There’s a lot to love about rain showers—most notably, they offer a relaxing shower experience with a gentle rain-inspired flow. They also look fantastic, instantly elevating the style of even the most basic bathrooms. Typically mounted to the ceiling, rain showers can also be wall-mounted, featuring an extended arm to facilitate the overhead rain experience.
But before you set your heart on a rain shower, we asked Ebony Stephenson of Designs By Ebony what homeowners should know about the popular configuration. A National Kitchen and Bath Association member and a Certified Living In Place Professional, Stephenson can help you consider everything from bathing frustrations to what’s happening behind your bathroom walls.
ANN VANDERWIEL WILDE
The 1 . Your existing plumbing might not work.
Some of your plumbing may need to be replaced or upgraded to install a rain shower, which can add time and expense to the process.
Plumbing Updates
Some of the most significant considerations for a rain shower involve plumbing. Stephenson recommends getting a qualified plumber to do the job when adding a rainfall showerhead, especially for ceiling-mount installations. “Those fixtures require a different type of rough-in than your standard wall-mounted showerhead,” says Stephenson. For starters, a ceiling-mount showerhead requires plumbing that reaches above the shower ceiling, which your current bath might not have.
Water Pressure
You need plumbing that provides adequate water pressure. Rain showerheads are large—typically 8-12 inches wide, but can reach up to 20 inches—compared to standard showerheads, which are generally 3-6 inches wide. However, rain showers have the same flow rates as traditional showerheads, meaning the same amount of water must travel further to be distributed across a bigger area, which can result in low water pressure. One remedy is larger pipes for more water to travel to the showerhead, which could result in replacing a significant amount of plumbing, including tearing into walls and ceilings.
The key to having the best use out of a rainfall shower is not actually the showerhead itself, but the valve hidden in the wall.
Temperature Regulation
Plumbing that adequately regulates the water is imperative for comfort and safety. “The key to having the best use out of a rainfall shower is not actually the showerhead itself, but the valve hidden in the wall,” says Stephenson. “Although they may be a little more expensive than your standard pressure-balanced mixing valve if you are installing a rainfall showerhead, always splurge for the thermostatic valve to reduce the risk of temperature fluctuations.” A thermostatic valve protects the shower from the impacts of a flushing toilet or dishwasher cycle. “The last thing you want is to be standing under the showerhead, and the water abruptly changes temperatures. This could also be very dangerous,” says Stephenson.
The 2. Your water heater might struggle to keep up.
A rain shower with a high flow rate—a high gallon per minute or GPM—could tax your water heater. Upgrades to plumbing to account for a rainfall showerhead can also take a toll. "Make sure that your home's water heater can handle this additional load. Otherwise, you will end up having a shorter shower experience as you will run out of hot water faster," says Stephenson. Installing an additional water heater closer to the shower can help.
The 3. They cost more and offer less versatility.
Rain showers typically cost more than standard wall-mount and hand-held showerheads—sometimes hundreds more. This is in part because they're much larger than most traditional showerheads.
They also have fewer settings. Do you like a showerhead that offers multiple sprays, from light mists to pulsating bursts or pounding jets? Most rainfall showerheads have only one function.
The 4. It’s hard to avoid getting wet.
“As someone who does not wash their hair on a daily basis and would have a complete meltdown if my hair even got a drop of water on it, rainfall showerheads are not for me,” says Stephenson. While a wall-mount or handheld shower can be angled and directed away from your head, a rainfall shower comes from above. To avoid getting wet, you’ll need to stay outside the water—which is inefficient, cold, and may be impossible depending on the size of the shower—or lean out of the water, which is uncomfortable and not easy for everyone to do.
“As someone with a disability, I prefer a standard angled wall-mounted showerhead versus a rain shower for my cleansing needs. It is easier for me to stand under the showerhead instead of having to angle my body to not have a direct stream coming down from above,” says Stephenson. She also points out that if you don’t like getting water in your eyes, it’s probably not the right bathing experience for you.
An easy remedy for this is to supplement a rainfall showerhead with a handheld shower or even a wall-mounted showerhead. That way users have options to choose what shower experience is best for them.
The 5. Washing long hair is a challenge.
Despite all the water, the combination of less water pressure and distance from the showerhead can make it harder to wash and thoroughly rinse long hair with a rain shower. Shorter or seated users also struggle with it.
The 6. Ceiling height matters.
Your shower stall can be too short or tall to pair with a rain shower. "Make sure that you mount them at the right height so that they are not too low to hit your head on but also not too high, making for a colder shower," says Stephenson. A wall-mount conversion is tricky, too, since a new rain shower will sit a few inches lower than the original, thanks to the necessary 90-degree shower arm.
Stephenson also points out that ceiling-mounted rain showers can be harder to clean, too. If you already avoid cleaning a showerhead, having it just out of reach won't help. However, cleaning is imperative for functionality, especially when low water pressure is an issue.
The 7. Drips and leaks are common complaints.
Rain-style showerheads are commonly maligned for leaks, whether they waste water when a shower is not in use or drip cold water overhead when other showerheads are in use. Droplets can form for a number of reasons, from buildup in pipes to water left inside the showerhead after a shower. But they can also mean issues with the diverter or plumbing installation, which is why Stephenson recommends hiring professionals to do the work to begin with.
Types of Showers for the Best Start to Your Day
Showers can be simple or loaded with gadgets, depending on the size of the bathroom and the budget. The most functional type of shower is a walk-in shower, which will work in a large or small space. Curbless showers are optimal for those who need accessibility to get in and out of the shower since there's no threshold. Doorless showers are ideal for oversized bathrooms or spaces with odd angles that can't accommodate a standard shower frame and door. For the ultimate in luxury, a double shower can't be beat. With two showerheads, double showers offer room to spread out, and they're great for showering little ones who need help getting clean.