Mixer Shower

A mixer shower is a really popular choice for a new bathroom and they come in a range of designs that will suit both modern and more traditional bathroom design schemes. Mixer showers or thermostatic mixer valves work by taking water from both the hot and cold water feeds and then mix the water to meet your required temperature. A thermostatic mixer shower is suited to a variety of hot water systems including fully modulating combi-boilers, high pressure unvented heating systems and gravity fed hot water systems. A mixer shower can feature a fixed shower head or a slide rail kit where the shower head is connected to a flexible hose, combined with an exposed or a concealed shower valve. A shower head attached to a flexible hose is ideal for using over a bath as you can easily rinse around afterwards.

A thermostatic mixing valve also ensures that the water is maintained at a safe temperature if the cold water supply fails for any reason and will prevent sudden bursts of really hot water.

Fixed Shower Head

Shower heads are available in a range of designs including slim cylinder shapes and large round styles that can feature different spray patterns. Fixed shower heads are great for creating a minimal look to your bathroom and are fixed to the wall or ceiling with a short arm. Fixed shower heads are available in a range of shapes and sizes and will provide you with a very refreshing shower.

Electric Shower

An electric shower is suitable for any type of hot water system, and as you don’t require any stored hot water an electric shower will provide you with hot water on demand. An electric shower heats water from the cold water supply and the higher the wattage of an electric shower the more water the shower heats up as it passess over the element. Electric showers such as the Triton Aspirante collection, are available in a variety of designs and colours so you can create a co-ordinated look to your bathroom.

Shower Panel

A shower panel is the ideal choice for providing you with a totally invigorating showering experience. Shower panels feature a large shower head and body jets which are specially positioned to massage your back and shoulders.

Hand Held Shower & Riser Rail

The most popular style of shower choice is the hand-held shower, which features an adjustable height shower head that is held in place with a wall bracket or a riser rail, this allows you to slide the head up and down to your desired height. The hand-held shower style is a practical choice and is especially good for using over a bath, as they feature a flexible hose so you can easily rinse around the bath or shower and are great for washing kids hair too. If you have children it is a good idea to choose a thermostatic shower, this will maintain the water at a safe temperature and help to prevent sudden bursts of really hot water. There are a variety of styles available to choose from ranging from the traditional which have exposed valves to the more modern which have the valves concealed in the wall so only the shower controls are on show. Choose from a variety of shower head styles too including large drench shower heads which feature various spray options to more slim cylinder shapes.

Fixed Shower Head

Another popular shower style is the fixed head, these look fantastic in a wetroom and will create a real style statement. The fixed head has a short arm which is fitted either to the wall or ceiling. Fixed shower heads will give the bathroom a streamlined look and will provide you with a totally refreshing soak. Choose from a range of shapes including round, square and star.

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.