Before Buying a Steam Shower: Seven Essential Facts You Should Know

If you’ve ever wanted to replace your ordinary shower with a luxury steam shower, you’re not alone. Steam showers are growing in popularity as an elegant add-on to any master bathroom. Here are a few things you should know about steam showers before you make the decision to buy.

What is a steam shower? A steam shower is a watertight enclosure the size of a normal shower—or a bit bigger, depending on the model you buy. Steam showers have steam converters that heat the water in your pipes to a boil before ejecting the warm water vapor through nozzles inside the steam shower stall. Most steam showers also have normal showerheads that allow you to rinse off after using the steam feature.

Why should you buy one? Steam showers are similar to steam rooms, which are common in spas and health clubs. Some health practitioners and healers believe that steam has many health benefits, from detoxification to improved respiratory function. Steam can help with muscle fatigue and joint pain, improve circulation, and possibly boost your immunity. In spas, it’s often used in conjunction with aromatherapy—and some steam showers allow you to insert your favorite essential oils for a scented steam bath.

What features are included? Most steam showers include a showerhead, steam jets, jet massagers, and aromatherapy fixtures. Other features include phone and iPod hookups, built-in radios, and foot massagers. Some steam showers are quite large and include benches and jets to accommodate two people. Others allow you to receive incoming calls while in the shower.

Steam showers are not for everyone. Pregnant women are generally advised not to use steam showers, because they can raise the body temperature to a point that may be unsafe for the baby. Young children should also avoid steam showers, as should people with diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have a medical condition or any doubt about whether or not a steam shower is right for you, check with your doctor before buying one. 

You don’t have to buy a new shower. You can buy a conversion kit to transform your old shower into a steam shower. However, this will still require significant electrical, plumbing, and construction work. Your shower stall must be made to be completely watertight on all sides, including the ceiling. Tile walls may need to be replaced.

Don’t try to install it yourself. Installing a steam shower, or even a conversion kit, is a big job that requires extensive electrical and plumbing expertise, not to mention shower-construction skills. Beware of any companies that claim their conversion kits are “easy to install” or that you won’t need a contractor. When choosing a contractor, hire someone with previous experience installing steam showers—and test the shower before they leave. 

Choose your vendor with care. It’s very unwise to buy a steam shower from an individual or unknown vendor. You’re likely to get a product without a warranty or any customer support, and it may not look anything like you expected it to. Cheap steam showers are often shoddily constructed and likely to leak steam, which can cause mold problems. This will cost you a great deal more than you saved by getting a “great deal” on a steam shower.

When buying a steam shower sight-unseen, ask for pictures of the shower installed in a bathroom. This way, you can get an idea of what it will look like in yours. Ask about warrantees, too—it’s best to get one that lasts from one to three years. Some steam converters are covered for life. Choose a vendor with a long history of satisfied customers—not an unknown brand with an unknown reputation.

In addition, don’t buy a used steam shower from an individual. Poor-quality steam showers can cause a great deal of trouble and expense to owners, and they’re probably selling it for a reason. Even if there’s nothing wrong with the shower, you won’t get a warranty, replacement parts, or any other support from an individual, and you may need it.

A steam shower can be a wonderful addition to your bathroom. But there are a few things to consider before buying. Know the facts about steam showers, and you’re sure to make the right decision for your bathroom.