Thinking back over the years I have been in many different showers. In each of those showers, the shower head seemed to be just the right height above me to allow me to rinse my hair without any problems. I have had showers in my own shower at home, at sports clubs, at gymnasiums, and in more hotels than I can imagine thanks to all the traveling that I did for work. That raises the question of whether this was all random chance or is there a standard height for shower heads, and if so, what is that height?
The standard height of a shower head is 80 inches, measured from the floor of the bathroom. This is based on the average height of the population. Some countries with very tall populations have shower head heights slightly higher, but most countries use 80 inches as standard in their building codes.
Let’s take a closer look at the standardization of shower head height as well as what your options are if your shower head is too high or low for you.
What Is The Standard Height Of A Shower Head
The industry standard for the height of a shower head is 80 inches. Bear in mind that this 80-inch height is measured from the floor of the bathroom. If your shower is above a bathtub, it will be slightly lower in relation to the inside of the bathtub as it will still be 80 inches above the floor of the bathroom.
The reason that 80 inches have been chosen as the industry standard is that it is the height that can widest range of the adult population. It is only when you are taller than 6ft, 8in that the 80-inch shower head height will start being too low for you.
Can A Shower Head Be Too High?
A shower head can be too high, especially if you are somewhat shorter than normal. If your shower head is too high it can make the showering process more difficult. The spray from a shower head is the most concentrated near to the shower head you are. Standing further away will mean a diffused spray making it more difficult to wash the soap off properly.
A shorter person showering with a too high shower head will have the feeling of the soap not washing off thoroughly and needing to keep moving around in the shower in order to get wet.
Can Shower Head Be Higher Than The Shower Door?
There are no building code regulations that stipulate that a shower head must be lower than the shower door.
In truth, most shower heads are lower than the shower door, especially if there is a chance that some splash from the shower can go over the door.
I have often seen rain shower heads that are higher than the shower door, although the water from a rain shower head goes straight down, with next to no chance of any upward splashing going over the shower door.
Why Are Shower Heads So Low?
Some countries do not have the same 80-inch regulation for the height of their shower heads. That is because the standard height of shower heads is based on the average height of the population in that country.
Therefore, it is entirely possible that you could visit a country where the standard height of shower heads is lower.
If the average height of the population in the country you are visiting is shorter than your country, you can expect the majority of shower heads in that country to be lower – especially so in hotels.
How Can I Raise My Shower Head?
The easiest and most affordable way that I have found to raise the height of a shower head is by using an adjustable shower arm.
The adjustable shower arm attaches to your existing shower arm pipe as an extension that you can set to the height that you want. You then attach your existing shower head.
You might need to get a new shower head from the same manufacturer as the adjustable shower arm. Sometimes the shower head doesn’t quite fit onto the new shower arm and you could have a bit of leaking when you take your next shower.
What Do I Do If My Shower Head Is Too High?
Similar to the type of adjustment you can make when your shower head is too low, there is an affordable, plumbing-free, solution if your shower head is too high.
You will need to get an extendable shower arm that attaches to your existing shower arm pipe. Set the extendable shower arm to the height that you want and attach your existing shower head.
If you are unsure of which is the right shower head extension arm for you, get into your shower and measure the height difference from the top of your head to the shower head. With this measurement in hand, visit a bed and bath retailer so that you can find the shower head extension that’s right for you.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.