Your shower is the most used part of your bathroom every day. A great shower can help you get your day started off right. The shower is the most important component of your bathroom. MarketWatch reports that 48% Americans would like their shower to be larger. When Bathroom remodeling in Northbrook, IL, your shower can seem overwhelming because there are so many styles and options. There are many options for showerheads and shower fixtures as well as valves, flooring, and other accessories. This guide will help you choose the right type of shower for your bathroom.
ENCLOSURES
There are many styles and variants available when it comes to shower enclosures. Let’s look at the most in-demand styles.
- Glass block: You have many options when it comes to glass blocks. There are many options for glass blocks. You can choose from different styles, colors and thicknesses. This style is great for modern design, which allows you to have a minimalistic and clean look.
- Textured glass: A little more transparent than frosted glass, the textured glass makes your bathroom seem larger. Textured glass is a great choice for a spa-like look.
- Slider Door: Sliding doors can be a great way of saving space in small bathrooms. You have the option of choosing from a variety of glass options or just plain see-through to highlight your shower.
- Tub Enclosure – Glass doors can be used for more than just showers. You can also have a glass enclosure that fits a combination bathtub/shower. This will give your bathroom a classier look than a plain shower curtain.
- Open Shower: Every shower does not need to be shut off. Open showers are great for certain layouts. They usually have three walls and one open side. This can make the bathroom appear larger and more cohesive.
- Frameless Glass – A frameless glass enclosure can be a fashionable choice. This shower is sleek and looks great in a modern bathroom. It is also very easy to clean. These are more expensive than other options, however.
You can also choose from many other styles of shower enclosures. There are many options for shower enclosures, including aluminum and glass and multiple entrance, tile-and-glass, and framed door. We are seeing a lot of people opting to have a separate bathtub or not use any tubs at all. We are seeing less 2-in-1 bathtubs/showers.
SHOWER HEADS
- Wall-mount This is the most common type of shower head you will see. A single-head spray shower is usually mounted on the wall. You can adjust the nozzles to spray at different speeds and water patterns. You can adjust the neck to spray at different angles.
- Top mount: Also known as a ceiling mount, a top mount showerhead is attached to the ceiling. It sprays water downwards, instead of at an angle like a Wall-mount. This design is ideal for showers with low ceilings, which may not be able to accept wall-mounted showerheads.
- Handheld A handheld showerhead can be used with other showerheads. It can also act as a regular head, but it can also detach to make it handheld. These showerheads are ideal for cleaning and rinsing your body.
- Sliding bar: The shower head of a sliding bar is attached to a vertically mounted bar on the wall. To accommodate different heights, the head can slide up and down on the bar.
- Body Spray: Body mists and sprays are placed in vertical rows along separate walls to create a crisscross stream of water. They spray the entire body at different angles, which is a departure from traditional showerheads.
- Spa Shower Pans: Spa panels pump water to give a full-body massage similar to a whirlpool bathtub. They can be installed against a wall or several walls from the knees up to the neck.
- Rain Showers: Rain Showers spray water downwards, not at an angle like traditional showerheads.
- Aerating A low-flow showerhead is also known as an aerating one. It conserves water and still gives the same pressure as a regular showerhead. Low-flow showerheads used to not produce enough pressure in the past. However, today’s technology allows them to be just as powerful as high-pressure showerheads.
For a truly unique look, you can add LED lights to your showerhead.
SHOWER FXTURE FINISHES
You should consider the finish before you begin remodeling. It is a smart idea to match the fixtures of the shower with the other elements of the bathroom like the faucet or towel bar.
- Brass For a vintage, classic look, choose polished brass. It is easy to maintain and clean. It can also be matched with other accessories. It can be quite expensive. Satin brass is a similar product to polished brass but it’s not as bold. This matte finish is ideal for contemporary, traditional, and modern designs.
- Copper: This bold and unique look is for you. It can look amazing in the right setting but it can sometimes be difficult to find matching accessories. It is not as durable and requires more maintenance than other finishes.
- Nickel: Polished Nickel gives you the shine of chrome but is slightly darker. It is durable and easy-to-clean. You can also pair it with many different styles, from contemporary to eclectic. Another great option is brushed nickel. It is easy to maintain, match easily, and relatively affordable. If you are looking for a classic look, choose brushed nickel.
- Bronze: For a more traditional look, choose oil-rubbed bronze over chrome or brushed nickel. It is easy to clean and won’t show fingerprints or water spots. It can be more costly than other materials, such as chrome or brushed nickel.
- Chrome: This finish is very popular right now due to its versatility. It is durable, affordable, and compatible with most design styles. It is susceptible to water spots and fingerprints.
- Matte Black – These days, we are seeing more black bathroom fixtures. Sometimes black fixtures can be matched with modern or eclectic design styles. Sometimes, however, they may clash with certain accessories and designs.
- White: Most fixtures are made of porcelain and will look clean and fresh. They are not as durable and easy to clean as metal, but they are very easy to maintain.
SHOWER VALE
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of shower valve. Knowing the differences between the various types of shower valves will allow you to make the right choice for your remodel.
- Pressure Balancing Valve: This type of valve is the most popular. This valve has one control and a handle. You can turn the valve left to heat the water, while the valve right to cool it. These valves often have a diverter, which directs water to the bathtub or shower.
- Thermostatic Valve: Another common type of valve. These valves are used to maintain water temperature. Thermostatic valves allow you to control the temperature more effectively than other types of valves. Thermostatic valves can be equipped with anti-scald technology to prevent water from becoming too hot or cold. A volume control feature allows you to control the flow of water from each outlet.
DIGITAL CONTROLS
Modern technology is making its way into bathrooms. Now you can control your shower using a digital LCD monitor. Digital technology with push-button control adds convenience to your shower experience. You can turn on your shower by pressing a button, and you can even adjust the temperature to a desired level. You can save your settings to ensure that the water is always perfect. There’s also a timer that will tell you how long you have been showering.
WATER EFFICIENCY
Showers are responsible for nearly 20% of residential water consumption. If you are looking to improve your shower’s water efficiency, there are many options. These digital controls are great for reducing water consumption. Once the water is heated to your desired temperature, it turns off and then switches on when you are ready to use it. You can set time limits to ensure you don’t leave the shower too long. An aerating showerhead is another option that can save water and energy, but not sacrifice performance.
