Everything you need to know about the hot dwelling house wellness feature article .
Peter Rymwid / Designer : Sharon Sherman / Courtesy of MrSteam
Steam showers were everywhere at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show of 2023 , and it ’s no surprisal . Recent home trends have prioritized maximizing space while providingpersonal wellness benefits — steam cascade are an splendid example of how to do both .
Credit:Peter Rymwid / Designer: Sharon Sherman / Courtesy of MrSteam
" Steam is humankind ’s honest-to-goodness therapy , date stamp to the Greek and popish times . Despite its long chronicle , steam continues to surprise hoi polloi with its wide range of health and health benefits , " says Martha Orellana , vice president atMrSteam .
Here , we research what steam showers are , their welfare , and things you should view before adding a steam shower to your own home .
What Is a Steam Shower?
“ A steam shower by definition is simply a full enclose space that delivers steam , ” allege Orellana . Steam showers rely on a steam source located outside the cascade to produce steam . “ With the touch of a push button or screen , the steam generator heats water supply until it vaporizes and then speedily discharge the resulting steam into a steam head within the exhibitor enclosure . ”
“ Steam cascade can fit into nearly anytraditional showerif stick in , insulated , and seal , ” says Orellana . A steam shower can be incorporated into an existing traditional exhibitor and can be outfitted to offer up experiences like aromatherapy , chromotherapy , and medicine therapy .
Differences Between a Steam Shower and Traditional Shower
If you ’ve ever wiped condensation off the privy mirror , you live that traditional cascade do create steam . However , this is n’t the same as a steam exhibitioner . “ While traditional showers may release some steam , they are less in force than a fully immersive steam shower organization from a wellness perspective , ” says Orellana . A steam exhibitor is designed to be fully enclosed to capture the steam inside the shower , whereas a traditional shower bath typically has initiative that bring out steam into the eternal rest of the bathroom .
TRIA GIOVAN
Differences Between a Steam Shower and Sauna
Although both agreeableness sound blistering and relaxing , saunas and steam showers provide different experiences .
A sweat room bring forth heat from a stove inside the space , while a steam cascade rely on an exterior steam source . They ’re also aesthetically and structurally dissimilar . While steam showers can beinside a traditional showerand toilet footmark , asauna demand its own way .
" sweat room are traditionally build from kiln - dry Sir Henry Wood ( often cedar or spruce ) that can withstand much higher temperatures and lower humidity , " say Orellana . " On the other hand , steam rain shower are manufacture fromceramic tile , lifelike stone , glass stop , or other waterproof , nonporous material that are conducive to a moist surroundings . "
Credit:TRIA GIOVAN
Perhaps " the biggest difference between saunas and steam shower is the heat itself . " The type of heat differentiates a sauna from a steam shower . Saunas deliver dry heat therapywhile steam shower extend wet rut therapy , " suppose Orellana . " Sauna temperatures range between 160 ° F and 200 ° F with very little humidity . Steam showers range from 105 ° F to 115 ° F with nearly 100 % humidity , " she says "
Steam Shower Installation
Steam rain shower are often incorporated into traditional showers and may even be added to an existing space without amajor renovation . However , they do have some very specific requirements that need to be met .
“ For the steam rain shower to function correctly , it must be set up in an wrap , water- and vapor - tight quad , ” says Orellana . “ The steam room should have noheating , venting , or air - conditioningcomponents . ” Any windows in the shower should be double - paned , all light fixedness must be vapour - sealed , and the cap summit should be between 7 and 8 feet . As for the steam source , Orellana say it should be placed within 60 feet of the steam shower and should have at least a foot of space around it to countenance for service .
Also good to get it on : bombastic format tilesor slab wall are an peculiarly right choice for shower surrounds because the larger formats collect less condensation .
Credit: James Yochum
Benefits of Steam Showers
Wellness
agree toJamie Gold , a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer , and a Wellness Design Consultant , the pandemic made many people realize how home environments cancontribute to well - being . As a result , steam technology for the home has become more popular and well - known .
“ Homeowners have experienced their benefit at the gym or resorts and require those benefit at domicile , where they ’re spending more time now , ” enjoin Gold . “ It can improve your strong-arm ( respiratory , circulatory , skin , joints , etc . ) and mental ( stress release , relaxation method ) health . ”
Real Estate Value
According to Gold , it ’s harder to move into a magnanimous or better home in the current genuine land grocery , so homeowner are amend their existing space . She says steam shower are gaining attention as one of these improvement project , in part because they addvalue to a home .
" Homebuyers are more and more unforced to pay a premium for timbre features , like steam showers , that support their health goals , " says Orellana , citing aZillow studythat found steam showers can increase a home ’s time value by as much as 31 % .
Environmental Factors
For those who like a long hot exhibitor or soaking , steam shower have some reasonably telling statistics that will aid you feel alright about your water andenergy consumption . According to Orellana , steam shower use “ about two gallon of water supply for a 20 - minute of arc steam sitting , whereas a 20 - bit bath using a traditional maelstrom or soaking tub can practice 80 Imperial gallon of pee . ”
In addition , Orellana says steam showers use less water than a even rain shower or bath , want less energy to heat . “ That ’s why a home steam exhibitor is a sustainable pick that can reduce your Department of Energy bills if you regularly take long shower or baths to unwind , ” say Orellana .
Edmund Barr
Credit:Edmund Barr
Steam Shower Considerations
Design and Installation
While you might find confidentDIYing some or all of a traditional shower , steam showers are more complicated ; it ’s not something you should go alone . “ This is also a project for which you definitely want anexperienced plumbing system contractorto avoid the mold issues that can arise from an improperly installed system , ” say Gold . Since steam exhibitioner are rare , you might ask to look around for the right pro .
The same is dependable for design . It should account for facility particular take for steam showers ; not every designer will be conversant with the topic . You ’ll also need space to conciliate the steam generator .
Cost
thing like size , open materials , and architectural characteristic touch the cost of any rain shower . However , steam shower have additional cost , such as the steam capitulum , generator , ascendency , and installment .
Maintenance
" There is upkeep involved in keeping it running clean , more so than with a regular shower , " says Gold . for sure , allshowers require to be cleanedand may involve mend or fixture replacements , but with a generator and other constituent — particularly element that are n’t well-off to trouble-shoot or DIY — maintenance is a meaning consideration .
Use
Steam shower might sound appealing , but before you go commit the resources in creating thisat - domicile spa experience , really think about whether it fits your lifestyle . “ Harried professional person and parents may imagine themselves enjoying a nightly intermezzo in the mist , while the reality of deadlines , kids , and other demands on their fourth dimension mean a stock shower is the average and steam the exception , ” says Gold .
Personal Health
Gold cautions against self - prescribing a steam shower to address forcible weather condition . Before investment , take checking in with your Dr. . “ If your interest in bring a steam shower is to speak a physical condition , I definitely recommend speak with your physician before proceeding , ” articulate Gold . Your doctor may have advice on how to utilize a steam cascade , but they may also have warnings to help protect you if it ’s not great for your personal wellness .
Update the Look and Function of Your Shower
If you ’re sum a steam shower , take the opportunity to update the look of your shower by include rising slope and accessories to make it ascomfortable and luxuriousas potential . A shower seat is an splendid choice , particularly for savour a complete steam shower experience . If your shower lack a spot for cache personal care items , including max , shampoo , or razors , install ashower nichefor organized storage . If there ’s no room for a corner , ashower caddyis a good substitute . A fresh steam shower and upgraded shower outer space is also a great time to prove out products and change up your personal care procedure , so delay out oureditors ' favorite find .
