Custom Showers - Part 2
Shower Sprays
Showerheads, Body Sprays, Handheld showers

There are so many choices available, that deciding on outlets for the custom shower can be very confusing.

First, decide what is most important to you ... function or appearance.

• Showerhead
  Fixed position, usually above shoulder level (on wall or ceiling).
  Water direction may be adjustable depending on product
  Usually has 2 or more adjustable spray styles.
  
  
• Handheld
  Movable, has hose connection.
  Can be mounted to shower wall with bracket or sliding bar
  Usually has 2 or more adjustable spray styles.
  
  
• Body Spray
  Fixed position, usually at and/or below shoulder level.
  Usually In groups of 2 or more
  Water direction may be adjustable depending on product
  Usually has 2 or more adjustable spray styles.
  
  

Function - Typical Spray Styles
Spray options vary with product and manufacturer

Wide - soft-aerated spray
Wide strong spray - deep massage
Wide pulse spray revitalizes your body
Full-flow - strong concentrated spray
Concentrated pulse spray - all over body massage
Mixed - wide strong, and pulsating

Before you purchase any type of shower spray, have it demonstrated so you know exactly what the effect will be. Our showroom has dozens of working showersprays, making it easy to compare the different manufacturers and models.

Appearance
Shower sprays come in almost as many finishes as faucets: Polished, brushed, pearl or a combination in chrome, nickel, brass, bronze, gold, white, etc. And like faucets, the final finish or coating will determine how long the appearance lasts.

Warranty
Most manufacturers of shower sprays offer a limited warranty on their products. Some warranties cover only the working parts, others include the exterior finish. The length of the manufacturer's warranty can range from one year, to life. Most manufacturers have warranty information posted on their websites.

PRODUCT COMPARISON

Kohler
Create Your Personal Retreat using Kohler custom shower components. Seated hydro-massage? Do you want room for two? Do you seek versatility and small-room solutions?

Kohler's wide variety of showering options allow you need to create a luxurious showering experience, designed specifically for your own personal needs and desires.

In addition to the standard Hi-Flow body sprays, Kohler's Ultra Low Flow Bodysprays use less water to provide exceptional water coverage for warmth and massage.

Both the spray pattern and the power are adjustable. Flexible spray nozzles prohibit calcium build-up and are easy to clean. Hand showers can also be mounted on an adjustable height slide bar.

Available custom shower options include:
Electronic control panel to let you select the desired water action
Sheetflow spout which delivers a cascade of water
Oscillating/pulsating adjustable body sprays for massage action
and choices of wide soft, slow pulse, or soft aerated spray

 Find design ideas, and plan out your custom shower using Kohler's
 Virtual Shower Planners:

Moen
Moen offers three distinct control and transfer valve options: the ExactTemp, with 5 function transfer valve, and the Moentrol with either a 3-function or 5-function transfer valve. These valves control pressure and flow rate, and allow flow to switch from one component to another, often running two components simultaneously. All valves are pressure-balanced. Moen has designed their half-inch valve to provide adequate spray force at standard flow rates to conserve water.

Moen's new Revolution^TM massaging showerhead delivers a unique showering experience. Based on extensive research, it offers several features not available elsewhere. Revolution technology spins and twirls the water stream, delivering full-body coverage and creating the illusion that more water is flowing with greater pressure than with traditional showerheads.

FreedomDial^TM offers a range of showering sensations, controlling force, frequency, and coverage. It eliminates confining pre-set showerhead functions, and can be set from a gentle rain like shower to a deep, therapeutic massage. Innovative shape allows the control to be positioned out of the water stream, and allows shower users to adjust functions with just one hand and their eyes shut. Rubber spray tips allow easy cleaning.

All components are built on M-PACT, a system that permits a change or upgrade to a new faucet style without changing the valve. Moen body sprays can be placed on multiple walls and at various heights. Pivoting heads direct water over a wide area. They come in large or small sizes to accommodate different shower spaces.
  Virtual Design Planner: Design Your Own Moen Vertical Spa

Delta Jetted Shower System
This enhancement easily retrofits to existing shower fixtures with minimal plumbing and comes with a Scald-Guard^® valve that helps keep water temperatures consistent (+/-3° F) when the water inlet temp. is set correctly even when hot or cold water is being used elsewhere in the house.

Delta's Monitor 1800 Jetted Shower System is designed with two adjustable spray jets that spray 40% more water for a more relaxing shower experience.

Delta produces dozens of models of shower valves in various styles and finishes, but most operate in similar fashion.

The N1824, 1848, and 1855 models offer twin adjustable jets with chrome, single lever handles, pressure-balanced valves and Touch-Clean^® showerheads. (N1855 shown at right)
 See all Delta Jetted Shower System products

Grohe
Grohe's Freehander combines shower head and body spray functionality into one easy to install and use unit. Its unique design joins two shower heads on a sturdy tubular arm which pivots 180° to convert shower heads (up position) to body sprays (down position). Both shower heads can be rotated a full 360° to satisfy individual needs and tastes. A unique tension system allows it to be set at any height simply by moving the arm up or down. Freehander offers 18 choices of shower spray combinations.

Freehander is available in two different models; one for installation directly to a mixed water source behind the mounting bracket, or the other for installation via a hand shower hose to an existing shower arm or tub spout. Either installation system may be retrofitted to an existing system without cutting into a wall.

Grohe Custom Shower offers a selection of showerheads, body sprays and interchangeable personal hand showers, as well as thermostatic mixing valves.

Choices include spray patterns (hard or soft jet, champagne, pulse); the number of sprays on at a given time; or a choice of hand sprays. Relexa Plus features SpeedClean®, a patented anti-lime system which maintains "like-new" shower performance indefinitely.

Grohe sprayheads can be controlled individually, in combination, or all at the same time. All components of a GROHE Custom Shower can be purchased separately to create any size or shape shower environment. Unique features include a snap coupling which eliminates kinking of the hose and allows interchangeability of sprayheads; an ergonomically curved handle; and double wall construction which insulates the handle from hot water temperatures.

Grohe Relexa Plus showerheads and hand showers are available in four standard configurations each of which offers multiple spray options. The Plus line includes eight shower heads, six hand showers, three body sprays (all with the Speed Clean system), and hand shower accessories such as adjustable height shower bars, unions, soap dishes, etc. with matching designs and accents.
 See all Grohe Shower Products

continued ...

See Also:
Introduction to Showers
Thermostatic Shower Valves
Hand-Held Showers
Custom Showers - Part 1 -The Basics
Custom Showers - Part 2 - Shower Sprays
Custom Showers - Part 3 - Shower Towers
Custom Showers - Part 4 - Body Spas
Custom Showers - Part 5 - Carwash Showers
Shower Doors - Part 1
Shower Doors - Part2
Ventilation

Other Links to Related Websites:
Kohler: Virtual Shower Planner - design a custom shower. Provides mfg. suggested retail prices for chosen components in final design.

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