Outdoor showers are fast becoming the latest trend in Aussie alfresco living, transforming how we enjoy our private outdoor spaces.
The popularity of outdoor showers has surged in Australia over the last decade, with homeowners looking to recreate that blissful holiday experience right in their own backyard.
Stats collected by Build-it show more Australians are considering installing an outdoor shower than ever before, with Google searches increasing by 117 per cent in the last decade.
From simple hose-and-tap setups to elaborate designs, outdoor showers can be tailored to complement any garden style.
With plenty of time to make an installation before the summer holidays, these are Build-it’s top tips to shower under the stars:
Design
Design
The allure of strolling down a garden path to an outdoor shower captures the imagination and adds a touch of enchantment to your outdoor oasis.
Outdoor shower options can range from simplistic shower heads running cold water to grandiose designs set up as the garden centrepiece or an eye drawing feature within a spacious private structure.
Consider adequate night lighting if you plan to enjoy any moonlight swims.
Easy accessibility is also required to ensure compliance with ever-changing construction code laws.
Heating
Having a cold shower may not be universally popular, but when it comes to installing one outdoors, it is both cost-effective and location-friendly.
Cold showers provide more options for water sourcing, alleviating the requirement to connect them to the home’s main water and heating systems.
Meanwhile, a heated shower is best connected to the home’s existing water pipes, meaning installation close to the house can avoid even higher costs.
Solar showers make an excellent alternative and provide a budget-friendly solution. The innovative tech can up water to a soothing 40 degrees without additional plumbing or complex connectivity.
Durability
The longevity of your outdoor shower should be strongly considered when choosing the location.
Adequate airflow and sunlight are essential, not only for drying purposes but also to prevent the growth of moss or mould, which can undermine aesthetics and safety.
To withstand the elements and stand the test of time, outdoor showers require corrosion-resistant fixtures made from structural or marine-grade stainless steel.
The base material can be brick, stone, gravel, or treated timber as long as it is slip-resistant and durable.
It’s best to avoid untreated timber in any part of the shower’s construction, as it can decay over time.
Drainage
Proper drainage plays a crucial role in the functionality of your outdoor shower.
Incorrect drainage can lead to a disaster for your property and its surrounding area, as well as breaching building codes and council regulations.
Connecting your shower to your existing sewer system is an option but requires extensive work, including digging, laying pipes underground, and other intricate plumbing tasks.
A cheaper and more sustainable drainage solution is simply allowing the grey water to be released into the garden.
Precautions are essential, such as ensuring the ground slopes away from nearby structures and evaluating the soil’s drainage capacity.
Creating a small pit or moat filled with stones and pebbles can help distribute water into the surrounding soil at a controlled pace.
