Elevate your morning routine with the perfect shower
Over the years, the health benefits of a morning shower have been well documented. It’s a simple way to invigorate your senses after a night’s rest, brighten your mood and reduce stress. But a lacklustre shower can be a disappointing start to the day.
There are several elements that contribute towards a great shower experience, including water pressure, temperature control, water distribution, shower heads, water efficiency, and design. By getting these factors right, you can craft a shower that gets you out of bed in the morning with enthusiasm.
With decades of experience in designing technology specifically for the environmental conditions of New Zealand, Greens Tapware share the secrets to the perfect shower.
Getting the foundations right with water pressure
Water pressure is among the most noticeable elements of a high quality shower. Responsible for both the feeble dribble and the powerful downpour, water pressure determines the volume of water that flows through the shower head. While low water pressure can result in a weak and unsatisfying shower, high water pressure provides a more invigorating experience.
“Residential water pressure is affected by several influences including the type of hot water system you use, the water supply feeding your home and the height of your residence in a multi-level dwelling,” shares Jeanette Aston of Greens Tapware. “Therefore, choosing the right tapware and showers for your home can seem daunting.”
A simple solution to improve water pressure can be found in Greens Tapware’s QL Cartridge technology. Carefully engineered with large bore inlets, it can improve water flow even in low pressure circumstances.
“This unique technology is suitable for installations from 20kPa to 1000kPa,” adds Jeanette. “It features adjustable anti-scald rings, non-return valves to prevent backflow, and an adjustable flow limiter to conserve water.”
Reinforced with a stainless steel plate and a brass spindle, it’s a robust remedy without the hassle.
Finding the perfect balance with temperature control
Hot or cold? Hot showers have been reported to increase the calming hormone, oxytocin, in the brain. On the other hand, the benefits of cold showers include improved circulation and reduced muscle pain. For either preference, you will need to have reliable temperature control.
The factors affecting temperature control include the water supply temperature and water pressure, which can be moderated by the type of valve chosen in your shower system.
“The GREENSTYLE SAFEFLOW Pressure Equalizing Valve (PEV) is designed to ensure both hot and cold water are supplied at equal pressure,” Jeanette notes. “Regardless of any pressure variation in the incoming supply.”
The clever technology works by automatically adjusting the higher hot or cold water pressure to the level of the lower water pressure. This maintains the temperature within +/- 1°C, ensuring the decision for a shower that is hot, cold, or somewhere in between, lies with you. It’s suitable for use within a supply pressure range between 20kPa to 1000kPa, and can be used for shower mixers, bath mixers, single lever mixers, and bidet mixers.
“We also design our shower heads for optimum flow and pressure which delivers the water at the desired temperature.” Jeanette adds.
Customising coverage with water distribution
Once you have ensured the ideal water pressure and temperature, it’s time to consider your preference on water distribution. This refers to how water is dispersed from the shower head, and it makes a significant impact on the sensory experience.
For a calming, deep cleanse, RainBoost technology is ideal. “RainBoost® delivers exactly what it sounds like: a strong flow like standing in the rain.” Jeanette shares. Designed for varying water pressure conditions as often found in New Zealand, it delivers a wide spray with impact every time, even out of low pressure water systems down to 10kPa.
If you prefer a powerfully refreshing shower, AirFlo technology will suit you. “AirFlo uses advanced technology to push air into the water stream to fill the water droplets with tiny bubbles of air to create a wonderful, invigorating spray,” Jeanette adds. “Some of our products using this technology, like the Glint adjustable rail shower, feature a multifunction spray handset with three spray patterns — normal, massage, and combined.”
Choosing the right type of shower
The type of shower you choose will impact its placement in your bathroom, its flow, and contribute to the overall design, so it’s important to consider your preference on these factors when making your selection.
Different types of showers include rail, twin rail, ceiling, wall, hand shower, and multi-functional shower handsets. At Greens Tapware, these can be round or square and come in a variety of finishes, allowing you to select the design that best compliments your bathroom style.
When it comes to choosing the right type of shower head, let your choices be led by how you want your shower to make you feel. “The design can manipulate the water to get a desired feeling,” Jeanette notes.
Saving resources with water efficiency
Water is a precious resource, both environmentally and financially, so the perfect shower should be water efficient. But this doesn’t have to be at the expense of the experience.
“Water efficiency is not only an obvious concern in minimising water wastage and our environmental footprint, it’s also important in today’s economic climate.” Jeanette adds.
To improve water efficiency, Jeanette recommends incorporating flow restrictors like that found in the Greens QL Cartridge, using a lower pressure setting, or harnessing innovative technology, such FloBoost or RainBoost.
“RainBoost technology creates the feeling of higher water pressure without using more water, while FloBoost, exclusively available in New Zealand, maximises hot water flow without consuming more of it.” Jeanette explains.
Creating a bathroom sanctuary with innovative design
To create the perfect shower, and with it, an elevated morning routine, a thoughtfully designed space is a must.
“The bathroom can become a sanctuary,” Jeanette explains. “A place to refresh, destress and invigorate yourself for the day ahead.”
The secret to a well-designed bathroom is found at the intersection of aesthetics and functionality. This creates a space where visually cohesive elements quieten the mind and technological innovations simplify the morning.
“It’s beyond important that the tapware and showers fit visually whilst also delivering on the technology,” Jeanette adds.
By incorporating trends from Europe and the United States into their New Zealand designed products, Greens merge the latest technology with the freshest design. Think matte black, warm metallics, and intricate textured finishes.
“Our textured ranges really stand out in the bathroom,” Jeanette shares. “Our Tesora range offers delicate texture highlighted by beautiful coloured finishes that add a sense of timeless luxury.”
The design comes together in the details, including exact colour matches and complimentary accessories. “We have worked to ensure that all our colours are matched to the highest degree, meaning you can mix and match ranges and be assured that the finish colour is consistent throughout.”
"We have also specifically designed accessories for our textured ranges,” Jeanette explains. “Or, we have standard accessories including single and double towel rails, toilet roll holders, robe hooks, and more, all designed to match our shower ranges.”
Jeanette’s advice puts an emphasis on the experience. Water pressure, temperature control, water distribution, shower heads, water efficiency, and design all contribute towards different experiences of a morning shower. It can be a meditative, soothing start to a day, or a sharp, powerful awakening.
“How you like to shower is very personal,” Jeanette concludes. The culmination of these decisions will shape the perfect shower for you, and with that, an elevated morning routine.