Steam Showers Bring a Beloved Spa Feature Home
Get the benefits of a time-honored ritual without firing up the coals, thanks to easier-than-ever home steam systems
Incorporating steam into your shower renovation or new-build bathroom can improve the quality of your daily life. Throughout history people have used steam to heal, to perform religious ceremonies and, of course, to simply relax and socialize.
Today's steam showers are obviously much easier to work with than the ones of the past. There are no fire pits, no tarps, no natural underground heat well — just a touch of a button and you're good to go.
Of course, you need to design a room or shower with steam in mind. Because steam gets much hotter and permeates more than water does, it requires a lot more planning and a much more precise shower installation.
Get some ideas for your own steam heat at home — your own mini Turkish bath — from the modern-day projects below.
Today's steam showers are obviously much easier to work with than the ones of the past. There are no fire pits, no tarps, no natural underground heat well — just a touch of a button and you're good to go.
Of course, you need to design a room or shower with steam in mind. Because steam gets much hotter and permeates more than water does, it requires a lot more planning and a much more precise shower installation.
Get some ideas for your own steam heat at home — your own mini Turkish bath — from the modern-day projects below.
ThermaSol has been refining its steam systems for 50 years and now has an amazing steam generator capable of cleaning itself.
Tip: You don’t need to build a shower to have a steam system. Installing the steam option is just as easy with a bathtub installation — easier, in fact.
Tip: You don’t need to build a shower to have a steam system. Installing the steam option is just as easy with a bathtub installation — easier, in fact.
A steam shower or steam bath often looks like any other bath or shower with the exception that you can fill the room with a thick fog of steam.
This is the evolution of the steam shower. Disguised as a regular shower, this space can be transformed into a steamy retreat. Ask your designer to make sure you have room for two in there. A sloped ceiling, the right amount of lighting and the ability to cool off under the showerhead can upgrade an average steam room experience to a great one.
Tip: You will want to be able to warm the bench ahead of time, so plan on a way to heat it or to have the shower spray hit the back of the bench wall and seat. A handheld fixture near the bench works perfectly for this.
This is the evolution of the steam shower. Disguised as a regular shower, this space can be transformed into a steamy retreat. Ask your designer to make sure you have room for two in there. A sloped ceiling, the right amount of lighting and the ability to cool off under the showerhead can upgrade an average steam room experience to a great one.
Tip: You will want to be able to warm the bench ahead of time, so plan on a way to heat it or to have the shower spray hit the back of the bench wall and seat. A handheld fixture near the bench works perfectly for this.
Other than the two lower steam heads in the lower left of this picture, all you really see is a beautiful shower. The bench and the steam heads convert this space to a private steam bath with the flip of a switch.
You don’t need a large space to put in a steam shower. In fact, many are designed to stand alone, and can be purchased as a unit to be installed in your home.
This steam shower is a favorite of mine. Designed by Holger Hoos, it’s a hard-working steam shower that’s part of a tub conversion.
Tip: All steam showers need to be sealed well. We use a product called Kerdi Fix in combination with waterproof flashing material. Make sure to talk with your professional about vaporproofing options to build a shower that’ll last for many years.
This steam shower is a favorite of mine. Designed by Holger Hoos, it’s a hard-working steam shower that’s part of a tub conversion.
Tip: All steam showers need to be sealed well. We use a product called Kerdi Fix in combination with waterproof flashing material. Make sure to talk with your professional about vaporproofing options to build a shower that’ll last for many years.
If you want to relax and detoxify in style, you can incorporate some nice loungers into your design. If this were my shower, I'd be spending a lot of time here. What a room!
Tip: When you're designing benches and loungers, the surfaces must be graded to keep water from collecting on them. Use a smaller tile to facilate these gentle curves.
Tip: When you're designing benches and loungers, the surfaces must be graded to keep water from collecting on them. Use a smaller tile to facilate these gentle curves.
Light is a perfect companion for steam. Adding a light source to a steam shower that can change color is a no-brainer in my book. Everyone has a favorite hue — I like these purple shades, but my wife likes blues.
Steam showers and chromotheraphy can even be helpful in treating migraines. If you suffer from these, a steam shower might just be the thing.
Steam showers and chromotheraphy can even be helpful in treating migraines. If you suffer from these, a steam shower might just be the thing.
Steam Shower Door
Ventilation is key to a healthy steam shower build. Incorporating airflow with bathroom exhaust fans and transoms, like in this steam shower, can lessen the time it takes to dry out a steam shower after use.
Tip: Install the bathroom exhaust fan near the shower entry or transom outside the steam shower. Never install your exhaust fan inside the steam shower itself.
Tip: Install the bathroom exhaust fan near the shower entry or transom outside the steam shower. Never install your exhaust fan inside the steam shower itself.
Control pads can allow you to set the temperature and length of your steam session. Adjust the light or turn the music on. Bring in a jug of ice water and a glass. Cool off under a cold shower spray.
A steam shower is a luxury item; it's expensive to install, especially when done correctly. This isn't something you want to skimp on — an improperly built steam shower can self-destruct in less than three months.
Tip: Keep the control pad away from the steam head and within easy reach of your entry or bench for easy adjustment.
More: How to convert your tub into a shower
A steam shower is a luxury item; it's expensive to install, especially when done correctly. This isn't something you want to skimp on — an improperly built steam shower can self-destruct in less than three months.
Tip: Keep the control pad away from the steam head and within easy reach of your entry or bench for easy adjustment.
More: How to convert your tub into a shower
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Tip: The lower the permeability rating a vaporproofing material has, the better it is. High-use commercial steam showers in Canada require a minimum permeability rating of 0.5, as tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Use this standard as your base requirement when purchasing a vaporproofing material and make sure you specify it when working with your professional.
If you’re planning on a steam shower for three or more people, make sure you fit the right steam generator to the space. You don’t want to oversize these showers to the point where they don’t perform well. You may need to adjust the size of your shower to accommodate the volume of steam your unit can produce.
You’ll get a touch more steam and heat on the top level of a two-tiered bench.