What is a Steam Shower? A Guide to Popular Bathroom Upgrades

At the Kitchen & Bath Show earlier this year, it was no surprise that steam showers were everywhere. Recent home trends prioritize maximising space while providing personal health benefits – and steam showers are a great example of how to do both.

“Steam is the oldest human remedy, dating back to Greek and Roman times. Despite its long history, steam continues to surprise people with its wide range of health and wellness benefits. Martha Orellana, VP of MrSteam, said.

Here, we explore what steam showers are, their benefits, and what you should consider before adding a steam shower to your home.

What Is a Steam Shower?

“A steam shower is defined as a completely enclosed space that provides steam,” says Orellana. A steam shower relies on a steam generator located outside the shower to produce steam. “At the touch of a button or screen, the steam generator heats the water until it evaporates, and then quickly releases the resulting steam into the steam head in the shower.”

“If enclosed, insulated and sealed, a steam shower can fit almost any traditional shower,” says Orellana. Steam showers can be incorporated into existing traditional showers and can be equipped to offer experiences such as aromatherapy, chromotherapy, and music therapy.

Difference Between Steam Shower and Traditional Shower

If you’ve ever wiped condensation off a bathroom mirror, you know that traditional showers do produce steam. However, this is not the same as a steam shower. “While traditional showers may release some steam, they are not as effective as fully immersive steam shower systems from a health perspective,” Aureliana said. Steam showers are designed to be completely enclosed to capture the steam inside the shower, while traditional showers often have openings that release steam to the rest of the bathroom.

Difference Between Steam Shower and Sauna:

While both facilities sound hot and relaxing, saunas and steam showers offer very different experiences.

Saunas generate heat through a stove within the space, while steam showers rely on a steam generator outside the shower. They are also aesthetically different. While steam showers can be located in traditional showers and bathrooms, saunas need to have their own room.

“Saunas are traditionally built with kiln-dried wood, usually cedar or spruce, which can withstand higher temperatures and lower humidity,” says Orellana. “Steam showers, on the other hand, are made of tiles, natural stone, glass blocks, or other waterproof, non-porous materials that are conducive to humid environments.”

Perhaps the biggest difference between a sauna and a steam shower is the heat itself. “The difference between a sauna and a steam shower is the type of heat. Saunas offer dry heat therapy, while steam showers provide moist heat therapy,” said Orellana. “The temperature in the sauna is between 160°F and 200°F with very little humidity. The temperature range for steam showers is 105°F to 115°F with humidity approaching 100%,” she said.

Steam Shower Installation

Steam showers are often used as part of a traditional shower or can even be added to an existing space without the need for a major makeover. However, steam showers do have some very specific requirements that need to be met.

“In order for a steam shower to work properly, it must be installed in an enclosed, watertight and airtight space,” says Orellana. “The steam room should not have heating, ventilation or air conditioning components.” All windows in the shower room should be double-glazed, all light fixtures must be vapor-sealed, and ceiling heights should be between 7 and 8 feet. As for the steam generator, Aureliana said it should be placed within 60 feet of the steam shower, and there should be at least a foot of space around it for repairs.

It’s also worth mentioning that large gauge tiles or slab walls are a particularly good choice around the shower, as larger gauges collect less condensation.

Benefits of a Steam Shower:

Healthy

Jamie Gold, a certified kitchen and bathroom designer and wellness design consultant, says the pandemic has made many people aware of how the home environment can contribute to well-being. As a result, domestic steam technology became more popular and well-known.

“Homeowners are already experiencing these benefits at the gym or resort and want to enjoy them at home as well because they are now spending more time at home,” Gold said. “It improves your physical (breathing, circulation, skin, joints, etc.) and mental (stress release, relaxation) health.”

Real Estate Value

Gold said that in the current housing market, it is becoming more difficult to move into a bigger or better home, and instead, homeowners are improving the space they have. Steam showers are gaining traction as one of these improvements, in part because they add value to your home, she says.

“Homebuyers are increasingly willing to pay a premium price for premium features such as steam showers to support their wellness goals,” Orellana said. He cites a study by Zillow that found that steam showers can increase home values by up to 31%.

Environmental Factors

For those who prefer long hot showers or soaks, steam showers have some impressive statistics that can help you feel comfortable with your water and energy consumption. Orellana says a steam shower “requires about two gallons of water for a 20-minute steam session, compared to 80 gallons for a 20-minute bath using a traditional whirlpool or soaking tub.” ”

In addition, Aurelana says that steam showers use less water and require less energy to heat than regular showers or bathtubs. “That’s why a home steam shower is a sustainable option that can reduce your energy bills if you often take long showers or baths to relax,” says Aurelana.

Precautions for Steam Showers

Design & Installation

While you may be confident in DIY some or all of a traditional shower, a steam shower is more complex; It’s not something you should go alone. “For this project, you definitely need an experienced plumbing contractor to avoid the mold problems that can arise from improper installation of the system,” Gold said. Since steam showers aren’t exactly common, you may need to look around for the right professional.

The same is true for design. It should take into account the installation details required for a steam shower, a topic that not every designer will be familiar with. You’ll also need space for a steam generator.

Cost

Factors such as size, surface material, and architectural features can all affect the cost of a shower. However, steam showers do have additional costs, such as steam heads, generators, controls, and installation costs.

Maintenance

“Keeping it running clean requires maintenance, which is more important than a regular shower,” Gold said. Of course, all showers need to be cleaned, and fixtures may need to be repaired or replaced, but for generators and other components, especially those that are not easy to troubleshoot or DIY, maintenance is an important consideration.

Use

A steam shower may sound appealing, but before you invest resources into creating this home spa experience, seriously consider whether it fits your lifestyle. “Busy professionals and parents may imagine themselves enjoying each night’s episode in the fog, and realistic deadlines, kids, and other demands on their time mean that standard showers are the norm and steam is the exception,” Gold said.

Personal Health

Gold warns against self-opening a steam shower to solve the physical condition. Consider consulting your doctor before investing. “If you’re adding a steam shower to address your condition, I definitely recommend that you consult with your doctor before proceeding,” Gold said. Your doctor may give advice on how to use a steam shower, but they may also give you a warning if a steam shower is not good for your personal health.