A steam shower could be a hot addition to your bathroom that adds value
Steam shower installation costs between $4,000 and $14,000.
A steam shower can provide an ROI of up to 30%.
There are kits you can purchase that come with a generator and some of the materials.
Hiring a contractor for the installation is recommended over DIYing.
Yes, you could pack up and head to the gym to take a steam shower—but then you might feel pressured to work out when you just need to relax. But what if you brought the steam room to your home? Learn what a steam shower is, what the installation process is like, and most importantly, whether it’s a worthwhile investment.
A steam shower is a moisture-sealed shower stall without a bathtub that traps steam without running hot water. This is accomplished by running a steam generator, which can be purchased alone or along with a steam shower kit.
The steam generator is stashed in a closet, in the attic, or in cases where the home has been built with the shower, under the house. If you’re converting a tub to a walk-in shower, it’s worth considering including a steam shower.
Steam rooms are often found at spas, and a steam shower is a way to bring the benefits of a steam room into your very own home. A steam shower works by creating an airtight space that fills with steam. As the steam generator heats up water vapor, it creates the steam and releases it into the shower, enveloping you and offering many health benefits.
When considering a steam shower, you’ll want to understand the differences between a traditional shower and a steam shower and how they differ from saunas. Steam showers are vapor-tight and enclosed, while traditional ones are not. You can convert a traditional shower into a steam shower, which requires a steam generator.
Saunas offer similar benefits to steam showers but they function differently. Instead of steam, saunas are all about dry heat, which comes from a stove or heated rocks. Saunas reach high temperatures between 160 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity levels, while steam showers reach lower temperatures at 105 to 115 degrees with close to 100% humidity.
Human beings have been enjoying the benefits of steam rooms since as early as the Neolithic period 12,000 years ago. Of course, they have been updated a tad since then. Adding a steam shower is a great bathroom remodel idea because it offers a number of benefits in the comfort of your own home.
Although they’re called “showers,” a steam shower is not used to lather, rinse, and repeat. But sitting in a steam-filled enclosure comes with a whole host of benefits.
Often used by aestheticians during facials, steam can help with skin purifying. Because you tend to sweat in a steam shower, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria get pushed out of your skin, helping your pores clear out.
Aside from possible aesthetic perks, there are some wellness benefits to using a steam shower. According to MedlinePlus, steam is helpful for relieving a stuffy or runny nose and opening up sinuses. Steam bathing can also provide relief from muscle pain after exercising, improve circulation, and loosen stiff joints.
Steam showers are designed to be relaxing, and if yours is equipped, adding essential oils can be a nice boost to a regular steam. Be sure to check if your system has an aromatherapy component before adding essential oils to your water since they can damage the system if it’s not designed to handle them.
As opposed to a traditional shower where the water has to run to produce its relaxing warmth, a steam shower simply releases steam, which ultimately reduces water usage. Before using the steam shower, you can take a quick shower to wash up. Then, you can turn on the steam shower and bask in its warmth while it opens your pores, lowers your stress, and aids in blood flow.
A steam shower uses about 2 gallons of water as opposed to a conventional shower that can use 20 gallons or more. After you’ve relaxed and had the steam do its thing, you can turn on the water and do a quick rinse.
Steam showers are expensive to install and can increase walk-in shower costs—aside from the shower itself, you have to make sure you have good ventilation in the bathroom. If you don’t have the design just right, steam showers can cause mildew and other moisture problems like mold that are difficult and costly to get rid of.
Also, if you’re not going to use it often enough, you’re better off putting your money elsewhere and visiting a spa to get your steam fix.
If you’re planning to install a steam shower in an existing glass stall shower, your contractor will still need to put in some work. And the other materials in your shower matter—if you have walls that are made of concrete, glass block, marble, or granite, heat will dissipate more quickly because those are more porous materials than acrylic, ceramic, or porcelain tiles. You should also compare the costs of acrylic, stone, glass, cast-iron, and solid surface showers to see which will best fit into your budget.
You’ll also need to have tiles put on the ceiling where it will be exposed to steam to prevent moisture from escaping and to retain the heat.
The average cost to install a steam shower, including the kit and labor, is about $4,300. If you’re looking to have a custom steam shower installed, that runs between $4,000 and $14,000 and can be a significant portion of your bathroom remodel cost. The price will vary depending on the type of materials your contractor uses, the thickness of the glass, and the steam generator you choose.
Steam generators that hold a higher volume of water require more power and cost more. Most steam showers provide an ROI of up to 30% when or if you decide to sell your home.
If you decide to buy a steam shower kit, which comes with a generator, fittings, and heads, you’ll still need to hire a plumber and an electrician. Electrical work is dangerous, and a plumbing mistake can be very costly. Getting a professional involved in the installation or tub-to-shower conversion can ensure that it’s done properly.
Your best bet for installation is a local shower installer who specializes in bathrooms or tiles and is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Yes, you can use your steam shower to take regular showers and steam showers. Many people opt to use a regular shower daily while using the steam shower less frequently when they have more time. Keep in mind that after you take a steam shower you’ll need to run the fan longer than after regular showers to avoid mold and mildew growth. You’ll also need to clean your shower more often if you’re using the steam function.
The major difference between a steam shower and a sauna is that a sauna generates dry heat and a steam shower generates heat from steam, creating nearly 100% humidity. Because of the moisture involved, a steam shower can feel as warm as a sauna even though its temperature is lower, between 90 and 120 degrees.
Both saunas and steam rooms offer some health benefits as well as a good return on investment. While there’s more research on saunas than steam rooms and fewer reported risks with steam rooms, the latter tend to be better for reducing stress. Which one is better depends on the benefits you’re looking for, your budget, and if you have space to build a sauna.
