Planning a concealed thermostatic shower: what you need to decide before the tiles go on

With a concealed shower, the important decisions are made before the tiles go on. Once the wall is closed up, the concealed unit is fixed in place. Moving anything later means breaking tiles. So plan four things first: where the rain shower will go, where the controls will be, where the hand shower will go and which finish you want.

The reward is sleek walls, no visible pipes and a shower that feels like a little spa every morning.

Rain shower from the ceiling or the wall?

A ceiling-mounted rain shower has something special about it. The water falls straight down, gently and evenly, directly above your head. It's as close as you can get to a spa at home.

Ceiling arm

The Aquanello Eterna stainless steel concealed thermostatic shower set with ceiling arm is made for exactly this. A water pipe needs to run to the ceiling, so discuss this with your installer first.

Wall arm

Can't run a pipe through the ceiling? The Eterna set with wall arm gives you the same rain shower experience, with all the pipes in one wall.

For the difference in everyday use, read rain shower or hand shower.

What's included in an Aquanello Eterna concealed shower set?

Each set contains everything you need for a complete concealed shower:

• a concealed thermostatic unit, installed in the wall

• the cover plate, which covers the concealed unit after tiling

• an integrated diverter that switches between the rain shower and the hand shower

• a shower arm, for the ceiling or wall

• a round rain shower with EasyClean nozzles

• a slim baton hand shower

• the connection and mounting components

The thermostat keeps the water at the temperature you set. Our article are thermostatic shower mixers worth it? explains why that matters.

What size rain shower should I choose?

Both types of set are available with a 20, 25 or 30 cm rain shower. A larger shower head covers more of your body with water; a smaller one suits a compact shower. Position the rain shower above the centre of where you stand.

Where should the controls go?

Place them where you can reach them without standing under the water, usually on the wall closest to the shower entrance. That way, you can turn on the shower, let the water reach your chosen temperature and step under it when it's ready. The diverter lets you switch between the rain shower and the hand shower with a single control.

And the hand shower?

That's the practical part of the set, for rinsing hair, washing children and cleaning the walls. Place it within reach of the controls.

When should I choose the finish?

Choose it now, along with the set. The Eterna shower is available in stainless steel, matt black, brushed gold and brushed copper. The same finishes are available throughout the Aquanello Eterna series, so your shower can match your basin tap.

In what order is a concealed shower installed?

1. Choose the set and finish. Choose a ceiling or wall arm, the size of the rain shower and the finish.

2. Mark the positions. Together with your installer, mark the positions of the controls, rain shower and hand shower on the wall.

3. Install the concealed unit. The installer fits the concealed thermostatic unit in the wall and runs the pipes.

4. Carry out a pressure test. The system is tested for leaks while the wall is still open.

5. Tile. The tiler works around the concealed unit at the correct depth.

6. Fit the visible components. The cover plate, arm, rain shower and hand shower go on last.

Quick checklist for your installer

• Is it possible to run a pipe through the ceiling for the rain shower?

• Has the concealed unit been installed at the correct depth for the tiles?

• Have the positions of the controls, rain shower and hand shower been marked?

• Has the system been pressure-tested before tiling?

How do I keep the shower looking good?

Clean the visible components with a soft cloth and a mild cleaning product, and avoid scouring pads and strongly acidic or alkaline products. The rain shower's EasyClean nozzles are flexible: rub them with your fingers to remove limescale.

What are the most common mistakes?

• Tiling before the system has been pressure-tested

• Installing the concealed unit at the wrong depth for the tiles

• Choosing a ceiling arm without checking whether a pipe can reach the ceiling

• Placing the controls beneath the rain shower

The finishing touch

Make these decisions while the walls are still open, and your shower will feel right from the very first morning, without needing to change anything once the tiles are in place. Renovating the whole bathroom? Start with our main guide: where to start with taps and showers.