Whether building a new shower or remodeling an existing shower, you have several types to choose from, categorized by the size or shape of the enclosure, or by the way in which water is delivered. Showers range from pre-fabricated units ideal for DIY installation on up to custom showers designed and built by professionals and costing many thousands of dollars. Shower enclosures can be rounded, square, rectangular, or neo-angle. Because showers are all about the water, the water delivery system is equally important. Waterfall shower heads gently drip water from high above. Or you might prefer the vigorous feeling of a full-body shower with jets at various heights. Whatever your preference, you will find a shower that fits your needs. Here are 10 different shower types you can consider. Since pre-fabricated showers may be broken down and delivered in separate pieces, they can more easily fit through tight doorways than do one-piece pre-fabricated units. Most pre-fabricated shower units can be installed by the homeowner. Costs vary widely, but it’s possible to buy a small prefabricated shower insert complete with shower pan, walls, and door for as little as $500, ranging all the way up to several thousand dollars. Custom showers can take on any size, shape, and form desired by the user. Custom showers, when built right with premium materials, can increase the home’s resale value. Expect to spend thousands of dollars on this kind of shower. Glass enclosure showers are extremely elegant, but they can also be a good choice for curbless showers that allow easy access by wheelchair users and others with physical limitations. While the trend has slowly been moving away from this setup in favor of shower-only installations, tub-shower combinations are still an excellent method of saving space in small bathrooms. Homes with small children especially can benefit from tub-shower combinations. Preferred use: A primary bath reserved for private, relaxed use calls for a much different bathing fixture than one used by different family members or guests who must quickly get ready for school or work each morning. Give careful thought to how long your showers typically last, and whether it is relaxation or simple quick cleansing that is the primary goal. Budget: Most shower types are available in a range of options to meet different budget needs, but some types of showers are inherently more pricey. A large custom-tile shower stall with plate glass walls and a waterfall shower head, for example, will likely be off the table if you have budget constraints. Space: It’s no surprise that a large, expansive bathroom gives you more options when it comes to what type of shower you include. In large bathrooms, you may be able to include both a bathtub and separate shower enclosure, while more cramped bathrooms may require a shower only, or a tub-shower combination fixture. DIY skills: The plumbing, carpentry, and tile skills that go into creating a shower are specialized talents, and if you plan to do some or all of this work yourself, it will definitely impact the type of shower you choose. Prefabricated shower inserts or neo-angle showers, for example, are popular choices for DIYers with moderate skills, but extremely experienced DIYers may be able to install more elaborate custom showers.
