Round High-Rise Overhead Shower Arm - Various Colours

Start with how you want the shower to function rather than choosing the shower head by appearance alone.

Consider:

• Fixed shower head, hand shower, rail shower or dual/twin shower
• Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted shower
• Existing water outlet position
• Top-inlet or bottom-inlet rail
• Water pressure
• WELS flow rate
• Shower size
• Who will use the shower
• Adjustable height requirements
• Mixer or diverter requirements
• Finish and colour

Families may value the flexibility of a hand shower or twin system, while customers looking for a minimalist hotel-style bathroom may prefer a large overhead or ceiling shower.

Nero similarly recommends considering water pressure, who uses the shower, flexibility and WELS flow rate before
choosing a shower head.

A fixed shower has a shower head attached to a wall or ceiling arm.

A hand shower uses a flexible hose and removable handset, allowing you to direct the water where required.

A rail shower mounts the hand shower onto an adjustable slider, allowing the height to be changed for different users.

A twin or dual shower combines an overhead shower with a hand shower, generally using a built-in diverter to switch between them.

Twin shower systems provide good flexibility for households because you can enjoy the coverage of an overhead shower while retaining the practicality of a hand shower.

It depends on the shower experience you prefer.

A rain or overhead shower generally uses a larger head to provide broad, evenly distributed coverage and a softer rainfall-style experience.

A smaller conventional shower head may provide a more concentrated spray and can sometimes feel stronger at a similar flow rate.

Rain showers work particularly well in:

• Larger showers
• Walk-in showers
• Resort-style bathrooms
• Ceiling-mounted installations

However, water pressure, WELS flow rate and the shower-head design still determine how the shower actually feels.

A physically larger shower head does not automatically mean stronger water pressure.

This refers to where the water supply enters the shower rail system.

A top-inlet shower rail receives the water supply through an upper wall connection.

A bottom-inlet shower rail receives the water supply through a lower connection.

This difference is particularly important when replacing an existing shower because your current water-outlet position may determine which type is easiest to install.

Melbourne Bathroom Shop currently stocks both top-inlet and bottom-inlet twin shower systems. Some top-inlet models also use an adjustable lower fixing bracket to provide greater installation flexibility.

Do not order a shower rail based only on its appearance—check the inlet position before purchasing.

Often, but not always.

For a retrofit installation, check:

• Existing water outlet height
• Top or bottom inlet
• Distance between existing wall fixing points
• Overall rail height
• Shower-arm projection
• Ceiling clearance
• Shower-screen clearance
• Existing mixer position

Some retrofit and adjustable shower rails are designed to accommodate a range of existing mounting positions, which can reduce the need for new holes.

However, fixing brackets and inlet positions vary considerably between products.

Melbourne Bathroom Shop offers dedicated retrofit and adjustable dual-shower options, but compatibility should always be confirmed before ordering.

If possible, provide us with photos and measurements of your existing shower before replacing it.

A diverter directs water from one shower outlet to another—for example, from the overhead rain shower to the hand shower.

Many twin shower rails have a diverter integrated into the rail itself.

However, the wall mixer controlling water temperature and overall flow is often sold separately.

Whether the overhead shower and hand shower can operate individually or simultaneously also depends on the particular product and diverter design.

Always check the “what's included” information and specifications rather than assuming that a complete-looking shower set includes the mixer.

A wall-mounted shower head connects to a shower arm extending from the wall. It is widely used, relatively easy to plan and available in many styles.

A ceiling-mounted shower uses a ceiling dropper or ceiling arm so that the shower head is positioned directly overhead.

Ceiling showers can create a minimalist, resort-style appearance, particularly with larger rain shower heads.

However, they require more planning around:

• Ceiling plumbing
• Shower position
• Ceiling height
• Shower-head location
• Waterproofing
• Future access

Melbourne Bathroom Shop offers both wall-mounted shower arms and dedicated ceiling shower/dropper options.

For a new renovation, decide on ceiling-mounted shower plumbing before the ceiling and walls are finished.

Yes. Water pressure can significantly affect how a shower feels.

If pressure is too low, a large rain shower or some hand showers may feel weak even if the product itself is functioning correctly.

If the home has:

• Gravity-fed hot water
• Older pipework
• Low mains pressure
• Pressure restrictions
• A particular hot-water system

check compatibility before purchasing.

We recommend a minimum pressure of 150kPa for its mixers and hand showers to operate efficiently.

The appropriate pressure range varies by product, so use the manufacturer's specification rather than assuming that every shower performs the same way.

The WELS rating tells you how water-efficient the shower is.

The label includes:

• A star rating
• Water flow in litres per minute (L/min)

A lower flow rate generally means less water is used, although spray design also affects how the shower feels.

Australian Government guidance notes that shower flow rates are displayed in litres per minute and that even relatively small reductions in L/min can produce substantial water and energy savings over time.

When comparing showers, look at both:

WELS stars + actual L/min

rather than choosing on the star rating alone.

WaterMark certification and WELS registration are also required for applicable shower products supplied in Australia.

Not necessarily.

A larger shower head distributes the available water across a larger spray area.

Depending on the shower design and available pressure, this can create a broad, gentle rainfall effect rather than a concentrated high-pressure spray.

Shower performance depends on:

• Incoming water pressure
• Flow rate
• Spray-nozzle design
• Shower-head size
• Flow restrictor
• Hot-water system

If you prefer a stronger, more concentrated shower, a very large rain shower may not always be the best solution.

Look at the complete performance specification rather than choosing purely by shower-head diameter.

For many households, yes.

A hand shower makes it easier to:

• Wash children
• Rinse the shower area
• Wash hair without standing directly under an overhead shower
• Clean the shower screen and walls
• Direct water to specific areas
• Accommodate users of different heights

For these reasons, a dual shower combining an overhead shower and hand shower is one of the most versatile configurations for a family bathroom.

There is no single installation height that is perfect for every household.

The shower should be high enough for the tallest regular user while remaining comfortable and practical for everyone else.

When planning the height, also check:

• Ceiling height
• Shower-screen height
• Overhead shower projection
• Existing water outlet
• Rail length
• Hand-shower slider range
• User height

Adjustable rail showers can be particularly useful in family bathrooms because the hand shower can be positioned at different heights.

For a twin shower rail, always check the overall product height and required clearance above the water inlet before the plumber completes the rough-in.

The main difference is usually design and spray distribution rather than one shape being universally better.

Round shower heads complement curved tapware and softer bathroom designs, while square shower heads often suit architectural or geometric tapware.

With larger rain showers, shape can influence how the spray pattern feels. We have seen round rain shower heads tend to produce a softer circular rainfall pattern, while square designs create a different coverage pattern.

However, the actual shower experience depends much more on:

• Head size
• Nozzle design
• Flow rate
• Water pressure

Choose the shape primarily to complement your overall bathroom design unless a particular spray characteristic is important to you.

Regular cleaning helps maintain both the finish and spray performance.

Use:

• Warm water
• Mild soap
• A soft microfibre cloth

Avoid:

• Bleach
• Abrasive cleaners
• Scouring pads
• Harsh chemicals

Mineral deposits can gradually accumulate around shower nozzles, particularly where the water contains more dissolved minerals.

Many modern shower heads use flexible rubber nozzles that can be gently cleaned to remove deposits.

For coloured shower finishes, follow the manufacturer's care instructions because aggressive chemicals can damage coatings.

You can visit Melbourne Bathroom Shop in Blackburn, Victoria to compare different shower configurations and finishes in person.

Our shower range includes:

• Dual and twin shower rails
• Rail showers
• Hand showers
• Shower heads and roses
• Wall-mounted showers
• Ceiling showers
• Shower arms and droppers
• Top-inlet and bottom-inlet systems

MBS currently carries dedicated collections for twin showers, dual showers, shower heads, shower arms and ceiling showers.

Our showroom is located at:

214–218 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn VIC 3130.

If you are replacing an existing shower, we recommend
bringing or sending:

• Photos of the existing shower
• Water inlet position
• Distance between fixing points
• Ceiling height
• Shower-screen height
• Existing mixer position

This information can help our team identify whether a standard, adjustable or retrofit shower system is most suitable before you purchase.