If you’re considering changing your shower out you may well have been looking around at a few shower suppliers and been surprised at the amount of options that are offered. This has been written to assist our clients in the purchase of a shower.
Types of Showers
Manual Shower Valve
This is the most basic type and typical shower. Most manual showers have a single lever that give the individual the control of the water flow and temperature. These types are rather simple to use and usually inexpensive.
Thermostatic Shower Valve
One of the major advantages of a thermostatic shower valve is that it provides constant, even temperature and cope with fluctuations in the flow and temperature of hot and cold water feeds. Most of these thermostatic valves have extra anti-scald safety features and will cut of the flow of water if the cold water line feed fails.
Concealed and Exposed Valves
Concealed / Exposed is referring to the method in which the shower valve is mounted on the wall. A concealed shower valve is built into the shower wall. This construction tactic is implemented in order to have most of the valve hidden and only the control levers are visible. An exposed valve is mounted on to the shower wall so that the whole mechanism is visible. Many shower valves can be mounted either way.
Triple Shower Valves
A triple valve has like the title suggest three controls; each having different control features respectively, water flow, temperature and a diverter. The diverter is useful if you have two shower heads, it is becoming common practice to have fixed shower head above the shower and a hand held shower head also. The diverter on the triple shower format valve allows the user the capability of selecting which shower head to feed water too.
Sequential Shower Valves
This type of shower head seems to get the most request of information. A description of what it is and what its functions are is basically a single lever that works rather like the knob on your cooker. When the lever is fully turned anti – clockwise the shower is in the off position. As you rotate the lever it turns the shower on. With a sequential valve “on” means fully on so you have full pressure straight away. As you rotate the lever you increase the temperature of the water.
Shower Panels
A recent newcomer to the shower arena is the shower panel or shower tower. This is a single unity that contains everything you need for sensational shower experience. Specifications vary but usually include a shower valve (often thermostatic), a diverter, a fixed shower head, a hand held shower and several body jets, at least for most models. Shower panels are easy to install but can require high water pressure to work well, so you might want to install a shower pump as well if you decided on this shower type.
Customized Showers
With individualism in modern day and finding different forms to express oneself, showers have not be excluded from customization. Now a days, shower components are standardized enough that you can pretty much pick and choose the parts that you might want on a shower. You can choose from hundreds of shower valves, diverts and stop valves, have as many shower heads, ceiling mounted heads, riser rails, rigid risers or body jets as your pocket book will allow.
Electric Showers
Electric showers are designed to heat the water as it passes through the shower so that you only need a cold water supply to enjoy a hot shower. This type of shower is easier on your plumbing and its design, electric showers are particularly popular in en-suites.
Power Showers
The definition s of a power shower is basically a shower with a built in pump. A power shower needs both hot and cold water supplies respectively. This shower type does not heat the water, it pumps water through to increase water pressure, giving you a strong water pressure. These type of showers are ideal where you have low water pressure, such as a bungalow.
This is complete showers beginners guide for our Shamrock Plumbing customers, in order to assist you in making a more informed decision contact Shamrock Plumbing and ask to speak to one of our shower specialist.
To view where this content was originally posted visit our Showers Guide page found on our website.
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