Which outdoor shower is right for me?
Choosing the right outdoor shower can be overwhelming with so many options available. Before you make your decision, consider these important factors to ensure you choose the perfect shower for your needs. Our team is always available if you need personalized advice.
Important Considerations Before Buying
Purpose and Functionality
What will be the primary purpose of your outdoor shower? Your intended use has a big impact on which model will work best for you.
For Pool or Spa owners: Hygiene is essential when you have a swimming pool or outdoor spa. An outdoor shower with an additional hand or foot shower allows you to quickly rinse off grass, dirt and small stones before entering the water.
For Cooling: If you mainly want a shower to cool down during the summer or after exercise, a solar or cold water shower will be most suitable. Hand or foot showers are less important in this scenario.
For year-round use: Are you planning to use your shower during the winter months, perhaps in conjunction with a sauna or hot tub? Consider models with anti-freeze heating elements that prevent pipes from freezing. Hand or foot showers can be useful, but should be removed in winter if they don't have heating elements.
For Hot Water Outdoor: If you want warm showers even in summer without relying on solar heating, our hot and cold water models are ideal. These can be equipped with hand or foot showers on request.
Pro Tip: All our hand and foot showers can be adapted to connect with garden hoses - perfect for cleaning pool decks, washing pets or watering plants.
Seasonal use
When do you plan to use your shower the most? Year-round use requires an outdoor shower with built-in anti-freeze heating. This allows you to enjoy a refreshing shower in the snow between sauna sessions or use your outdoor spa on chilly fall evenings.
All other shower types need to be winterized by draining water, dismantling and storing for the colder months.
If you are considering a solar shower, remember that solar energy is significantly reduced during the fall/spring and evening hours.
Water connection options
You will need fresh water with 2-3 bar pressure regardless of model choice. If both hot and cold water pipes are installed, almost any shower model will work.
With a single water pipe, your options include cold water showers or solar showers. Another option is to supply premixed water to the shower (although this is only practical if the distance from your house connection is not too great).
The most cost-effective option is to connect your outdoor shower to a garden hose.
Budget planning
For permanently installed showers, the purchase price is only part of the investment. Installation costs can be significant, especially if water pipes need to be laid below the frost line (approximately 80 cm deep) in your garden. Ideally, pipes should be insulated, a drainage system should be installed for shower water and the base should be properly prepared (concrete, stone, wooden deck, etc.). While this type of outdoor installation provides the highest quality and longevity, the effort required for water preparation and positioning typically exceeds the cost of the shower itself.
Portable showers with integrated stands/floor plates that connect to garden hoses are more economical alternatives.
As outdoor showers are exposed to harsh elements, we recommend stainless steel models for durability and long-term enjoyment. These cost more initially but represent better value over time. Cheap showers with plastic and chrome components typically break down after a single season. Remember: "Buy cheap, buy twice."
Design considerations
When choosing your outdoor shower design, consider the existing aesthetics of your garden, pool or nearby buildings. A well-chosen outdoor shower will complement its surroundings.
If your shower area has many trees and plants, we recommend polished stainless steel. The reflective surface helps the shower blend in with the background. For minimalist environments with black window frames or architectural details, consider a black shower with clean lines.
We offer designs for every taste and setting - many showers can even be painted in your preferred color to match garden fences or pool tiles.
Location factors
Is your shower planned for a coastal area? Salt air will affect your shower materials. Fixtures that are not made of V4A stainless steel may rust or corrode. When choosing a surface treatment, consider how it will react to rain, dust, dirt and UV exposure. All our showers are constructed entirely from stainless steel. For special requirements, contact us for customized solutions.
For solar showers, make sure the tank faces south for optimal water heating.
Don't forget to design the path to your shower - it should be comfortable to walk on so your feet don't get dirty after showering.
Water drainage
Consider where shower water will drain. Can it flow into existing pipes (sewer system)? Is this mandatory near nature reserves or would a simple septic tank be sufficient?
Manufacturer and spare parts
As a quality stainless steel shower is a long-term investment, you should investigate the spare parts situation and production site for potential repairs or modifications. We recommend European manufacturers that produce in Europe, ensuring fewer supply bottlenecks and readily available spare parts. All our showers can be shipped to their manufacturers for on-site refurbishment, including retrofit options.
Conclusion
Although choosing an outdoor shower involves many considerations, a thorough consideration of these factors will ensure that you enjoy one of our stainless steel showers for many years to come. That's our guarantee.
