How Much Does a Full Steam Room Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,000 - $8,000
The average cost of a steam room ranges from $2,000 to $8,000, with a national average of $4,300. Add ons such as aromatherapy pumps and lighting can put your project beyond the average.
The cost of a steam room will ultimately depend on its size. Small units will cost $2,000, while larger ones run closer to $8,000. You can expect to pay $4,300 on average. If you love relaxing in a warm, steamy environment but find saunas too hot, consider converting your shower into a steam room. Although steam rooms aren’t as hot as saunas, they’re much more humid—with nearly 100% humidity. They come with several health benefits, including improved circulation, reduced muscle stiffness, and lowered blood pressure.
- Average
- $4,300
- Low end
- $2,000
- high end
- $10,000
Steam Room Cost per Square Foot
The average cost to build a steam room is $43 per square foot, with prices ranging from $22 to $65 per square foot. Including add-ons like soothing aromatherapy pumps, sound systems, and extra ventilation systems can double the cost of your steam room.
How Much Does a Steam Room Cost by Type?
There are two primary types of steam rooms: A hybrid model that combines a shower with a steam room, and a more compact and simple modular steam room.
Hybrid
You can build a hybrid shower and steam room for the best of both worlds—a shared space where you can relax and detox and clean all that toxin-filled sweat off afterward. Hybrid shower and steam rooms cost $4,000 to $6,000 not including labor.
Modular
Modular steam rooms are compact and simple, making them ideal for smaller homes. The cost of a modular steam room is about $2,000 on average. With add-ons, the price will go up.
What Factors Influence the Cost of a Steam Room?
Leave steam room installation to the pros. We don’t recommend DIY steam room installation, so your shower installation specialist’s rate will determine what’s on your final bill. The cost of a steam room depends on its size, materials, and customizations.
Labor
To install a steam room, you’ll need to hire a local electrician and a plumber near you. If you’re replacing your existing shower with a steam room, you’ll also need to hire someone to remove your old shower materials and prepare the area for new installation.
Contractors and electricians typically charge between $50 to $100 per hour, with professional plumbers charging between $100 and $300 per hour. To remove your old shower and prepare the area for new installation, you will pay about $12 per square foot.
Size
The size of a steam room fit for two people is 6 feet long, 6 feet high, and 7 feet wide. Because steam rooms cost an average of $43 per square foot, the cost increases as size increases.
Unless you’re transforming your bathroom into a public day spa, you’ll likely only need to build a steam room big enough for two people at once. A basic two-person steam room will cost about $2,000, not including labor and materials.
Materials
When you picture a steam room, you may be picturing a room made of wood. While wood is a typical material used in saunas, it’s not an ideal material for steam rooms. Wood is porous and sucks moisture out of the air, which keeps humidity low. Steam rooms rely on high humidity for their health benefits, so they should be constructed with non-porous materials. Glass or ceramic tiles work well.
Hiring a steam room and sauna professional to install these materials will cost:
Glass: $25–$75 per sq. ft. for materials
Ceramic tile: $13.50–$63 per sq. ft. for materials
You’ll also need to purchase a steam generator, which costs between $500 and $2,000 depending on the power and volume needed.
Steam room doors cost between $500 and $1,300. The total approximate cost of all the materials needed for a steam room range from $1,500 to $6,500 or more.
Stock vs. Custom
Most companies that install steam rooms have pre-made steam rooms that you can choose from. If you go with one of these stock models, the total price will be closer to the average of $4,300. If you choose to completely customize your steam room, costs can increase to $8,000 or more.
Add-Ons
The number of add-ons you choose to include in your steam room influence the total cost. Depending on your needs, it could be worth it.
Examples of common steam room add-ons include:
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aromatherapy pump | $200–$800 |
| Sound system | $100–$2,000 |
| Lighting | $100–$3,000 |
| Seating | $90–$900 |
| Rain system | $1,500–$3,100 |
Steam Room vs. Steam Shower vs. Sauna
Each of these heat therapy experiences offers its own unique benefits and sensations, catering to diverse preferences and needs.
Steam Room
A steam room is typically a communal space filled with moist, humid air created by boiling water. You can expect temperatures around 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity levels. People typically sit or lie on benches while enjoying the steam, which can help relax muscles and promote skin hydration. However, before splurging an average of $4,300 to install a steam room in your home, there are a few things to know.
A steam room's warm and humid conditions provide the ideal environment for mold to thrive, posing health risks and potential structural damage. To mitigate mold issues, cleaning a steam room with an antibacterial cleaner is essential, ideally every two weeks.
It's also important to note that the heat generated in steam rooms may not be suitable for people with asthma or heart problems, as it can potentially exacerbate their conditions.
Steam Shower
A steam shower is a compact, enclosed unit for individual or small-group use. It operates similarly to a steam room, creating steam by heating water. Steam showers are convenient for daily use, offering a private spa-like experience with adjustable settings. Compared to steam rooms, they usually feature lower humidity levels and a temperature range of 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. The cost of a steam shower ranges from $2,800 to $6,200.
Steam showers offer a range of wellness benefits, including relaxation, stress reduction, improved skin health, respiratory relief, and muscle recovery. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you have underlying medical conditions, and as with steam rooms, regular cleaning is necessary for hygiene.
Sauna
Saunas, in contrast, use dry heat generated by heating rocks or other materials, with temperatures ranging from 150 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Saunas can be traditional (wooden) or infrared (heat via radiant energy). Saunas provide a dry, intense heat experience that promotes sweating and relaxation. They are typically separate rooms or standalone structures.
Regarding prices, home sauna costs vary. Indoor saunas cost more, ranging from $3,000 to $9,000 and even higher. Outdoor saunas fall into the $3,000 to $6,000 range.
It is important to note that the higher temperatures experienced in a sauna may be uncomfortable and even dangerous to some people with certain conditions. Additionally, not being adequately hydrated before and after use can lead to dehydration.
DIY vs. Hire A Pro
Leave steam room installation to the pros. We don’t recommend DIY steam room installation, so your shower installation specialist’s rate will determine what’s on your final bill. Hire a plumber near you to get started.
Deirdre Sullivan contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, building a steam room is more involved than simply installing a glass door and steam generator in your bathroom. Hire an electrician and plumber to get the job done correctly.
Using a steam room comes with many benefits. Steam rooms can improve your health and boost your happiness level by offering a space to relax and de-stress after a long day. Steam rooms also ease muscle and joint pain, detox your body, and improve your skin.
Running a steam room costs $0.05 per minute on average as it uses water and electricity. A relaxing 20-minute session will add about $1 total to your bills.