How to Install a Shower Head?

Shower heads are a type of incredibly stylish and impressive shower accessory. Due to increasingly interesting designs and varied colors, they quickly become a decorative element of the bathroom. It's best to plan the installation of a shower head before setting up the bathroom, otherwise a thorough renovation awaits us, including chipping tiles on at least one wall. And what to do if we already have a bathroom and dream of a shower head? How to install it?

Types of Shower Heads Based on Installation Method

When choosing to install a shower head in the bathroom, we have various variants of these devices at our disposal. Our choice is primarily dependent on the place and method of installation. In other words, to install a shower head, we must first choose a specific model. We can choose from three types of shower heads:

• Fixed or movable surface-mounted shower head. A fixed surface-mounted shower head is placed on a rod or shower panel mounted on the wall and permanently connected to the shower faucet. In the case of a movable surface-mounted shower head, there's a shower head mounted in place of a traditional handset. This shower head is attached to a rod and connected to the faucet with a flexible hose. It essentially performs the same functions as a traditional shower handset, only much larger.
• Recessed wall-mounted shower head – all structural elements are hidden under the tiles. Only the arm, external faucet, and shower head are visible outside.
• Recessed ceiling-mounted shower head – installed in a suspended ceiling. This is definitely the most modern solution, used in a large shower enclosure or a bathroom with a dedicated shower area.

Installation of a Surface-Mounted Shower Head

Installing a shower head in an already arranged bathroom is not difficult, but also doesn't allow for much design flexibility. If we do not intend to disrupt the structure of the walls or chip tiles, we only have surface-mounted shower heads to choose from. To the existing wall pipes supplying hot and cold water and the faucet located at about 120 cm in height, we can connect the simplest and cheapest shower head. With this option, an additional shower handset with a switch is mounted on the vertical tube of the shower head.

A slightly more expensive surface-mounted version is a complete set containing a thermostatic shower faucet. In this case, both the vertical shower tube and the handset can be connected directly to the faucet. Depending on the design and price of the set, the tube may be movable, and the shower head equipped with a swivel joint. This allows you to turn the shower head right or left and adjust the angle of the head to direct the water stream in the desired direction. Some more expensive models of shower heads have handsets equipped with a button to adjust the water stream. At what height should we install such a shower head? Many factors decide about it, and we cover this topic at the end of the article.

How to Install a Recessed Shower Head?

As mentioned earlier, installing a recessed shower head requires radical steps. By hiding the recessed faucet and all structural elements in the wall, we save a lot of space and gain a modern bathroom design style. The only visible element will be the handle, mounted on the wall or ceiling, and the shower head, whose original look, color, or shape will enhance the aesthetic value of the room.

The first step of the work is to install the recessed faucet. In the shower enclosure, the faucet should be at a height of about 120 cm above the floor, and the shower head at 210-220 cm. The embedded element of the faucet is installed in the carved groove, and supply pipes are brought to the place where the water mixer will be located.

The next step is to carve grooves in the wall where the pipes connecting the shower head to the recessed faucet part will be placed. If the shower set contains other elements, e.g., a shower handset with a rod or holder, water massage jets, or a bathtub spout, grooves for pipes supplying water to all additional elements should be carved. It is also important to use a faucet with a switch for several output elements.

The last step is the installation of the surface-mounted parts. The shower head can be mounted on the wall of the cabin (using a special rod) or in the central point of the shower cabin on the ceiling. It can also be mounted above the bathtub.

At What Height Should We Install a Shower Head in the Shower Cabin?

The height at which to install a shower head depends on its type, location, and installation method. A wall-mounted shower head is usually installed in small shower cabins at such a height that all household members can use it comfortably. It is assumed that about 40 cm is added to the height of the tallest user. At the same time, the height of the shower cabin must be taken into account, so that the water stream does not overflow its walls.

A ceiling-mounted shower head should be installed in the central point of a large shower cabin at a height of 210-220 cm. Then the flowing water stream will provide a pleasant bath for each participant, regardless of their size. And at what height should the shower set be installed in the case of a bathtub? Obviously, in such a point on the wall that is below the top edge of the shower curtain. It is also necessary to ensure convenient access to the faucet and shower handset.