How to Choose a Shower Head

Which is the right shower head for your needs?

When it comes to bathroom upgrades, changing out your shower head is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to give your bath a new look and improve its functionality. Shower heads come in a wide variety of styles, types, and usability options. Are you are looking to outfit a new shower or need to update an existing one, but don’t know where to start? When selecting your shower head, you will need to consider several factors including the shower head type, mount or installation type, flow rate, spray pattern(s), and finish to best suit your needs. Here is what you need to know before you buy.

Types of Shower Mounts
Most shower heads come in two basic varieties in terms of the mounting designs: wall-mount and ceiling mount. Most showers will have the plumbing installed with a wall-mount outlet for the shower head, but you can find ceiling mount outlets in more upscale or larger showers for a more spa-like design. You will need to buy a shower head designed for the particular mount style you have in your shower stall.

Wall-Mount Shower Head
Wall-mount shower heads are the most common type you will find in most applications. They install on a shower arm that is mounted on a wall in your shower. A wall-mount shower arm can come in different lengths and configurations. A wall-mount shower head is commonly located close to the wall (usually about 6”-8” away), not typically not very high up, and mounted at a slight downward angle. Different arm shapes can help you increase the height if needed or the angle to accommodate different types of shower heads.

Ceiling Mount Shower Head
Ceiling mount shower heads mount overhead, making this design perfect for rainfall shower heads. These shower heads create a rain shower effect when the wall cascades straight down rather than from an angle. Ceiling mount shower heads tend to be larger and deliver a more encompassing, soft water flow.

Types of Shower Heads
The impact a shower head has on your bathroom depends on the type you choose to install in your shower. There are several types of shower heads to consider when shopping for a replacement or new one for your home.

Fixed Shower Head
A fixed shower head is what most people have in their homes. This type of shower head has a no-frills design and mounts to the wall via a standard shower arm. Usually, this shower head offers a single spray pattern, but multi-function models are available that give you a choice of spray settings.

Rain or Waterfall Shower Head
Called rainfall or waterfall shower heads, this type of shower head are larger in size to deliver a wider water spray to more fully immerse you, turning your shower into a spa-like experience. Rainfall shower heads are installed overhead in a ceiling mount or on a wall-mount shower arm using a curved or 90-degree angle arm that positions the shower head so the water rains directly down from above your head.

Single-Function Shower Head
If you prefer a full flow every time you shower, a single-function shower head is perfect for you. This type of shower head delivers one spray pattern that utilizes all the spray nozzles at once. Depending on the type of shower head, this single spray mode can range from full, more focused and intense, or a wider rain pattern.

Multi-Function Shower Head
If you like to vary your spray modes or have a multi-person household with different shower preferences, a multi-function shower head is a better choice. These shower heads provide a selection of spray patterns, and can come in two-function, three-function, four-function, or more designs. The patterns can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but there are five typical spray types available: 

• Rain - A low-flow pattern with a light pressure that mimics rainfall.
• Massage - Pulsating options with higher pressure settings for massage-like relaxation.
• Full - One or two pressure options that utilize all of the shower head spray nozzles.
• Jet - A high-pressure water pattern with a concentrated stream.
• Pause - Medium pressure with an on-and-off water pattern to pause the spray without turning off the main shower control. 

Handheld Shower Head or Handshower
Handheld shower heads or handshowers are a popular option and usually come in packages that include a shower hose and a holder that attaches to the shower head or arm. With this set up, you can keep the handshower in place to act as a fixed shower head or remove it from the holder to use as a handheld shower. Handshowers allow you to easily rinse off soap, clean the shower walls, bathe pets, or fill a bucket too tall to fit under the sink faucet to use outside the shower. Handshowers can also be installed on a separate wall supply from the shower head which would require a wall-mounted outlet/holder or a shower rail with a sliding holder.

Combination Shower Head and Handshower
Some shower heads are designed to give you the benefits of both a fixed shower head and a handshower in one, using one shower arm. This type of dual or 2-in-1 shower head features an integrated handshower head that nestles within the main shower face and is held in place by a magnetic locking mechanism. Together, they form one shower head, or you can remove the handshower to use it alone or in combination with the fixed shower head.

Other Features to Consider
Along with choosing the type and mounting design of shower head, you will also want there are a few remaining features to consider when selecting a new shower head.

Flow Rate (Gallons Per Minute)
Shower heads come in a range of flow rates, with the most common being 1.2 or 1.5 gallons per minutes (gpm), with some going as low as 0.5 gpm. The lower the flow rate, the less water used to save on your utility bill and help conserve water. Some regions in the U.S., such as California, require a lower flower rate than other parts of the country. Check your local requirements before making a purchase.

Silicone/Rubber Nozzles
Many shower heads come equipped with silicone or rubber spray nozzles that wipe clean with a swipe of your fingers across the tips. This easy-clean feature helps reduce scale and lime buildup from clogging the nozzles over time, and is a benefit for areas with high mineral content in the water supply.

Style and Size
Choose a design that complements the décor style of your bathroom, be it traditional, transitional, contemporary, or modern to suit your personal taste. You also will want to take the size of the shower head into consideration to select one that looks proportional to the size of your shower stall.

Finish
Besides the style of your shower head, you will need to select the finish to match or coordinate with the other fixtures in your bathroom. There is a wide variety of finishes to select from depending on the manufacturer. The most common finishes include polished chrome, satin or brushed nickel, polished nickel, oil rubbed bronze, black, matte or polished brass, champagne, white, and other metallic colors.

Now that you know more about the types and features of shower heads available, it’s time to choose which is the best one for you. Check out the great selection of shower heads at Riverbend Home to find the perfect design to fit your bathroom.