The shower system is a stand with one or two hand sprays and a mixer. An important element of such a system is an overhead shower. It is sometimes called "tropical". It is he who creates the cherished feeling of rain. Drops, mixing with air, fall in a soft enveloping stream and envelop in warmth. The diameter of such a watering can is voluminous - up to 600 mm. The device is securely mounted on a bracket or ceiling mounted.
With low pressure in the water supply system and a small cross-section of the supply pipes, the pressure for tropical rain may not be enough. When choosing a shower system, read the instructions for the device and compare with the features of communications in the apartment.
For spacious showers, ceiling models are suitable. They are larger than wall-mounted ones, and more accurately convey the effect of rain. But there are three "BUTs":
- it is possible to install a ceiling shower only at the stage of repair, until the pipes are "sewn up" with cladding;
- a huge watering can requires a good water pressure. Consider if you are willing to pay the increased water bills. Overhead showers consume up to 60 l / min, so they require concealed thermostats with increased flow capacity, as well as special installation with wiring and installation of a false ceiling;
- the height of the ceilings and the peculiarity of their design are also significant - consult a plumber.
How to choose a shower system for a bathtub: features of a wall-mounted shower
If the size of the bathroom leaves much to be desired, opt for a wall-mounted shower. Just take a closer look at the length of the bracket's stem so that you don't have to wash afterwards, leaning your nose against the wall. If you prefer to radically change the direction of the jet, you cannot do without a hand shower with a flexible hose 1250-2000 mm long. When choosing a length, consider not only the distance between the mixer and the top point of the watering can, but also the margin for the natural bend of the hose under the mixer. Otherwise, the bend will be sharp and damage to the hose will occur at this point.
The compromise is the boom system and the adjustable height and swivel lock. This is convenient when people of different heights use the shower. What's more, some models have a top bracket on the boom. It provides a solid shower head (up to 450 mm) and an almost horizontal position of the shower head, which turns the hand shower into an overhead shower.
The design solutions of the watering cans demonstrate all the richness of styles. In addition to the usual round shape, there are square and rectangular, high-tech style "cylinder" showers, and showers with holes in the middle of the disc. However, their device is based on one general principle: pressurized water comes out through nozzles, the number of which directly depends on the size of the watering can. The quality of the jet in all versions is approximately the same, but the water consumption varies significantly.
Shower system materials
The elements of the shower system are made of either metal or plastic with a chrome finish. Large companies use special coating technologies. The plating is durable and shiny. Provided that it will not be cleaned with abrasives.
Shower heads
They are made of metal, but with a different coating.
| Coating | Benefits | disadvantages |
| Brass |
| Heavier than plastic |
| Zinc alloy (aka TsAM, aka ZAMAK, aka Zinc Alloy) | Cheap |
|
| Chromium |
|
|
| Bronze |
| High price |
The nozzles are traditionally plastic or rubber. Their diameter is very small, they quickly become clogged with scale, which clogs the gaps.The problem is fixable. It is solved by installing mesh filters in the mixer or in the handle of the shower head. But more reliable are external filters for mechanical cleaning. They are installed on water pipes.
Life hack how to clean the shower nozzles from plaque
- Press down on the nozzles with your finger.
- Turn the lever to activate the thin pins of water to push out the dirt.
- Turn on the maximum head, the deposits will crumble.
Watch how to clean the nozzles in the Hansgrohe Croma 100 Showerpipe video overview
Hoses
They are made from plastic or molded rubber, as well as from metal. Manufacturers protect hoses from kinks in different ways - more often they resort to multilayers.
- Oras offers plastic hoses with a metal inner sleeve that does not come into contact with water.
- At Grohe, the inner rubber hose is covered with reinforced nylon threads.
- At Iddis, the PVC hose is reinforced with aluminum tape.
- Hansgrohe's Isiflex and Metaflex hoses are made of metal-like sprayed polymer. Thrust bearings allow to avoid twisting. Thanks to them, the hoses rotate freely around the axis.
Variety of functions
Watering cans differ in operating modes. Nobody argues: a rain shower is cool. However, it is better if you can choose from three or more modes:
- soft jet,
- tight massage or hard turbo,
- spiral jet and all kinds of their combinations.
A variety of modes is provided by nozzles of different designs and special technologies. For example, at AirPower (Hansgrohe), the water is enriched with air and breaks down into soft droplets. Models with a different number of functions can be presented in the same line, and you can easily choose what suits your preferences.
Depending on the characteristics of the jet, the shower becomes invigorating, relaxing or has a healing effect.
| Jet | Healing effect |
| Storm and massage | Increase muscle and skin tone Improves metabolism |
| Waterfall | Massages the shoulders well |
| Aerated | Suitable for washing scalp and sensitive skin |
| Combined modes | Two types of nozzles are put into operation at once, which simultaneously create two types of jets |
The water saving function reduces consumption by 20-50%. In systems that operate only in economy mode, special regulators are used that are inserted into the handle of the shower head and narrow the lumen. The amount of water consumed decreases, but visually it is hardly noticeable. Due to the aeration of the jet, the flow is still voluminous. A similar result is obtained by partially blocking the flow of water entering the watering can - this principle is used, for example, in EcoSmart technology.
The self-regulating ring reacts to changes in water pressure and maintains its flow at a constant low level. As the pressure increases, the ring seals and partially blocks the culvert. As soon as the pressure decreases, it takes on its original shape. In addition, the technology of enriching it with air contributes to saving water, since air bubbles occupy part of the volume of the droplets in this case. Manufacturers also offer models that allow Economy Mode to be turned on and off depending on the situation.
Many shower systems, in addition to the actual watering cans, hoses and bars, include optional but very convenient components. The shower bar, in addition to the holder for the hand shower, is equipped with shelves, soap dishes and hooks. You will have everything you need close at hand.
The kit often includes pre-installed mixers and thermostats. It's practical. The thermostat automatically maintains the set temperature, regardless of pressure drops in the pipes and protects against burns. True, a system with a thermostat will cost more than a mixer.
Shower systems rating: TOP 5 models
Grohe Eurostyle / Eurodisc Cosmopolitan Shower System
Shower system with overhead and hand shower. Production: Germany.
The system includes a 900 mm shower bar with adjustable spacing between the metal bar wall mountings, a 1750 mm shower hose, a sliding bracket for adjusting the comfortable height of the hand shower and two hand shower heads. The boom is complemented by a 450mm top bracket that pivots horizontally and is equipped with a 20-degree pivot.
- The overhead shower with a diameter of 180 mm produces gentle rain jets with an even distribution over the entire surface.
- The hand shower is designed in the form of a cylinder in a simple geometric style. The chrome-plated, dirt-repellent coating resists scratches and tarnishing.
Both watering cans use a quick descaling system. They are presented in two versions: with normal water flow and economical - up to 9.4 l / min. The Cosmopolitan Shower System includes a smooth-running single-lever mixer. Shower heads and faucet eliminate the possibility of burns in contact with them. The system is equipped with a check valve that prevents water from flowing in the opposite direction. Optionally, you can install a convenient slide-on soap dish on the shower bar.
Kludi Dual Shower A-QA
Shower system with hand shower (Germany). The Kludi Dual Shower A-QAs has a hand shower with a diameter of 200 mm. The watering can contains three types of nozzles giving different streams.
- The first is soft, airy, in which water comes from nine honeycomb-like mini-holes arranged in a circle.
- The second is volumetric, it is created by holes located by rays along the entire surface of the disk.
- The third is an invigorating jet, formed by 44 holes through which water comes out under high pressure. As a result, the flow is denser.
The modes are switched by a lever located on the plane of the disc, this increases the strength of the structure. The shower surface is easily cleaned of plaque with one hand movement.
The Kludi A-QAs series is available with a wall-mounted shower arm, a wall-mounted shower bar in lengths of 600 or 900 mm, or can be part of a more sophisticated overhead shower system. The simplicity and ability to adapt to different tasks makes the system convenient for family use.
Ideal Standart Idealrain
Shower system with overhead and hand shower (Germany).
The Ideal Standart has an overhead shower attached to a 307 mm bar arm, and it also serves as a pipe for supplying water to the watering can. The angle of inclination of the shower head is adjustable within 10 degrees. The flat chrome-plated shower head with a round shape supports one mode of operation - a rain jet. Thanks to its large diameter (200 mm), the shower provides a wide and dense curtain of water.
The smaller hand shower is 100 mm in diameter, so the shower fits well in the hand. The shower works in three modes:
- saturated rain shower,
- tonic drizzling rain,
- concentrated massage jet.
Modes are switched using a knob-lever: it is long and made of elastic silicone, so it can be easily moved even with one finger. The shower disc nozzles are also silicone and can be easily descaled by rubbing with your fingers.
The manual watering can has a mode for limiting water consumption: from 12 l / min, the flow is reduced to 8 l / min. On the rod, the watering can is fixed by a plastic holder, which can be moved up and down by pressing the button on its body. Includes chrome plated 1750 mm flexible hose. Ideal Standard has a thermostatic mixer with anti-scald technology.
Hansgrohe Raindance E 300 Showerpipe 350 ST
Shower system with overhead and hand shower (Germany). The Raindance shower line enriches the water with air and makes the drops so large and soft that they do not irritate even sensitive skin. The overhead stationary shower is made in the form of a square with dimensions of 300x300 mm. The water droplets are saturated with air and flow softly like rain. The impressive 128 mm hand shower supports three different modes:
- soft,
- massage,
- refreshing mixed Mix.
The peculiarity of the system is that the modes are switched not by the usual lever, but by a button conveniently located on the shower disc.The watering cans feature the QuickClean technology: the nozzles can be easily cleaned of plaque by sliding your finger over them.
The length of the shower column is 1066 mm, the projection for the overhead shower is 380 mm. The separately located hand shower bracket allows everyone to choose the best position for them. The system also includes a proprietary hose with an internal silver coating to prevent microorganisms from spreading in the hose.
The Raindance E 300 Showerpipe 350 ST is equipped with a specially shaped Hansgrohe thermostat - its upper part is finished with glass and is like a shelf on which you can put your shower accessories. Rounded edges that match the smooth shapes of the watering cans, ergonomic switches and scald protection make it safe and comfortable. Both the shower system and the thermostat are available in two colors - chrome and a combination of chrome and white.
Oras optima
Shower system with hand shower (Finland). Oras Optima has a chrome bar equipped with a sliding shower holder that allows you to move the shower up or down depending on the user's needs. The distance between the mounting holes of the rod is adjustable (up to 740 mm), so it is easy to install it on the holes in the wall already in the bathroom - thanks to this flexibility of the fasteners, you do not need to drill the wall again. The modern compact shower head is attached to a branded 1055 mm hose.
The set includes a deep, original-shaped cup-shaped soap dish, which is attached to a bar.
Shower system with thermostat: reviews
Dmitry Anatolyevich about the Hansgrohe Raindance Select E 300: “Designed to fit perfectly into the interior. There are no complaints about the quality either. The switch between the top and bottom watering cans works smoothly, no effort is needed. The thermostat clearly maintains the set temperature. Well, the main plus is the top watering can with a rain shower. It's a pleasure to use it».
Mitya about the shower system Ravak Termo 300 TE 093.00 / 150: "The system is of high quality and beautiful. We have been serving for a year - no shortcomings have yet been found. All the necessary parts are included: an overhead shower, a hand shower with three modes of operation, a sturdy bar, a mixer with a thermostat, a hose and fittings. Unlike cheap silumin sets, this one is made of brass. Therefore, the set is solid, does not crumble or bend».
Sergey Martynyuk about Genebre termo1643: "The set is decent, it regulates the temperature perfectly. Easy to install. Waterfall mode - the best. The body is made of durable ABS plastic, some parts are made of brass. The coating is of high quality, from detergents it does not peel and does not darken. Despite the high water hardness, the system runs smoothly».
Tip: "Smart shower with tropical rain effect - once you try it, you will never trade it."
See an overview of the Hansgrohe Croma Select E 180 2jet Showerpipe 27258400
