A shower tower can turn an ordinary shower wall into the centrepiece of a bathroom. With an overhead head, handset and, on some designs, body jets or a waterfall outlet gathered into one unit, it has plenty of appeal.
But a column is only as good as the water supply behind it. The most important question is not “How many jets does it have?” It is “Will this particular model work well with my water system and fit my shower space?”
In this Allbits Shower Guide, we explain what a tower or column is, how to compare its features, and what to check before you order. You can browse Shower Towers & Columns at Allbits alongside the guide.
What is a shower tower or column?
A shower tower, shower column or shower panel is an integrated, visible shower unit fitted to a wall or, where the model allows, into a corner. Depending on its design, it may combine:
- A fixed overhead or rainfall shower
- A removable handset and hose
- Body jets
- A waterfall outlet
- Built-in controls and an outlet selector
- A shelf or other practical details
The terms “tower” and “column” often describe the same broad format. They do not tell you whether the unit is thermostatic, electric, pumped or suitable for your home's supply. Read the individual product specification.
Many columns in the Allbits range are thermostatic mixer showers. They blend the home's hot and cold supplies; they do not heat water inside the unit like an electric shower. If you are still deciding between the main shower types, read our Complete Guide to Choosing a Shower and Electric vs Mixer Showers.
Why choose a shower column?
The attraction is the combination of showering options and a strong visual statement. An overhead head provides broad coverage, a handset makes everyday rinsing and cleaning easier, and body jets add another way to shower where the supply can support them.
A single integrated unit can also make it easier to picture the finished arrangement than selecting a separate valve, fixed head, handset, wall outlets and accessories. That does not mean every column is simple to install or has identical connections. Check the mounting surface, plumbing positions and access required for the exact model.
The trade-off is flexibility: you choose the integrated layout that the manufacturer has designed, rather than positioning every outlet independently. Compare how useful the features will be for your household, not just how impressive they look in a photograph.
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Start with your water pressure and flow
This is the make-or-break check. The stated minimum operating pressure is a product requirement, not a promise that every outlet will feel powerful at that number. Pressure and flow must both be assessed while water is running at the proposed shower location. The available hot-water flow and demand elsewhere in the home matter too.
Allbits product pages show why you should check the individual column:
| Allbits example | Listed minimum operating pressure | Features to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Brescia Brushed Steel Shower Column | 2.0 bar | Curved rainfall head, handset and two body jets |
| Nevada Shower Column | 2.0 bar | Rainfall head, handset, four body jets and waterfall spout |
| Venice Shower Column | 2.0 bar | Integrated head, handset, three body jets and waterfall spout |
| Verona Stainless Steel Shower Column | 3.0 bar | Slimline rainfall head, handset and body jets |
These figures are the minimum pressures listed for those specific products, not a rule for all shower columns. Have an installer check the manufacturer's current technical instructions, the measured running pressure and flow, and the performance you expect. A column with several outlets may demand more from the supply if the design allows them to run together; do not assume simultaneous operation from a product picture.
Tip: Ask your installer to check the supply when another tap is being used too. A shower that only feels good when every other outlet in the house is closed may be a disappointing choice for a busy household.
Will a column work with a combi boiler?
Potentially, yes. Many mixer shower columns can be used with a suitable mains-pressure hot and cold supply, but compatibility is specific to the boiler, incoming mains, pipework and column. A combi boiler has a finite hot-water output; a shower column does not increase it.
If you want a large overhead spray or hope to use several outlets at once, ask your installer whether the boiler and mains supply can deliver enough hot and cold water at the required pressure and flow. A thermostatic control helps manage temperature within its operating range, but it cannot make up for insufficient supply.
What if you have a gravity-fed system?
A traditional hot-water cylinder and cold-water storage tank may provide less pressure than many multi-outlet columns require. Do not order a column solely because an existing shower works in the same room. A suitable, correctly designed pumped arrangement may be possible for some systems, but pump and column compatibility need professional assessment. A pump is not a universal add-on for a combi or mains-pressure system.
If the measured supply cannot meet a column's requirements, a simpler shower set or a shower designed for the available pressure may give a better everyday result.
Which features are worth having?
Rainfall or overhead head
An overhead head gives the shower its generous, spa-like feel. Check its projection, height and where the water will land. A larger head needs adequate flow to perform as intended; its size alone will not increase pressure.
Handset and hose
A handset is useful for washing without wetting your hair, helping children or other users, rinsing the enclosure and cleaning the shower area. Check its holder position, hose reach and whether it can be used independently of the overhead head.
Body jets
Body jets direct water from the front of the column. The Brescia lists two, while the Nevada lists four. Consider the users' heights, spray direction, enclosure width and the water supply before paying for extra jets. More jets are only useful if they can be positioned and supplied appropriately.
Waterfall outlet
Some designs, including the Venice, include a waterfall spout. Check how the controls select it, where its water falls and whether it suits the tray and screen arrangement.
Thermostatic control
A thermostatic mixer is designed to help maintain the chosen temperature as supply conditions change, within the product's specified limits. It does not boost flow. Check the temperature-stop arrangement and have the valve installed and commissioned according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Check the size and shower-space layout
A column's dimensions affect far more than whether it fits on the wall. Check the height of its overhead head relative to the tallest user, the projection into the showering area, room to operate the handset, and whether the enclosure can contain the spray.
For illustration, the Allbits listings give the Brescia as 1200 mm high × 130 mm wide, the Nevada as 1500 mm high × 200 mm wide, and the Venice as 1600 mm high × 220 mm wide. Check the manufacturer's complete technical drawing too: front height and width do not tell you the head's projection, fixing positions or connection details.
Ask these questions before buying:
- Is there a suitable solid, waterproofed fixing surface?
- Does the column need a flat wall, or can that model be fitted in a corner?
- Where are the hot and cold connections and isolation points?
- Will the fixed head clear the user and ceiling?
- Where will body jets and any waterfall outlet spray?
- Is the shower tray and enclosure arrangement suited to the likely spray pattern?
- How will the unit be accessed for servicing?
If you are planning a new enclosure around the column, our Shower Enclosure Buying Guide and Shower Tray Buying Guide will help with the other half of the layout.
Choosing a finish and looking after it
The finish makes a column a focal point. The Allbits range includes brushed steel, chrome, black and mirror-finish designs. Match the overall look to your taps and enclosure hardware, but check the exact finish names and product photographs: “brushed steel” from one range may not look identical to another maker's brushed metal.
Because columns have outlets, controls and sometimes body jets, regular care matters. Wipe and dry accessible surfaces, keep nozzles clear of mineral deposits, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the chosen finish. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals unless the instructions expressly permit them. If your area has hard water, gentle frequent cleaning is easier than tackling heavy limescale later.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by jet count alone. Check whether the supply can support the desired outlets and how the controls work.
- Treating minimum pressure as guaranteed performance. Check running pressure, flow and hot-water capacity.
- Assuming every column fits a corner. Confirm the specific mounting arrangement.
- Ignoring the head's projection. Check where water will land inside the shower area.
- Assuming all outlets run together. Some controls divert between them; verify the exact model.
- Planning pipework after the wall is finished. Confirm connections, fixing and future access before tiling.
- Forgetting drainage and splash control. The tray, waste and enclosure must suit the intended shower arrangement.
The Allbits before-you-buy checklist
- Identify the hot- and cold-water system.
- Ask an installer to assess running pressure, flow and hot-water capacity.
- Compare those readings with the exact column's current technical requirements.
- Decide which outlets you will actually use and how they operate.
- Measure wall height, column width and head projection.
- Check wall or corner mounting, connections and service access.
- Check the shower enclosure, tray, waste and splash area.
- Choose a finish and confirm its care instructions.
- Agree the complete installation plan before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Are shower towers and shower columns the same thing?
The terms are often used for similar integrated shower units. Features, connections and operating requirements vary between models, so compare their specifications rather than relying on the name.
Are shower columns electric?
Many are mixer showers that use the home's hot and cold water, including the thermostatic examples linked in this guide. “Column” describes the format, not the heating method. Check the actual product.
Do body jets need high water pressure?
They need the pressure and flow specified for the chosen column. The requirement varies: Allbits lists 2.0 bar minimum for some models with jets and 3.0 bar for the stainless steel Verona. An installer should assess real performance, particularly if multiple outlets may operate together.
Can a shower column be installed in a corner?
Some can. The Allbits Verona Stainless Steel listing mentions flat-wall or corner installation. Do not assume that applies to every column; check the maker's fitting instructions.
Will a thermostatic shower column improve poor pressure?
No. Thermostatic control helps regulate temperature. It does not create pressure or flow. If the supply is weak, diagnose the water system first and choose a suitable solution with your installer.
Find your shower column
The best column is the one whose features, dimensions and operating requirements all fit your bathroom and water system. Start with the functions you will use, confirm the supply and installation, then enjoy choosing the finish.
Explore Shower Towers & Columns at Allbits, or contact Allbits if you would like help narrowing down your options.