First let me tell you that this article was NOT intended to be humorous at all. It was simply meant to be an informational piece about shower heads and what people preferred. The more I investigated the more I found there were huge differences between what men want vs. what women want in shower head. The more men and women I talked with the more obvious and humorous the differences became. I even had much insight into the completely different yet hilarious shower habits and “rituals” of men and women. As funny as these habits are most men will relate to the men’s habits and women will relate to the women’s habits. I bet you will too.

What will really tickle your funny bone is when YOU present or email this article to your partner, friends, relatives, coworkers, or whomever you know. Be sure to ask them their opinions on it. I will venture a guess that the responses you receive will be humorously similar to the observations I have made (even though they are completely blown out of proportion).

Before I get into the shower head differences it may be helpful to note the shower habits women and men have. This is important because there tends to be a direct relationship between these habits and what shower head is preferred.

Women: Their Shower Ritual

Most men cannot even fathom the strange “rituals” that go on when a woman showers. They only thing men know is that when the door shuts this “ritual” will last anywhere from 30 minutes to about 5 hours. After which the door swings open, steam erupts out of the bathroom, and a barely noticeable figure is standing, almost glowing, in the midst of it. It is pretty much like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Women have this “armory” of products they “absolutely need” to conduct this shower “ritual.” What we are talking about here is 30 different kinds of shower gels, soaps, scrubs, and whatnot that will take care of dry skin, flaky skin, oily skin, combination skin, slightly oily flaky dry skin, flaky oily something or other skin, etc. Each is pleasantly scented that can resemble a fragrance such as frosting, cakes, chocolate, candy, and assorted fruits and berries which can relax or invigorate their senses. Women also require somewhere around 5 shampoos and 9 conditioners, each with different purposes for their ever-changing hairstyles as well as an assortment of wash cloths, scrubbers, buffers, bath puffs, etc. for each of their “10,029” parts. To top it all off they require assorted hair removal tools including shaving mousses, gels, creams, before and after shaving gels, etc. Somehow women manage to cram all of this into the 26 rack they have hanging in the shower.

Women take their time in the shower, obviously. Covering every nook and cranny on their body. Inspecting every square inch for any sort of imperfection that can be taken care of by one of the many showering products they use. They will wash their hair not once, not twice, but repeatedly until there is no shampoo and conditioner left in the house even the hidden backups under the sink and stashed in the attic. Even when all of this care is done they still must go through their “after shower ritual.” Consuming another 10 hours of their day for a 1-hour outing. But, you won’t hear me complain because the end result is always stunning and beautiful.

Men: Their Shower Ritual

Now let’s take a look at the shower “ritual” of a man. Well, it isn’t much of a ritual at all. You see men are quite simple creatures. They require very little in the way of showering items or even time.

More than likely if you look in a man’s shower you will see 5 or so items; a rarely used washcloth, a bar of soap (usually with the name of a hotel on it), cheap shampoo/conditioner combo (only if he has hair), and possibly a razor with shaving cream. That is it!

Men do not take much time at all because they are the MASTERS of the 30-second shower. Typically men will fiddle around for a bit running the bar of soap around their body with special attention to armpits and those “other” 2 spots. They will hold their fingernails under the spray and hope that any gunk gets shot out. Men will wash their hair just once rinsing it while they do wash it. The washcloth generally sits unused but sometimes will be used for that “extra cleaning” for church days, birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and anniversaries. Just ask a bunch of men how well they scrub their backs and how often!

So What Do Women And Men Want In A Shower Head?

Now that you know the differences in “rituals” women and men have you can plainly see that showering for women is all about indulging, pampering, beauty, relaxation, variety, stimulation of senses, and gentle care for their body. You can also see that men just want to get in and get out of the shower as fast as they can with as little work as possible, plain and simple. By knowing these distinctions you can see why each prefers the type of shower head they do.

Women: Typically women prefer a shower head that provides a gentle stream of water so that it contacts their skin in a soothing pleasing sort of way. Most generally soft water, water saving types of shower heads where the water just has enough force to hit the middle of the shower. If it sprays too hard it will be uncomfortable to perform their entire shower “ritual.” If you see any shower head models with the words water saver, sweet, serenity, soft, gentle, soothing, calm, or mild then it’s a good choice for a shower head for a woman.

Men: Most men would agree that soft just does not cut it. Instead of spending time scrubbing every body part they would prefer a shower head that can literally BLAST the grime right off. What would be better if it just removes the skin altogether. For men you should look for shower head models like the Skin Remover 2150 (yes I made that up) or anything with the words blaster, shooter, drencher, or acupuncture in it.

Women: Women also prefer a shower head that gives them a variety of settings that well help them feel pampered and indulge in their shower experience. They would prefer settings similar to tropical rainfall, summer mist, cascading waterfall, spring drizzle, etc.

Men: Forget all the soft gentle settings. The only reason men would want a huge range of settings is to be able to increase water pressure. That is all.

Women: A shower is prime relaxation time for women. It is a mandatory part of their shower “ritual.” Hey, women get sore muscles and stressed just as much as men do. This is why women like shower heads with 70 different massage settings that provide varying degrees of relaxation. Keep in mind that those massage settings still must be gentle so that they remain as comfortable as possible.

Men: Now men also like those massage settings. Again, only because they tend to increase water pressure. The massage settings should not be anything gentle. Usually a shower head with a single “machine gun” massage setting that can shoot holes through someone’s body knocking them to the back of the shower disfigured and dismembered is what men really prefer.

Women: The most important preference women have for a shower head is that it compliments the bathroom decor. If it does not look good with the decor it won’t be found anywhere near the bathroom despite any cool features the shower head has.

Men: Who cares what it looks like as long as the darned thing works! Pretty much well anything that resembles a fire hose that can shoot a stream of water 3 blocks down the street and distribute enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool in less than 3 minutes is all that is required.

Okay, so now you know what men and women want in a shower head. If you have separate his and her showers then half the battle is won already. All you have to do is install the best shower head according to what you and your partner prefer. However, there are people who have no choice but to share a shower with their loving partner. The trick here is to install a shower head that is has as many of the features preferred by women that also has a skin ripping blaster and a machine gun massage setting preferred by men. If you somehow find one, you and your partner will have the best shower experience of your lives.

According to contractors, the room that is undergoing the greatest amount of transformation in new construction and remodeling is the bathroom. In fact, since the 1930s, the average master bath has tripled in size and the huge bathrooms build in houses today have even an oversized closet inside. The change in bathroom space is attributed to the fact that people are now spending more time in their bathrooms when they wish to relax while taking a bath. Experts point out, that the weekend spa mentality has developed into a new lifestyle trend with which Americans feel comfortable and want to experience on a daily basis without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Since the bathroom space has increased, the new updated version calls for an addition of bathroom furniture, which can make any bathroom feel less sterilized and bring in the feeling of comfort that used to be associated with other rooms of the house, like the bedroom or living-room. Moreover, the additional furniture pieces provide extra storage space; something that is definitely needed nowadays by both women and men. To cover the demand, many bathroom cabinet manufacturers offer now sinks set in furniture pieces, which are designed specifically for bathroom use. Options now range from modern glass and steel pieces, to old renaissance dressers and armoires. Moreover, people tend to mix and match furniture and trim their uncovered surfaces in order to make them blend with the flooring, connecting the bathroom to the rest of the house.

But apart from the amount of space available and selecting the right type of furniture, today’s bathroom-users also want to create a bathroom in which they can relax and rejuvenate. These moments of relaxation can be enhanced with simple additions, like a bathroom stool near the tub or in the shower, or if the space permits it with an ottoman for some precious relaxing times. Furthermore, the right type of lighting can be installed quickly altering the feeling one has while taking a bath. Again candles, small regular lamps on the vanity or shelves can transform the bathroom and give it the feeling of tranquility.

Extremely important apart from the furniture selected is the bathroom’s flooring. Tile or wood can enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom and their designs can be matched to blend with the house’s other rooms. Also, the color of the walls or the wallpaper selected to be placed have to match the rest of the area, like the floor, the sink and the bathtub creating a unified outcome. If you decide to go with the wallpaper option, be extremely cautious as it has to be installed really well in order not to fall off the walls as you steam your bath.

Finally, keep your bathroom organized and clean. Numerous scattered items give a feeling of clutter and do not help you enjoy this room of your house. Furthermore, select towels and bathrobes that are soft and fluffy. It is better if their colors and design matches the rest of the bathroom, but most importantly they have to be replenished with new ones almost every year so you will continue feeling the same snugly sensation every time you exit the shower.

Bathrooms are one of the most commonly remodeled rooms in the home. The bathroom is one of the only rooms in the home where we can escape for some private time. The bathroom can be a little oasis in the middle of our hectic lives. To create this oasis, there are things that you can add to your bathroom besides the standard toilet, sink and shower that will make the place more exciting and relaxing.

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t have to be expensive. While most people think of pricey Jacuzzi bathtubs, marble countertops and custom cabinetry when they think of bathroom remodeling, there is a lot you can do on a budget.

A simple way to change your bathroom experience is to treat yourself to a new showerhead. Waterfall nozzles and handheld nozzles are very popular options. Some people choose double showerhead in their bathroom to massage their body from two different directions. Floor to ceiling shower enclosures allow you to turn your bathroom into a steam bath. You can sit in the warm steam of the cubicle and allow the hot air to soothe your muscles.

Changing your mirror from a wall mount edgeless mirror to a framed mirror can transform the look of your bathroom. This is simple to do and can be achieved by removing your mirror and replacing it with a fully framed mirror. You can also frame the edgeless mirror in your bathroom with a self-adhesive frame. This option requires less construction in your bathroom, and the project can be completed in a matter of minutes instead of hours.

Updating the hardware is another fast and relatively inexpensive way to change the style of your bathroom. You can change the drawer pulls and handles on your cabinetry with coordinating bathroom hardware. You can also change the faucets in the bathroom sink and bathtub. This can make a wonderful statement in your bathroom and allow you to use updated finishes, like brushed nickel and rubbed bronze.

Kitchen and bathroom renovation in lieu of more expensive complete home renovation is in vogue amongst homeowners. This is not only because of the cost factor but also because these small projects take less time and do not disrupt your routine life. Bathroom renovation can add a touch of modern home décor to your home interiors and also add to its market value.

Hire a bathroom renovation contractor for best bathroom remodeling results. The contractor will suggest and with your approval implement the new floor plan and décor theme for the bathroom. Your bathroom renovation can be as simple as just plumbing repairs and as elaborate as complete bathroom revamping. In any case hiring a contractor lessens your hassles.

Bathroom renovation makes sense especially for those who like to keep abreast with the changing home interiors trends. It can really adds to the value of your bathroom and house. These days people like to have two sinks in the bathroom to completely separate the toilet from the bath area. Also, in the bath area the showers are fast being replaced with bathtubs that double up as shower. These pronounced bathroom renovations enhance the functionality of the bathroom, turning it into a modern and aesthetic comfort zone.

You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you’re remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas.

First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink. If it’s a full bathroom, you’ll need to decide on a bath and shower or a shower stall.

Next are the items you would like to include. Often people want a cabinet under the sink, though if you have a small space you might prefer a pedestal. Plan on a mirror over the sink, with our without a medicine chest. Lighting is important. A fan can be helpful for keeping moisure out. You’ll probably want a space for shelves of some kind.

At this point, you might want to consider asking a professional to help with design. If you feel you can do it on your own, here are some tips.

Measure your bathroom well. Choose items that you think you’d like in your bathroom and get the measurements. Some suggest drawing a plan to scale, but for those of us who are less visual, it can be helpful to cut paper to the actual size of the footprint of the item. Place these items in the bathroom, arranging them to where you think you would like them. This is a good way to see how well things fit. Don’t forget that you need space between things.

If everything fits well, there are a few more considerations. You might be limited by plumbing or electricity. Window placement makes a difference, too, unless you have no qualms about showering in from of a window.

If things don’t fit well, play with the design a bit (if space, electrical, and plumbing allow.) See if you can come up with more efficient use of space and still enjoy the design.

If there’s just no room, you’ll have to decide what you can do without. For example, you can use a pedestal sink, which takes less space than a full cabinet. Conversely, you can use a cabinet but don’t include shelves. Some towels and toilet paper can be stored in the cabinet, with the excess supplies in a convenient storage area elsewhere in your house.

A little imagination and a lot of measuring can help your dream bathroom work for you. When you find a bathroom design that works, it’s time to put the pieces together. It’s a lot of work, but it can be worth it.

Clawfoot bathtubs were invented during the Victoria era that extended from 1835 – 1903. The original clawfoot bath tubs were manufactured with a white porcelain coating, and got their shape from the cast iron base. To obtain a hard slippery surface molten porcelain was poured into the tub.

THE DIFFERENT STYLES:

The two basic types of clawfoot bath tubs are the European and American styles.

European styles tend to have no drilling for faucets (as they are an external feature on this design of tub, and are either wall or floor mounted). Thus the water level is deeper. There are however holes for the drain and overflow.

The American styles featured holes drilled for the faucets, overflow and the drain.

Within these two types, there are a range of different styles. They include the Classic design, Slipper style, Doubled-ended, and Pedestal types.

MATERIALS:

Usually there are two choices when it comes to clawfoot bath tubs. Acrylic, which is fast gaining popularity and cast iron, which is the traditional material that is used.

The main benefits of cast iron is that these tubs are as close to as original as you will get. The look is the same, as is the weight. They also feel like an authentic vintage clawfoot tub should: pleasingly smooth with a subtle textured finish and some minor surface irregularities.

The benefits of acrylic clawfoot bath tubs is that they maintain the look and integrity of a traditional cast iron tub but is about 40% lighter, is warm and smooth to the touch, and will not rust or crack over time. Additionally, they are not cold to the touch, as porcelain on cast iron tubs is. Typically an acrylic tub is crafted from a mixture of high-grade sanitary acrylics, ceramic powders, polyester resins, and fiberglass. Acrylic clawfoot bath tubs are easier to clean than cast iron tubs, and also their lighter weight makes moving them around an easier effort. Finally, they are available in a range of different lengths.

INSTALLATION:

It is highly recommended that you get a reputable plumber to install your new clawfoot bath tub. Before you arrange this though, ensure that you have all the following items on hand: a tub, a drain, a faucet or shower enclosure, and a set of water supply lines.

The Faucets are available in an extensive range, from classic wall-mounted faucets through to more elegant English Telephone Handshower faucets. There are all freestanding sets that are supported by their own supply lines.

Shower Enclosures are there to allow you to use your clawfoot bath tub as a shower. It features a shower ring enclosure, shower head, faucet, along with other necessary installation hardware.

The Drain and overflow allow you to drain your tub of water and prevent it overflowing if the water level gets too high.

The supply lines provide the method of getting water into your bath. These are generally available in four different styles: straight, single offset, double offset, and freestanding. Straight supply lines are used with deck-mounted faucets. Single-offset and double-offset lines are used with most tub fillers, handshower faucets as well as most shower enclosures.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE:

Some people may think a clawfoot bath tub may need more maintenance than a normal bath, but that’s not true. Acrylic clawfoot baths are actually easier to move and can be rearranged to a preferred area more easily than a normal bath. Not only are they stylish and classic, but any clawfoot bath will add a touch of Victorian class to your home and give added elegance to any bathroom. For a unique touch of style from the Victorian era that will remain a timeless feature in your home, there can only be a clawfoot bathtub.