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Outdoor showers are an
exotically decadent backyard treat. What if you
could?
You can! And you shall!
If you are fast deserting
air-conditioned interiors for alfresco cooking, dining,
entertaining and solitude, you are not alone.
We're all
rediscovering the joys of staying home.
Amd we're and
looking for interesting ways to make our outdoor stays even
more enjoyable and entertaining.
Enter stage left -- showering
alfresco!

Be inspired with the ingredients that
make the difference in outdoor shower design.
Whether it's a
simple shower head, or no holds barred master bath luxury you
seek, alfresco showers are backyard necessities.
So let's get
started on the fresh-air shower of your dreams, so you can
truly experience the joys bathing alfresco...I mean alfresco
living!
Nothing compares to
fresh-air showers and alfresco tubs when it comes to washing
up and cooling off in a hurry.
And there's nothing
quit like bathing under a canopy of sky!
Make the most of
your fresh-air shower by covering these
simple basics.
Choosing The
Site

Any alfresco shower
design needs hot water for comfort and either 2 or 3 walls for
privacy.
So, site your
shower up against the house, beside the garage, behind
a potting shed or another out-building where there is an
existing hot water line in the wall.
You can even tap a
line outside of a basement window, or near the kitchen or
bathroom.
This way, you'll
control the cost of plumbing and
construction by taking advantage of at least 1 existing
exterior wall and plumbing that already exists inside
it.
Equip the shower
with its own hot water heater if you site it away from a
building with existing plumbing.
Insert a little breezy bathing into
your daily routine. Just site your shower so when you get home
from a stressful day, it's right there.
Permits &
Expertise

Contact your local
zoning office and ask about building codes. You'll also want
to know if there are lot-line restrictions and what types
of drains are acceptable.
Unless a simple
shower head is your ideal outdoor shower, you'll need plumbing
and construction skills.
This may be a
not-so-easy outdoor decor project. So consider hiring an
expert.
Creating
Privacy

There are so many
ways to get all the privacy you want.
And this privacy
comes in 4 flavors:
- Completely out
in the open
- Partially
enclosed
- Totally enclosed
- Either partially
or totally enclosed with a lockable or
latchable door
If your outdoor
space is well secluded, you may not want or need an
outdoor shower enclosure at all.
Boost privacy by
sequestering your shower in an alcove behind shrubbery or
walls.
For privacy
overhead, cover the shower enclosure with open beams
or rafters, then let climbing vines do the rest.
You can even pick
and choose your private times by using weatherproof awning
panels connected to the top of the shower frame.
If you're like me,
sometimes you feel like a nut, and sometimes you don't.
Feeling nutty? Just
roll the panels down like a window shade.
Not feeling all
that nutty today? Simply unfurl the panel.
Pipes & Parts

Copper and stainless
steel pipes are the outdoor champs, but your local code
may allow PVC pipes, which cost a lot less.
If you do leverage
an existing exterior wall with a hot water line it, you won't
have to wait so long for hot water to arrive at the shower
head -- saving water and saving money.
If it's cold where
you live, be sure to have a cut-off valve installed
inside the house. And drain the water lines before winter sets
in.
Choose materials
that do well out in the elements by choosing
pressure-treated, painted or composite lumber, synthetic
decking, mildew resistant fabrics, and rustproof
fixtures.
Drainage System Details

Outdoor showers need drains to catch
water runoff.
They direct
water away from your house and your outdoor shower.
A French drain is a plastic pipe with
holes in it that gets buried below ground.
You can
easily install a French drain yourself and it's an extremely
inexpensive alternative to tying into sewer
line.
Surface Strategies

For safety's sake
choose non-skid shower flooring materials. Brick, stone
or water-resistant wood are all fabulous choices.
Keep your shower
appealingly clean and free of standing water.
Use eco-friendly,
biodegradable soaps and shampoos that are easy on plants and
wildlife, and won't clog your drain.
Use highly diluted
muriatic acid (get it at the pool supply store) if your
shower floor gets slippery.
All The Amenities

Pamper yourself with
plush robes and scented shower soaps.
Loofahs,
back brushes, and sea sponges are fresh air fabulous when
arranged in a perforated storage container and kept close at
hand.
Store
aloe vera gel in the storage container for after-shower
moisture treatments.
Place cushy, rolled towels in a
galvanized bucket and let the sun warm them while you
bathe.
Waterproof MP3's and CD players let you mellow
out with music.
Shower Power

Let the shower
head match the personality.
Mimic Nature's rain
with an oversize shower head.
Get the comfort of
a spa with hand held nozzles with different spray
settings.
No Regrets

Whether your ideal outdoor
shower is the primitive charm of a simple shower head or a
fully equipped bathing suite, you'll never regret deciding to
bath alfresco!
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