Imagine coming home from a long day at work to luxuriate in your own steam room. Does this sound too unrealistic? While this may seem like the sort of thing you need to book a spa day for, you really can have your own personal steam shower-sauna combo installed at home. All you need is a sealed stall hooked up to a steam generator, and you’ll be on your way to a much more zen lifestyle. If you’re considering adding one to your home, read on to find out everything you need to know.
How Does a Steam Shower Work?
The key component of a steam shower system is the generator, which simply looks like a briefcase-sized box. When you press a button on your control panel, it’ll fill up with water, which is then brought up to temperature with a heating element. The steam from the boiling water is then piped into your shower stall. While you sit and relax, you can modulate the temperature from your control panel. The stalls are designed to be fully enclosed, so that no hot air escapes. If you’re thinking you don’t have room for a whole sauna in your bathroom, don’t worry! The enclosure should function as your normal shower as well, so it shouldn’t take up additional space.
Consider What Type of Experience You Want
A full steam shower kit should come with a generator, a stall and a control panel. They also typically come with a circulation fan and a shower head to rinse off when you’re done steaming. Besides that, there are a number of different shapes, styles and features to choose from.
At Houzz, we carry a range of sizes, from stalls for just one person to shower and bath combinations. You can even find versions meant for two people to use at once, with two showerheads. It all depends on what you envision needing and how much space in your bathroom you have. Keep in mind, you can’t just use a generator with your existing shower stall. Having an enclosure for your steam shower that’s fully sealed is key, as all that moisture would otherwise wreak havoc on the rest of your bathroom.
Choose the Extra Features that Matter to You
During your search, keep an eye out for features that’ll make your showers even more luxurious. You can find steam showers with massaging jets as well those with built-in seats, so you can fully experience the benefits of sitting and steaming. Some units even come with a built-in radio so you can listen to music or your favorite talk show while you unwind.
And don’t forget to pay attention to the sort of shower head that comes with the enclosure — after all, this will likely function as your go-to spot to rinse off as well. If you’d like an immersive experience, look for kits that come with rain showerheads. Hand-held versions are also useful for getting tough-to-reach spots.
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