Wellness and practicality are close at hand when you choose the most beautiful and innovative shower heads available
Featured topics:
- What is a shower head?
- Types and shapes
- Universal shower head
- Modern and design shower heads
- Shower head height
- How to clean a shower head?
A simple everyday gesture can become a true wellness experience. Just choose the right shower head and you’re ready. Much more than a bathroom accessory, the shower head is an essential element that can make all the difference in terms of practicality, comfort and even visual appeal. An example of this are the design shower heads, with stylish shapes and the most innovative technologies like those in the Ercos catalogue, which can add a splash of style to the bathrooms of the most beautiful homes.
If you are thinking of buying one, take a look at this short guide on buying the best shower heads.
What is a shower head?
The shower head plays a major role in the world of taps and tap fittings. What is it? It is simply the final part of the water system installed inside the shower that delivers water through its connection to the water pipes. Usually installed on the wall inside the shower compartment or on the ceiling, it includes a mixer that allows the water temperature or the water jet to be controlled.
In recent years, innovation in this sector has led to the creation of increasingly cutting-edge shower heads, capable of providing full sensory experiences thanks to new functions such as hydromassage and chromotherapy.
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Types and shapes
Apart from the material they are made of, different types of shower heads can be distinguished based on how they deliver water and how they are positioned inside the shower enclosure. In particular, the following types are available on the market:
- Rainfall shower head: where the jet - vertical, thin and continuous - is delivered in separate streams, with the possibility of adjustment to increase or decrease the intensity.
- Waterfall shower head: where the water is delivered in a single, continuous and dense jet, ideal for large shower enclosures and installed directly on the ceiling, often supplemented by a hand shower with flexible hose mounted on the wall.
- Adjustable power shower head: a lever is provided to adjust the jet and choose between different types of holes for the water to flow out, switching between rainfall and waterfall mode as the need arises.
- Multi-function shower head: as well as allowing the intensity and flow rate of the jet to be adjusted, they incorporate special functions such as misting, hydromassage, chromotherapy and LED lights for a proper daily pampering.
- Hydromassage shower heads: these allow you to adjust the jet with various massage functions that have a beneficial, toning and relaxing effect on all muscles and joints.
The shower head models on the market also vary considerably in terms of shape and size: from the most traditional round and oval ones, to more modern types with square and rectangular lines, and those with a more sophisticated, asymmetrical or irregular design.
Universal shower head
The most common type remains the universal shower head, a model that can easily adapt to any type of connection or pipe. They usually operate with a pressure between 0.5 and 5 bar, a minimum flow rate to guarantee a jet that is neither too strong nor too weak. One of the elements to consider when choosing a shower head are the nozzles - the holes through which the water comes out, which should be coated with silicone to prevent build-up of limescale and sediment.
Modern and design shower heads
Whether you prefer a ceiling or wall-mounted shower head, in recent years, designer and avant-garde models have gained increasing popularity, becoming a true element of bathroom design. For this reason, many manufacturers have created collections of designer shower heads with refined lines and finishes, ranging from traditional round or square shapes with chrome-plated, polished or brushed surfaces, to the more modern teardrop, ring or cascade models.
What makes the difference is the technology, as demonstrated by the models with LED lights for chromotherapy or those with a remote control for regulating the jet and temperature.
Shower head height
When installing a shower head, one of the most frequent questions is: at what height should I position it? Conventionally, it is recommended to install it about 2 -2.10 m above the shower tray. A good rule of thumb is the height of the user: the recommendation is that the shower head should be positioned at least 20 cm above the user’s head.
In the case of a wall-mounted shower head, the projection should also be considered, an important point of reference that must take the dimensions of the shower enclosure into account. As an alternative to the fixed model, installed directly on the wall, it is possible to opt for a shower head with an up and down rail, which allows the height to be adjusted as required.
How to clean a shower head?
Another factor to consider when making the purchasing decision is the cleaning of the shower head. Limescale can become a real enemy, not only because it can damage all parts of the shower head but because over time it also reduces the jet and obstructs the flow of water. In order to preserve its appearance and functionality, it should be cleaned and washed daily with specific products to avoid a heavy build-up of debris, alternating with deeper, more thorough periodic cleaning.
One of the best ways to clean the shower head is to use a solution of water, vinegar and bicarbonate: if the shower head can be unscrewed and removed, it is recommended to immerse it fully in a container filled with this solution for about an hour; if the shower head is fixed, it is recommended to fill a plastic bag with the vinegar and bicarbonate solution and tie it around the shaft, leaving it to act for an hour.
Alternatively, you can use anti-limescale products, which are more aggressive but very effective in the case of larger accumulations, and remove the debris with a brush or an abrasive sponge.
Visit the Ercos website to find the most suitable models for your new shower enclosure.