There is nothing else quite like the effect of a hot shower at home after a tiring day. Having the right shower and shower accessories can make or break shower time. Find relaxation in your shower with this shower buying guide from Overstock.com.
Showers can be made several ways; they can be built from scratch or from manufactured components. These include luxurious spa/steam showers, custom showers and pre-fabricated stalls.
An all-in-one steam shower is a great way to save money on your bathroom remodel. With an all-in-one steam shower kit, you won't have to buy individual parts. The kits are generally much easier to install. Steam showers are a divine way to relax at the end of the day and what better way to get a relaxing steam shower than from Overstock.com where you'll find fantastic prices and great customer satisfaction! (Go ahead and read the customer reviews of our products, you'll see.)
Typical features include:
Look for unique features when selecting a steam shower. After all, it's your shower, you should have what you want, not what you can afford (fortunately, at Overstock.com, you can afford what you want!).
Unique features may include:
Custom showers allow you to select everything you want in your shower and none of the things you don't, although buying shower components and accessories individually can be pretty expensive. However, if you have the money and the inclination then a custom shower can be a beautiful and relaxing addition to your bathroom.
Pre-fabricated shower stalls are usually made from fiberglass or fiberglass-reinforced acrylic and come in an assortment of colors and styles. Some come as single-piece units and some require assembly, such as those with three wall panels and a base pan.
Showers are composed of metal, acrylic, glass and plastic. Look for quality acrylic and metals. The color of the materials will help you find a quality shower. Poorer quality materials look either too bright or too dim.
Shower Heads
The right shower head can make even an unglamorous shower or bathroom fade away. The perfect rain shower head can wash away the worries of the day while a massaging shower head can soothe aches and pains. Shower heads are the crowning glory for any shower. Since the shower valve does all the real work you can select a shower head based on design and function.
Rain Shower Heads: Enjoy a relaxing cascade of water. If you have low water pressure look for shower heads that can give decent pressure even under low pressure. Also look for a rain fall shower head with at least 100 holes for gentle "rain-like" water flow.
Massaging Shower Heads: There is nothing like a shower head that provides different settings for a pulsing massage. Look for a shower head with three or more massage settings.
Hand-held Shower Heads: Put the water where you need it most! Hand-held shower heads have a hose (look for no-tangle hoses), adjustable height and massage settings for soothing handshowers.
Size: Water delivery is an important factor. If you want a shower that falls like summer rain then a larger shower "rose" is the ideal choice. Remember though, this type of shower can send out a large volume of water and it is smart to make sure your system can handle this output. The misconception that a shower head should be bigger for a better shower is common. A larger showerhead does not necessarily mean a more powerful shower; this is the job of the shower valve.
While shower heads come in many metals and plastics, ultimately the look of the shower head is as important as the function. Polished Brass, chrome, oil rubbed bronze and plastic give shower heads a sporty or rich and stylish look. Select the shower head that you think will best complement your shower and bath.
Shower Faucets and Conversion Kits
Whether you are remodeling and everything is new, or you are freshening up an existing bathroom shower or tub, finding the perfect shower faucet or conversion kit to complement your bathroom is important. Many of these shower kits include a shower head that coordinates with the faucet and knobs.
Designer shower faucets have many different finishes and metals. Some finishes include copper, satin, stainless steel, bronze, brushed chrome, brushed nickel, satin nickel, brushed stainless steel, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and chrome. (Coordinating the faucet with the shower head and knobs is made simple with shower sets.)
Shower conversion kits offer a way to convert your existing bathtub into a convenient shower. Shower conversion kits are an affordable solution for the budget conscious; update your bathtub without breaking the bank.
If you are installing a faucet or shower set by yourself look for easy-to-use styles, however for best results (and warranty safety) we recommend you have a professional install your shower faucets and sets. Shower conversion kits are generally easy to install. Many are do-it-yourself types that are easy to install. (Read customer reviews if you are unsure of a product's installation ease.)
Shower Massage Panels
Melt away the stress of the day or work out muscle kinks with a shower massage panel from Overstock.com. Shower massage panels give you an updated expensive massaging shower without the huge price of installing a new shower. With standard plumbing, a shower massage panel can be a quick and pain-relieving addition to your shower. (You're already giving it an update with the hardware, why not massage out those muscles you strained from carrying all the money you saved at Overstock.com?)
Look for a shower massage panel that offers an anti-clogging feature for pain-free cleaning. A temperature gauge will keep you from scalding your already tired body and a stylish shelf or shower bar will provide you with space for soap or a loofah.
Look for shower heads that are easy to clean and maintain. Soap scum, lime and other mineral deposits (called 'scale') build up from the shower water and will inhibit the performance of your shower head. This problem is worse in areas where water has 'hard water,' meaning a naturally higher mineral content.
Shower heads really only need attention when they become clogged, although the best solution is a regular cleaning every once in a while to reduce the scale before it becomes a problem. There are many cleaning products out there made specifically for showers, many of which are specifically for hard water areas. Any number of these can bring back the full power of your shower head.
There are also several home remedies for cleaning shower heads (always check the manufacturer's care instructions that are included with the product): Remove the shower head and soak it in a bowl of water with two denture tablets. Using a brush or toothbrush and vinegar can also loosen the scale. Soak in white vinegar overnight. To remove scale from a shower heads, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie the bag onto the faucet with a rubber band so it is submerged in the vinegar. This is also a great way to clean your other lavatory and plumbing fixtures
For rust stains on shower heads (and faucets) mix equal parts grapefruit juice and salt, and use a washcloth to wipe off rust. The light acid and abrasive qualities will work wonders. Many cleaners leave a film on brass or gold plated hardware. A lemon cut in half and dipped in salt works well as a cleaner for brass shower heads and faucets. Just rub the salted lemon over the shower heads. Buff the brass with mineral oil when finished.
Which is better, wall-mounted or hand-held?
Really, this is a matter of choice. Some days may see you lively and hopping in the shower and singing into the hand-held shower head. Other days you may be too exhausted to do more than stand there bathing. While the wall-mounted must remain stationary, the hand-held can hang in its mount or move around, whichever mood strikes you.
Wall-mounted shower heads have a lot to offer. If you don't spend a large amount of time in the shower then you may not want to deal with holding the shower head. Wall-mounted are also a wise choice for children. (We know you're imagining what would happen if your three-year-old had control of the water spray. Yikes!) There is little to worry about with a wall-mounted shower head.
On the other hand, hand-held shower heads can be a real treat. Being in control of water flow and direction can help ease muscles, especially with the massaging shower option! You can actually massage that lower back (without paying a bunch of money for a massage or steam shower!). The thing to remember is that you have more than just a shower head. There is also a hose to worry about. However, that needn't stop you from fulfilling your dream of having a hand-held shower head! Overstock.com has a selection of hand-held shower heads that feature tangle free hoses.
Think outside the (shower) box.
Having shiny new hardware and a sweet shower head are only a portion of the shower experience. Complete your shower with bath accessories; shower curtains, bath rugs and towels. Enclose your shower in style with a new shower curtain from Overstock.com. Save your bathroom floor from water damage with a bath mat that matches your other bath accessories in our bedding and bath department. Find solid towels to match your new shower curtain; and let the kids in on it as well with fashion towels! We have something for everyone at a great price. (Really, with the money you'll save on Overstock.com you can buy a new shower curtain and matching towels for each bathroom in your home!)
If you'd like to set your master bath apart from the rest of your house consider unique hand-crafted art from Worldstock.
Coordinate your attack!
Find bath hardware that matches your new shower heads or shower kits. Let your bathroom impress with all brushed nickel or stainless steel. (You could even coordinate your kitchen and other home décor hardware, and you might after you see how great your shower looks!) Overstock.com has great prices on all of your home improvement needs. We can even fix you up with a bidet or footed basin!
Relax. unwind. put on your shower cap and steam!
Don't pay to go to a commercial gym steam room when you can find great sauna and steam deals with Overstock.com. The steam showers we offer are a great way to save money on the luxury items you've always dreamt of having. This is the real way to create a well balanced master bath! (Hey, if you save money while creating the master bath of your dreams you can thank us, it's no shock that you save money when shopping with Overstock.com, your online outlet!)