Everything You Have to Know About Outdoor Shower Enclosures

Outdoor shower enclosures are both decorative and functional; in fact, I can come up with a lot of reasons why you should have one at your home. Most people set them up so that they do not have to drip all over the house after a refreshing swim in the pool; while others just like to have them in the backyard so they can freshen up after working in the garden. Whatever your reason may be, having an outdoor shower enclosure is definitely a fantastic way to combine functionality with aesthetics.

There are two basic kinds of outdoor showers. One is the standalone outdoor shower, and the other is the mounted outdoor shower. Their names pretty much speaks for themselves. The standalone outdoor shower is a mobile shower that you can carry around as you please. All you need is a shower head, a hose, a nearby water source and you are all set. You can choose from a single hose shower which provides cold water; or you can have the double hose shower which can give you both hot and cold water. You may also add other “bathroom” fixtures like towel handles and a place where you can put your toiletries. It is definitely up to you.

The second type of outdoor shower is the mounted one. These are the ones that are attached to a wall and they are connected to a water system. If you are looking for something sturdier, then you should definitely go for this one. Yes, they are probably more expensive if you add the installation costs but they are going to last for years; thus making it a very wise investment. The down side, of course, is that you cannot bring this along during camping trips; but if you are not that adventurous, I suggest you stick with this.

Beautiful wooden outdoor shower enclosure

This is a beautiful shower enclosure.

If you have an outdoor shower, you would naturally be concerned about your privacy. It is not very easy to shower in public, you know? To address that concern, you can get an outdoor shower enclosure. More or less they are walls that you put around your shower; depending on what design you will get and how you intend to use them. Moreover, apart from its functionality, putting up an outdoor shower enclosure is also a great way to spice up your backyard. Because you have a lot (and I really mean a lot) of designs to choose from, you can pretty much build the layout of your backyard around it. You can make it fresh and funky, or serene and spa-like; there is no limit to what you can do with them.

Having outdoor shower enclosures, or even just outdoor showers, is one of the best ways to mix functionality with aesthetics. It will definitely make freshening up from gardening a lot easier; and you can have more fun on hot summer days outside even without a swimming pool.

Installing Your Outdoor Shower Enclosure

People nowadays are becoming more and more interested in setting up their own outdoor shower enclosure. Some think this is just for those who have backyard pools; but on the contrary, this is good for everyone and everybody. What can be better than taking a refreshing shower with a view of the outdoors? There are, however, plenty of different kinds of outdoor showers and each one is designed for your different needs. If you are not highly informed about these outdoor showers, you better read on as I have listed the few most common things you need to take note of if you want to get one for yourself.

There are basically two kinds of outdoor showers: a stand-alone outdoor shower and a

Two stand alone outdoor showers.

Here are some cool-looking stand alone showers.

wall-mounted outdoor shower.  The most commonly used, however, is the stand-alone shower. They are usually made from polyvinyl chloride and they are way cheaper than the wall mounted showers. Moreover, you can easily carry them around so this is really good if you enjoy camping a lot. On the other hand, there are also wall mounted outdoor showers. These showers are permanently cemented near the pool or outside the house. Like I said earlier, this kind of shower is more expensive than its mobile counterpart because it is more difficult to install; however, they are more durable.

When you are done choosing the kind of outdoor shower enclosure you want to have, you now have to worry about the installation of it. Actually, installing the shower is easy; planning your drainage system is a completely different story. If your home’s drainage system is not properly set-up, you will be swimming on a lot of water; and believe me you do not want that to happen. One other concern you have to focus on is the shower’s design. You can go all out with the aesthetics and add contrasting designs. You may even make it look like a home spa; you can do practically anything you want.

Lastly, you have to settle privacy concerns. Because these showers are installed outdoors, one of your major concerns is privacy. To remedy this, you can always install an outdoor shower enclosure. These enclosures come in different designs, sizes, and even shapes if you want to be super creative. Aside from the fact that they can really cover you up while taking a shower; they are also a really good addition to your overall backyard layout. They can be chic, tough, and/or playful. You have the option to either do it yourself (as it does not take a carpenter to whip one up, really); or you can also buy readymade one in your local hardware shop.

Having an outdoor shower enclosure in your backyard is one of the best ways to add glamor and style to your home. Just make sure you install them correctly and you should not have any troubles with it.

Finding the Right Outdoor Shower Enclosure

Other than the design elements, people have a lot of other concerns about buying an outdoor shower enclosure. Most of them are downright serious about these things and they want to make sure that what they get is unique to their needs. Contrary to what many people believe, you can actually choose from a very wide array of outdoor showers; and we can thank technology for that. On the down side though, because of the many choices it has become very difficult to choose. You do not have to worry though, because in this article I will give you the things you need to consider before buying an outdoor shower enclosure.

The first thing you need to consider is space – either it is too small or too big. Most of the open spaces in our backyards are only enough to fit what is necessary. Sometimes, we have so much stuff that it’s difficult to even fit an outdoor shower in our yard. Because manufacturers are aware of this, they have been making enclosures that are meant to fit in small spaces; and no, you won’t have to lose a hundred pounds to get in it.

A beautiful rock outdoor shower enclosure.

Shower enclosures can be beautiful with the proper planning in mind.

On the other hand, some spaces are just way to huge and the shower enclosure may look like a miniature bathroom in your backyard. There is no need to make a big fuss about it though because spaces that are too big are actually easier to work with than the ones that are too small. Apart from getting a big enclosure – one that can fit two to three people at once – it is also a good idea to get two outdoor shower enclosures instead of one. That way, more than two people can have a shower at once. That will really come in handy during pool parties or if you have a huge family.

One other thing you have to consider when choosing the perfect outdoor shower enclosure for your backyard (or front yard, whatever floats your boat), is the overall design you want to achieve. Most people, who have the resources and appropriate floor area, go for outdoor showers that look like you have your own spa at home. You can achieve that by installing a steamer and foldable stool inside the enclosure – pretty cool huh? If you are blessed to have a wonderful view of the mountains, a lake, or probably your neighbor’s mansion, then kudos to you!

Lastly, you also need to take in to consideration the needs of your other family members. If you have loved ones who find it difficult to do things on their own, you can get an outdoor shower enclosure that has padded seats and bars. You can even choose enclosures that can accommodate wheelchairs should the need arise.

There are just so many options to choose from; but if you know what you need, that should not be a problem. Enjoying taking showers with birds and Mother Nature!

DIY Outdoor Shower Enclosures

An amazing outdoor shower enclosure should offer you more than just a better looking backyard. It must also have the capabilities to withstand all weather conditions and other natural elements it may come in contact with everyday. Moreover, it should be adequately sized to cover at least two people at the same time. These kinds of shower enclosures, however, can be a bit expensive. In this day and age, it is almost impractical to buy something you do not need for survival. To remedy this problem, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide on making your own outdoor shower enclosures.

Naturally, the first thing you must do is to come up with a plan; and by this I mean I need you to sketch out a vision of your shower enclosure. The more detailed you can be, the better. There are plenty of design ideas you can choose from. Some are very simple while others have unique and highly unusual designs. Most people, however, prefer those showers that are fully enclosed and have swinging doors. Whatever floats your boat is okay; after all, you are doing it for yourself.

The next step is to decide on the dimensions of your outdoor shower enclosure. There is

A wooden outdoor shower enclosure

You can make one of these by yourself and it isn't nearly as expensive as purchasing one.

only one thing you need to remember when coming up with the size: that it should accommodate and fully cover the person using it; otherwise, it would not make much sense at all. If you are done deciding how you want your shower enclosure to look and how big it will be, you are now ready to device your budget. If you know how much you are willing to spend for it, you can easily decide what materials you will use for the outdoor shower enclosure.

When all these items are set, you are now ready to hit the store and gather all the materials needed. Usually, people use wood for these shower enclosures. If you decide to go down that route too, all you need is wood, some nails, and wood cement; and you are all set. It is good to know that an outdoor shower enclosure made of wood is the easiest to do. You can also use materials such as ceramic tiles, hollow blocks, and PVC. Whatever materials you choose, just make sure they are sturdy enough to withstand harsh weathers and the sudden climate change. It is always a good idea to use sealing chemicals to prevent harmful materials from building up.

From here on forward, you can easily assemble your outdoor shower enclosure. Make sure that the foundation is strong enough to carry the entire enclosure; you would not want it to fall on you while you are taking a shower, right? Once you are done, you can proceed with accessorizing your shower. You can paint in as much color as you want, and add hooks where people can hang their towels and clothes on. You can do whatever you want with your outdoor shower enclosure. Just have fun while doing it and you will see marvelous results.

The Many Uses of Portable Outdoor Shower Enclosures

A lot of the outdoor shower enclosures these days are made from PVC materials. A lot of consumers prefer these enclosures over many others because it can withstand all weather conditions. You can use these enclosures during the rainy season because of their waterproof properties; and because they are super durable, they can also protect you from the harsh rays of the sun. Lastly, because these shower enclosures are very light, they can easily be transferred from one location to another. Hence, they are usually called portable outdoor enclosures. You can use them any way you like, but I have listed some of their common uses in this article.

An outdoor shower enclosure is usually used by campers. Owing to the fact that these showers are light, campers can easily put them up, take them down, and basically carry them along wherever their backpacking may lead them. Moreover, outdoor shower enclosures that are made from PVC are very durable and they can last for your entire trip – even if it is weeks or months. They can even be preserved for your next trip.

Believe it or not, these portable shower enclosures are also used during emergency

portable outdoor shower enclosure

Yes, the portable ones look like tents.

situations because they can be moved around with so much ease. One perfect example of this is when they are used by firemen during serious accidents. Sometimes, firefighters come across incidents wherein there is serious chemical or petroleum leakage. On those very rare moments, they need portable enclosures so that they can easily wash off the oil or any flammable chemicals that get on them while working. Moreover, they are also commonly used by our law enforcers in crime scene situations where there may be at risk for certain contaminants. The shower will help them wash off those possible contaminants right there on the scene so that they will not risk spreading it around.

In general, outdoor shower enclosures (especially the portable ones) can be used however you want to. They can be used for emergency situations, camping, and for most cases they are just perfect for a backyard shower on a scorching hot summer day. If you have been spending a lot of time in the pool, then the outdoor shower enclosures will definitely help you wash off dirt and chlorine from the pool. Because you can use these enclosures, you will never have to worry about people staring at you while you take a shower (even in public pools).

There are simple plenty of uses for portable outdoor shower enclosures. You can use them anytime; and because they are portable, anywhere too. Do not limit yourself, however, to the ones made from PVC. There is a wide range of variety for these outdoor shower enclosures. So don’ take my word for it, check one out now.