Summer Showers

Meghan Stromberg, Senior Editor
July 1, 2003
Professional Builder

Once regarded merely as a place to lather up and rinse off, the shower now is seen as a sanctuary. Manufacturers are responding with a host of shower heads that do everything from easing away stress with gentle, rainlike drops of water to beating it out with powerful, pulsating streams. Here are some of the picks of the season.

Jaclo Industries Available as both an overhead and a hand-held, Jaclo's top-selling Frescia sprays a full spray, massage or nebulizing mist. Price (chrome): hand shower $98, shower head $89 Info: 800/852-3906 At $1,200, the Stacey II from Jaclo costs quite a bit more but is well worth a mention. It is a 12-inch-wide, solid-brass (with chrome finish) "rain head" with 136 rubberized sprays.

Hansgrohe The Raindance resembles a hand-held mirror with a shortened handle that makes maneuvering and switching between spray modes easier, the company says. The 6-inch-wide shower head measures twice the width of other hand-helds. The Raindance features rotating sprays and a moveable shower-head holder (All-Rounder). Price: hand shower $118, hand shower with All-Rounder $398 Info: www.hansgrohe-usa.com

Danze As interesting in looks as it is in function, the 7-inch spinning shower head consists of five spinning "pods" surrounded by a 7-inch, spinning, tilting halo that delivers a constant stream. Price (chrome): $208 Info: www.danze-online.com

Kohler Responding to consumer research, Kohler added larger shower heads to its existing lines. The 5 1/2-inch-wide, overhead, single-function heads feature 72 spray nozzles, and the multifunction heads feature three spray options: aerated, coverage and massage. Price (polished chrome): single-function $55, three-way $75. Info: www.kohler.com