The type of showerhead used has a large impact on how refreshing the shower is. Certainly, the characteristics of a showerhead greatly depend on its material. Probably, no material for shower heads is more popular than plastic and metals.
Most of the homeowners got puzzled while choosing between Plastic vs Metal shower heads. Some people prefer plastic shower heads because of their cost-efficiency and inertness to the environment. However, others prefer the metal ones due to their durability and great performance.
We will discuss various factors of plastic and metal showerheads and will also differentiate between them through this article. These will help in easing up your task of choosing between these two. So, keep on reading to know more.
Plastic vs Metal Showerhead
There is no tangible difference between the body of a plastic and a metal showerhead. Though they look almost similar, there are numerous differences. In this section, we will show a comparison of plastic vs metal showerheads in great detail.
Price
The price of plastic showers may vary. So, you can choose one that fits your budget. However, most of them come at a very cheap rate.
On the other hand, metal shower heads are generally quite expensive. You may have to pay more than $100 to buy one metal showerhead.
Durability
The lifespan of a plastic showerhead is way shorter than that of a metal showerhead. Because plastic is more brittle than metal. And also, with time, plastic becomes more susceptible to cracking rapidly. But, the quality attrition of a metal shower happens steadily.
A plastic showerhead lasts only 7-8 months. Whereas the metal showerhead lasts up to 10 times longer than a plastic one.
Weight and Water Usage
The weight of a plastic showerhead is less than a metal showerhead. The heavy weight of a metal showerhead is easy to grip, and it also requires less water. But, a plastic showerhead has a larger water output.
So, you can minimize water usage by using a metal showerhead, which will reduce the wastewater and the water bill. Whereas plastic might even increase your water bill.
Outside Influences
A plastic showerhead is scratch-resistant and fingerprint resistant. So, it can hide water spots. Thus it doesn’t wear away like a metal showerhead.
Unlike plastic showerheads, metal ones show reactivity to moisture, heat, and sunlight. Wearing a metal showerhead is a common phenomenon. Also, they are very sensitive to corrosion if proper maintenance is not provided.
Manufacturing
A plastic showerhead is easy to manufacture. It is manufactured by using ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The process is just about molding and then final finishing and requires less money.
Manufacturers normally use stainless steel or chromium-plated finish for a metal showerhead. Sometimes, it is provided with a nickel coating all over the entire surface of the showerhead. This is undoubtedly a difficult process and causes additional costs for manufacturing.
Risk of Leakage
After prolonged use and exposure to heat, plastic showerheads tend to get brittle as time passes. Thus, they can crack easily under extreme situations such as boiling water. Also, they can’t withstand the high pressure of water without leakage.
However, a metal showerhead has a high strength to withstand severe conditions. Therefore, high heat and high water pressure can’t cause leakage in a metal showerhead.
Recyclability
A plastic shower has a rate of almost 100% recyclability. So, it is economical and environmentally friendly.
They are recycled after their life span. So there is no waste of resources. On the contrary, a metal shower head has to be disposed of after use. They can’t be recycled.
Plastic vs Metal Showerhead: Comparison Chart
If you have read the above section, you’re already aware of the distinctions between plastic and metal showerheads. To make it more understandable, let’s summarise the contents of the entire above section:
| Plastic Showerhead | Metal Showerhead |
| Cheaper than a metal showerhead | More expensive |
| Short lifespan | Longer lifespan |
| Lightweight | Heftier than plastic |
| Less or no variety | More Variety |
| More water usage | Less water usage |
| Resistant to outside influences | Reactive to outside influences |
| Maintenance is less costly | More Costly maintenance |
| Easy to manufacture | Harder to manufacture |
| Usually not aesthetically pleasing | Can have a premium outlook |
| Potentially hazardous for the environment | Toxic free |
| Poor leakage protection | It doesn’t leak |
| Recyclable | Not recyclable |
Which One Is Better?
So, which one should you select for your household? It solely depends on what you want.
If you are seeking a budget-friendly option, then a plastic showerhead will be a great choice for you. But if you are looking for durability and better performance, then there is no debate about the eligibility of metal showerheads.
Conclusion
If you have been reading along from the start, then you already know the information you need to choose between plastic vs metal showerhead.
A plastic showerhead is less costly and lightweight. Though a metal showerhead is expensive, it’s very durable, leakage resistant, and saves water bills. Except for the cost, it is better in many aspects than a plastic showerhead.
Both of them are good at their place, so you have to decide which of them best meets your requirements and criteria. But if you have a higher budget, then we will suggest you go for a metal showerhead.
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