At home steam rooms have become the ultimate in self-self care. Whether you're a cool and calm spa-like aesthetic or bold and moody, you really can create your own slice of luxury in your own bathroom.
The Space
No, at home steam rooms don't need loads of space. We know you've seen the all singing, all dancing steam rooms on Pinterest and yes, we know they're the size of a small bedroom, but that's not essential. You do need a seat but if the space is small, this can be a folding seat.
At the other end of the space scale, your steam shower can be big enough to pop your bath in there too. Obviously this would require more of (pretty much) everything so the cost would increase. In short, the size of your steam shower/room can be whatever you have space for.
You can also have the steam room completely separate from the shower and bath. Although, this would significantly increase the cost as well as the amount of space needed. The drainage needed for the steam room is the same as the shower, meaning putting them together is the most cost effective option. However, if you want luxe on top of luxe, you would need two wet floors or shower bases with two lots of drainage.
The technical bit - The size of the room determines the power output of the generator, so, for example, a 1m x 1m x 2.4 m 'room' would require a small 3kw generator. Bigger rooms require a bigger generator. As long as there is enough height for efficient steam build up, your space will work.

The Tile and The Grout
Firstly, your steam shower room doesn't have to be tiled. There are micro cements which are compatible with steam so if tiled isn't your vibe, that's worth a look at.
Back to tiles. As porous materials like marble or stone can disperse the heat, you need a non-porous tile like porcelain, ceramic or glass. It isn't impossible with marble or stone, but you would need a bigger generator.
The grout. As with all grout, it needs looking after. We would usually use epoxy grout in a steam room, as it's more resilient. The lower joints, where you might get standing water, could cause a problem. But as long as you dry them when you've finished, you'll be good!
Our advice - Go with a larger tile. Larger tiles are much easier clean, as there are fewer grout lines.
Steam Shower Type
Not all showers are compatible with steam so you should always check with the manufacturer.
Tip - if you're even considering a steam shower, mention it to your installer or supplier.

The Steam and Ventilation
The steam takes about a minute to fill the space and will be at the correct temperature in about 5 minutes. The control panel should be placed inside, next to the seat, so it can turned on and off easily. Some can also be operated from your phone, so you can turn them on before you get in. Once you open the door, the steam will be drawn to the fan and clear as your shower would clear.
And on that note, you don't need any extra ventilation for your steam shower. Your standard bathroom ventilation is more than sufficient but, we do like them to run on a little longer, just to make sure all the moist air is cleared.
Room Restrictions
As a rule, there are no restrictions on which room can contain/be a steam shower/room. That said, as they are easier to heat and therefore more economical, internal rooms are preferred. If your room does have external walls, those walls should be insulated. But as long as the generator is close by and accessible, any room will work.
The Cost
Steam showers do cost more than a regular shower. The steam unit and control, the screen door, plus the extra tiling for the ceiling are extra costs.
A starting point example (extra essentials):
Smallest until (around) 3.5kw - £2500
Control - £580
Steam Outlet - £140
We usually work with bespoke steam doors, however, you can use an off the shelf shower door, as long as it doesn't have a gap between the top of the door and the wall. The ceiling cost is another extra, along with a seat (which would usually be tiled).
Hey, Designers!
We gets lots of questions about the design implications of a steam shower but really, the only things you need to think about is the type of shower you're using (compatibility) and the location of the access panel. Everything else is choice and installation.
If you're thinking about a steam shower and we haven't answered all your questions, just get in touch!
Comments