There are a number of Bathroom Shower styles that you can choose for your new bathroom. Here is a short article explaining the difference between the various bathroom showers available.
Exposed Shower
With an Exposed shower (sometimes called Surface Mounted, or Exposed Valve; EV). The water supply pipework is usually buried in the wall, in some cases it may be on the surface, if this is the case, the pipes will normally be chrome plated to match the shower.
The Shower valve is mounted on the surface of the wall it is fitted to. This type of shower is easier to fit than a Built in Shower and is often used for mounting on solid walls, but it can be fitted in almost all situations, providing a secure fixing can be made.
Built in Shower
For a Built in Shower (sometimes known as a Built In Valve or BIV). The water supply pipework is buried in the wall, the Shower valve itself is also is buried in the wall, leaving only the controls visible. This type of shower is a little more difficult to install, but can make a much neater looking job. This style of shower valve is usually used for mounting into stud walls.
Thermostatic Shower Valve
This type of shower valve runs off hot and cold water feeds. With this style of shower valve the temperature is kept constant even if the flow of water changes, for example if someone turns a tap on elsewhere in the house, the temperature of a Thermostatic Shower Valve will not fluctuate much. These showers are highly recommended for fitting in any household, but especially those with small children or elderly residents.
Manual Shower
A Manual Shower Valve runs off hot and cold water feeds, but as there is no thermostat to control the water, the temperature of the shower flow can fluctuate if the flow of water changes. This allows the potential for someone to be hurt if the cold water supply is reduced (by a tap turning on elsewhere in the house for example) and the shower is left only supplying hot water!
Digital Showers
The basic function is the same as a thermostatic shower, in so much as the shower is fed by hot and cold water supply pipes. In the case of a Digital Shower however the water flow from the shower head is controlled by remote digital panel. With this type of shower the shower valve is usually in box mounted in a sutable space this may be a loft, an airing cupboard or even under the bath. Some Digital Showers include pumps to boost gravity fed water systems.
Electric Showers
Electric showers run directly off the mains cold water feed. They act by heating the water as it passes through an vessel containing an electric element (in simple terms very similar to an electric kettle!). Electric showers require a separate fuse and/or circuit breaker trip switch. Where there is low water pressure pumped electric showers are available which will run off a gravity fed water system.
Please note this article is intended as a guide only. We recommend that you should get advice from a qualified plumber before purchasing any plumbing products.
Tags: bathroom showers, electric showers, thermostatic showers
