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Building a Home Plumbing

Ceiling mounted rain showerhead

3 years ago

We are building our home currently and we're thinking of doing either a Ceiling mounted or Wall mounted rainfall showerhead. The shower head has already been roughed in but we will likely change it. The Ceiling in the bathroom is 9 feet tall and I was looking at the framing above the shower area and there are roof trusses that run accross this area.

Based on the attached pictures what would be the best way to run pex supply line to a ceiling mounted location, while little to no damage to the truss members? It looks like the supply line would have to have a hole drilled through the top plate of the wall and truss above than, then turn 90 degrees and run either through or over top the next truss to a location in the center of the shower area (where you see the middle wall stud) that would have blocking. Perhaps it's better to just do a wall mount with an extended arm?

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Comments (12)

Bruce in Northern Virginia
3 years ago
We have 8'4" ceilings, and used a wall-mounted Kohler shower rail (has a hand shower and switch on the lower portion) that has a very high arch, and then added the rainfall head. It is plenty high for just about anyone, and gives a definite rainfall effect. With your ceilings you could mount the shower rail even higher, or maybe get one that is longer.

Running PEX through the top plate and over to the ceiling is also not that hard, but unless your attic is conditioned you will have to keep it insulated to prevent freezing.

Bruce
Kevin
Original Author
3 years ago
The crawlspace above will be insulated with R-50 blown insulation. My main concern was the Truss that is resting on the wall plate and having to drill through the bottom chord of the truss. I can't go beyond the surface of the studs or the drywall/tile won't be able to be installed. here is an additional picture I have from another angle.
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They're generally good for the basics, but I haven't used one myself in ages. I use a ceiling mounted Watermark rain showerhead and loooove it, they're a great company -- much smaller and local (to me anyways, since i used to live near their NYC manufacturing). Their showerheads tend to be in roughly the same price range as RH, so I'm sure you could find something equal to or less of the cost. What size of showerhead are you looking for? I have an 8" head in one bathroom but when i redid the master bath I treated myself and got a 12" :)
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When it comes to a rain showerhead - I think it really comes down to context. Lots of opinions here either way but the details nobody has mentioned matter. If you have both a wall mounted normal shower head and a ceiling mounted rain showerhead - this seems like the best way to go because you have the option of either or depending on your mood, need or partner situation. And if you can operate both simultaneously or independently, even better. As someone who is buying a new home, the rain shower is an optional upgrade in my situation. With the necessary plumbing done up front for the ceiling mount, it's much easier than trying to do simple future remodel upgrade in this regard because the likelihood of having to tear apart tile / cut through walls / drywall. I think the other half of the equation is how good the rain showerhead itself is. There are so many different one's on the market in all shapes and sizes, along with quality of design push water through effectively, and/or with adjustability - that can make or break how someone may feel about one. I'd wager you're going to truly appreciate it more by spending the extra to go with a rain shower head on the high end, but still having your standard shower head there as an option since I think there is a good hybrid use case for having both if you can swing it.
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doc5md
3 years ago
Will this be the only shower head? Have you had a rainfall head in the ceiling before?

I ask because I never experienced one until I stayed at a hotel that had only a rainfall head in the ceiling. Both my wife and I hated it. Its either pouring on your head, or not hitting you, or you're leaning out of the way to get some water (and warmth) but not drenched.

If its the only head, and you've never had one before, I recommend the wall mount. Then, if you hate it, you can change it back.

If you've lived with a ceiling mounted rain head and love it, disregard everything I just typed up and enjoy!! :)
Kevin
Original Author
3 years ago
If we do a rainhead then we will also have a handheld sprayer mounted to a slide bar on the wall so that either one could.be used.
doc5md
3 years ago
@Kevin good plan!
Bruce in Northern Virginia
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I'm not a framing expert, but what you are calling the bottom chord of that truss is probably not an issue if you drill through it. Since all you have is empty attic above, the main purpose of that chord is to keep the ends of the rafters in place and provide a place to install the ceiling. The attic floor is not rated for a live load and I believe it only has to be strong enough to hold the ceiling up and keep the rafters in place.

Bruce
Kevin
Original Author
3 years ago
Bruce , it's a hip roof design where that end truss it tied into a girder truss running perpendicular to it. is that still acceptable to drill through? My understanding was that it was not acceptable to drill through any truss components.
Kevin
Original Author
3 years ago
interesting perspective. I suppose if I put in a small bulkhead over the shower that would be a way to run the supply like to a ceiling location.
JJ
3 years ago
Yes. You dont want the ceiling too high anyway. I will remember that for next time.
Kevin
Original Author
3 years ago
ok so regardless of whether I was doing a ceiling mounted shower head or just a standard wall mounted shower, I should drop my ceiling height (via bulkhead/soffit) to around 8 feet ? I didn't realize that 9 foot tall ceiling would be an issue for a walk in shower.
JJ
3 years ago
9 foot is not terrible. Mine is 10 foot and it is like taking a shower in a barn.

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