Turn your bathroom into your personal spa with a steam shower. Stepping into a steam shower is an ultra-relaxing experience, which is a big reason why they are all the rage in luxurious hotels and health spas across the world.
But you don’t have to pay to visit a fancy establishment to experience the wonders of steam showers. You can install one in your bathroom for your very own mini-spa. Install an in-home steam shower to transform your bathroom into a tranquil oasis.
What Is a Steam Shower?
Steam showers are most commonly self-contained, standalone shower stalls without tubs. Steam showers create an almost tropical, humid environment by generating hot, soothing steam. Not only are they relaxing, but steam showers are also eco-friendly—that is, they use much less water than a traditional shower.
A 30-minute steam shower uses only two gallons of water, compared to a regular shower that uses two gallons or more per minute.
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(Note: All details and prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)How Do Steam Showers Work?
If you find yourself standing in your shower for far too long, a steam shower is a great investment. They produce warm, soothing steam without constantly running the hot water, which means you’ll save on energy bills.
Instead of using hot water, a steam shower uses a steam generator to generate humidifying steam. Steam showers typically come with digital controls that allow you to turn the steam on, which triggers an electric valve to fill the steam generator with cold water. The generator then heats the water, bringing it to a boil, and sends it to a steam head that fills the stall with the hot, soothing steam.
Steam Shower Pros and Cons
Having your own steam shower is a dream come true. But installing one in your bathroom does come with a few drawbacks. Consider the pros and cons of steam showers before you install one.
Pros
Steam showers are extremely relaxing. After a hard day’s work, you can step into one and feel completely rejuvenated in minutes. You can even install a waterproof sound system so you can listen to your favorite calming music or add your own soothing essential oils to boost your steam shower’s relaxation benefits.
If you ever decide to sell your home, a steam shower will increase its overall value. While installing a steam shower can be costly upfront, they have a high ROI. Adding a steam shower to your bathroom can boost your home’s value by a few thousand dollars at least.
Not only will a steam shower boost your home’s resale value, but it will save you money on your regular water bill. Steam showers use a fraction of the amount of water traditional showers use but have similar cleaning power.
Installing a steam shower in your home costs between $2,500 and $4,200 on average. And if you opt for a customized steam shower instead of a prefabricated one, prices can skyrocket quickly. Steam showers have a high price tag compared to other bathroom renovation projects.
You will have to do a lot of planning before installing your steam shower. Because installation is so complex, it’s often easiest to install one when you’re already renovating your bathroom. Installing a steam shower often requires you (or a professional) to remove your bathtub and adjust your plumbing system beforehand. If you’re remodeling your bathroom, discuss adding a steam shower with your plumber as early in the design process as possible so they can accommodate it.
You should also be prepared to regularly clean your steam shower. Otherwise, it can cause mold growth. Steam showers are warm and damp, meaning they’re the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow. If you install a steam shower, plan to wipe the area down with disinfectant after every use and keep an eye out for mold.
How to Install a Steam Shower in Your Home
You can install steam showers with a budget-friendly DIY kit or hire a contractor to oversee the entire project for you. If you go the DIY route, expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000 for a prefabricated steam shower with a generator, fittings and steam heads. Hire a plumber and electrician to help you set it up.
You can take a hands-off approach by hiring a contractor to oversee your steam shower installation. Contractors will manage the project for about $4,000 to $15,000, which includes the unit itself, materials and labor.
To minimize mold growth outside your shower and heat loss inside it, make sure the stall is enclosed and steam-proof. Slope the ceiling to allow any steam that condenses to drip back down and seal the seams between panels.
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