After a long day of work, running errands, shuttling kids around and basically doing lists of things for other people, one of the most anticipated times of the day is when you can luxuriate with not only a shower, but a shower experience.
But it's not the handles or the shower hose that makes your shower so special. It's the shower head. And for a quick upgrade for your shower, there's no need to rip 
out your bathroom wall to replace the entire shower system. One of the quickest and easiest ways to upgrade your shower experience is to simply change out your shower head.
The variety of shower heads boggles the mind. Recent innovations like the Rainshower shower heads give you the feeling of being enveloped in water, and can actually save it in the process. And while there's nothing inherently wrong with just two or three settings, how do four or even six sound?
Brands
FaucetDirect.com features nearly two dozen manufacturers which make shower heads. Danze, and Kohler have the most prodigious selection, while Cifial, Hansgrohe and American Standard also offer a number of different products and designs. Other manufacturers include:
| Alsons | Brasstech | Delta | Elements of Design |
| Grohe | Haws | ||
| Jado | Toto | Newport Brass | Porcher |
| Price Pfister | Rohl | Showhouse by Moen | Sloan |
Kohler has arguably the industry's widest array of shower heads. From its WaterTile collection-which combines form and function-to Rain Shower heads, Kohler is the most ambitious shower head manufacturer in the industry.
Styles
Searching for and finding the right shower head is no problem at Build.com. From employing the perfect expression of a soothing spring rain to providing numerous options depending on your mood, there's something designed to complement everything from your bathroom faucet to your tub filler.
Chrome, nickel and brass tones are far and away the most popular, while silver and bronzetones are also favorites. Other options include black, gold, grey, pewter, stainless steel, white and yellow.
Similar to finishes, a wide variety of themes can meet any of your design needs. While modern, classic and Victorian are the most popular among manufacturers, you can also find shower heads that boast country, functional, Renaissance, retro, traditional and vintage themes.
Features
Multi-function shower heads with a massage setting and an environmentally friendly water-flow rate of 1.6 gallons per minute(gpm). Single-function, single-setting fixtures with the sole purpose of getting you clean. These are among the many, many choices available when it comes to shower heads. It's all a personal decision, and the options are out there.
Settings
Way back in the olden days, the most common thing you'd find in a shower was a single-function shower head. As time went by, technology improved and motivated manufacturers began producing more fulfilling and engaging shower experiences. Soon the multi-function shower head came along. But what does this kind of fixture offer? Spray patterns such as fine, massage and Rainshower are perennial favorites, and it can also include full, needle, normal, soft and wide. Setting number options include: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Multi-head shower heads offer the choice of more than one water outlet. For example, Grohe's Freehander shower head is a triumph in two ways. It features two separate spray heads as well as an eco-friendly, water-conserving spray setting on the outer shower head.
Water-flow rate
Naturally, single-head shower heads produce less water than those with multiple heads. Build.com offers the following choices of water-flow rate: 1.5, 1.6, 1.75, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 3.2, 3.4, 20 (believe it or not)
Current trends and improvements
As more manufacturers continue to provide memorable shower experiences, the race is on for the next big thing. Two recent improvements stand out as being both exceptional of design and responsible.
Rain Shower
Rain Shower shower heads have revolutionized the way we shower, with its unique design and invigorating result. A flat, wide surface on an oversized shower head produces the feeling of being in the rain, clearly more natural than a traditional shower head. This calming stream of water is thoroughly distinctive and must be tried to be believed.
Eco-friendly
Have a desire to be more eco-conscious? Consider an eco-friendly shower head that adheres to current water usage restrictions. For example, Kohler's MasterShower shower head uses 2.0 gpm, while the Forte multi-function shower head uses just 1.75 gpm. Delta's Traditional shower head uses an extraordinary 1.6 gpm.
Installation
Changing out your existing shower head should really be quite easy. Since you're taking off an old fixture and putting up a new one, your water supply lines should be good to go. For the most part, all you'll need to replace your old shower head with a new one is possibly an adjustable wrench, a hex wrench, thread sealant and plumbers putty. A strap wrench is also a smart idea, since using an adjustable wrench on the finish may scratch or damage the fixture for good. This all may vary, however, from product to product, so refer to the instructions.
This is not to say that all shower heads can be installed simply and quickly. Installation of the Kohler's four-panel Rain Shower heads, however, is a much more involved. Since these fixtures go overhead, you must route the water supply lines there, as well. For example, In addition to a screwdriver, sealant tape, hex wrenches and a wrench, some soldering may be involved. This may be a project you can let a plumber or contractor take care of.
As always, though, it's a good idea to read the manufacturer-issued installation instructions prior to installation. Also, some manufacturers offer their installation instructions on their Web sites. FaucetDirect.com also includes installation guides for some products
Your bathroom is your sanctuary. Give it the look it deserves, and indulge in the process, with a new shower head.
