popular due to their accompanying features such as rainfall and shower heads. This also includes body jets, which are usually used for massaging hence rendering this shower panels ideal.

  • Economical and Cost Effective

They are quite cheap to purchase and install as compared to ordinary shower systems. The panels are therefore quite affordable when acquired as just a single unit. Their installation is cheap and less invasive. Any possible upgrades are also cheap in the long term.

  • Ease of Replacement

In case of any potential damage, shower panels can be readily replaced without the need for essential bathroom aesthetics. You can install the shower panels by yourself, as they do not entail any major technical problems. In short, you do not need to worry about replacements in case of potential damage and this is one of the perks of the panels which renders them quite fitting.

  • Simple Cleaning and Maintenance

They are relatively easy to clean with the use of water and a simple piece of soft clothing. Maintenance is also undemanding in order to keep mold at bay and this is attained through regular cleaning thus leaving the shower panels spotless and clean.

  • Proper for All Types of Bathrooms

Shower panels are quite suitable as they fit like a glove in any given kind of bathroom. Some huge or massive space is therefore not essential for the installation of the shower panels. They are a very good idea for bathing purposes and for making the bathroom seem very classy and elegant. You can have a shower panel fitted into any bathroom size remodel ranging from your basic DIY project to a sizeable and entire bathroom renovation.

  • Speed

Shower panels are a better proposition compared to some other options such as tiling. They are quite fast to install because they cover more space and this eventually results to highly reduced costs of installation. All the work can be completed in a day since you do not have to wait for any grout or adhesives to dry completely.

Despite these advantages, some shower panels have designs that do not allow you to change the showerhead. This is because their showerhead is fixed hence it cannot be changed.

The foregoing clearly illustrates why shower panels have gained traction and popularity in recent times. They have become a very common bathroom accessory, which can be readily found in the current market. You can therefore find a shower panel that will fit your bathroom hence rendering it quite a decent idea. The aforementioned pointers depict that the pros really outweigh the cons hence making the shower panels a very good option for a simple variation of your bathroom. We can hence conclude that shower panels can give you an exemplary shower experience. This also includes when you do not have ample room as they avail a performance and functionality of a large shower. Their benefits are unrivalled, making them a good idea for anyone looking to install them in their bathroom.