Showers

Buyers Guide to Showers

How To Choose Your Shower

Initially, establish your property’s heating set up and the water pressure; if this is uncertain consult a professional. This will dictate what sort of shower you can install, then after that it is a question of budget and design tastes. For a period property, a concealed valve, traditionally styled, mixer shower may be a fitting choice, or consider a concealed valve, digital shower for modern minimalist chic.

Types of Showers

Mixer Showers

A mixer shower refers to a unit where the hot and cold water supply are pre-mixed before they come out of the showerhead. There are two main types of mixer shower: concealed valve and exposed. 

Which type is best for you may be decided by the amount of wall space available, as an installation depth of approximately 50 - 90mm is required for a concealed valve. Exposed valve types are generally cheaper but customers wanting a minimalist neat design often prefer a concealed valve mixer shower.  

The quality of our elite German brands are noticeable on the handles and fittings against cheaper imitations; we recommend Grohe and Hansgrohe.

See our mixer showers page for a full range of product options.

Thermostatic Mixer Showers

Thermostatic showers tend to be more expensive but are well worth the investment. You can set the temperature to be maintained throughout your shower, even if someone puts it in the washing machine and is running the taps to wash the dishes at the same time. A thermostatic shower mixes the hot and cold to a pre-set temperature,  it also protects from scalding hot water by closing the shower off completely if the cold water fails. Low-pressure water areas don’t support thermostatic showers unless you install a shower pump, so take qualified advice. Grohe, Roca and Mira are quality brands for a thermostatic mixer shower. 

Electric Showers

Electric showers can be installed where a conventional mixer shower can not. All that is needed is a cold water supply and of course a suitable electricity connection; modern versions are neat and stylish. Showers differ in output and deciding the right one for you will to some extent depend upon the pressure of water from the supply, however there are showers which are pumped to increase the flow. Many of the electric showers we stock have thermostatic settings and memory to pre-set the temperature for individual users - the same as many modern conventional showers. We stock and recommend Aqualisa, Grohe, Mira and Bristan electric showers. 

See our electric showers page for a full range of product options.

Power Showers

Power showers are used when a property has low water pressure (a typical UK example of this is a household with a gravity fed system: a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water tank on the same floor as the bathroom). The power shower has a built in pump which increases the output and power of the showerhead, giving a more satisfying experience.  

To install a power shower, both a hot and cold feed is required plus an electrical supply – a cable upgrade to a thicker 10mm size may also be necessary. We work with Bristan, Mira and Aqualisa who are the market leaders in power showers.

See our electric showers page for our power shower options.

Digital Showers

A digital shower delivers a consistent bespoke user experience every time it is used.  They  work like a conventional mixer shower, where hot and cold water streams are combined to achieve the desired temperature. The difference with a digital shower is that the water flow is controlled by an electronic thermostat, which monitors and constantly adjusts the water flow to maintain a constant temperature, effectively eliminating those annoying cold spots you get when someone turns on an appliance in another room. 

The control unit enables users to pre-program individual temperature settings, allowing each member of the family to have their own temperature profile. Some models also provide access to the control panel from a smartphone. Aqualisa and Mira offer some entry level digital showers whilst Vado and Crosswater dominate the luxury end of the market. 

See our digital showers page for a full range of product options.

Shower Styles

Exposed Valve Showers

Here the shower valve is exposed or fitted to the tile or finished surface; exposed valve showers tend to be more of a block-shaped central unit with the hot and cold feed coming in from the sides. The pipework is also usually visible which can add to the general aesthetics especially when a vintage style is desired. 

Exposed valve set ups are generally lower cost and are easier to fit. They can be used for a single outlet shower (only one shower head) or can have a diverter to provide a second outlet for a fixed and hand shower head. They can also be used as a shower bath mixer where they have a bath spout and a hose attachment for a hand shower. Imperial, Bayswater and Crosswater specialise in some beautiful period style exposed valve showers. 

Concealed Valve Showers

Concealed shower valves are exactly what their name implies: they are concealed behind the tiling or wall in your shower. The only part that's visible is the control plate and handles, with the remainder hidden out of sight. Concealed shower valves can create a more aesthetically-pleasing neat appearance, and offer flexibility of design options, such as shaped wall plates and different handles. 

It's possible to place concealed valves on a different wall from the shower outlet that they're controlling. For example, the valve could be installed at the shower's entrance on one wall, with the shower slide rail and fixed head on the opposite side. This is not an option with an exposed valve shower. An exposed shower valve has less flexibility due to the limitations of the length of the shower hose. We have no hesitation in recommending Keuco, Hansgrohe and Vado as leaders in this field. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of shower is best?

This really does depend on your property's heating system and water pressure, and your family size and preferences. With a combi boiler, a thermostatic shower is recommended for the best shower experience. 

What is a thermostatic shower?

A shower where the hot and cold water are pre-mixed and therefore the temperature is reliably constant. This avoids any unpleasant or potentially dangerous temperature fluctuations when water is used elsewhere in the house hold at the same time, by a washing machine for example.  

How much does it cost to fit an electric shower?

Obtain advice and quotes from a reliable qualified professional who has viewed your home’s specific requirements. UK Bathrooms supply the best quality bathroom products but we do not offer a fitting service. 

Can i fit an electric shower myself?

Any electric shower fitting needs to be carried out by an approved and suitably qualified electrician.