Steam showers have become a popular addition to new homes and bathroom remodels, especially for homeowners looking to create a more relaxing, spa-like experience at home.

But a steam shower is not something you want to add as an afterthought.

There is more involved than simply installing a steam generator. The size of the shower, waterproofing, generator location, electrical requirements, controls, steam head placement, ceiling design and materials all need to be considered before construction gets too far along.

At Grabill Plumbing & Heating, we install steam shower systems in new construction and bathroom remodeling projects throughout Northeast Ohio. Our biggest recommendation is simple:

Plan for the steam shower early.

Doing so gives your plumber, electrician, builder and tile contractor an opportunity to coordinate the details before the walls are closed and expensive changes become necessary.

How Does a Steam Shower Work?

A steam shower functions as a regular shower but includes a separate steam generator that heats water to create steam. The steam travels through a dedicated steam line and enters the shower enclosure through a steam head.

A typical residential steam shower system includes:

• A properly sized steam generator
• A steam head inside the shower
• A digital or wall-mounted control
• A dedicated water supply
• Electrical power for the generator
• A properly constructed and waterproofed steam shower enclosure

Depending on the system, you can keep things relatively simple or incorporate steam into a much more advanced shower with digital valves, rainheads, body sprays, lighting, sound, aromatherapy and other features.

Can You Add Steam to Any Shower?

Sometimes, but converting an existing shower into a steam shower is not always as simple as adding a steam generator.

A steam shower needs to contain steam, which means the entire enclosure has to be designed for a high-moisture environment. The ceiling, walls, door, penetrations and waterproofing system all need to be considered.

You also need somewhere appropriate for the steam generator, sufficient electrical capacity and a route for the steam line.

If you are already planning a major bathroom remodel, that is usually the best time to discuss adding steam because these requirements can be incorporated into the project before construction begins.

A Steam Shower Needs to Be Built Differently

One of the most important things homeowners need to understand is that a steam shower is not quite the same as a conventional tiled shower.

Steam can reach areas that normal shower water will not, so the entire enclosure needs to be designed and waterproofed for a steam environment.

That generally means a completely enclosed shower, including the ceiling, with properly sealed penetrations and a door or enclosure capable of containing the steam.

The materials inside the shower also affect performance. Glass, natural stone, exterior walls, ceiling height and the overall size of the shower can all influence how much steam is needed.

This is one reason it is much easier to plan a steam shower during the design stage than to try to add one after the bathroom is already built.

How Is a Steam Shower Generator Sized?

Steam generators are not one-size-fits-all.

The dimensions of the finished steam enclosure provide the starting point:

Length × Width × Height = Cubic Feet

But cubic footage is only part of the equation.

Depending on the steam system being installed, other factors may include:

• Ceiling height
• Natural stone or other finish materials
• The amount of glass
• Exterior walls
• Overall enclosure design
• Manufacturer specifications

A large shower with extensive glass or natural stone may require more generator capacity than a smaller interior shower with standard tile.

If the generator is undersized, the shower may take too long to reach the desired temperature or may never provide the steam experience you expected.

There is also no reason to unnecessarily oversize the generator. Larger equipment can require more electrical capacity and increase the cost of the project.

At Grabill Plumbing & Heating, we size the steam generator around the actual shower being built rather than simply choosing a unit based on the size of the bathroom.

Where Does the Steam Generator Go?

The steam generator itself is normally installed outside of the shower enclosure.

Depending on the layout of the home and the manufacturer’s installation requirements, it may be located in a:

• Nearby closet
• Vanity area
• Mechanical room
• Basement
• Other accessible, appropriate location

Accessible is important.

A steam generator is mechanical equipment. At some point, it may need to be inspected, maintained or serviced. We would much rather see the generator installed somewhere that can be reached easily than buried behind a finished wall.

Here in Northeast Ohio, the location also needs to be appropriate for our climate. Steam equipment and associated water lines need to be installed where they are protected from freezing.

The allowable distance between the generator and steam shower can also vary by manufacturer, which is another reason generator location should be worked out early in the project.

What Are the Electrical Requirements for a Steam Shower?

Steam generators can require a significant amount of electrical power.

The exact requirements depend on the generator being installed, but steam generators commonly require a dedicated electrical circuit.

With larger steam showers and generators, the electrical demand can become substantial enough that the electrician needs to evaluate the home’s electrical panel and available capacity.

This is something we want to know early.

Finding out near the end of a bathroom remodel that additional electrical work or an electrical upgrade is necessary is not the ideal time to discover it.

Steam shower installations work best when the plumber, electrician, builder and tile contractor are all working from the same plan before the walls are closed.

Steam Head Placement Makes a Difference

The steam head is where steam enters the shower, and its location matters.

It needs to be installed according to the steam system manufacturer’s requirements and positioned so that hot steam is not discharging directly onto someone standing or sitting in the shower.

This becomes especially important when the shower includes a bench.

The controls should also be positioned where they can be reached and used comfortably.

These seem like small details during construction, but they can make a noticeable difference every time you use the shower.

Should You Put a Bench in a Steam Shower?

If the shower is large enough, we usually recommend considering one.

If you plan to spend 15 or 20 minutes enjoying the steam, having somewhere comfortable to sit can make the experience much more enjoyable.

A bench can be built into the tile work, designed as a floating bench or incorporated in several other ways depending on the shower design.

Just like the rest of the steam enclosure, the bench needs to be properly constructed and waterproofed.

The location of the bench should also be coordinated with the location of the steam head so steam is not discharged directly toward someone sitting there.

Does a Steam Shower Need a Special Ceiling?

The ceiling is part of the steam enclosure and needs to be treated that way.

Ceiling height, construction and finish can affect how the steam shower performs and how condensation forms inside the enclosure.

Ceiling slope may also be part of the design. As steam condenses on the ceiling, proper design can help manage that condensation rather than allowing water to continually drip onto the person using the shower.

The specific requirements can vary depending on the steam system, enclosure and construction method.

For that reason, the ceiling should be part of the steam shower discussion before framing, waterproofing and tile installation begin.

What Steam Shower Brands Do We Install?

At Grabill Plumbing & Heating, we work primarily with KOHLER, ThermaSol, Delta and Brizo steam shower systems.

There isn’t necessarily one steam shower system that is right for every bathroom.

The best choice depends on the shower design, features the homeowner wants, plumbing fixtures being used and overall project budget.

KOHLER Steam Showers

KOHLER offers its Invigoration® steam generators along with steam heads and controls in several sizes and configurations.

KOHLER can also take the shower well beyond just steam.

With KOHLER Anthem™ digital and smart shower systems, homeowners can incorporate digitally controlled water temperature and shower outlets along with rainheads, hand showers, body sprays and other functions.

Lighting and sound can also be incorporated into a more complete KOHLER shower experience.

For homeowners already using KOHLER fixtures throughout the bathroom, this can make it easier to create a coordinated system rather than piecing several different product lines together.

ThermaSol Steam Showers

ThermaSol has been in the residential steam shower business for decades and offers everything from relatively straightforward steam systems to elaborate shower packages.

Depending on the system, ThermaSol can incorporate digital shower controls, steam, rainheads, lighting, sound, aromatherapy and other wellness features into the shower.

It can be a good option for homeowners who want the shower itself to become one of the major features of their bathroom remodel or new primary bathroom.

Delta and Brizo Steam Showers

Many homeowners, builders and contractors are familiar with the Steamist name.

Following Steamist becoming part of Delta Faucet Company, its steam technology has been incorporated into steam shower offerings from Delta and Brizo, including Delta SteamScape™ and Brizo Mystix™ systems.

This gives homeowners another option, particularly when the rest of the bathroom or shower is already being designed around Delta or Brizo plumbing fixtures.

How Elaborate Does a Steam Shower Need to Be?

You do not need to build a giant resort-style shower to enjoy steam at home.

A relatively straightforward steam shower might include:

• Properly sized steam generator
• Steam head
• Temperature and timer control
• Standard shower valve
• Shower head
• Hand shower

On the other end of the spectrum, a custom steam shower can incorporate:

• Multiple shower heads
• Rainheads
• Hand showers
• Body sprays
• Digital shower valves
• Steam
• Lighting
• Sound
• Aromatherapy
• Heated floors
• Built-in seating

The more features you add, the more important coordination becomes.

Our recommendation is to decide which features you will actually use and then design the plumbing and electrical systems around them.

You don’t need every available feature to build a great shower.

Plan the Steam Shower Before the Walls Close

This is probably the biggest takeaway.

Most problems with specialty plumbing systems are not necessarily because the equipment itself is bad. They happen because something wasn’t considered early enough in the project.

Before we rough in a steam shower, we want answers to questions like:

• How large is the finished steam enclosure?
• What materials are being used?
• Where is the steam generator going?
• Does the home have enough electrical capacity?
• Where will the steam head be located?
• Where will the controls be installed?
• How is the enclosure being waterproofed?
• How is the ceiling being constructed?
• Is there a bench?
• What other shower functions are being installed?
• Are lighting, sound or other features being incorporated?

Once those questions are answered, the plumber, electrician, builder and tile contractor can all work toward the same finished product.

That makes for a much better installation and can help prevent expensive changes later in the project.

Is a Steam Shower Worth It?

If you already enjoy steam rooms and are building a new home or completing a major bathroom remodel, a steam shower is definitely worth considering.

For many homeowners, the biggest benefit is simply having a comfortable place at home to relax and unwind.

Spending time in a warm, humid environment may also temporarily help loosen tight muscles or ease feelings of nasal and sinus congestion. A steam shower should not be viewed as a medical treatment, but there is certainly something to be said for being able to close the shower door, sit down and relax for 15 or 20 minutes without leaving home.

And unlike some luxury bathroom features, steam doesn’t necessarily require an enormous amount of additional space.

In many cases, it can be incorporated into the shower you were already planning.

The key is planning it correctly from the beginning.

Planning a Steam Shower in Northeast Ohio?

The best time to talk with us about a steam shower is before your bathroom is framed and the walls are closed.

Grabill Plumbing & Heating can help determine the proper steam generator size, plan the plumbing requirements, select compatible fixtures and coordinate the details that need to be worked out with your builder, electrician and tile contractor.

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing bathroom in Northeast Ohio, getting these details right before construction begins can prevent unnecessary changes and help make sure the finished steam shower works the way you expected it to.

Talk with Grabill Plumbing & Heating about your steam shower project.

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