How Much Does It Cost to Install a Steam Shower?

If the flow of hot water from your regular shower isn't enough to de-stress you after a long day, you might consider installing a steam shower. You can get all the functional benefits of a regular shower plus a personal steam room in your bathroom, though homeowners should weigh the costs of steam shower installation against the benefits before deciding.

This May Also Interest You: How Much Does a Home Sauna Cost?

What Is a Steam Shower, and How Does It Work?

A steam shower system converts your regular shower into a small steam room, providing a sauna effect.

What Are the Components of a Steam Shower System?

A steam shower comprises a steam generator, a steam line and head, a control panel and a sealed enclosure. While you can get steam showers that offer different functions and features, they generally function similarly:

• A steam generator is installed somewhere near the shower area. Common locations include linen closets or bathroom vanity cabinets.

• Steam is generated. Basically, the generator works like a big electric kettle, heating up water to a boiling point to create steam.

• Steam flows through the steam line. Pressure forces the steam through a pipe from the generator to the shower. It comes out via a steam head, which is different from the shower head you get water from.

• Steam rises. Typically, the steam head is located low in the shower so steam can rise through the space.

• You control the steam. A control panel in the shower lets homeowners set the temperature and time to get the experience they want.

To keep steam in the shower, your space must be modified to include a sealed enclosure. Glass doors typically go from ceiling to floor and include rubber or other seals, so they close tightly. Installation also includes a waterproof barrier behind shower tiles so steam doesn't soak into your walls and create moisture problems.

Steam Shower Vs. Sauna: What's the Difference?

A home steam shower differs from a steam room feature you'd find in a gym or spa in scale and function. They use the same type of steam mechanisms, but a steam room doesn't also function as a shower. It's also usually bigger, allowing multiple people to sit in it at a time.

Like steam rooms, saunas are often built for use by multiple people at the same time, particularly when they're located in gyms, hotels or spas. You can also install a small sauna in a home. Unlike steam rooms and showers, saunas use dry heat that's created with either a stove that heats rocks or infrared heaters. Saunas typically get hotter than steam showers or rooms.

What Do Combo Units Offer Compared to Stand-Alone Steam Showers?

Combo units typically include two enclosures. One side is a steam shower/steam room and the other a sauna. A combo unit lets homeowners who want dry and wet heat get both without working with separate contractors, though the combo units are typically larger and significantly more expensive than a steam shower alone.

How Much Does a Steam Shower Installation Typically Cost?

The cost of a steam shower depends heavily on whether you're installing a prefabricated or custom system. Average costs for a prefab system, including installation, range from $2,900 to $6,800 (CAD 4,087 to CAD 9,585), according to data from HomeGuide. Custom jobs or converting an existing shower without a prefab system can cost up to $16,500 (CAD 23,258).

Factors that can impact the cost of buying and installing a steam shower system include:

• The type of system and generator you get. Larger shower spaces may require more powerful generators, and you may also consider options with additional bells and whistles.

• Shower tiling requirements. Tiling costs depend on the existing space, how much has to be removed to make way for new installation and how you want your shower to look.

• Enclosure and door type. You might consider add-ons like seats, aromatherapy systems or specialty doors. Shower enclosure size also matters, as more materials increase costs.

• Labor for installation. Larger or more complex jobs can increase the total cost of installing a steam shower. The same is true if teams must spend a lot of time preparing your space.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.