Shower Dome?

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jaymz

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#61219 12-May-2010 13:32

Hey, has anyone used one of these before?

I have heard they do a great job of reducing the amount of steam in the bathroom whilst showering, however I have read on other sites that they cause the shower to feel like a sauna.

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#329348 12-May-2010 13:37

I was pretty keen to get one last winter but with summer arriving we didn't bother. I guess I should look into it again. If the shower feels like a sauna, wouldn't that just encourage you to have the water temperature lower? I'd think that would be a good thing.

patatrat

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#329353 12-May-2010 13:40

Never used one, but have heard about them.

It is an interesting concept / solution to the steam problem

The dome goes over the shower. The steam goes up into the dome, where the air outside of the dome is colder than the air inside it. Just like your windows on a cold night, you get condensation on the top of the dome, which then falls down as water into your shower.

By directing all the steam into the dome and making it condense there, you stop it from escaping and condensing anywhere else (like your windows, mirror etc).

I imagine that you may experience cold water dripping down on you while showering (as the steam condenses and falls), but maybe someone who has one can tell you if it is that much of a big deal.

The only other issue I would look out for, is that in my opinion, they are ugly. If you have an good extractor fan in your bathroom, you shouldn't need one.

bazzer

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#329360 12-May-2010 13:47

Supposedly, no steam is generated because there is no cold air/warm air mixing. I'm sure you could get a bit of condensation in the dome, but I doubt you'd notice the odd drip from above given the amount of water coming out the shower head.

I don't think the look is that bad, although my friend agrees with you. Unfortunately, some bathrooms (like ours) make installing an extractor fan difficult. Showerdome is an easy, inexpensive solution (or so I hope).

I'm also interested to hear if anyone has actual hands on experience.

jaymz

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#329369 12-May-2010 13:59

We have an extractor fan and heat lamp installed, but this is more of a cost cutting exercise.

One off cost with 0 running costs.

I am going to make a "shower dome" tonight to test (I.E. cut a sheet of plywood to size and see if it makes a difference (steam wise i mean)

They sound like a good idea, but I want to do a dry run so-to-speak with it first before spending $270 on one.

wazzageek

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#329371 12-May-2010 14:02

jaymz: Hey, has anyone used one of these before?

I have heard they do a great job of reducing the amount of steam in the bathroom whilst showering, however I have read on other sites that they cause the shower to feel like a sauna.

My father has one - if I wasn't renting I'd definitely put one in.

The work as advertised and definitely worth it. Having showered with one in place versus an extractor fan, I'd rather have the dome.

If the shower feels like a sauna, then I suspect that the temperature and length of shower are higher and longer than I tend ...

I've never experienced cold water dripping back on me - even after others have showered before me.

I do know that you need to crack open the door afterwards to get air flowing into the shower cubicle, given that the contained moisture can lead to mold growth...

jaymz

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#329386 12-May-2010 14:48

wazzageek:
My father has one - if I wasn't renting I'd definitely put one in.

The work as advertised and definitely worth it. Having showered with one in place versus an extractor fan, I'd rather have the dome.

If the shower feels like a sauna, then I suspect that the temperature and length of shower are higher and longer than I tend ...

I've never experienced cold water dripping back on me - even after others have showered before me.

I do know that you need to crack open the door afterwards to get air flowing into the shower cubicle, given that the contained moisture can lead to mold growth...

Good to know, we own a house now so it is part of the upgrade process we are going through. I would expect that if you had a hot hot shower then it would get very sauna'ry in there, but I beleive the whole idea is to reduce the heat of your showers with help from the shower dome (no longer heating the air in the shower)

I will let you all know how it goes tonight with the plywood "dome". If it goes well then I will probably get one. Although we might wait until the fieldays and see if they have a special on then!

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nate

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#329395 12-May-2010 15:02

jaymz: Good to know, we own a house now so it is part of the upgrade process we are going through. I would expect that if you had a hot hot shower then it would get very sauna'ry in there, but I beleive the whole idea is to reduce the heat of your showers with help from the shower dome (no longer heating the air in the shower)

On the whole cost saving idea:

(before anyone suggest, no I will not save water with you)

robbyp

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#329398 12-May-2010 15:06

jaymz: Hey, has anyone used one of these before?

I have heard they do a great job of reducing the amount of steam in the bathroom whilst showering, however I have read on other sites that they cause the shower to feel like a sauna.

Shows TV advertising works. I saw them being advertisied this morning on TV. Personally I wouldn't install one, as it is trying to solve a problem that isn't really a major issue, and I am too tall for it. They don't mention how you are meant to clean the top of it, when it gets dustly

Handsomedan

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#329401 12-May-2010 15:09

And when that dust gathers they'd get pretty grubby indeed!

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mwtb

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#329402 12-May-2010 15:09

I think I'd be include to hack one together from coat-hangers, glad-wrap and duct tape and see how it worked for a while. It doesn't seem to be any more than a plastic lid.

bazzer

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#329405 12-May-2010 15:15

robbyp: Shows TV advertising works. I saw them being advertisied this morning on TV. Personally I wouldn't install one, as it is trying to solve a problem that isn't really a major issue, and I am too tall for it. They don't mention how you are meant to clean the top of it, when it gets dustly

What is the problem that is not a major issue? Steam and condensation are pretty annoying in the bathroom. I'd call it a major issue. Also, wondering how you can be too tall for it? Does your head stick out the of of your shower? Must make it awfully difficult to wash your hair? Luckily, being so tall, I'd assume you'd have no problem cleaning the top of it! I would assume you just wipe it when it gets dusty. If you can't reach, get a stool?

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jaymz

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#329407 12-May-2010 15:16

robbyp:
Shows TV advertising works. I saw them being advertisied this morning on TV. Personally I wouldn't install one, as it is trying to solve a problem that isn't really a major issue, and I am too tall for it. They don't mention how you are meant to clean the top of it, when it gets dustly

They advertise on TV? I saw them in a Mitre10 Mega catelog awhile back and checked out the website.

I agree, dust on top would be a pain, but then again it should be dry dust so a quick flick with a duster would clean it off, and with it being drier in the bathroom it should be dry indeed!

Height it a possible problem, but then again my head doesn't poke out about the top of the shower anyway so I'm sweet :P

wazzageek

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#329408 12-May-2010 15:16

robbyp:
jaymz: Hey, has anyone used one of these before?

I have heard they do a great job of reducing the amount of steam in the bathroom whilst showering, however I have read on other sites that they cause the shower to feel like a sauna.

Shows TV advertising works. I saw them being advertisied this morning on TV. Personally I wouldn't install one, as it is trying to solve a problem that isn't really a major issue, and I am too tall for it. They don't mention how you are meant to clean the top of it, when it gets dustly

If your head doesn't poke above the top of your shower walls, then you could put one in.

The moulding is pretty smooth, so one of the magic extender wands with the fluffy end would suffice in moving the dust from the top (probably). Of course, this is similar to my dislike for the light fittings that are a bowl attached to the ceiling.

wazzageek

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#329409 12-May-2010 15:18

mwtb: I think I'd be include to hack one together from coat-hangers, glad-wrap and duct tape and see how it worked for a while. It doesn't seem to be any more than a plastic lid.

I understand that each one is custom moulded to your measurements ... so, the reality is that they are not much more than a plastic lid :-)

Good way to teach young 'uns how a bug feels when you capture it in a jar ...

Dingbatt

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#329443 12-May-2010 16:27

I believe the reason it is a dome is twofold. Firstly to make it feel less claustrophobic and secondly (and more inportantly) so the condensation runs to the sides rather than forming cold drips to fall on you.

Our main bathroom shower is a cubicle that is completely enclosed. Yes it does get steamy and a little sauna-like, but the bathroom doesn't have an extractor fan (house is about 40 years old) and having the shower fully enclosed, and training the kids to keep the doors closed during and after showering, makes a huge difference the the amount of condensation in the rest of the bathroom (and in the house as a whole).

The growth of mould may be promoted in the cubicle itself but regular cleaning keeps on top of that, and it's better than having to de-mould the whole bathroom.

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