Should Your Outdoor Shower Have A Roof Or Are You Asking For Trouble?

There are a lot of outstanding reasons to build an outdoor shower. Perhaps you have a pool and want swimmers to rinse off sweat before they hop in and chemicals when they get out. Maybe you're a serious gardener, farmer, or homesteader who's covered in dirt or livestock who-knows-what by the end of a hard day that you don't want to bring into your home. It's certainly easier to bathe pets outside, who are likely to shake off excess water all over the place when the job's done. Or maybe you just love the idea of bathing surrounded by fresh air and the sounds of nature. There are a lot of different ways to build the perfect outdoor shower, but as you design yours, you may wonder if it needs a roof or not. According to Diego Machado, president of Charlotte Deck Builders, added benefits like privacy and lighting can make a roof worthwhile, but it's important to construct one with the right materials to avoid costly maintenance or repair issues.

"Adding a roof to an outdoor shower will depend on factors like style, convenience, and privacy, as well as climate," Machado told House Digest during an exclusive interview. "Privacy is a major benefit, as is the shade provided, especially in warmer regions." There are a lot of features you can easily add to your outdoor shower, even if it doesn't have a roof, like rain showerheads and outdoor hooks. But according to Machado, "the ability to add lights and ventilation makes a roof a great idea if you're looking to enhance the experience."

From elaborate enclosed designs to simple poolside faucets, there are a variety of outdoor showers that you can add to your backyard. If you're working with a small budget or just want a place to quickly rinse off, a cold water setup may be all you need. But if you're planning to build an outdoor shower with all the bells and whistles, the complexity and price can quickly go up as you work through the permitting, construction, and plumbing processes. According to Diego Machado, no matter which route you take, it's extremely important to focus on quality construction.

"Outdoor shower roofs can be costly, and if not constructed with the right materials, they may need maintenance and repairs," Machado said during his exclusive interview with House Digest. "Thankfully, if synthetic materials like vinyl or PVC are used on the roof trim (fascia) and for the ceiling, the need for maintenance could be greatly reduced." The expert added that issues with ventilation, mold, and mildew growth faced by homeowners indoors aren't as likely when you're building outdoors. "Interior bathrooms normally have a ceiling surrounded by drywall, and with proper ventilation, most homeowners don't have any problems with mold and mildew," he explained. "By the very nature of an outdoor shower, it should have enough ventilation to prevent mildew growth, especially if properly maintained." Machado indicated this was the case, whether your outdoor shower has a roof or not.

The best material for an outdoor shower enclosure depends on how much you want to spend, how much maintenance you want to do, and, of course, what you want it to look like. Wood, PVC, concrete block, and even tile are all options worth considering for the walls. According to Diego Machado, there are also a variety of roof types that work well for outdoor showers, depending on your desired style and budget. "It's possible to create a high-end roof with shingles or a finish that matches your home, or it could be just a simple cover with polycarbonate roof panels," he told House Digest during his exclusive interview. "There are lots of possibilities."

Making sure your roof is at the right height and pitch is just as important as picking the right materials to construct it. "I would recommend that the roof be at a high enough elevation that your outdoor shower's ceiling doesn't risk getting wet, as that could be potentially problematic if it's not able to dry adequately," Machado cautioned. You should also consider the overall coverage of your shower roof to ensure adequate privacy from nosy neighbors, especially if you live next door to two-story homes with windows overlooking the shower area. And, to avoid an awkward run-in at the next block party, if you use inexpensive polycarbonate roof panels instead of shingles, keep in mind that they are often transparent, so you'll need to situate your outdoor shower accordingly!