Home > Blog > Showering Outdoors: Why More Homeowners are Installing Outdoor Showers (and What I've Learned Along the Way)
Showering Outdoors: Why More Homeowners are Installing Outdoor Showers (and What I've Learned Along the Way)
One of the interesting things about being a plumber is that you get a front-row seat to how people are changing their homes. Over the last few years, I've seen homeowners investing more than ever in their gardens, and with that has come a growing interest in outdoor showers.
Five years ago, I honestly can't remember installing one. Today, although they're still far from common, we're fitting around six or seven outdoor showers a year. And if I'm honest, I think we'd probably install even more if people realised just how achievable they are.
Every day our team are inside people's homes, so we get to see first-hand how people are living differently. One thing I've definitely noticed is that people are treating their gardens as another room. They're creating spaces they genuinely want to spend time in, whether that's with outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, comfortable seating areas or even garden offices. Outdoor showers are becoming part of that too.
It's not just about adding a bit of luxury. For some homeowners it's about washing off after gardening or sport, for others it's rinsing down muddy dogs, and for many it's tied to the growing interest in health and wellbeing. Whatever the reason, it's a trend that's definitely gathering pace.
Why More Homeowners Are Showering Outdoors
I think there are a few reasons why we're seeing this trend. Firstly, people are investing far more in their gardens than they used to.
Even though money is tighter for many households, people are staying at home more. They're entertaining friends in the garden instead of going out, building outdoor kitchens, adding hot tubs, buying better garden furniture and creating spaces they can enjoy all year round. The garden has become an extension of the home rather than somewhere you simply cut the grass.
Secondly, we're all far more health conscious than we were a few years ago. There's much more awareness around getting outside, spending time in natural daylight and looking after our mental wellbeing. Whether it's getting your vitamin D, enjoying some fresh air or simply stepping away from a screen for ten minutes, people are making a conscious effort to spend more time outdoors.
Then there's the growing popularity of cold water therapy. People like wellness guru Wim Hof, have introduced millions to the idea of cold showers, breathing techniques and cold-water immersion. Whether you're completely convinced by it or just curious to give it a try, there's no doubt it's helped make showering outdoors something many people are now actively interested in.
Who's Having Outdoor Showers Installed?
Most of the people who contact us tend to fall into a few categories...
1Health and Fitness Enthusiasts
These are often people interested in cold-water therapy, recovery after exercise or simply making outdoor living part of their daily routine. Many have plunge pools, ice baths or saunas and want an outdoor shower alongside them.
1
Health and Fitness Enthusiasts
These are often people interested in cold-water therapy, recovery after exercise or simply making outdoor living part of their daily routine. Many have plunge pools, ice baths or saunas and want an outdoor shower alongside them.
OPTION 2
Connect An Outdoor Tap To The Hot Water Supply
This is the simpler approach. A standard outdoor tap is connected to the hot water system.
It works, but there are limitations, the biggest downside is temperature control. Depending on what's happening elsewhere in the house (like someone taking a shower upstairs), the water temperature can vary.
Sometimes it might be perfect, but sometimes it could be much hotter than expected. It's a good budget-friendly upgrade but not necessarily the most practical option for regular dog washing/use.
OPTION 3
Install A Thermostatic Blending Valve
This is the option I recommend for homeowners who want maximum control and safety. A thermostatic blending valve mixes hot and cold water before it reaches the outside tap.
You can set a specific temperature (for example around 30°C) and the system maintains that temperature consistently.
Benefits include:
- Consistent water temperature
- Reduced risk of scalding
- Safer for children and pets
- More comfortable for regular use
If you've got young children, pets or you're planning to use the tap regularly, this is often the safest and most user-friendly setup.
My Favourite Outdoor Shower Project So Far
One project that really stands out was a property in Wandsworth. The homeowners already had plans for a luxury outdoor space complete with a sauna, plunge pool and outdoor shower.
Originally, they contacted us simply about extending a water supply. Once we visited and saw what they were planning, the project naturally grew into something much bigger.
In the end, we worked alongside the groundworkers and the specialist sauna company over a period of around three weeks to install the plumbing for the whole outdoor shower area.
One of the biggest challenges wasn't actually installing the shower itself. It was getting the pipework there. We needed to run new supplies around 40 to 50 metres from the house to the garden without disturbing an expensive patio and raised planting beds.
Using specialist moling equipment meant we could install the pipework beneath the patio while keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.
Seeing the finished result made all the planning worthwhile.
Where Do Most Outdoor Showers Go?
One thing that surprises people is that most outdoor showers aren't actually in the middle of the garden. In reality, they're usually installed on the side of the house. That's simply because it's much easier to connect into existing hot and cold water supplies.
A straightforward wall-mounted shower fixed to an external wall is often the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Freestanding outdoor showers deeper into the garden are certainly possible, but they usually involve much longer pipe runs, more groundwork and a bigger budget.
Can You Have Hot Water Outside?
Absolutely. This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions I hear. Many people assume an outdoor shower has to be cold.
It doesn't.
If the shower is being installed close to the house, it's usually possible to extend both the hot and cold water supplies to create a fully functioning outdoor shower with temperature control.
If the shower is located further away, for example next to a garden room, there are other options such as installing a separate electric water heater nearby.
The best solution really depends on where you want the shower and what's already available. If you'd like to understand this in more detail, I've written a separate guide explaining how to get hot water to an outside shower and the different installation options available.
What Do People Often Overlook?
The biggest thing is getting the services to where the shower is going. Everyone naturally focuses on where they'd like the shower to be.
As a plumber, I'm looking at where the hot water, cold water and pipework already are. Sometimes moving the shower a couple of metres can make a huge difference to the complexity and cost of the installation.
People also worry about drainage, but that's usually less of an issue than they expect. Provided the ground drains reasonably well, an outdoor shower isn't producing huge volumes of water. If there's a nearby surface water drain then that's ideal, but it's certainly not always essential.
Finally, because everything is exposed to the weather, it's important to think about protecting pipework from freezing. External insulation naturally deteriorates over time because it's exposed to sunlight, rain and changing temperatures, so like anything outdoors, it benefits from occasional maintenance.
How Much Does An Outdoor Shower Cost?
Like most plumbing projects, it depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're installing a straightforward wall-mounted outdoor shower on the outside of the house, where the plumbing is already nearby, you're typically looking at around £1,000 plus VAT, including the shower itself.
At the other end of the scale, bespoke outdoor shower installations forming part of larger garden projects can cost considerably more.
Our Wandsworth project, for example, involved around three weeks of work alongside other contractors and approximately 40 to 50 metres of new pipework. The plumbing installation alone came to around £6,500 plus VAT.
Every project is different, so the best way to get an accurate idea of costs is to have a qualified plumber assess your property and discuss what you're hoping to achieve.
Is Showering Outdoors Just A Passing Trend?
Personally, I don't think so.
Will every home have an outdoor shower? Probably not. But I do think more homeowners will continue investing in outdoor living spaces and looking for practical ways to enjoy them.
Five years ago, outdoor showers were something I hardly ever came across. Today, they're becoming a regular enquiry. As gardens continue to evolve into genuine extensions of our homes, I wouldn't be surprised if they become far more common over the next few years.
If you're considering installing an hot water tap or shower and would like some honest advice about what's possible at your property, we'd be happy to help.
Oliver Osmore has been part of Maintracts Services since 2001, following in his father’s footsteps. As Managing Director, he ensures the company runs smoothly, supports customers and engineers, and thrives on solving complex problems others can’t. Highly organised and approachable, Oliver works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, drawing on his extensive experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services to resolve enquiries efficiently.
Since 1974, Maintracts Services has built a reputation for high-quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company remains committed to professionalism, safety, and customer satisfaction.
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