Building Your Own Steam Shower

Fortunately, you don’t have to tear up your bathroom or break the bank to build a steam shower, but…

If you want to build your own steam shower or have one built for you, there are some important things that you will need to do.

The mission, should you choose to accept it is to…

• cover the roof of your shower enclosure
• seal the enclosure with a special door
• install a steam shower generator
• optional: include something to sit on, like a folding or fixed bench or a tiled bench

If you decide to build a steam shower suite, which includes…

• a shower,
• steam jet, and
• built in seating,

it would take up about the same amount of space as an average bathtub enclosure.

You can convert a small walk-in shower into a steam shower, but the enclosure may not turn out big enough to include a bench. That means you would not be able to relax during your steam shower. You would have to stand the entire time.

Steam Shower Structure and Sealing

The structure

The walls and ceiling of your enclosure must be made of waterproof material such as tile, marble, granite, limestone or fiberglass.

Cover the roof

Many standard shower stall doors stop short of the ceiling by a foot or so. You’ll have to…

1) buy a lightweight acrylic dome top, or
2) install a cover made of a material like fiberglass or stainless steel.

Steam condenses, so the ceiling should be sloped or curved. If the shower ceiling is flat, condensed water will constantly drip down on you.

Believe me, it’s not fun when a few of those drops hits you in the eye while you’re trying to relax and enjoy the moment.

Seal It

Your enclosure needs to be sealed very tight. If water vapor escapes, it will ruin drywall, paint, or wallpaper.

You’ll also have to deal with rotting problems if steam penetrates into your walls, ceiling and floor. 

That wouldn’t be good.

Home steam showers are meant for enjoyment, not ruining bathrooms.

You can’t have a vapor-tight enclosure without the right kind of door. Manufacturers sell steam shower doors in a variety of styles and colors.

Now, what about the steam?

If you want to build a steam shower, obviously you’re going to need something to produce the steam, right? So…

You’ll need to install a steam generator.

You may need a plumber and an electrician for this job. The steam generator needs to be hooked up to the water line and a 240V line voltage.

Deciding where to place your steam shower generator can potentially be one of your biggest design challenges.

Steam showers are growing in popularity because people enjoy the soothing relaxation that they provide.

After all, it’s a great option to be able to come home after a busy day or a tough workout and unwind in your very own steam shower.

Terrence Banks has written about building a steam shower and buying a steam shower door.

Home Steam Shower – Installing A Steam Shower In Your Home

Steam shower rooms were once limited to spas and health clubs, but not anymore.

More and more people are enhancing the look of their bathrooms with residential steam shower units.

The health benefits of steam bathing make it a worthwhile investment.

It’s been well known for many years by many cultures that heat and steam have therapeutic benefits.

There are two options for adding a home steam shower to your bathroom:

1. you can build your own steam enclosure

2. you can buy a self-contained enclosure

Let’s look at both options…

** Build Your Own Steam Enclosure **

This is without a doubt the most difficult option, but definitely doable. In addition to other tasks, three things will need to be done…

Cover it up. The roof of your shower enclosure will need to be covered. You can use an acrylic dome top or material like fiberglass.

Seal it. You will need to seal the enclosure with a steam proof door.

Why these first two steps? Well, you want a home steam shower for its therapeutic benefits, not to ruin your bathroom. If steam escapes, it will punish drywall, paint, and wallpaper.

Install a steam generator. This is the heart of a steam shower unit. The steam generator is responsible for cranking out the water vapor (steam).

Unless you have the necessary skills, you’ll need to work alongside a plumber and electrician to properly build your steam shower enclosure.

** Buy A Self Contained Enclosure **

Although more expensive than building your own, this option gives you a ready-made residential steam shower.

Steam shower enclosures come in four different flavors:

• Basic
• Deluxe steam shower
• Combo shower and whirlpool
• Combo shower and sauna

Whichever one you choose, your steam shower enclosure will already be sealed properly, include a steam generator and mounted controls for all shower settings.

Basic steam showers normally include a steam jet, soap container, and built-in seating.

Luxury models include a lot more …

• Multiple water massage jets
• Hand held shower nozzles
• Foot massagers
• Fm radio
• Remote control

…and more.

Luxury steam shower units include steam outlets with aromatherapy oil distribution capacity.

You’ll literally have a mini spa in your own bathroom.

And there you are – your options to install a residential steam shower. It’s not a cheap investment, so choose carefully!

Read more about buying a home steam shower, how to build a steam shower and more at www.steam-sauna-benefits.com