What Is A Steam Shower? How Does It Work? – A Detailed Beginner’s Guide

/in , /by

Interestingly, you can turn your simple bathroom into a personal spa with a steam shower. This update in your bathroom is an ultra-relaxing experience. Having a home spa has not only personal benefits but also economic benefits. For instance, a steam shower room helps you to maintain a good health and wellness routine. On the same side, it increases your sweet home’s rental or real estate value.

 

Installing a steam shower in your home makes you not pay to visit a spa center to experience the absolute wonders of steam to the body, you can install a mini-spa in your personal bathroom space. So, you are just one step away from turning your bathroom into a tranquil oasis.

 

If you have been searching about the steam shower and their working, you are in the right spot. Here, in this piece of writing, we will present a detailed beginner’s guide covering all the related aspects. Let’s crack it all!

 

What is a steam shower?

To put it simply, steam showers are the most common standalone, self-contained shower stalls without tubes. They have the potential to create a humid, almost tropical environment by generating hot and humid air; steam. Compared with a traditional shower, a steam shower uses much less water. This factor makes steam showers a more eco-friendly option.

 

If we talk about water consumption, a steam shower session of 30 minutes uses merely two gallons. On the other hand, a regular shower takes two or even more gallons per minute. In this way, steam showers are the most effective way of bathing as they offer several health benefits and stand out from various traditional showers in many aspects.

 

Why do people consider installing a steam shower in their homes?

 

A steam shower is an old practice that people have been using in different countries. The ancient Romans and Greeks regularly used hot springs and steam bathing. Indigenous people also used sweating and steam as health practices. These days, sauna therapy and steam therapy are popular in Finland.

 

Steam shower rooms have various health benefits that people include in their health and wellness routines. Some of the frequently reported benefits of steam showers include:

 

  • Relaxation
  • Workout recovery
  • Clearing congestion
  • Improving circulation
  • Improving skin health
  • Lowering joint stiffness
  • Lowering blood pressure
  • Easing bronchitis symptoms

 

What is the working principle of a steam shower?

 

A steam shower is a significant investment if you like exposing your body to hot and soothing steam. A steam shower unit uses its steam generator to produce steam without running the hot water saving your electricity bills. Thus, it is much cheaper for healthy bathing than traditional showers.

 

Humidifying steam is an essential aspect of a steam shower. In most cases, steam showers come with digital controls that permit you to turn the steam on. Turning on, the steam generator fills cold water via an electric valve. Later on, the generator heats water and brings it to a boil. Now, this boiling water enters the steam head, which ends up filling the stall with soothing and hot steam.

 

Is it necessary to install a water softener in a steam shower room?

 

Hard water can cause serious issues depending upon the area you live in. The hardness of water means the concentration of minerals in the incoming water. A higher concentration of mineral deposits from hard water can cause scale to accumulate and reduces the life span of your steam bath generator. In this way, to maintain the good working condition of your in-home steam shower, you must focus on the quality of water in your area.

 

If you live in deserts like Arizona and New Mexico, you may have the hardest water and require being extra proactive in maintaining your steam generator. You may destroy your entire steam shower system because of excessive mineral deposition if you neglect this aspect.

 

Pros and Cons of the steam shower

 

Having a steam shower in your bathroom is a dream come true. But this installation also comes with a few drawbacks. So, before making a final decision on this installation, research very well to save yourself from various mishaps that may come your way. Enough analysis before completing the building will prevent you from making a wrong decision and wasting your hardly-earn money.

 

So, considering the pros and cons of a steam shower before installing one is the best thing to do. Below are the most common pros and cons of installing a steam shower system.

 

Pros

 

  • Relaxing
  • Conserves water
  • Increases home value

 

As steam showers are very relaxing, you can step into your own to feel entirely rejuvenated in minutes after a hard day. You can make them feel more luxurious by adding a waterproof sound system to listen to your favorite music while bathing. Some people add essential oils to boost the relaxation benefits of your steam shower.

 

To add more, if you wish to sell your home, it increases its overall value. Always remember that a steam shower can be costly upfront but has a high ROI. Adding a steam shower system in your bathroom can boost your home value to around a thousand dollars.

 

Not only does a home spa boosts the resale value of your home, but it saves you money on regular water bills. A steam shower uses a fraction of the water amount that traditional showers use but offer the same cleaning power.

 

Cons

 

  • Expensive
  • Installation is involved
  • It may cause mold growth

 

The average cost of installing a steam shower is between $2,500 and $4,200. Prices can skyrocket if you prefer customized steam shower options instead of prefabricated ones. Steam showers are much more expensive than other bathroom renovation projects.

 

Before making this massive investment, do a lot of planning. Because the process is complex, it is easier to install once you renovate your bathroom. The installation process requires removing the bathtub and adjusting the plumbing system. While remodeling a bathroom, ask your plumber to add a steam shower in the design process so they can accommodate it whenever needed.

 

Always be ready to clean your steam shower regularly. Otherwise, it can develop mold. Steam showers can be home to mold and bacteria as they are hot and damp. If you install a steam shower, decide to wipe the area down using disinfectant after every single use.

 

What type of material goes best for a steam shower room?

 

This type of material is necessary because it is responsible for retaining or discharging the heat from your shower room. Generally, a steam shower requires non-porous material like porcelain that has heat for an extended period. But it can also be designed using natural stones used in regular maintenance. You must be cautious enough to avoid harsh chemicals while cleaning so as not to wear away the sealant.

 

Natural stones require some extra practice to dry to prevent mildew. That is why professionals recommend sealing steam shower stones once a year. You must check the floors, walls, and ceilings periodically for mildews.

 

If you are unsure about the correct type of materials to be used in the steam shower in your area, you can take advice from some professionals in the field.

 

Installation of the steam shower

 

You can install a private steam shower in your home with a budget-friendly DIY kit or hire a professional to take care of your entire project. The DIY option will cost around $1,000 and $5,000 for a prefabricated steam shower with a steam generator, fittings, and steam heads. Hire an electrician and plumber to assist you in setting it up.

 

Consider hiring a contractor to oversee your in-home steam shower installation if you want a hands-off approach. But remember, this option will cost much more than a DIY kit. Your contractor will manage a steam shower installation project for about $4,000 to $15,000, including a steam shower unit, materials required, and labor.

 

Ensure your stall is steam-proof and enclosed to retain the heat inside a steam shower room and minimize mold growth outside. Slopping the ceiling of your in-home steam shower allows the steam that condenses to drip back down. Also, it seals the seams between panels.

 

Final Thoughts

 

A steam shower is the best option for maintaining a good health and wellness routine. A steam shower room helps you enjoy various health and real estate benefits. Besides all that, it increases the luxurious feel of your advanced bathroom.

 

Installation costs of a steam shower system vary per your choice, interests, and personal preferences. Among options, you can choose between prefabricated and customized options. You can install such systems yourself or hire a professional contractor to take care of everything for you.

 

I hope this guide was helpful enough to cover every aspect of steam shower installation you might have been looking for.