You want the best shower experience after a hard day’s work.
Having the right bathing experience can be the difference between relieving all your stress and putting on more.
Why not spend a bit on luxury? You may have heard of the “rain” shower head before, and want to give it a try.
However, is it worth the investment? Would that be better than the regular kind?
In this article, we’ll compare both shower heads on style, functionality, health benefits, and what it takes to get either installed in your bathroom.
Rain Shower Heads Pros & Cons
First off, what is a “rain” shower head?
It serves the same purpose as the regular kind, more or less, but is typically installed directly above your head on the ceiling.
This model is meant to simulate gentle rain falling down on your noggin.
The experience has been noted to be quite relaxing, a main reason why many people have rain shower heads installed.
It’s also a “luxurious” feature to show off to guests should you have a fancy bathroom already.
This kind comes with some disadvantages as well.
For one thing, the pressures for rain shower heads are quite low.
If you need some pressure with your water to relax those tense muscles, then a rain shower head is probably not for you.
There’s also the extensive plumbing work you’ll have to consider.
If you want your shower head on the ceiling, chances are high that extra piping that’s never been there before will have to be installed.
With that being said, rain shower heads come with a hidden advantage by having a lower pressure than most models.
Lower pressure essentially means lower utility bills and overall water usage.
This is especially important in areas prone to drought, where water bills are typically higher than other places. Saving on pressure means saving on water.
Therefore, you save money in the long term.
Regular Shower Heads Pros & Cons
If you’re more about practicality than anything else, go with the regular shower head.
Not only are they incredibly easy to install, but several types are very cheap to buy.
Replacing your shower head might be as simple as unscrewing the old one, and then screwing the new one in.
They can also come with multiple settings, meaning if you like your water flowing in a particular way, there’s a regular shower head out there with your name on it.
They can also be high-pressure and low-pressure.
Which Type Of Shower Head Is Best?
When choosing which option is better, it depends on your needs.
Got sore muscles that need undoing? Higher-pressure shower heads should be your focus.
Simply need to relax after a stressful day? Lower-pressure options are known to be more relaxing than their higher-pressure counterparts.
Speaking of higher-pressure, getting a shower head of this kind also comes with many benefits.
If your morning routine requires you to speed things up, high-pressure shower heads will clean you off in a jiff.
These types can also save you money.
It not only uses water more efficiently, but can save you from using too much soap and shampoo as well.
Shower heads of high pressure have also been recommended for people with sensitive skin conditions, particularly those prone to temperature issues and allergies.
However, you are your own boss, and you ultimately decide what kind of shower head is best for you.
Some other health benefits of showering include an increased immune system, increased blood flow, improved concentration, and better breathing.
Yet, these benefits come when you shower just enough for your circumstances.
Do you live in a cold, dry climate? Only shower for 5 to 10 minutes.
Are you part of the elderly population? You may only need one to two showers a week.
It’s also important to avoid showering too much.
Should you step out of your bathroom with your skin feeling a little tight, that might be a sign that your skin is too dry and that you need to shower less from then on.
Too much hot water can not only cause dryness, but excessively itchy skin as well.
So, regardless of which shower head you choose, low vs. high pressure, rain vs. regular, only shower enough to make yourself feel comfortable and relaxed.
Installing Your New Regular Shower Head
Say you’ve decided that a regular shower head is best for your purposes.
You shop around and buy one with just enough settings and pressure to make your shower experience the best possible.
Now it comes time to install it.
If you’re replacing your old one, you’ll need to remove that one first.
If it doesn’t budge right away after giving it a hand twist, don’t force it just yet, and get a rag or wrench to help loosen it.
The next step is cleaning off any scale, rust, or dust off the inside and outside of the shower arm.
Once that’s all said and done, get some Teflon tape and wrap it clockwise two to three times at the end of the shower arm.
This tape will act as a firm seal, preventing water from dripping out when your shower is turned off.
Installing your new shower head is the next step.
Most regular heads only need to be screwed on, but that may not always be the case.
Check the manufacturer’s website for instructions if you don’t have a manual on hand.
Once you get the thing on nice and firm, turn on your shower to check for any leaks.
Should you see any, turn off your shower and add some more Teflon tape where necessary.
If you’ve done all you could and are still experiencing leaks, get advice from a plumbing professional before doing anything further.
Installing Your New Rain Shower Head
If a regular shower head just won’t do, and you’ve decided on the more luxurious rain version, then keep in mind that installation of one will be much harder than a regular model.
However, it may be as simple as attaching the new head to your already existing shower arm.
To create the “rain” experience, your new shower head will require an extension that allows water to flow from directly above.
The installation steps are basically the same as the regular shower head, with the exception of an extra pipe that extends from the wall.
However, if you want the full luxury experience of rain falling down upon your head, you’ll need to remove several sections of wall and ceiling to accomplish your goal.
This kind of installation is only recommended for those wanting to do a full bath renovation, or you just have a lot of time that you’re willing to spend on such a project.
Regardless of which, unless you’re a professional plumber yourself, get advice from the professionals before starting.
As the steps for this version of installation are quite long and complicated, please check out this website before tearing out your bathroom walls.
Final Word
So, with all this advice being read, which one do you choose?
It depends on your wants and needs. If you can’t stop fantasizing about running outside into the warm rain and giving yourself a good nature rinse, get a rain shower head.
Want to save time and money? Go buy a regular model.
Choose what’s right for you.
image: Green Energy Futures, Flickr, CC 2.0