Shower Panels & Shower Pipes: The Affordable Shower System
Yes, you can get the custom-shower experience without the price tag! A shower panel or shower pipe offers multi-head showering on a single-head budget.
You don’t have room in your shower – or your budget – for a full-fledged customized shower system. But you do love the idea of multiple shower heads and a luxurious shower. Pipe dream (pun intended), right?
Nope! You can have the shower that you dream of without rearranging your bathroom or your finances to make room for customized shower systems. A shower panel or shower pipe is the answer to your dilemma. Here’s how you figure out which one works best for you:
What is a shower panel?
A shower panel consists of a panel – a long, fixed column that affixes to the shower wall using the existing rough pipes – with various available configurations, including models with thermostatic temperature controls (to learn more about thermostatic showers, check out our thermostatic shower guide).
A typical panel has a combination of an overhead shower head (standard or rain), handheld shower, and/or body sprays. Some panels have a tub spout as well for combination tub/shower units.
Pros
- Easy to install; all you need is a hot/cold pipe
- Inexpensive alternative to customized showers, which require multiple valves and additional plumbing
- Many sizes and configurations available for every shower
- Water-efficient; provides the custom-shower experience with less water usage
- May be moved to different showers; suitable for rental homes
Cons
- Not customizable
- Limited water flow to individual heads; may not be able to run all heads simultaneously
- Limited to one side of the shower
- More obtrusive than built-in shower systems
What is a shower pipe?
If you find shower panels cumbersome or unattractive, a shower pipe may be a better option.
Shower pipes install much like shower panels: all you need is a hot/cold pipe. Everything is mounted on the shower wall as opposed to inside of it, saving you installation hassles and additional valves.
Pros
- Sleeker and less conspicuous than shower panels
- Easy to install
- Cost-effective
- May be moved to different showers; suitable for rental homes
- Decreased water flow to each head
Cons
- Unlike shower panels, a shower pipe only has an overhead shower and hand shower; if you want body sprays, choose a panel rather than a pipe
Grohe’s Retro-Fit shower system is unique in that it allows you to choose your configuration: it may be ordered with or without heads, so you can customize the fittings if you so desire. It’s designed to use your existing shower head and valve for easy retrofitting. An added bonus: you can use the head and hand showers simultaneously, which is not a feature in every shower system.
