Can I have it all:rain shower in ceiling, shower head and hand shower?

last year

Hello,

For my 3/4 shower, I have decided on regular shower head and multifunction hand shower but am wondering if I should also put a rain shower in the ceiling or is that overkill? I do not like the rain shower but my husband does. Wondering if anyone here has done that. Getting a full demo of my master bath so this is now or never.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

elcieg

last year

Why not? Look at this cool install. Your sweetie loves a rain shower; so does mine. Hey, they deserve a little pampering. Aren't we lucky to have our guys, with their delicate bodies, only wanting soft drops of water hitting their bods?

https://www.signaturehardware.com/pressure-balance-shower-system-rainfall-shower-hand-shower.html?pids=93508&g_acctid=7220359250&g_campaignid=2052024894&g_adgroupid=72829771653&g_adid=359375197581&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-671937286237&g_adtype=pla&g_merchantid=387294&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=330730&g_partition=671937286237&g_network=g&g_ifproduct=product&g_ifcreative=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkOqZBhDNARIsAACsbfLsNXAYuDmoORsIW791yBTtrEUsUKWENNWSGIjKJPmYZYw_h7zpgQMaAmBGEALw_wcB

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

HU-695822714
last year
IMO rain heads are a waste of money.

the water cools down too quickly, AND splashes out of the shower when the water hits the top of your head.

save the money and spend it on upgraded finishes you'll both enjoy..
houseofwindsor2 thanked HU-695822714
anj_p
last year
Probably something you should work out with your hubs. I don't care for rain shower heads personally - not for the reasons HU described but mainly because I don't like getting my hair wet every time I shower, and I find they don't have sufficient water pressure to wash out shampoo, so when I do use one it's mainly just for effect (and it's an effect I care little for, being someone who doesn't enjoy the sensation of rain on my head). The only way I'd go for it is if I could turn it on/off independently of the main shower head (and it would be off nearly 100% of the time for me). So find out what it would cost to add and then ask him if his enjoyment of it is worth it.
houseofwindsor2 thanked anj_p
Related Discussions
Can I have a frameless shower door opposite the shower head?
Q
Comments (13)
I don't see anything in either code that prohibits it. P2705.1 of the IECC Residential code (2015) doesn't appear to mention it at all, and the UPC 412 (from 2018 at least) is about Urinals (whether or not a shower constitutes a urinal if you pee in the shower is out of scope of the UPC). :) UPC 408.9 mentions it this way: "Control valves and shower heads should be mounted on the sidewall of shower compartments or otherwise arranged so that the water does not discharge at the entrance of the compartment so that so that the bather can adjust the valves before stepping into the shower spray" So nothing to do specifically with the thing pointed at the door, moreso can you turn on the water without being sprayed by it, which is a good idea anyway since that first blast is likely to be quite cold.
...See More
Solid well made hand shower bar and a hand shower head? Your pick?
Q
Comments (3)
I wanted my slider bar to be rated as a grab bar. So mine (in two bathrooms) are jaclo. They are so sturdy my contractor joked that when the big earthquake hits, those bars are going to the only thing left standing. (I believe delta also makes one now, but I think I saw a not so great view on here for that one.) One shower has a delta shower head, the other has a hansgrohe. We are happy with both. I chose polished chrome for the finish on everything metal in the bathrooms because it is supposed to be the easiet to match. It all matches nicely despite using different brands.
...See More
Anyone have any suggestions for a great shower head ? Not a hand held
Q
Comments (7)
My designer was here today helping me with some staging and I asked about my Speakman shower heads. She said that Speakman manufactured shower heads for some brands but they weren't advertised as such but just sold as part of the brand. For example, my shower fixtures are by Phylrich which uses the Speakman shower head under its brand. Evidently Speakman has particular design/construction elements which are recognizable that a professional recognizes a "Speakman" shower head even when it is not branded specifically but is being sold as part of the plumbing "package" by other brands.
...See More
retrofit hand held shower directly in place of shower head arm
Q
Comments (2)
I don't see why you couldn't connect your hose directly to the shower arm without a diverter. I think the connections are all pretty standard. Shower arm, shower head, shower hose, and diverter all use the same screw in type connection. Use a good teflon tape (I like the thicker ones, not the thin white ones) and it should be water tight. Watch a youtube video on how to wrap the teflon tape to be sure you go in the right direction. If there is a rubber washer some times you don't need the teflon tape. You might just want to get a longer shower hose. This one is 8ft. 8 ft shower hose They make them even longer. Longer shower hose If you need the whole assembly, this one comes with the 8 ft shower hose. We buy this set-up and then put our own rainfall shower head on it but since you don't need the shower head you could just use the wand with the diverter always set to the hose. It has 3 pressure settings. We use the highest pressure for washing our dogs and the extra hose length comes in handy. It also provides a nice spa like experience for muscle massage. waterpik with hand held
...See More
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Not a fan of the rain head - the water is too "straight down" - I prefer the angle of the water coming at me.

That being said, it is certainly possible to do it and this would be the time!
houseofwindsor2 thanked Debbi Washburn
chispa
last year
If your DH likes it and you have the budget for the extra plumbing and fixtures, then it makes sense to do it now. Install all three types BUT have each one have its own on/off/volume control or a 3-way diverter. This will depend on your local codes ... in CA you would only be allowed to run one fixture at a time, so you would only be able to have a diverter.

I'm also not a fan of the rain heads, but I did install both a regular shower head and a handheld on an adjustable bar in all my showers. The handheld is great for many uses from cleaning the shower to filling large plastic storage tubs for emergency hurricane water supplies.
houseofwindsor2 thanked chispa
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
There are rain heads, and then there are rain heads. :-)

I'm re-doing my own master bath and we are putting in an 8" round rainhead attached to a shower arm, not in the ceiling, plus a handheld shower. The beauty of this is that you can still adjust the angle of the showerhead, but the spread of the spray gives you that "rained on" feeling. They make heads like this up to 12", which should be more than enough to make your hubby happy.

It looks like this:

This solves the problem, IMO, without having to pay more for extra plumbing and two diverters.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
barncatz
last year
Like @Sabrina Alfin Interiors, we have a wall mounted rain shower and a hand-held on a slidebar mounted on the wall next to it.
houseofwindsor2 thanked barncatz
Louise Smith
last year
I carry an umbrella to avoid getting rained on outside and I have no desire to be rained on inside. Detest "rain shower" heads.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Louise Smith
anj_p
last year
I would not want a rain shower head as my main shower head regardless of how it's installed. Even if you can change the angle, it wouldn't be enough water pressure. To each his/her own, but it wouldn't be my preference at all.
houseofwindsor2 thanked anj_p
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
@Louise Smith since most of us don't bathe with our clothes on, getting "rained on" is kind of the point of a shower. :-) it's definitely a personal preference, but most people like them.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
typeandrun
last year
last modified: last year
I have a rain shower and a handheld in my shower. I love it!

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/typeandrun-s-ideas-phvw-vp~83600366
houseofwindsor2 thanked typeandrun
jmm1837
last year
I'm sort of puzzled by some of the comments. I love a rain shower head - the water pressure is fine, certainly more than sufficient to get the shampoo out, the water is as hot as any other shower head and it doesn't splash any more than any other one either. I'm not bothered by getting my hair wet since I wash it daily anyway. The whole point of a "shower" is to replicate, well, a shower, after all. Otherwise we'd be washing our hair in a sink.

What I don't understand is why anyone would want a standard shower head. A hand held on a rail is a much more flexible option - adjustable angle but also adjustable height, and you can take it off the rail and direct it at specific body parts.

Personally, I'd have a rain shower and a rail shower and ditch the standard shower head.
houseofwindsor2 thanked jmm1837
PRO
Casa Bella Designs
last year
We put all three in our shower, and use all three. I personally love the options. We decided to put the rain shower head right above our bench instead of in the middle of the shower for those days when you just want to sit and have water fall down on you
houseofwindsor2 thanked Casa Bella Designs
chispa
last year
"What I don't understand is why anyone would want a standard shower head."

Because a standard shower head has better water pressure than a handheld one that goes down and then up a 5 ft hose.

That is why I have a standard and a handheld.

I recommend Speakman (the original Icon model) for a great standard shower head.

https://www.speakman.com/product/speakman-icon-shower-head/?attribute_pa_flow-rate=2-5-gpm&attribute_pa_finish=polished-chrome
houseofwindsor2 thanked chispa
Oanh Vo-Liu
last year

I agree with Sabrina. This is our master bathroom with a rain shower and hand shower. If we had it coming from the ceiling, our original contractor told us that we'd have to tile the ceiling and the shower glass would need to go to the ceiling. We have a new contractor now so I guess you'd have to take the advice of our old contractor with a grain of salt. We love our new setup and still have that rain shower experience so I highly recommend it.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Oanh Vo-Liu
acm
last year
You can have a mix with sprayers too if you go for a columnar setup:

Splash ShowerSpa ABS Shower System, Silver · More Info

VIGO Brielle Shower Massage Panel · More Info

PULSE ShowerSpas Brushed Nickel Lanai Shower System 1089-BN · More Info
houseofwindsor2 thanked acm
Marigold
last year
I have a rain shower and a wall mounted hand held. I have a dynamic disability, so I find the rain shower really useful on days I have trouble standing. I can just put a stool under it and the water coming from above is much easier to manage than a shower that points at me from the wall.

Even when standing, 9/10 times I use the rain shower.

(excuse the terrible lighting- I did the best I could)
houseofwindsor2 thanked Marigold
Oanh Vo-Liu
last year
last modified: last year
I've flipped many homes and have lived in three where I put in those body sprays. They're a big waste of money - it takes time and effort to adjust them to hit you just right and I'm 5'4". In my last house, I had a steam shower and that was money well spent. I have severe chronic pain issues and sitting in the steam shower for 5 minutes would relax my muscles more than any muscle relaxant. It's like having a sauna in your house that you have access to every day. It's not cheap but cheaper than having my massage therapist for more than 90 minutes every week (which I still needed and all I could afford).
houseofwindsor2 thanked Oanh Vo-Liu
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I think the answer here should be yes - do them all. You have the type of fixture you like and your husband has the rain head. While it does add some cost to the project, it is a now or never option. It really doesn't matter whether any of likes it or not.

Go for it!
houseofwindsor2 thanked Debbi Washburn
wishiwereintheup
last year
Go for it! Once the tile is up, it will be too late. And who wants a ton of I-wish-we-had's after your otherwise beautiful new bathroom is completed?

I'll be remodeling my master bath after the holidays. My starting assumption is that I will have four showering options - standard shower head, hand shower, rain shower head and body sprays. Before making my final decision, I'll visit a showroom with active shower head displays. My biggest doubt at this point is the body sprays. Who knows, I may also decide to dump the standard shower head and just use the hand shower on a sliding bar.

Some might say it's overkill, but you can find numerous pictures online of showers with beautiful finishes and only a single shower head and others with the works. Do what you and your husband want and your budget and plumbing system will support.
houseofwindsor2 thanked wishiwereintheup
K R
last year
I have a rain shower head, but mounted on a slant arm like a normal shower head. I got turned on to it when trying out options at Ferguson. This baby has power and gives you the luxurious feel of a rain shower head. Loved it so much we put it in all of our showers. https://www.build.com/product/summary/689325?uid=1757910&jmtest=gg-gbav2_1757910&inv2=1&&source=gg-gba-pla_1757910!c1707632141!a68158362898!dm!ng&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsNaBuJLH-gIVleSGCh1T5gB9EAQYBCABEgISb_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
houseofwindsor2 thanked K R
typeandrun
last year
I will say if you go with a rainhead style shower, spend the money and you will get a stronger flow. We went with hansgrohe raindance showerhead
houseofwindsor2 thanked typeandrun
Sue 430
last year
You should do it if you want. we have a regukar showerhead, a handheld, a rain shower in the ceiling and body sprays on the wall opposite the showerhead. For the most versatility, make sure you can control them separately.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Sue 430
Mrs Pete
last year
I'd do two shower heads:

- The handheld shower head is perfect for everyday use ... and it works well for cleaning the shower ... and it would be useful if, in the future, you need to sit to shower. Water pressure should not be a problem.

- On a separate control, the rainforest shower head.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Mrs Pete
Nancy in Mich
last year
We did all three. I thought I would love a rainhead, and I do. Mine is centered in the shower ceiling, not so close to the wall as those that come out of the wall are. Hubby insisted on a wall shower (a phobia against getting his face in water) and I needed a hand held. I don’t think hubby would have liked the handheld as his wall shower. They are at different angles. We mostly use one at a time. If I turn on a second one, I turn down the volume on both of them. All three at once would empty a water heater pretty quickly.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Nancy in Mich
PRO
Donna Johnson
last year
Well, there are so many shower systems which has all what you need, rain shower head, handheld shower and in addtion different types of body jets for a pleasent body massage shower and even tub spout at https://www.junoshowers.com/commercial-shower-head-and-faucets/commercial-shower-head.html
houseofwindsor2 thanked Donna Johnson