Bathroom upgrades add value to your home. In fact, according to the Cost vs. Value report published by Remodeling magazine in 2020, US homeowners who commission a midrange bathroom remodel see an average 70 percent return on their investment. Upgrades can also transform your bathroom into an oasis of calm where you can wind down and pamper yourself. Little wonder, then, that a home steam shower is one of the most popular upgrades in US homes.
Updating your bathroom with a new steam shower is an exciting and rewarding project, but doing it right demands planning and research. Here, we run through everything you need to consider to make your dreams of a new steam shower into a reality.
Choose a quality steam generator
Before you do anything else, you’ll need to decide on your steam generator, as this will influence other aspects of the steam shower installation. Do not compromise on quality. The best residential steam shower generator brands include Mr. Steam, Thermasol, Kohler, and Saunacore.
The most important element in choosing a steam bath generator is the size of your steam room. A large generator can produce steam for up to 300 cubic feet, while the smallest is suitable for enclosures up to 10 cubic feet, and there is everything in between. So choose the one that is right for the dimensions of your steam room.
Ensure you have an enclosed shower space
Unlike a regular shower, which can be in an open-plan wet room or positioned over a bath tub, a personal steam shower needs to be enclosed and insulated to keep all that soothing steam in place. The enclosure must be constructed from a non-porous material such as tile or marble, and it will need to be fitted with a water-tight double-paned shower door and a floor drain. Note that while it has to be water-tight, it does not need to be air-tight. Check the installation instructions on your steam shower generator for any other specific requirements.
The shower space should be no more than eight feet high. Hot air rises, and having a steam shower space with excessive height is wasteful and inefficient. Unless you have a family of pro basketball players, a steam shower space of three to four feet square and seven feet high should be just right.
Use double-pane windows
If there are windows in the room where you have your steam shower, they will need to be double-paned. This helps to prevent heat exchange through the window and is particularly important in colder climates.
You could also consider using vinyl-clad windows, with a cement backer board, a waterproof membrane, and a silicone caulk to make the steam shower as environmentally efficient and cost effective as possible.
Consider the type of seating for your steam shower experience
Built-in seating makes your steam shower an extra relaxing place to be. Of course, the size, style and type of seating will be partially dictated by any size constraints, but if the seating is slightly sloped, you will find it more comfortable.
In a large steam shower, you could consider a tiled bench, either positioned diagonally in a corner or on the wall opposite the steam head. A clever alternative for smaller steam showers is to install a fold-up seat.
Safety first – remember slip protection
Statistically, the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, and is responsible for 235,000 Emergency Room visits in the US every year. It’s important to think about shower safety, especially if anyone in your household is elderly or has mobility problems.
Add anti-skid strips to the floor of your steam room to drastically reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Get expert support with the steam shower installation
If you are skilled in DIY and home maintenance, there are many aspects of the steam shower installation that you can do yourself. This includes preparing the walls and windows, installing the shower unit and doing tiling and sealing.
But there are other areas that should only be tackled by an expert. All electrical wiring and plumbing installation must be performed by a qualified and licensed electrician or plumber. Check your local building codes and regulations, as these vary across the US.
More considerations regarding electrical safety
On the subject of electrics, there is more to discuss with your electrician than just wiring up your new steam shower. The generator will demand either 208v or 240v power, while all the in-shower controls operate on low voltage. The electrician will need to install a separate circuit breaker specifically for the steam generator unit and a power switch somewhere within sight of the generator.
He will also need to deal with the lighting, using purpose-made vapor sealed lighting fixtures that provide the necessary moisture protection and are approved for steam showers. These typically use a ground fault circuit interrupter to shut off the power if it detects ingress of moisture into the light fixture.
