How to choose a shower column
Five criteria determine the choice, and the first one eliminates half of the models: the available height. A shower column measures between 110 and 160 cm overall and is installed on a mixer tap located 110 cm from the floor. Add these up, compare them to your ceiling height, and you will immediately know what fits.
Faucet height : 110 cm from the finished floor.
Hauteur totale de la colonne : 110 to 160 cm depending on the model.
Shower head height : 200 à 220 cm, soit 20 cm au-dessus du plus grand utilisateur.
Center-to-center inlet distance : 150 mm, tolerance 145 to 160 mm with S-unions.
The other four criteria are then addressed: the type of integrated faucet, the diameter of the shower head, the number of outlets, and the material. None of these are deal-breakers; they all balance each other out.
Shower column types
| Type |
What characterizes it |
Construction site |
| Recessed |
In-wall body, only the plate is visible. Our most comprehensive configuration, with 18 models. |
Construction work, access hatch to be provided |
| Surface-mounted wall light |
Barre et mitigeur visibles, sur entraxe 150 mm |
Direct replacement, one hour |
| Ceiling |
Ceiling-fed shower head |
Opening scheduled for structural works |
| With built-in bidet |
Additional hygienic hand shower outlet |
One more water inlet |
| With integrated panel |
All-in-one set with shelf or side jets |
Mounting on load-bearing wall |
The bidet function, a feature that few shower columns offer
Two columns in the range feature a hygienic spray outlet in addition to the overhead shower and the classic hand shower. It is controlled by a three-way diverter and can be used for personal hygiene as well as for cleaning the shower tray.
What to check before installation : this third outlet requires a sufficient flow rate to prevent pressure drops when two functions are running at the same time. Allow for at least 2 bars at the tap point.
Shower head: diameter and flow rate
Diameter is the most visible comfort criterion, and the most misleading. A 30 cm shower head does not deliver more water than a 20 cm one; it distributes it over a wider surface, so each spray is less powerful.
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20 cm : dense sprays, strong pressure sensation. The right choice for low pressure.
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25 cm : the common compromise, covers the shoulders.
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30 cm and more : enveloping rain effect, requires at least 2 bars to avoid feeling weak.
Check your pressure before choosing a large shower head. Below 1.5 bar, a 30 cm shower head produces a trickle, not a shower. A pressure gauge that screws onto a tap costs about ten euros and solves the problem.
Flow rate, pressure, and water savings
A shower consumes between 6 and 12 liters per minute depending on the equipment. Over a five-minute shower taken twice a day in a four-person household, the difference between the two extremes represents several dozen cubic meters per year.
| Equipment |
Flow rate type |
Feel |
| Apple without limiter |
12 to 15 L/min |
Very abundant, wasteful |
| Apple with aerator |
8 to 9 L/min |
Equivalent comfort, water mixed with air |
| Budget-friendly apple |
6 L/min |
Correct above 2 bars, low below |
| Handheld shower head |
7 to 10 L/min |
Varies depending on the selected spray |
The aerator is the best compromise: it injects air into the stream, providing the same perceived volume while using a third less water. Its only known drawback is that it slightly cools the water by ventilating it, which can be easily corrected by raising the temperature setting by one degree.
Materials and limescale resistance
A column exists in constant steam and runoff. Two parts determine its lifespan: the body, and the nozzles of the shower head.
Solid chrome-plated brass remains the gold standard. 304 stainless steel also holds up extremely well, even in coastal areas where chrome eventually pits. Chrome-plated ABS bodies are lighter and less expensive, but the wall mount for the rail wears out faster under the weight of the shower head.
Silicone nozzles vs. metal nozzles
- The silicone nozzles can be cleaned with a simple swipe of your thumb; the limescale breaks off on its own as they flex.
- Metal nozzles provide a sharper spray and last longer, but require thorough descaling with vinegar.
- In water above 30 French degrees, silicone prevents descaling every two months.
Shower column installation
Replacing an existing column takes one hour. The tricky part is drilling the upper bracket, which almost always ends up in a grout line or right in the middle of a tile.
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Turn off the water
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Screw in the cam locks at the correct center-to-center distance, thread seal tape or Teflon, final tightening in the direction of screwing.
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Display the column and mark the fastening point of the upper bracket with a pencil, keeping the column plumb.
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Drill with a ceramic drill bit, without hammer action, then insert the wall plugs.
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Install the mixer tap ...then clip or screw on the upper bracket.
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Open slowly
Never use hammer action when drilling into tiles
The impact will shatter the enamel and crack the tile, sometimes diagonally across its entire length. Use a special ceramic drill bit on rotary-only mode, with masking tape applied over the drilling point to prevent the bit from slipping. The hole takes two minutes instead of thirty seconds, and the tiling remains intact.
Maintenance and descaling
A shower column requires two steps: a quick wipe of the shower head after the last shower of the day, and periodic descaling, the frequency of which depends on water hardness.
Wiping is the most cost-effective method. Limescale does not form in moving water; it crystallizes when the residual droplet evaporates on the nozzle. Removing this droplet doubles the interval between descaling, without having to buy anything.
For descaling, pure white vinegar in a plastic bag tied around the shower head is sufficient in the vast majority of cases, with a contact time of one to eight hours. Be careful with black and gold finishes, as acetic acid can tarnish the coating: opt for diluted citric acid instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct height for a shower column?
The mixer tap is installed 110 cm from the finished floor, and the shower head should be positioned 20 cm above the tallest user, which is 200 to 220 cm. Check that the total height of the column, between 110 and 160 cm, fits under your ceiling.
Thermostatic or manual shower column?
The thermostatic valve maintains the temperature despite pressure fluctuations and locks at 38 °C for safety. It is highly recommended for households with children, instant water heaters, or when water pressure varies. A manual valve is sufficient for a single-occupant home with a hot water tank.
What size shower head diameter should you choose?
25 cm is the standard compromise. Go down to 20 cm if your pressure is below 2 bars, and go up to 30 cm only above that. A large shower head does not deliver more water, it distributes it more widely, so each jet is less powerful.
What is the center-to-center distance for a shower column?
150 mm between the inlet centers, French standard. The included offset connectors accommodate a tolerance of approximately 145 to 160 mm. Measure before ordering, as some imported models are designed for 100 or 120 mm.
What are the benefits of a shower column with a bidet function?
A third outlet for a hygienic hand shower, controlled by a diverter, which is used for both personal hygiene and cleaning the shower tray. It requires sufficient flow; allow for at least 2 bars at the tap point to avoid losing pressure on the main shower head.
How to descale a shower column?
Fill a plastic bag with pure white vinegar, submerge the shower head, tie it around the shower arm, and let it sit for one to eight hours. Rinse at full flow for two minutes. For a black or gold finish, use diluted citric acid instead.
The column fits into a set. Discover our bathroom equipment to harmonize the finishes.
