Hi there, were you ever able to make a decision? I personally have never used this type of shower, but it looks awesome!

Toabs,

I to love the time capsule look however as a kitchen and bath specialist, I've never seen on in person.. Because I've never sold one before I can't really comment on them except..

*They are pre fabricated (not specifically designed for your dimensions)

*comes in pieces.. Usually some of which may not fit through standard door openings.

*usually sold online (sometimes that speaks to the customer service you will receive down the road)

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As for the custom route

* I estimate you may be spending around $3000 just for the steam system alone.

* Shower prices depend on how much sq ft of glass your looking to use http://schickershowerdoors.com/ ..

* then you need a solid surface for your walls and floors (tile, porcelain. This quote will need to come from your local tile guy.

** Understanding that this will be the more expensive route to take, I like it because it gives you the ability to add a personal touch to your Oasis. By going custom you will also be supported by local professionals that will assist you before and after the project. Your shower door will be warrantied by the installer.. Your steam generator by the company supplying it, and the tile you choose can coordinate and become one with your existing design.

Hope this helps,

Brandon

Our neighbors have one. It is prefab, rectangular (not like above), and they installed it themselves. They have had it for at least 5 years now and love it. Since it was put in existing bathroom they did have to do some retro fitting around it but it didn't seem to be a big problem. Hope that helps.

Thanks, Brandon and Ruthmand! Ruthmand, do you happen to know what brand your neighbors have? Your comment makes me feel a lot more courageous!

I will check with them and let you know.

Thanks!

So, it is now a year later, and I've decided to update this discussion and hopefully help some others. We did get a steam shower similar to the picture I posted, and have been using it almost one year now. I ordered it through Menards and they didn't have that exact model pictured. I spent a little extra going through Menards, but I wanted the security of having them behind the product in case it was a total disaster. We made some alterations, redid the drain, replaced one really cheap fixture that broke almost immediately.... well, you get the idea. It wasn't a project for a beginner. You need an electrician to hook up the 220, and a plumber to really get this installed right. All that said, I'd still buy one again. We love it. The shower is terrific alone, and to be able to steam on some of those horrid January nights we had here in the Midwest last winter was heavenly. Except for the one fixture, we haven't had any issues with it. If anyone is thinking of buying one of these and would like to know more about what we changed and the installation process, I can give you more detail and pictures to help you. Happy showering!

Which brand did you buy?

We are remodeling our bathrooms and I am putting in a custom steam bath in our room that i am very excited about. However, after having just returned from a family vacation to an resort with a spa, my teenagers are loving the steam room that they had there. So in order to keep them out of my masterbath, i am considering putting one of this units in their bathroom but have been very confused about which manufactures have units free of leaks, rusts, and smells. would love to know which units work well.

We got an Ariel. In what little info I could find out about the different brands, their name seemed to come out on top. Now, I have never used a real steam room, so I don't know how it would compare, but I can't imagine your teens not loving the look of one of these! Even after a year, it's still fun. No leaks at all, I don't think there's anything in there that could rust, and so far the only smell is whatever oil you choose to put in the dispenser (we love peppermint).

Hi toabs. I'm struggling with the same decision you did. I'm looking at an Ariel similar to the one above. Seems you had a good experience. Can you comment more on the quality of the shower? Are the fixtures plastic or some type of metal? Any other thoughts as to quality?

Bob,
So far except for that one plastic part that we replaced, the quality has been excellent. All the other fixtures are metal and once we made our initial modifications, we haven't done anything else in the past year to it. My husband and I still step out after showering and say, "Man, I love that thing!" Do you know where you would order yours from?

Thanks! I was looking at a few places online. The only local place I see it is Home Depot. I may buy it there so I have a place to go in case I have issues. You've convinced me to go for it.

And I forgot to ask - what were the modifications you made besides the drain?

Thanks.

I just posted a similar question. I am glad to see your post. You said it was not a beginner's project to install. If you had to do it again, would you buy the Ariel shower or would build your own from scratch? You seem very satisfied with the steam function (getting enough steam, fast enough) and are you satisfied with the shower function as well ? Do you have advice on specifics to look for when buying it and what size would you recommend for steam showering for 2 adults together?

I've been very happy with the two custom ones I've had built. Sloping ceiling is key. A lot of tile, but really wanted in small master ensuite in the first house and needed maximum impact in second house (see pic to fully understand)

Check out our product line on homewardbath.com. Depending on where you are, we have some of our product on display in the Midwest

okay this next build is 3 steam room, I like STEAMATIC brand, remember to SLOP the ceiling on water drips, also the bench make sure you bull nose it, also you want to lay down in there so 3 walls of tile, upper and floor tiles small walls do what you like, and ONLY one piece of seamless glass door vs. the cost of more glass. My last one I did wall angle wall . . . so only one door and I took it up the tile, I used limestone, I would never use that again, the new porclein tiles are magnificent, limestone to porous . . . if you go deep in the floor you can combine this into a bathtub too, just remember to have a solid drain closure, due to the sealing while your filling your tub/shower/steamroom will pop open the drain and there goes your water . . . DO DO a tankless water system YOU NEVER RUN OUT OF HOT WATER, also if you live in a dry climate, I would put oil on the steam pipe in shower or head, and leave door open to climate control house ALL OPEN FLOOR PLAN as well as the scent makes everything smell GREAT. I too am getting ready to do MY LAST and I am so glad that this is a 4th now as I know my mistakes by having done this time and time again. GOOD LUCK,

I know this an old thread however, for those that bought the modular steam shower a few years ago how do you feel about the decision today? Would you do it again if you could? Definitely like the idea of cost savings however, I'm extremely concerned about durability and multiple problems down the road. Thanks!