Bathroom Design
Get Steamy in the Shower for Spa Time at Home
Learn the components of a steam shower to plan a safe and sturdy installation and a soothing bath experience
Once you've chosen your steam shower's tile and decided on the shower's space and size, it's time to start building. Understanding a steam shower's key components, costs and materials will ensure the outcome you want.
What's best for your house might not always be required by local code. Talk with your designer or builder to learn about all of your options for a safe and sturdy steam shower. Finding someone who will build your shower to the specifications of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) will give you a better product and a more enjoyable steam shower experience.
What's best for your house might not always be required by local code. Talk with your designer or builder to learn about all of your options for a safe and sturdy steam shower. Finding someone who will build your shower to the specifications of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) will give you a better product and a more enjoyable steam shower experience.
Steam generator. Of course, you'll need a steam generator to make steam. They vary widely in price and options. Finding the right size unit for your steam shower will take some calculating. ThermaSol units are selected by multiplying the length of the shower by its width and height. For example, this 112-cubic-foot shower uses a ThermaSol Pro Series 140, which can handle steam showers up to 140 cubic feet.
You can expect to pay between $800 and $2,500 for the most popular and well-known steam generator brands. Larger steam showers might require more than one generator, so account for that in your budget.
Tip: Try to place your steam generator outside the bathroom but somewhere that's easily accessible. It's always a good idea to hook up the drain pan to the home's plumbing system, in case of leaks.
You can expect to pay between $800 and $2,500 for the most popular and well-known steam generator brands. Larger steam showers might require more than one generator, so account for that in your budget.
Tip: Try to place your steam generator outside the bathroom but somewhere that's easily accessible. It's always a good idea to hook up the drain pan to the home's plumbing system, in case of leaks.
Shower bench. If possible, install a fixed bench with a heated seat. Placing the shower handheld near the bench can also help you heat up the seat, if a cable heating source isn't an option. Built-in steam shower benches need complete waterproofing, too. Make sure the entire bench is covered with a vaporproof and waterproof membrane.
Tip: If space is too tight, a folding shower bench will do the trick. Make sure there's proper wood support for the seat and that there are no water or electrical lines where you plan on bolting in the seat.
Tip: If space is too tight, a folding shower bench will do the trick. Make sure there's proper wood support for the seat and that there are no water or electrical lines where you plan on bolting in the seat.
Vaporproofing and waterproofing. What's behind the walls in a steam shower is vital. A steam shower needs continuous waterproofing and vaporproofing to prevent structural damage to the home. This diagram from Noble Company shows the many levels involved in properly waterproofing a steam shower. Designing according to this diagram would satisfy the TCNA and TTMAC requirements for a steam shower built in North America.
A steam shower needs vaporproofing on the floors, walls, bench and ceiling. All penetrations in the barriers should be sealed prior to tile installation. Look for someone with experience with this when hiring your installer.
A steam shower needs vaporproofing on the floors, walls, bench and ceiling. All penetrations in the barriers should be sealed prior to tile installation. Look for someone with experience with this when hiring your installer.
Lights. A dimming light can make your steam shower session more enjoyable. Look for a light designed for steam showers with fixtures that are waterproof and vaporproof. Consider adding a colored light source for layered light options.
Tip: A rain showerhead like this one is a great choice in steam showers. A cool drizzle feels wonderful during a hot steam shower, and large rain showerheads also make perfect access panels to your shower's lights and speakers.
Insulation. Your steam shower should have insulated walls. I recommend using a 2-pound spray foam, as shown in this photo. This is a task that should definitely be left to a professional. In fact, many cities require a specific certification for spray-foam installation.
Tip: Although it's not always required by code or manufacturers, I recommend using a high-heat insulation wrap to cover your steam line. This copper pipe, which brings the steam from the generator into the shower, can get extremely hot and dangerous.
Tip: Although it's not always required by code or manufacturers, I recommend using a high-heat insulation wrap to cover your steam line. This copper pipe, which brings the steam from the generator into the shower, can get extremely hot and dangerous.
Ventilation. Ventilation is the last necessary ingredient in a great steam shower build. Leaving the shower door open after a good steam is always a good idea, particularly if your steam shower doesn't have a transom above the door. However, a good ventilation fan is a must. Place the bathroom fan just outside the steam shower or transom — this will really improve the drying times between showers and steam sessions.
More:
Green and Clean: Ventilate for a Healthy Bathroom
Steam Showers Bring a Beloved Spa Feature Home
More:
Green and Clean: Ventilate for a Healthy Bathroom
Steam Showers Bring a Beloved Spa Feature Home
• Steam generator
• Shower bench (fixed or folding)
• Vapor barrier and waterproofing
• Lights
• Insulation
• Ventilation
The wonderful steam shower in this photo shows a perfect installation of all of these items.