You want a shower that gives you the space and accessibility that you need to get clean while also giving you the chance to relax and enjoy some personal time. If it’s time for a new shower setup, you can choose an option that matches your aesthetic tastes and fits well with your bathroom’s layout, and you can hire professional and punctual plumbers to take care of all the installation work.
If you’re thinking about having a shower installed or upgrading your existing shower, you should consider an option that can withstand the effects of the Florida heat and humidity and resist mold growth.
You should also consider the plumbing requirements, such as pipe settings, drain locations and water pressure, when you’re in the process of choosing a new shower. There could also be some additional remodel challenges to fitting in a new shower, and professional plumbers in Fort Myers can provide the required labor and support to complete the installation work the right way.
You can review a list of different shower styles below to help you choose an option that meets your needs the best.
Quick Takeaways
- You can choose from a wide range of shower options, and each option may be suited for different bathroom layouts, budgets and accessibility needs.
- Walk-in and curbless showers are especially popular for modern remodels.
- Prefab showers are ideal for fast, affordable upgrades; custom tile showers offer maximum flexibility.
- Your home’s plumbing layout will determine the types of showers that are feasible without the need for major configuration.
- A professional installer ensures proper drainage, waterproofing and code compliance—critical in humid Florida bathrooms.
1. Walk-in Shower
This classic shower design is a popular choice because of its accessibility and low maintenance requirements. When you’re ready to get into your shower, you can walk in easily without having to worry about stepping over the edge of a bathtub.
This type of shower is one of the easiest to clean and doesn’t take up as much space as some other shower layouts. Walk-in showers also come in different styles, which may be perfect if you enjoy versatility.
If you get one of these showers, you should make sure that yours has enough ventilation and a sloping floor so that water can drain more thoroughly to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth.
2. Curbless (Barrier-free) Shower
Similar to a walk-in shower, a curbless shower won’t require you to step over the edge of a tub to enter. These showers are especially ideal for easier mobility or for people who want modern, open-concept bathrooms.
Curbless showers have specific slope requirements for the floor and may have some waterproofing challenges, but you can be sure that the experienced and punctual plumbers you hire will install your shower correctly if you choose this style.
3. Tile Shower/Custom Built-in Shower
If you want a shower that’s fully customizable to suit your personal taste, this may be an excellent option. You can even integrate a niche or bench into this shower’s design if you want a place to sit or hold extra bathing products. It’s important that these showers have proper waterproofing to prevent mold growth in the humid Florida climate.
4. Prefab Shower (Shower Enclosure/Shower Kit)
Known for being one of the most budget-friendly options, you can get either a one-piece or multi-piece unit that’s fast and easy to install. This can be an especially good choice if you’re undergoing a time-sensitive home remodel and want the shower installation work completed quickly. In addition to having one in the primary bathroom, this shower is a good fit for many secondary bathrooms as well.
5. Shower-Tub Combo
When you have an all-in-one shower-tub combo, you can choose to take a shower or bath on any given day without having to make extra space in your bathroom for a separate shower and bathtub. This option can be especially practical if you have kids who need baths.
If you ever plan to sell your home, a shower-tub combo may increase its resale value. If you’re interested in buying one of these showers, you’ll want one that has a reliable drainage system, proper ventilation, and valves or other controls that are easy to operate.
6. Corner Shower
If you have a smaller bathroom, a corner shower can work well in tight spaces. These shower setups can also have neo-angle and quadrant layouts, which may be ideal if you need to fit the shower into a tighter or more unusually shaped space.
7. Steam Shower
This shower lets you create your own spa-like experience in the comfort and privacy of your home. Given that steam showers produce a lot of extra moisture, it’s especially important to have moisture control and ventilation in the Florida humidity.
8. Rainfall Shower
With this shower, you can feel as though you’re cleansing your body with the natural rain. The showerhead is mounted directly on the ceiling so that the water falls directly from above and simulates a rain-like effect. The rainfall shower is also one of the most aesthetically appealing options and can give your bathroom a more upscale ambience.
Rainfall showers are usually more difficult to install than other types of showers, but professionals with the right tools know how to do it correctly. These showers also require a certain amount of water pressure, and your existing plumbing setup might need modifications for the shower to work properly.
9. Shower Tower / Multijet System
Unlike most other showers where water falls only from above your head, this shower setup can emit water sideways and help you clean yourself more thoroughly. These showers often come with hydrotherapy features like body jets, thermostatic valves and even rainfall showerheads.
Higher water pressure is often required with this shower system, and adequate drainage and pipes that are of the right size and configuration will also need to be in place for this shower setup to work.
10. Handheld Shower
This versatile add-on accessory allows you to hold and squirt water on different parts of your body that are sometimes difficult to clean with standard showering. Handheld showers are often paired with other showerheads to allow for more thorough cleaning.
It can be used by all household members and may be especially useful for showering children or people with accessibility challenges. The handheld shower can even act as a handy tool for hosing down your shower area while you’re cleaning your home.
11. Digital/Smart Shower System
With its remote-controlled temperature presets and safety features, this technologically advanced shower system is often ideal for luxury remodels. You’ll need to have enough power supply and the proper wiring for the system to work, and you might even need a dedicated circuit to meet the system’s electrical demands.
This shower system also requires an adequate water supply and pipes that can supply enough water to the shower.
How to Choose the Right Shower for Your Bathroom
The right shower for you will depend on several factors, such as your aesthetic preferences and whether your bathroom is set up properly to fit in a particular type of shower. Some key factors to keep in mind when you’re considering your options include:
- Your bathroom’s size and layout
- Where the shower’s drain will be located
- Whether your plumbing system can accommodate your shower
- Accessibility requirements
- Your budget (including materials and labor costs)
- Maintenance and durability concerns regarding your choice
Signs Your Bathroom Needs a Shower Upgrade
Like other parts of your home, you may need to update your shower to an option that serves your needs better.
Some signs that you should consider a shower upgrade include:
- An aging or cracked shower enclosure
- Chronic leaks
- Mold and/or mildew growth
- Accessibility challenges
- Changes in your bathroom’s layout during a remodel
FAQ: Types of Showers
What is the most popular type of shower today?
Some of today’s most popular shower styles include walk-in and curbless for their minimalistic designs and versatility. Handheld showers are also popular for their ease of use.
What showers work best for small bathrooms?
Corner showers and small walk-in or curbless showers often fit in well with small bathrooms. Even a smaller shower-tub combo could be right for a bathroom with limited space.
What shower type is best for accessibility?
Walk-in and curbless showers are best for accessibility, since they don’t require you to step over a barrier to enter or exit. A handheld shower can also work well if you’re washing a child or someone with mobility challenges.
Is a custom tile shower better than a prefab shower?
A custom tile shower may be better if you want something that can be personalized to your specifications. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and want something that’s more affordable, a prefab shower will likely be less expensive.
Do walk-in showers increase home value?
Walk-in showers might make your home more valuable, but this isn’t always guaranteed. Many people like walk-in showers for their convenience, and homebuyers might be willing to offer more money for your home if you ever plan to sell.
What type of shower is easiest to clean?
Walk-in and curbless showers are often easier to clean because of their minimalistic designs, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning the barrier around a bathtub if you choose one of these options.
Let Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Install Your New Shower
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has a team of experts who know how to install all types of showers. Our plumbing professionals can handle custom shower upgrades, waterproofing and moisture management. You can also count on our team to relocate any drains or plumbing components.
If your plumbing system needs full remodeling before your new shower is installed, our experts can handle the job. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today to schedule a consultation or installation service with our punctual plumbers in Fort Myers, FL.