How Much Does a Steam Shower Cost? [2025 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.

How we get this data
Steam shower with glass enclosure
Photo: Neil / Adobe Stock
Steam shower with glass enclosure
Photo: Neil / Adobe Stock

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.

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

Steam shower system
Photo: irina88w / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

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 TypeAverage 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 TypeAverage 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 $70 per square foot on a steam shower. The size of the shower will impact the overall cost of the installation because larger showers require more materials and labor. 

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-by-32 inches

  • Large Stall: 36-by-36 inches

  • ADA Standard: 36-by-36 inches

  • Small Shower-Tub Combo: 60-by-30 inches

  • Large Shower-Tub Combo: 60-by-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 Shower Contractor Cost 

A steam shower contractor or shower installer’s guidance is highly valuable when starting a steam shower project. They can hire the other professionals needed for the job, including a plumber and electrician. Labor costs vary by location and with the complexity of the project. Labor to install a prefabricated steam shower costs $500 to $600, but it costs $1,000 to $6,000 for a custom-built unit.

When you hire a professional contractor, you can have peace of mind that your steam shower will be installed correctly and efficiently and is covered by warranties. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

As mentioned above, you will need a licensed plumber and electrician for this project. If you’re building a custom steam shower, you’ll also need pros to install the tile and shower door. 

  • Plumber: A plumber will integrate your steam shower with your home’s plumbing system for $45–$200 per hour

  • Electrician: For proper installation of the steam generator and other components, you’ll need an electrician. These pros cost $50–$100 per hour

  • Tile installer: From subway tile to herringbone patterns, your tile installer will make sure your steam shower looks beautiful while sloping surfaces to direct water to the shower drain. These pros charge $3–$15 per square foot

  • Shower door installer: You’ll need a door to keep the steam in. For a new shower door installation, these pros charge $60 per hour

Additional Steam Shower Costs to Consider

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.

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.

PatternAverage 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

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:

ElementCost
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.

DIY Steam Shower Installation vs. Hiring a Pro 

If you know your way around a shower system, you can purchase a prefabricated unit and a generator for around $2,800 and take on this project. However, just because you can install a steam shower unit doesn’t mean you should. It’s best to hire a professional whenever a job involves plumbing or electricity—and this job involves both. You won’t save money if you make a mistake that causes an electrical fire or serious water damage.

No matter how handy you are, you’ll still need to hire a local plumber and local electrician to get everything hooked up. Or you can call a professional shower installer to handle the project, as this will save you time handling multiple contractors. 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 a custom-build 

  • Buy a generator kit instead of individual parts

  • Convert your existing shower

  • DIY some of the demo

  • Choose cheaper materials

Benefits of Steam Showers 

Access to a steam shower comes with some benefits, including: 

  • Muscle relaxation and recovery after a workout 

  • Relaxation in a calm atmosphere before bed 

  • Improving stiffnes in joints 

  • Opening up pores to release dirt and dead skin cells

  • Congestion relief via opening up sinuses and relieving a runny nose 

  • Conserve more water than a traditional shower

In addition, 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.

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