Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:43:02 +0000

In the past if a homeowner wanted to have a combined shower tub, the only way to accomplish it was to install a pipe that extended up on one end of the tub with a hand held unit on the top.  There was a lever located somewhere on the pipe that switched the shower feature to the tub feature and the tub to the shower.

This got the job done but was deemed an unsightly design to some people, which also had a negative impact on the home’s value when it was time to sell. We have come a long way, baby, with a walk in shower tub design.  If you are building a new home and coming up with your own walk in shower design or are taking an existing design and improving on it, here are a few suggestions to assist you.

There are many companies that offer the walk in shower tub and numerous styles to select from.  The open-the-door-and-step-in feature is the trademark design available on all walk in tub showers.  The manufacturers from that point expand upon the basic with more whistles and bells (extended packages).  A walk in shower basic model comes with items such as a handheld shower head, low-threshold entry, safety bars, slip-resistant flooring and Americans with Disabilities Act approved fixtures, and an anti-scalding device. Plus, depending on the company, you can also obtain warranty packages. You can also get large walk-in tub doors, built-in contoured seats for comfort and deep soaking features.

Some of the options in the extended packages include: air jets that move the water in a swirling motion of an air massage.  The bubbles produced from the jets provide healthier circulation of the blood therefore giving the user a deep soak combined with a hydrotherapy bath provided by the mild but stimulating action of water.

There are different sizes to pick from and various styles depending on the manufacturer.  Most companies provide online purchasing features that make it very convenient.  Just make sure you have written down everything that you wish to purchase as there are numerous options to pick from. It should be noted also that there are many special prices out there now as well for the ultimate walk in shower.

Related posts:

1. Installing A Shower
2. Use Garden Decor to Spruce up Your Garden
3. The Convenience of Magic Blinds
4. Plan Your Garden Pond To Keep It Healthy and Clean
5. Bridges as Garden Water Features

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In the summer months, no backyard is complete without a shower, so why not have a solar heated shower?  It can be anything from a simple piece of flexible water hose to a proper shower stall with decking, drainage and privacy screening.  

We will consider a simple solar heated shower design which will fit neatly into the average backyard, maybe beside a swimming pool or hot tub, both of which could share the solar water heating arrangements with the shower.

The most important consideration for an outdoor solar shower is the provision of adequate drainage.  Some local authorities will let you use a simple French drain or run-off into a convenient flower bed.  Others might demand a more elaborate system that drains into the main sewer or septic tank.  Applicable regulations for the drainage of gray water will vary, and you must comply with those in your area.  

These are the other main points to consider in your solar heated shower design:

Screening.  Is this important? If yes, then you need to find a secluded spot away from upstairs windows for your solar heated shower.

Water Pressure.  You could find that your shower water pressure is affected by its distance from the mains supply. Increase shower flow by including an old water tank or cylinder in the solar heating line, ideally mounted above the shower head height to give a good head of pressure.

Sunshine.  Clearly a solar heated shower needs plenty of sunshine to work properly.  It should only take about 15 minutes to make enough hot water for the next shower, but the time taken can be badly affected by shade or poor positioning from direct sunlight.

Usage.  Is the solar heated shower to be used after having a dip in the pool or hot tub?  To cool off after a sunbathe?  Your shower design will depend very much on how you want to use it.

Litter.  Unfortunately a shower pan is a great place for fallen leaves to collect.  A simple wooden cover plate is a good idea to place over pan, and locate the shower as far as possible from your trees.

An outdoor solar shower will be between 9 and 16 square feet in size for comfort, and mounted on decking about a foot above ground level, to allow the installation of a simple galvanized steel drainage box under the shower to take soiled water away to the soakaway or other drainage system you have provided.

It is a good idea to build the decking out a few feet at the shower entrance, for easy toweling afterwards and to keep feet clean.  The cubicle can be made from 4×4 upright posts at each corner (pressure-treated softwood is adequate), and the side screens can be made from ply, cedar shingles or any kind of paneling that takes your fancy.  

The solar heating system itself is very simple to make. The simplest device is a shower head attached to a long length of water hose coiled up in the sun. A better way is to coil the water pipe in an open tray over the shower and facing towards the sun. If you need more hot water you could use an old water tank or hot water cylinder in the solar heating pipe, but this would have to be higher than the shower head to give you enough pressure.

In very hot weather you might need to include a mixer system, for allowing hot and cold water to merge before you burn yourself in the shower!

There are many ways to build a solar shower, and we have a highly recommended guide available to help you make one easily and safely.  There are plans, diagrams and clear, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the whole process.