Steam Bath: How To Install a Steam Bath

A steam bath is quickly becoming a bathroom staple and has strong ties to ancient civilizations. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans quickly adopted these steam baths, spreading the unique bathing aspect throughout the Roman Empire. Additionally, steam baths were introduced to Turkey, where they quickly became part of the world famous Turkish bath routine. Keep in mind that a steam bath is not a sauna, making it less expensive to install and easier to use, so individuals who dislike sweating in the humid environment of a sauna will enjoy their delightful bath.

The main difference between a steam bath and a sauna is the temperature. Unlike a sauna, a steam bath features constant presence of the steam or mist that is generated from a special unit. Furthermore, instead of sitting and sweating, a steam bath leaves you refreshed and rejuvenated, allowing the steam to permeate the skin to create a happy, healthy glow. Finally, a steam bath is just a regular shower that is sealed to prevent the steam from exiting the enclosure, making it a great deal less expensive to purchase and install than a sauna.

Since the steam can create potential problems in your home’s construction is allowed out of the bath, the first step in a steam bath is to ensure the enclosure’s seals are strong a leak proof. Allowing the steam to permeate your walls and floors can lead to the appearance of mold and mildew, or even cause the walls to rot. Generally, a four foot by six foot shower is the standard with home use, although these measurements can be greatly exceeded depending on your size, space, and budget. Unlike a typical shower, be sure that the walls, floor, and even ceiling are properly tiled to prevent the steam from causing problems. When installing the tile, first install a layer of chlorinated polyethylene water barrier that will further protect your home.Your floor, walls, and ceiling of your steam bath should all be covered in this material that is at least six millimeters thick.

Once your enclosure for your steam bath is complete, the second step is finding an appropriate shower door. A typical shower door does not have the sealing capabilities to properly hold in the steam, so you will need to find a door that is specifically engineered for this purpose. There are many manufacturers that make shower doors for steam bath in a wide variety of styles so that you will find one that best works for you.

Finally, the third and most important element of a steam bath is the steam generator. This unit creates a constant flow of steam (or mist) to keep your shower running strong. Similar to a whirlpool tub motor, a steam generator needs to be installed in a place that will keep it hidden while still allow access.  Also, due to the noise of the unit, consider installing it further away from your shower to not disrupt the relaxing atmosphere. When choosing a steam generator, find a model that is appropriate for the square footage of your steam bath and install.