SHOWER HEIGHT

Shower height is one of the main details that architects, contractors and regular do-it-yourselfers must take into consideration when designing and installing a new bathroom or new bathroom fixtures. Obviously the height of the shower head is somewhat restricted by the height of the shower itself, but the height of those who will be using the shower also affects how the shower head is installed and at what point the valves should be placed. Though showers are something most people take for granted on a daily basis, those considering renovations, or building a bathroom from the ground up, have many different options and must take into account certain variables when determining the measurements of all aspects of a bathroom or shower, including the shower height.



Industry standards vary wildly and construction codes rarely apply to exact specifications of shower height. Sometimes the building itself dictates whether or not a shower head can be placed higher or lower based on the height of the shower or tub ceiling. Often the needs of the user come into play in a shower being used by children or a disabled user that cannot stand in the shower. For these reasons, shower height is not dictated by a strict set of codes or regulations. Most professionals that install shower heads have their own standards and their own techniques in finding the appropriate shower height for an individual shower.



Many contractors use a measurement that overreaches the tallest member of the household, and then allows for extra room for the drop of the shower head itself from the wall. Most people want a shower height that will not force them to stoop or bend over to reach the spray. Conversely, many people want a shower height that is out of their reach, leading to dissipating spray and lack of shower head control. As with many modern conveniences, showers can now be built to an individual's specifications in many ways, where shower height may have once been dictated by the original building's fittings, or the contractors needs at the time of installation.