Latest Trends: Shower Steamer, with Helpful Videos

If you’ve ever enjoyed a steam bath or a steam shower, chances are that it was at a spa, club, gym, or another commercial steam room of some sort. You had to pay for membership or either pay a per-visit fee to enjoy all that warm and wonderful mist in the commercial steam shower room – and you probably had to share it with strangers. Now you can enjoy a steam shower right in your own home with a shower steamer!

Home steam showers and home steam rooms are among the latest trends in home improvements. If you’re handy with do-it-yourself projects, you might be able to do part or perhaps all of the work yourself.

What’s a shower steamer?

A shower steamer takes cold water and turns in into steam. The steam generator for the shower is plumbed into your home’s water line, and when you activate it, it fills with cold water and begins to produce steam, which is piped into your home steam shower or your home steam room. The steam generator for the shower can be hidden out of sight in a closet.

Most home steam generators hold about one gallon of water at the time. That might not sound like much, but this will provide a good supply of steam for about ten minutes. The steam is perfectly safe, as it never reaches above 118 degrees.

If and when you want more steam, all you have to do is hit the control that’s located in your home steam shower.

Home steam showers and home steam rooms

Home steam showers are typically similar to shower stalls, except that they’re completely enclosed and waterproof. Many are complete with a seat, making them super comfy. You can just sit back, relax, and let the moist heat work its magic. Many homeowners find these small stalls very convenient. After steaming, it’s easy to turn on the regular shower for cleansing.

Some homeowners convert their existing showers into home steam showers, while others build them completely from scratch. Another option is to purchase a stand-alone unit that needs only plumbing and wiring for it to be ready to use.

Obviously, home steam rooms are larger and more expensive. Home steam rooms will require a larger steam generator than will a home steam shower, and of course, construction costs will be much more. The benefit of home steam rooms is that they will allow more people to enjoy steaming at the same time.

Home steam showers and home steam rooms might be lined with ceramic or porcelain tile, marble, glass blocks, concrete, or natural stone.

The benefits of steam showers

One of the best things about taking a steam shower is the relaxing effect it has on your body and mind. Doctors are learning more and more about the associations between stress and illness, so anything you can do to relieve stress will boost your health.

Steam opens up the pores, which allows for deep cleansing. Because the steam increases circulation, blood and toxins are brought closer to the skin’s surface and the toxins can be expelled through perspiration.

The most heat also functions as hydrotherapy. Sore muscles, aching backs, and stiff joints can all be relieved. Hydrotherapy can also give your immune system a boost.

Steam is also good for the sinuses, especially if eucalyptus aromatherapy oil is added.

The bells and whistles available with a steam shower

For a total sensory experience, you can add music, colored lights, and aromatherapy to your home steam shower or home steam room. If you bring a nice cool drink into the session with you, all five of your senses will be stimulated at the same time!

Popular scents of aromatherapy oils to add to the steam shower include eucalyptus, rose geranium, lavender, bergamot, rosemary, ylang ylang, and blends.

An add-on package that includes these options generally costs between $1,500 and $1,800.

How much do home steam showers cost?

Home steam showers might be cheaper than you think. A stand alone unit can be as low as just over $2,000, if you do comparison shopping. You’ll have to have it hooked up by a plumber and electrician, unless you have the necessary skills yourself.

A steam generator shower system will cost about $2,500. That includes installation, but it doesn’t include the price of the shower stall itself.

What are the best brands of steam generator for showers?

The most popular steam generator systems are Mr. Steam Shower, Thermasol, and Steamist.

You want a steam generator that will deliver in about a minute. Also, you’ll find that ones that are remote controlled are much more convenient. Furthermore, get a steam generator system that has an auto-flush option.

Mr. Steam Shower – Mr. Steam Shower is made by a company that’s been in the boiler business for 60 years. A Mr. Steam generator shower system offers a limited lifetime warranty and self diagnostics. Their customer care representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8am until 7pm EST.

Thermasol – Thermasol has been in business for 50 years. Their steam generator shoer system is very quiet, with all metal controls. Thermasol is the only manufacturer that offers a choice of styles in matching remotes, controls, and steamheads.

Steamist – Steamist has been in business for 50 years, 40 of which have been focused on home steam showers and baths. The Steamist steam generator shower system is practically maintenance free.

Building contractor tips

Make sure the ceiling in your home steam shower is slanted. The vapor will form droplets on the ceiling as it cools, and if the ceiling isn’t slanted, they’ll drop on your head.

The best walls for home steam showers and home steam rooms are covered with ceramic tile. Stone and quarried tiles are beautiful, but a shower covered with them will take twice as much steam.

If you use stone to line your steam shower, it needs to be sealed properly. Also, the stone tiles should be re-treated every 18-24 months.

Make sure all the studs and joints and any other wood is protected in plastic.

Walls and ceilings should be well insulated.

All cracks and joints should be filled with silicone.

All the fixtures in the tile should be sealed with O-rings and gaskets.

Windows and skylights are not recommended for home steam showers or home steam rooms. If a window is used, it must be a double-paned window. Skylights must be properly sealed.

Treat yourself to a steam shower

Homeowners are focusing more and more on bathrooms. They're no longer a forgotten room in the house used only for the necessities of...well, you know what I mean. Many modern bathrooms are more like personal spas now - a place to relax, escape, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. A steam shower is a great way to accomplish all three!