How Much Does a Steam Shower Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,800 - $7,100
The average cost to install a steam shower ranges from $2,800 to $7,100, with a national average of $4,300. Budget more for custom designs and luxury models.
For most homeowners, installing a steam shower costs $2,800 to $7,100—but you could pay up to $25,000 for a custom design. The average cost of installing a new steam shower is $4,300. If you’re tight on space in your house but still want the sweet sweat that comes from a sauna, a steam shower might be the upgrade you never knew you couldn’t live without. This guide can help you plan your budget.
- Average
- $4,300
- Low end
- $2,800
- high end
- $25,000
What Is a Steam Shower?
A steam shower uses valves and a steam generator to pump steam into your shower stall, creating a luxurious spa-like steam room at home. Activating the digital controls will trigger the steam generator to fill with cold water, which gets heated to a boil and projects steam out of the valves. These come as hybrids with your regular shower, so they don’t require the use of any extra space.
Steam Shower Cost Breakdown
If you can’t budget for the cost of a complete bathroom remodel, a steam-shower is one place you might want to splurge. The overall price tag can vary dramatically based on the materials you use and the size of the shower. Here’s how the costs break down.
Steam Shower Type
There are two main types of steam showers—prefabricated or custom. Prefab steam showers cost significantly less than custom showers. The price tag still depends on the model. Bare-bones, walk-in showers cost less than combination models with upgraded features like jetted tubs or saunas.
Prefab Steam Shower
Most prefab steam showers cost somewhere between $2,800 and $7,100 to install—but it depends on the features. For a luxury model with a jetted tub, you could pay as much as $10,000.
| Prefab Shower Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic steam shower | $2,800 – $6,200 |
| Steam shower with tub | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Steam shower with sauna | $4,800 – $7,800 |
| Steam shower with jetted shower | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Steam shower with jetted tub | $5,000 – $10,000 |
Custom Steam Shower
Most custom steam showers cost between $4,000 and $14,000, but you could spend up to $25,000. Again, it depends on the design. Intricate tiling can significantly drive up costs along with features like luxury custom tubs and saunas.
| Custom Shower Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic steam shower | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Steam shower with tub | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Steam shower with sauna | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Steam shower with jetted shower | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Steam shower with jetted tub | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Size
On average, you can expect to spend around $69 per square foot on a steam shower. Size will impact the overall cost of your shower installation because larger showers require more materials and labor to install.
That said, standard-sized showers typically cost less than showers with unusual or custom shapes because you can purchase budget-friendly prefabricated options. Standard shower sizes include:
Small Stall: 32 x 32 inches
Large Stall: 36 x 36 inches
ADA Standard: 36 x 36 inches
Small Shower-Tub Combo: 60 x 30 inches
Large Shower-Tub Combo: 60 x 36 inches
Material
There are a bunch of different materials you can choose to build your steam shower surround. Some materials are more affordable (like acrylic or fiberglass) and others are more high-end (like glass tile or solid surface walls). Keep in mind that prefab showers have a limited selection of possible materials. Custom showers have more variety and allow homeowners to create a shower that suits any bathroom remodel design.
Prefab
If you’re installing a prefab steam shower, you can choose from acrylic, fiberglass, or solid surface (which is often called Corian or Swanstone, even though they’re brand names). Typical costs per unit are as follows:
Acrylic: $2,300–$5,000
Fiberglass: $2,500–$5,000
Solid surface: $3,000–$6,500
Custom
Custom showers are priced by the square foot. There’s a range of options—including basic or luxury tiles, porcelain or stone slabs, and solid surface walls. You can even mix materials. Keep in mind that tiling a shower is a laborious process, so it does raise your labor costs.
Ceramic tile: $1–$40 per sq. ft.
Porcelain tile: $3–$40 per sq. ft.
Stone tile: $5–$100 per sq. ft.
Glass tile: $10–$100 per sq. ft.
Porcelain slab: $14–$16 per sq. ft.
Solid surface walls: $15–$65 per sq. ft.
Stone slab: $40–$400 per sq. ft.
Steam Generator
Steam showers require a steam generator unit. This typically costs $600 to $2,500, though you can save a bit of money by purchasing the generator as part of a package that includes the control panel, steam heads, and release valves. The more powerful the generator, the higher the cost. Labor to install the generator is an additional cost.
Door and Wall Installation
In addition to the surround, your contractor may also have to install shower doors and walls. Expect to spend $700 to $1,900 on glass shower walls and $550 to $1,350 on glass shower doors. The thicker the glass, the more it will cost. Clear glass also tend to be the most affordable, while rain glass tends to be the most expensive.
Tile Installation
Shower tile can have all different patterns—including straightforward designs or ornate mosaics. Complicated designs call for extra labor, which will increase costs. See the table below for common labor costs based on the pattern. Keep in mind, this is separate from the cost of materials.
| Pattern | Average Cost With Labor (Per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Staggered Brick | $5 – $10 |
| Subway Tile | $7 – $13 |
| Nature Stone Design | $10 and up |
| Pinwheel | $16 |
| Herringbone | $15 – $16 |
Labor
Buying a prefabricated steam shower will cut your labor cost nicely. Whereas a custom-built unit may cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 to install, a prefabricated one will only range between $500 to $600.
Steam Shower Cost by Material
The type of material is one of the largest factors impacting the cost to install a steam shower. Higher end materials will cost more, but some are also more difficult to install which raises labor costs.
Acrylic tile: $2,300–$5,000
Fiberglass tile: $2,500–$5,000
Stone tile: $5–$100 per sq. ft.
Stone slab tile: $40–$400 per sq. ft.
Solid surface tile: $15 to $65 per square foot,
Ceramic tile: $1 to $40 per square foot.
Porcelain tile: $3 to $40 per square foot
Porcelain slab tile: $14 to $16 per square foot
Glass tile: $10 to $100 per square foot
Additional Steam Shower Costs to Consider
Beyond the basics of your shower installation, there are some extra costs to consider. Conversions, upgrades, and additional features will add to your budget.
Converting an Existing Shower vs. New Steam Shower
If you already have a shower that you want to convert into a steam shower, you’ll need to install the unit and steam generator. On average, expect to spend $4,300 including parts and labor.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Another popular option is converting a tub into a walk-in steam shower. Expect to spend around $150 to $300 to remove and dispose of your old tub on top of the cost of your steam shower installation. The total price depends on your tub-to-shower conversion design, but prefab materials like acrylic or fiberglass tend to be the most affordable.
Steam Shower vs. Steam Room
Steam rooms can be slightly more affordable than steam showers. You can convert an existing shower into a steam room for around $2,600. In general, expect the cost of a steam room to fall somewhere between $22 and $65 per square foot, though custom rooms can cost as much as $130 per square foot.
Exhaust Fan Installation
It costs anywhere from $250 to $500 to install an exhaust fan in your steam shower or steam room. Since steam showers create extra humidity, you’ll typically want to install an exhaust fan if you don’t already have one. In some places, it may even be a building code requirement.
Steam Shower Upgrades
Since steam showers are a luxury experience, you may want to budget for luxury upgrades like sound systems, seating, and aromatherapy. Here are some common add-ons:
| Element | Cost |
|---|---|
| Seating | $90 – $100 |
| Sound system | $100 – $200 |
| Lighting | $100 – $3,000 |
| Aromatherapy pump | $200 – $800 |
Increase Water and Electric Bill
Steam showers will slightly increase your utility bills. On average, expect to spend around $0.50 to $1 on a 20- to 30-minute shower. Most steam showers use around 2 to 2.5 gallons of water for a 30-minute shower, but the ultimate cost depends on the size of the generator and your local utility prices.
Cost to Build a Steam Shower Yourself
If you know your way around a shower system, you can try and tackle this project yourself. The easiest way would be to buy a prefabricated unit and a generator for around $2,800. But no matter how handy you are, you’ll still need to hire a local plumber and local electrician to get everything hooked up.
It’s best to opt for a professional installer, as this will save you time when it comes to handling multiple different contractors to get one project done.
DIY Steam Shower Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
You can purchase the basics like a prefabricated shower stall and generator for as little as $1,100, but that doesn’t mean you should install it yourself. It’s best to hire a professional whenever a job involves plumbing or electricity—and this job involves both. You won’t save any money if you make a mistake that causes an electrical fire or serious water damage.
To get an idea of local pricing, call a shower installer near you for a detailed quote.
How to Save on Steam Shower Installation
It’s not always easy to budget for a steam shower. This project can cost upwards of $10,000 if you splurge on the high-end options, but there are ways to create affordable luxury. These tips can help you save thousands on the cost of a steam shower.
Opt for a prefab shower instead of custom
Buy a generator kit instead of individual parts
Convert your existing shower
DIY some of the demo
Choose cheaper materials
Benefits of Steam Showers
Steam showers can help reduce stress, promote better sleep, and help reduce inflammation. In addition to the health benefits, the return on investment for a steam shower can be as much as 70% and may even increase the selling price of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
A steam shower goes in place of an existing shower, has an opening at the top, and functions as both a shower and a source of steam (at around 110 F). Because steam is involved, steam showers are classified as wet heat. (Pro Tip: Never run the steam for more than 20 minutes at a time, as you may start to feel overheated and like you live in a swamp.)
For any humidity-haters, saunas are enclosed spaces that can be put anywhere in the house and produce dry heat. That means they use electricity to power the heat rather than water to create steam.
Ensure there’s a way to flush out excess water from the generator. There will either be a bin you can pull to dump water down the drain or a simple button if your generator is hooked up to a drainage pipe.
Ideally, you’ll want to drain after every shower, but there will be a mark on the generator that shows how much water it can hold. Failing to drain the generator can lead to automatic shut-offs or damage.
A steam shower is a modern luxury that can be quite attractive to potential buyers. According to Zillow, listings with a steam shower fetched a 29% higher sale price than those without it. It all comes down to the market, and ROI is never guaranteed. Consider the value along with how much you’ll enjoy a steam shower, and weigh that against the price tag
The high humidity of steam showers creates the ideal environment for mold growth, so it’s important to stay proactive against it. Along with regular cleaning, run your bathroom fan during and after your steam shower. Keep your shower door open and any doors and windows in the bathroom to allow the space to air out properly. If you come across ugly mold spores, spray them with undiluted vinegar, let it sit for at least an hour, and then scrub away the mold.