Phoenix Shower Arms

A shower arm is the rigid pipe that connects the wall or ceiling water outlet to the shower head or rose. Phoenix shower arms are sold in both wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted styles, in a range of lengths and finishes, to suit replacing an existing arm or fitting out a new shower.

Wall-mounted versus ceiling-mounted arms

A wall-mounted shower arm extends horizontally from the wall before curving down or up to the shower head, and is the standard configuration in most Australian bathrooms. A ceiling-mounted arm drops straight down from the ceiling, used for overhead, rainfall-style showers where the head sits directly above the user rather than angled from the wall. The mounting style needs to match the rough-in plumbing already in place, a wall-mounted arm can't simply be swapped for a ceiling-mounted one without replumbing, so check which configuration your bathroom has before ordering a replacement.

Length and reach

Shower arms come in different lengths, which affects how far the shower head sits from the wall or ceiling outlet and how far down it hangs. A longer arm brings the head further into the shower space, useful in larger enclosures or where the existing outlet position sits awkwardly relative to where the head needs to be. A shorter arm keeps the head close to the wall or ceiling, suited to smaller shower recesses. Measure the existing arm, or the distance you need the new one to cover, before ordering, since arm length isn't universally interchangeable between fittings.

Matching an arm to your shower head

Shower arms connect to shower heads and roses via a standard threaded fitting, but the finish and style should still be matched to the shower head being used. Mixing an old, worn arm with a new shower head can leave a visible finish mismatch, particularly noticeable with chrome, brushed nickel or matte black finishes side by side. If you're replacing a shower head or rose, it's worth checking the arm's condition and finish at the same time rather than treating them as separate purchases.

Finishes

Phoenix shower arms are available in the finish options offered across Phoenix's shower ranges, including chrome, brushed nickel and matte black depending on the specific product. Match the arm's finish to the shower head and any other tapware in the bathroom to keep the fitout looking coordinated.

Replacing a shower arm

A shower arm typically unscrews from the wall or ceiling outlet, meaning a straightforward like-for-like replacement can often be done without opening up tiling or plumbing, provided the new arm uses the same mounting style and thread. Where the mounting style is changing, for example moving from a wall arm to a ceiling arm, that requires new plumbing rough-in and should be planned with a licensed plumber before any tiling or waterproofing work begins.

Water efficiency

A shower arm itself doesn't carry a WELS rating, since it's a connecting pipe rather than a flow-controlling fitting, the WELS star rating applies to the shower head or rose it's paired with. When selecting a shower head to go with a Phoenix arm, check that product's WELS rating for water efficiency compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions