Should You Add a Handheld Showerhead During Your Remodel?

Have you ever tried to rinse out the shampoo in your hair when showering? Or maybe tried to rinse the walls of the shower with a cup when you shower? A handheld showerhead solves these little annoyances that most homeowners who shower face on a daily basis.
When you are redoing your bathroom it’s important to consider what showerheads will make taking a shower a task. At Lori K Bath we help homeowners in Northwest Indiana pick shower fixtures that feel comfortable look nice and make daily bathing easier.

Is a Handheld Showerhead Worth Adding in Your Bathroom?

For some homeowners yes.
With a Handheld Showerhead you have control, over the direction of the water.
Of leaning and twisting your body to get water to rinse out shampoo or soap you have it right at your disposal.
A handheld showerhead is also great for cleaning your shower.
You can rinse the walls, get rid of any cleaner you’ve used, and remove soap scum.
Most handheld showerheads are similar to a normal, fixed showerhead in the way that many of them have mounting brackets that can be mounted on the shower wall, leaving the showerer to use it however they’d like. These can be used as a standard shower setup and then also detachable for whenever you need more control.

What Does a Handheld Showerhead Have That a Standard One Doesn’t?

The main difference between a standard and a handheld showerhead is that the latter has a hose that allows the user to control the direction of the water flow.
Most handheld showerheads also have a bracket that mounts on the wall, with some also coming with a sliding bar that the bracket also slides on.
Many handheld models also have multiple spray settings.
While you may want a handheld showerhead with the hose, mounting bracket, and multiple spray settings, for most people, a simple handheld showerhead with an easy grip and flexible hose is enough.
The most important thing when shopping for a handheld showerhead is to find one that is easy to use.
Heavy showerheads or stiff hosing make for a frustrating experience, especially for those with limited hand strength.

Why are Handheld Showerheads Great for Homeowners?

The main reason for the appeal of handheld showerheads lies in their ability to provide the user with greater control over the direction of the water flow.
Think of washing your feet when showering, for instance.
With a standard showerhead, you may end up bending down to rinse the soap off, or twisting your body to get to where the water is flowing.
With a handheld showerhead, you can simply move it to where you need it without having to do either of the previously mentioned tasks.
Handheld showerheads also offer greater convenience when washing your hair.
You can rinse the back of your head without having to stand directly underneath the showerhead.
Most often, households with small children tend to appreciate the use of a handheld showerhead. Similarly, pet owners who have occasion to bathe their animal can appreciate the convenience a handheld showerhead can bring them, provided they have the space for it.
The control offered by a handheld showerhead is also beneficial for cleaning the walls of the shower.
Instead of having to fill up a bucket with water to rinse the walls, you can simply rinse them with an easy motion of the hose.
That’s a big reason why some homeowners find value in a handheld showerhead.
They make cleaning the shower an easier chore.

Is a Handheld Showerhead Useful In an Accessible Shower

Handheld showerheads are a great addition to an accessible, or elderly-friendly, shower.
A standard showerhead mounted on the ceiling is not as convenient in an accessible shower.
The fixed showerhead in an accessible shower can be challenging to use for those who have limited mobility, who find sitting down while showering to be a necessity, or who cannot stand for long periods of time.
While the fixed showerhead can be used, it may have limitations.
Handheld showerheads offer an alternative to a fixed showerhead.
With a handheld showerhead, the user can get closer to the parts of their body they need to clean.
It can make things like rinsing your legs, feet, and hair easier.
Handheld showerheads are also a convenience for caregivers since they allow them to better assist the person showering without asking them to keep adjusting their position.
How far the hose extends will play a factor in how easy it is to use a handheld showerhead in an accessible shower.
A similar consideration is the location of the showerhead.
The hose that feeds into the wall and feeds water to the handheld showerhead is important, too.
In an accessible shower that features a seat and grab bars, the location of the grab bars is also a consideration.
Handheld showerheads can be a part of an accessible shower, but a number of factors should be taken into consideration when designing an accessible shower.
Some of these considerations can be best addressed by consulting a professional with the correct experience.
An occupational therapist may offer insight into how an accessible shower should be designed.

Should You Get a Showerhead With a Slide Bar?

Handheld showerheads that are mounted on a slide bar are a great addition to a number of showers.
Slide bars allow the homeowner to adjust the height of the handheld showerhead, which is useful in a number of situations, some of which will be detailed below.
While slide bars are mostly associated with families with children and elderly caregivers, they can provide benefits for the average homeowner, too.
The slide bar allows the height of the showerhead to be adjusted, which provides flexibility for family members with differing heights.
If you have a tall family member and a shorter family member, the slide bar allows you to get the showerhead to the perfect height for them.
Slide bars have benefits for accessible showers as well.
While an accessible shower usually does not have a bench built into the wall, many feature a seat that the showerer can use.
The slide bar makes it possible to position the showerhead closer to the user.
Something to consider is how easy it is to use the slide bar.
Some require the user to have greater hand strength than others, so it’s important to take this into account
It’s also important to choose a slide bar that stays put after the desired height is selected.
Finally, a slide bar should not be relied upon as a safety grab bar, unless it has been specailly designed and installed as one.

Can You Have Both a Fixed and Handheld Showerhead?

The simplest way to answer this is, "Yes, a number of homeowners get both a fixed and a handheld showerhead." That makes having both a convenience for many.
With a fixed and a handheld showerhead, you can have the option to either use the convenience of the former or the flexibility of the latter.
Some combination systems allow you to use either showerhead at the same time, but it all depends on the setup and your water pressure.
A combination showerhead is a great option for a shared bathroom.
While some of its users may prefer a fixed showerhead, others may find themselves needing a handheld showerhead for their showers.
When a combination showerhead is used for a shared bathroom, though, it’s important to account for the available space.
If you’re going to have a combination showerhead, it should provide you with the benefits you want.
Most hand held showerheads in combination units offer multiple spray patterns.
Many also allow you to switch between spray patterns.
It’s important to find one you’re happy with, rather than paying for one with features you’ll never use.
It’s also important to look at the finish.
Chrome, nickel, and black are common finishes for handheld showerheads, with these finishes being able to complement the fixtures in your bathroom.
When you’re choosing a handheld showerhead, it’s important to look at water pressure.
A nice looking showerhead won’t matter if it doesn’t work well with the plumbing in your home.

Is it Better to Add a Handheld Showerhead While Remodeling?

If you’re replacing your shower anyway, it’s a great time to make the choice to add in a handheld showerhead.
While deciding on a handheld showerhead, you can choose where you’re going to mount it, which could save you some time and effort.
If you get a handicap shower seat, you can also take into account where you’ll be able to place the handheld showerhead.
It’s also a good time to decide on finishes.
While a handheld showerhead can be added later to many showers, some setups require some plumbing and electrical work.
Lori K Bath can help you select the fixtures you like in your bathroom.
We work with homeowners throughout Valparaiso, Crown Point, Schererville, and the greater Northwest Indiana area to help them turn their bathrooms into comfortable and convenient rooms for their families.
That includes helping them select the shower options that make their bathrrom routines easier.
Whether you’re looking to replace your existing bathtub or shower or want a new walk-in shower that is more accessible and easier to use, we’re here for you.

Will a Handheld Showerhead Fit in a Small Walk-In Shower?

Small walk-in showers are great, but some homeowners find themselves limiting their ability to rinse their bodies or their shower walls because they don’t have the space.
With a handheld showerhead, you can reach places that you might not be able to with a fixed showerhead.
You can also rinse out soap scum with greater ease, without having to reach or twist your body.
It’s important to select the bracket carefully in a small walk-in shower.
You don’t want a large bracket, and you don’t want the hose to be swinging around the entrance door. You also don’t want the showerhead to be out of reach. You should also consider if you are going to be installing a combination unit, and if so, make sure the brackets aren’t taking too much space or blocking the entrance door.

When Is a Fixed Showerhead Enough?

Handheld showerheads aren’t for everyone.
If you appreciate a simpler shower and don’t find yourself struggling to determine where you need the water to be, a standard showerhead will be sufficient.
Some people also don’t want to have multiple showerheads or accessories in their showers, so a fixed showerhead will make the space feel simpler.
Fixed showerheads can also be convenient in an elderly-friendly or accessible shower, if the position at which the showerhead is mounted makes it easy to use for the person showering.
It’s a matter of how much you need a handheld showerhead.
If you can get away with a standard showerhead, then you don’t need a handheld one.
However, there are many homeowners who find an overhead showerhead to be a challenge.
Handheld showerheads can solve some of the daily hassles a family experiences with their shower.
They make things like shower cleaning seem less of a chore.
More important, they offer flexibility that can be useful to aging homeowners or an active family.
It’s a great addition to a number of showers, so it’s something that should be considered when planning remodeling projects.

Make Your New Shower More Comfortable With Lori K Bath

The handheld showerhead may not be the first thing you think of when planning your bathroom renovations, but once you start thinking about all the benefits, it’s easy to see why some homeowners appreciate the convenience and flexibility it brings.
At Lori K Bath, we help homeowners in the Northwest Indiana select the fixtures in their bathrooms.
Our team offers custom, walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions, as well as general bathroom remodeling services. We offer a variety of Made in USA products and our factory-trained installers typically finish each bath or shower installation in just one day. We can help you select the shower head that fits your needs.
Contact us to schedule a free design consultation and we’ll help you find the perfect shower for your new bathroom.