Key Takeaways:
- Steam showers involve higher upfront costs and installation due to their complexity.
- Traditional shower systems are generally a more cost-effective option.
- Water pressure and flow rate can also impact the cost of a steam shower or regular shower system.
- Maintenance costs for steam showers may be slightly higher than traditional showers as well since it involves additional components like pumps and filters.
Investing in a new shower can be pretty exciting. It brings a whole new sense of purpose to your bathroom and allows you to express yourself in terms of style. However, we all know that cost can play a major role in our decisions. So, what are the costs of a steam shower and a regular shower?
Regarding general installation costs, you are considering spending up to £6000 on a steam shower installation or anywhere from £1000 or more for a regular shower. This can be broken down into things like tiling, grout, enclosure, and labour costs, to name a few.
In this guide, we take a look at the cost of a steam shower when compared to a regular shower, breaking down those key components to give you a better idea of what you can expect. We've even thrown in the potential running costs.
What's the Difference Between a Steam Shower and a Regular Shower?
The main DIFFERENCE between a steam shower and a regular shower is the presence of steam. With a steam shower, you can enjoy the BENEFITS of moist heat that help to relax your muscles as well as OPEN up your pores for better cleansing.
Steam showers also come with SPECIAL features like aromatherapy, music systems, and chromotherapy lighting, which provide further RELAXATION while you are having your shower.
Steam showers also use a steam generator, and this can have a MASSIVE impact on the cost of your steam shower unit as it ESSENTIALLY turns your shower into a miniature version of a steam room.
Pro Tip: Regular showers tend to require less maintenance than steam showers, and they are more cost-effective if you're on a budget.
On the other hand, REGULAR showers do not have any extra features or capabilities beyond providing water spray for cleaning yourself off. However, they are a lot CHEAPER than steam showers which makes them a more AFFORDABLE option.
Why Should You Get a Steam Shower?
A steam shower is an IDEAL choice for anyone looking to add luxury and therapeutic BENEFITS to their daily shower routine.
With its moist heat, a steam shower can help to RELAX muscles, open pores for a more thorough cleanse, and PROVIDE an overall sense of well-being. They are very beneficial in providing extra health benefits, such as IMPROVED circulation and joint pain relief.
Pro Tip: Many steam showers have added features such as aromatherapy, chromotherapy, and speakers which could further enhance the experience.
The Cost of a Steam Shower vs. a Regular Shower
The cost of a steam shower and a regular shower can EASILY be broken down into a number of sections, EACH of which will give you a clearer idea of what to expect from the work being carried out. Through this, you should be able to get a GOOD picture of how much you need to save.
Tiling Cost
Steam Shower: £600-£1500
Regular Shower: £400-£800
The tiling cost will depend GREATLY on the size of the space, as well as the type of tile you choose to have. Additionally, you may need to pay for LABOUR costs on top of the cost of materials.
Grout Cost
Steam Shower: £50-£250
Regular Shower: £20-£100
The grout cost is largely determined by the AMOUNT of surface area that needs to be covered. Additionally, labour costs may need to be factored in depending on the job's COMPLEXITY.
Shower Tray
Steam Shower: £100
Regular Shower: £50-£100
The shower tray is the area where water will COLLECT when the shower is in use. Depending on the kind of MATERIAL you choose, the cost can vary significantly from £50-£100 for a regular shower to £100 for a steam shower.
The most COMMON materials used are ceramic, fibre-glass, or acrylic. These materials are easy to clean and maintain, so it is worth considering their long-term value DESPITE the initial cost.
Shower Enclosure
Steam Shower: £500+
Regular Shower: £250+
The shower enclosure is what will CONTAIN the steam, ensuring that it doesn’t escape into other parts of the bathroom. This means you must invest in a STRONG and reliable glass or steel enclosure.
Always ensure the enclosure uses SAFETY glass, offering additional protection against injury. The cost of a steam shower enclosure can be HIGHER than that of a regular enclosure due to the need for ADDED insulation and waterproofing.
Shower Valve
Steam Shower: £150+
Regular Shower: £100+
The shower valve CONTROLS the water flow, temperature and pressure, so it needs to be properly installed. The cost of a steam shower valve is HIGHER than the cost of a regular valve as it needs to be able to HANDLE larger amounts of water and withstand more intense temperatures.
General Installation Cost
Steam Shower: £2000-£6000
Regular Shower: £1000+
The installation cost of a steam shower is HIGHER than that of a regular shower, as it requires ADDITIONAL work and materials. Similarly, the labour costs for installing a steam shower are typically more expensive than those for a REGULAR shower.
A custom steam shower will be MORE expensive than a prefabricated steam shower, and the steam head is included in this. The big things and the little ones all have a HUGE influence on the overall steam shower COST.
Running Costs
Steam Shower: 15p per KW per hour
Regular Shower: 15p per KW per hour
The running cost of a steam shower is roughly the SAME as that of a regular shower. Depending on how OFTEN you use your shower and for how long, you should expect to pay around 15p per Kilowatt hour [1].
Pro Tip: The water pressure or flow rate can influence the running costs of your steam shower or traditional shower.
The power of your shower can also massively IMPACT the cost. For example, a 2.8KW steam shower will use MORE energy than a 1.5Kw regular shower, resulting in higher running costs.
The Cost of Installing a Monsoon Shower
The cost of installing a monsoon shower will DEPEND on a number of factors, including the type of shower you choose and the SIZE and complexity of the installation. Generally, monsoon showers are more EXPENSIVE than regular showers.
The installation usually involves ADDITIONAL waterproofing and insulation, as well as higher-grade materials such as stainless steel or tempered glass. This can PUSH the cost up to anywhere between £3000 and £6000, DEPENDING on the job.
The cost of installing a monsoon shower can be HIGH, but it is worth investing in the quality and ENDURANCE of such a product.
Monsoon showers PROVIDE an incredibly luxurious experience with powerful jets and adjustable temperature settings. The right installation will also ENSURE that your shower remains safe and EFFICIENT for many years to come.
The Cost of Installing Additional Luxuries
Installing additional LUXURIES such as a shower seat, recessed lighting, and/or a sound system could add to the overall cost of your shower installation. Additionally, labour costs MAY need to be factored in, DEPENDING on the complexity of the job.
Pro Tip: Most steam showers come with these luxurious extras, which is part of why a steam shower costs a lot more than a standard shower stall.
Shower seats can USUALLY range from £50-£100, while recessed lighting, sound systems, and other luxuries CAN cost anywhere from £100-£300.
The additional cost of installing these items is usually WORTH it for the added comfort and convenience they WILL bring to your shower experience. That said, always ensure your budget allows for such amenities before COMMITTING to any project.
To Conclude
Installing a custom or prefab steam shower can be an EXPENSIVE endeavour, but when done correctly, the RESULTS are well worth it.
From increased SAFETY and insulation to luxurious amenities like recessed lighting or sound systems, there is no denying that investing in a QUALITY steam shower will provide you with a UNIQUE experience every time you step into your bathroom.
With PROPER installation and maintenance, your new steam shower should last for years while providing maximum COMFORT and relaxation.
Sources:
[1] Posh. Posh.co.uk. Published 2021. Accessed March 15, 2023. https://posh.co.uk/knowledge-base/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-a-steam-shower-is-it-expensive/
Content editor, marketer and product tester. A regular contributor for the ‘Home And Garden’ and Modern Homes Magazines, now part of a close-knit team, I oversee all the content on Posh. All roads have led to this job which I love. I get to focus on my love of interior design and health and work with a fabulous team. The role brings me a good level of freedom to my family and me and keeps me productive
