Make it

Alfresco shower

OutdoorflowInstalling an outdoor shower transformed a boring bare exterior wall into a refreshing spa-style retreat

Shower after a swim, hose down the dog or cool off after gardening – an outdoor shower can be a practical addition to any backyard, as DIY guru Natasha Dickins, of Little Red Industries (littleredindustries. com), discovered. Natasha changed a blank wall and unused space in her northern NSW garden into a resort-style alfresco shower.

Consider the height of who will be using the outdoor shower before it’s installed!

Make it! See page 58

Design with purpose First, Natasha considered how the shower would be used; this dictated its location, plumbing requirements and design. “Is it for you to use every day as a private shower? In which case you would want it plumbed in hot,” she explains. “Or is it just to wash sand off the kids when they come back from the beach? In which case, position it so you don’t have to trek all through the house to get to it.” Natasha’s shower is located behind the laundry, which meant tapping into the existing plumbing was possible with the help of a certified plumber.

Room with a view Natasha considered the outlook and chose not to fully enclose the shower zone. “The nice thing about an outdoor shower is being able to look up and see the open sky,” she says. Two decorative Matrix screens are attached to steel posts to ensure privacy, while a natural timber slatted splashback and pebble and paver base give the shower a spa-like feel. The slats are attached to H5 treated pine posts, sealed with an in-ground sealant. Natasha also gave the timber splashback a coat of Bondall Monocel Gold marine varnish. “I use it for all my exterior timbers,” she says. “If it’s tough enough to keep boat decks UV-resistant and waterproof, then it’s fine for an outdoor shower!” Need to know Any plumbing or electrical works must be done by a licensed tradie. Your local council may require outdoor showers to be connected to the sewer and protected by a roof structure. Always check with your local authority and discuss drainage options with your plumber. When building a shower onto an existing structure, attach it to the wall studs so it’s well secured. “Don’t attach just onto weatherboards as they could come loose with the weight,” explains Natasha. Be mindful of electrics behind the wall. Always use fixtures that can withstand harsh weather conditions, like galvanised or stainless steel nails and screws, and seal any timber fixtures, such as a seat, with a marine-grade coating.

Style on tap After extensive research, Natasha chose a standard chrome shower rose, arm and mixer. “They tend to lose their shine over time, but still function efficiently and were more affordable than specialty outdoor fittings. Every so often, I wipe them down and polish the chrome,” she says.

Shower, for similar try Methven 200mm WELS 3-star 9L/min round overhead shower, $109, I/N: 5003781, with Methven ‘Stilo’ swan neck shower arm in Chrome, $88, I/N: 5001769. 40cm x 40cm x 2cm porcelain pavers in Anthracite, $7.84 each, I/N: 3452416. Whites 3-5mm landscaping stone fine pebbles, $14.98/10kg, I/N: 3452481. Towel, Adairs, adairs.com.au. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

“We worked our shower so there’s an open wall and roof, to avoid the feel of a public amenity!”

Natasha Dickins DIY specialist

Comfort underfoot The shower base is lined with pavers over pebbles. Natasha’s tip is to lay them after the shower is installed to ensure the best position under the water, and to seal the pavers to stop build-up of moss and weeds and protect the grout. Another option is a well-sealed, slatted timber platform. ◆