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Is it ok to have a sealed shower?

7 years ago

I have the same question this person did which was never answered:

I'm having a bathroom remodeled and am going to install a steam shower.
My concern is if I want a regular shower, and there's no ventilation
(because the steam shower needs to be sealed), how do you end up taking a
regular shower? I thought about installing a window so I could crack
it, but what happens in the dead of winter?

I'm wondering if it's problematic to have a normal shower in an enclosed steam shower. Is it too steamy? Or would it not be very noticeable? I've never taken a shower in a space without the typical open air ventilation above the curtain/door.

Featured Answer

enduring

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Well I know nothing about steam showers, only pictures that Ive seen with transoms.

My main concern is about the growth of mold in my shower area. My experience with my small bathroom, before remodeling, was that my fan would not exhaust the steam in the room from the shower. That was because of the tight fitting room doors; I had 2 of them. the room was only 5x8'. The fan was sized to the room. I had a horrible mold problem on the ceiling in the shower. There was a shower curtain only, so the shower wasn't sealed shut. When the room door was cracked the fan worked much better. My room was not getting make up air for the fan to run effectively IMO.

So with my remodel, I made sure that the doors had a gap at the bottom for air to enter the room as the fan expelled the misty air from the shower. I believe the mold problems I had in the old bathroom was because of the poor fan performance due to the lack of make up air.

In the new bathroom I have 2 fans that connect in the attic to one motor and sized for the room and the duct runs. I have one of the vents in the shower. I was very concerned with setting up conditions that would promote mold growth like I had in my old bathroom. With my fan setup and my makeup air, I never have any moisture in the room during a shower. I have used the room for 3 years now and I am very happy that there is no mold.

So with a steam shower, I know the whole area is tiled and the ceiling is sloped. But I just worry about mold. If you were to have an exhaust fan in the steam room I don't think it would be effective unless you had a vent of some sort to allow air movement. Otherwise you'd have to crack the shower door open while you showered.

I hope someone else posts with actual experience with steam shower that is also used for regular showers.

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Comments (8)

enduring
7 years ago
The only steam shower pictures I've seen, all have transom windows in them, that open into the bathroom (not to the outdoors). That is the answer.
mc2016
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks. But I don't think it's that clear cut. I have conflicting information which is why I'm asking. My euro-door installer thinks it's not necessary. And for example in this thread http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2812751/requesting-steam-shower-feedback it says:

Did you have a glass panel/door that swiveled/opened to provide
ventilation during use? If not, would you want one based on experience?

I've built some with and without transoms. Haven't heard negative from either side.

I'm hoping somebody without the transom will see this and give some feedback.
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malabacat
7 years ago
I have two steam showers in our regular showers and neither have transoms. I don't remember why we didn't put in transoms, I do remember we discussed it w/our architect and GC, and decided to go with full glass doors. When we take regular showers, which is most of the time, the sealed shower area doesn't get too steamy and we don't leave the door slightly ajar. We have fans in both bathrooms of course and those seem to work just fine. Our showers have been in for over a year and no issues with mold or mildew.
mc2016 thanked malabacat
mc2016
Original Author
7 years ago
That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you!

I assume after showering you simply leave the door open (pushed in) to air it out?
User
7 years ago
My sister has a steam shower and she was told that you need the transom so that you can crack it after your done showering and the vent just outside the door clears up the moisture. Otherwise I guess you'd have to leave the door open I guess.
mc2016 thanked User
malabacat
7 years ago
Yes, we do leave our shower doors open for awhile to air them out.
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
7 years ago
Whether the exhaust fan is located inside the shower or outside the door would need to be factored in. IMO Be sure to get an experienced installer. You are dealing with vapor proofing now not just waterproofing.
mc2016 thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT

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