The shower is one of the most useful inventions of the mankind, although nowadays most of us take it for granted. No more than a couple decades ago, urban dwellers used to the civilized ways of washing and bathing had to face discomfort and inconveniences during their stay at a country house intended for summer residence only. An outdoor shower located in the backyard and exploited only during the warmer months is not just a plumbing fixture that allows the home-owner to enjoy outdoor bathing in the heat of summer. Depending on its positioning on the plot, such a fixture is also an important element in the landscape design of your residential yard or the exterior design of your summer house.
The appearance of the shower booth, stand or column plays a role in formation of the image of the entire backyard. Long gone are the times when the outdoor shower looked like an ugly structure built offhand from the materials left after the main construction. Modern building materials, non-conventional plumbing solutions and myriads of creative US designer ideas can transform an ordinary outdoor bathing area into the landscape design zing, one of the major decorations and focal points in the residential yard.
Classification Of Showers Suitable For A Terrace Bathroom Area.
The qualitative subdivision of the outdoor shower structures suitable for your terrace consists of the two major types: open and closed bathing areas. Such a classification is highly conventional, as summer residence projects of big-name USA and UK designers often feature outdoor showers in the form of semi-enclosed terrace bathing zones. One of the beautiful examples involves creation of the shower point with the help of just two partitions: one accommodates the plumbing accessories, while the other has hooks and small shelves for your bathing supplies, towels, etc.
The method of water supply serves as the basis for the second classification of terrace shower structures. It includes the reservoir and water-line types. In the first case, just above the shower head, there is positioned a reservoir in which water is heated by the sunlight. The second type envisages supply of water from the household’s general water-pipe system.
The position of the shower in relation to the house is what directly affects the choice of a particular water supply method. If your outdoor shower is located on the terrace in direct adjacency to the building, the wisest option is to use the household’s water supply and wastewater disposal systems. If your terrace features a bathing spot in a remote corner that is fitted with a water reservoir, you must see about creation of a proper drainage system. Importantly, you can’t just direct the flow of used water to the garden or vegetable beds, because bathing often involves the use of chemical products that may have an adverse effect on the plants.
Summing up the above classification, the following list can be drawn:
- The type of the shower structure can be:
- open;
- enclosed.
- The water supply methods are:
- reservoir;
- water-pipe.
- The bathing spot can be located:
- in immediate adjacency to the house;
- in the farther corner of the terrace.
Shower Booth As The Traditional Option
Installation of a shower cabin is one of the traditional variants of arrangement of a outdoor shower on the terrace. Such a structure can be either store-bought, or built as a DIY project from wood (either of natural color, or painted), polystyrene panels (usually with the presence of a metal backbone) and other materials at hand. Besides purchasing a ready-made shower cabin at a home improvement store, you can order a custom-built one from a designer.
An outdoor shower cabin built from natural wood is not only a highly practical structure, but also a beautiful design element. Natural wood’s grains and patterns match virtually any facade material. Besides, such a natural color will fit into the landscape perfectly, harmonizing with the old trees in your garden and other structures in your backyard. However, the wood used to build the shower cabin must be shielded against the continuous exposure to water and high humidity levels. The nearest US home improvement store will offer a wide range of preservative products and special lacquers that will protect the wooden elements against rotting without noticeably changing their natural color.
Paint is the universal option for any home-owner who isn’t willing to scratch his head for too long over the available coating options for the wooden shower cabin. Depending on the color scheme adopted in the facade design, you can select a harmonious tone for the enclosed terrace shower. The following two variants are the most often encountered in terrace bathroom projects:
- Compliance with the color palette of the architectural ensemble; color combinability with both the main building and secondary structures (the garage, the gazebo, etc.)
- Using the shower cabin as a color accent. This way of creating a colorful decoration is employed less often, since the outdoor shower is a seasonal structure exploited only during the warm summer months.
Arranging The Bathing Spot Using A Wall Of The House.
Placement of the outdoor shower in adjacency to a wall of the house has its advantages and drawbacks. The convenience of this solution lies in the fact that it enables you to utilize the household’s water supply and wastewater disposal systems. On the other hand, the wall of the building will constantly be exposed to high humidity. It is advisable to protect it with a layer of ceramic tiles or any other material able to effectively resist moisture. Ensure the presence of an efficient drainage system. Otherwise, water may accumulate nearby the foundation, which will gradually destroy it in the long run.
Another advantage of placing the bathing spot against the house’s wall is the opportunity to use the illumination sources located on the facade. If you need to take a shower when it’s already dark, you won’t have to worry about additional lighting sources, since the facade is usually lit for safety purposes or as part of the landscape design concept.
Ceramic or stone tiles represent a wonderful way to protect the wall of the house against the adverse affects associated with continuous exposure to moisture. There is no limits for your ideas and stylistic preferences. Choose the tiles in accordance with your taste: they may be similar to marble in appearance, whole-colored or patterned, large or tiny, etc. If your backyard features a pool, it’s a good idea to maintain balance between the finishing of the wall and the finishing applied to the area around the pool.