Installing an outdoor shower for your space requires planning and research. The easy part is deciding where to put the shower. After you have decided where to place the shower and have a mental picture or perhaps a rough drawing of what it should look like, you will need to decide on the best materials for your outdoor shower.
I spoke to Jasmina Čerina, the Business Development Manager at Korta, a company that manufactures luxury outdoor showers. These unique showers are made from natural stone and double as sculptures beside a pool or in a garden.
Cerina has this to say about freestanding showers for outside:
“Natural stone or porcelain is the best material. It is because of their durability, low maintenance, and amazing looks. There are plenty of beautiful stainless steel showers on the market, but they pretty much all look the same. When you are using materials like natural stone or porcelain, every time you’ll get a slightly different slab that will make the shower unique.”
In this post, we’ll take a look at the best materials for outdoor freestanding showers and enclosures, outdoor shower heads, and outdoor shower floors.
Best Materials for Outdoor Showers
Materials for outdoor showers should be able to withstand the elements and wear and tear. Choose weather and water-resistant materials, as these will last longer with little maintenance.
Follow our guide to the best all round materials to use for your outdoor shower. However, not all of these materials are suitable for floors and enclosures, so later in the post, I’ve drilled down to deliver a handy list of the best materials to use in specific areas of your outdoor shower.
1. Natural Stone
Natural stone will add a touch of glamour and mystery to any outdoor shower. Stone is available in many different colors and finishes. Stone does require a bit more maintenance than other shower materials, but is well worth the effort to create a beautiful, luxurious outdoor shower area.
The best stone to use for your outdoor shower is:
- Bluestone
- Tumbled river rock
- Limestone
- Slate
- Marble
- Granite
- Travertine
The pros and cons of natural stone for outdoor showers are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Water-resistant | · Requires sealing often |
| · Hard wearing | · Can scratch easily |
| · Easy to clean | · Can be expensive |
| · Retains heat | · Light stone can discolor |
| · Textured and non-slip | · Non-standard must be cut to size |
| · Low maintenance | |
| · Decorative | |
| · Stunning colors |
2. Concrete
While concrete works well and adds to the aesthetics of an outdoor shower, it must be installed correctly. Concrete is decorative and modern. Adding dye or stain to the wet concrete can create your own contemporary art!
The pros and cons of concrete for outdoor showers are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Waterproof | · Must be sealed correctly |
| · Hard wearing | · Cold hard surface |
| · Easy to clean | · Slippery surface when wet |
| · Low maintenance | · Could discolor over time |
| · Decorative and modern | · Water can pool if the floor is not built with a slope |
| · Affordable | |
| · Mold and mildew resistant | |
| · Perfect base for decorative tiles |
3. Wood
Wood is another great material for outdoor showers. When choosing wood, make sure you look for rot-resistant pressure-treated wood. Imported wood should have an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification to prove that they are sustainably harvested. (Source)
Modified and salvaged wood are great for outdoor showers because they are generally already treated for protection against the elements.
The best woods for outdoor showers include:
- Cedar
- Redwood
- Teak
- Mahogany
- Cypress
- Brazilian ironwood
The pros and cons of wood for outdoor showers are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Weather resistant | · Must be treated to prevent fading and mildew |
| · Pressure treated | |
| · Various colors and designs | |
| · Cost-effective | |
| · Low maintenance | |
| · Non-slip |
4. Tile
Tiles are widely used indoors and out to add protection and a touch of color to a room. Outdoor showers benefit as much from tiles as indoor showers. Tiles are available in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes, so ensure that you choose the correct outdoor tiles for your shower.
Outdoor tiles should be glazed, especially if used on the floor, to prevent slipping.
The best tiles for your outdoor shower include:
- Porcelain
- Clay-based
- Ceramic
- Glass
- River rock
- Natural stone
The pros and cons of tiles for outdoor showers are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Durable | · Frequent sealing may be a requirement depending on the tile type |
| · Fade-resistant | · Not chip or scratch proof |
| · Non-porous | · Susceptible to outdoor wear and tear |
| · Water-repelling | |
| · Various colors and designs | |
| · Non-slip | |
| · Low maintenance | |
| · Various surface textures | |
5. Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is considered one of the best options for an outdoor shower as it will last a very long time and is the most corrosion-resistant metal. 316 stainless steel is best for the outdoors and is particularly good for coastal regions with salty air. (Source)
The pros and cons of stainless steel for outdoor showers are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Corrosion resistant | · Expensive |
| · Easy to clean | |
| · Durable | |
| · Rust-resistant | |
| · Stain-resistant | |
| · Frost-resistant |
6. Composite Decking Materials
Man-made composite materials are great for outdoor showers as they mimic the appearance of real wood and add a feel of the big outdoors to your shower! Generally made from plastic and organic fillers, this material needs very little maintenance, perfect for use outdoors.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Durable | Frequent sealing may be a requirement depending on the tile type |
| · Fade-resistant | · Not chip or scratch proof |
| · Non-porous | · Susceptible to outdoor wear and tear |
| · Water-repelling | |
| · Various colors and designs | |
| · Non-slip | |
| · Low maintenance | |
| · Various surface textures |
The Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Floors
Not all materials are suitable for outdoor showers. You can mix and match your floor materials and add your own design or pattern. Let’s look at the best materials for outdoor shower floors.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural stone | · Use porous stone like marble, granite, slate, limestone, or travertine. |
| Concrete | · Pebble and gravel stones mixed with epoxy resin add a unique finish to the floor |
| Wood | · Mix concrete and gravel to create a floor base, then cover it with smooth cement, stone, or ceramic tiles. Ensure that the floor has a slope to provide drainage and prevent water pooling |
| Tile | · Cedar and teak are the best woods for an outdoor shower floor, but they do need regular sealing. |
| Stainless steel | · Ceramic, porcelain, glass, river rock or clay-based glazed tiles are best for the floor |
| Composite decking | · The best low-maintenance, weather-resistant material for shower floors |
The Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Enclosures
Outdoor showers don’t always have fixed enclosures. You can create walls and doors using any number of materials depending on your level of privacy requirements.
Add your own artistic flare and use recycled materials such as old curtains and potted plants to add privacy to your shower, or, to add a more permanent touch, choose one of these:
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Stone | · Granite, marble, and slate are ideal for outdoor shower walls. Ensure they are sealed properly. |
| Cement | · Generally used on an existing wall backing onto the shower. Cement backer boards are an easier option for creating a waterproof barrier |
| Wood | · Cedar, teak, mahogany, and Brazilian ironwood are good woods to use on the walls of an outdoor shower |
| Glass block walls | · Use for privacy walls or a block border |
| River rock tiles | · Stack tiles to create the back wall of the shower |
| Ceramic Tiles | · Affix to cement backer boards and seal all edges |
| Composite decking | · Attach composite decking panels to an existing wall or a frame |
The Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Heads
An outdoor shower head should be rugged and reliable, ready to switch on in all types of weather. Different shower heads are available for your needs.
1. Stainless Steel Shower Heads
Stainless steel showerheads are perfect for outdoor showers as the metal provides the best corrosion resistance and guarantees a longer life span.
The pros and cons of stainless steel for outdoor shower heads are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Weather resistant | · Can be an expensive option |
| · Corrosion resistant | |
| · Low maintenance | |
| · Easy to clean | |
| · Beautiful | |
| · Various designs |
2. Chrome Shower Heads
Chrome is often cheaper than stainless steel and has a similar look and feel, but it is not as durable as the stainless steel option.
The pros and cons of chrome for outdoor shower heads are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Fairly durable | · Not as durable as stainless steel |
| · Cheaper option | · Chrome plating can chip |
| · Sparkly look | |
| · Various designs |
3. Brass Shower Heads
Brass has a warm appeal which is more suited to a retro-style outdoor shower but requires more maintenance.
The pros and cons of brass for outdoor shower heads are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Durable | · Expensive |
| · Stylish | · Requires regular polishing unless you are looking for an aged patina |
| · Various designs | |
| · Corrosion resistant |
Cedar Outdoor Shower
Cedarwood is one of the best materials to use for an outdoor shower. Wood allows you to create the shower of your dreams by using any configuration you like – try a 3 walled-stall with a wooden floor, a cedar-shingled shed with large windows for ventilation and light, or a simple shower head over a wooden deck.
An outdoor cedar shower is stylish and can add value to your home. Cedar is a fragrant wood known for its resilience, particularly to rot and decay. Cedar is also a natural insulator, so it will stay cool in the summer and warm in winter.
These are the reasons why you should choose cedar for your outdoor shower:
- Cedar is durable, naturally waterproof, and a great bug repeller.
- The wood color improves with age, especially when exposed to the elements.
- “Checking” happens when the cedar wood dries, resulting in a check which is neither a crack nor a split in the wood, adding to the uniqueness of the color.
- Cedar is a great heat insulator and doesn’t chip, warp, or stain.
- Low maintenance, the wood should last for 40 years with some varnishing.
Copper Outdoor Shower
Copper is a popular choice for an outdoor shower. High-end outdoor projects use copper for outdoor showers as they are beautiful and provide an exciting finish to the outdoor area. As the metal ages, the surface will tarnish over time, creating a unique “living -finish” or patina.
Bare copper pipes are a stunning addition to the shower feature, so leave them to age and develop their own patina.
These are the reasons why you should choose copper for your outdoor shower:
- Copper is not affected by UV rays, making it the perfect metal for the outdoors.
- Copper is durable, almost indestructible, corrosion-resistant, naturally anti-bacterial, and mold-resistant, meaning it will never corrode or rust.
- Copper shower heads are available in many styles, shapes, and sizes and can be installed in any outdoor shower to make a statement!
- Copper is compatible with PVC plumbing so you can spend less on hidden plumbing pipes and more on the shower head.
Bamboo Outdoor Shower
Bamboo is eye-catching and creates a tropical feel and vacation ambiance to an outdoor shower enclosure. Bamboo can be used as a permanent enclosure or as a mobile screen to place where you need it.
Attach a shower head to a single vertical piece of bamboo secured to the ground or a wall. Or build an elaborate bamboo wall as a feature in your garden and attach a stunning shower head to complete the look!
What you should know before you choose bamboo for your outdoor shower:
- Bamboo is not entirely waterproof but is water-resistant.
- Seal bamboo with a quality product before you use it in your shower enclosure, and continue to use a sealant regularly to keep the bamboo in good condition.
- Although naturally resistant to rot and insects, clean bamboo regularly with soap and water to prevent surface mold.
- With proper care and maintenance, bamboo will remain beautiful and last a very long time.
- For a more sustainable and budget-friendly option, bamboo is the way to go!
So, What are the Best Materials for Outdoor Showers?
The beauty of an outdoor shower is that you can build it according to your needs and with whatever materials you have available. There is no right or wrong way to create your perfect shower. All it takes is some imagination and planning.
Find out everything you need to know about permits, drains and getting hot water to your outdoor shower.
Tags: Bamboo Outdoor Shower, Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Enclosures, Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Floors, Best Materials for Outdoor Shower Heads, Best Materials for Outdoor Showers, Cedar Outdoor Shower