Whether you're renovating the bathroom or just looking to make a change, you've probably come across steam showers during your search. The question following this is how they're different from regular showers and why you would even want a steam shower to begin with.

A steam shower requires a steam generator to work, and it not only provides water for you to wash with but also hot steam that fills the cubicle. This has been known to have a number of physical and mental health benefits that you might want to take advantage of.

In this guide, we take a more detailed look at the difference between a steam shower and a regular shower to give you a better idea of what to expect. That way, you know exactly what you want (and whether you want a splash of luxury at home).

What is a Steam Shower?

A steam shower is a LUXURIOUS bathroom amenity that provides more than just hot water for you to get clean. It uses a steam generator to produce HOT steam, which then fills the cubicle of the shower stall and creates an ENJOYABLE spa-like atmosphere.

The humidity of the room INCREASES while you are in the steam shower, allowing your body to be enveloped in a WARM cocoon of relaxation.

Pro Tip: The steam head is what makes your steam shower, and you don't have to buy a prefabricated steam shower - you can buy the head and make your own.

Not only does this provide physical benefits like IMPROVED circulation and relief from sinus congestion, but it can also have mental health BENEFITS as well, such as reducing stress levels and IMPROVING moods [1].

How Does a Steam Shower Work?

A steam shower allows you to enjoy a luxurious spa experience in the comfort of your own home with its powerful steam generator that fills the stall and creates an environment full of comforting hot vapour.

In order to use a steam shower, it must be CONNECTED to its own dedicated electrical circuit in order to provide ENOUGH power for the generator.

Pro Tip: Unlike a steam room, which is sizable in areas filled with nothing but humidified air and seats for people to relax in, steam showers have running water - creating a more advantageous environment.

The generator heats up the water until it reaches the BOILING point and turns into vapour or steam. This vapour is then circulated inside the SMALL enclosure of the shower unit using fans or vents before being RELEASED through an exhaust vent located at the top of the cubicle walls.

The temperature and humidity levels can be ADJUSTED depending on your preference via a control panel located outside or inside the cubicle itself, allowing you to CUSTOMIZE your experience EVERY time you take a bath or shower with hot steam.

How is a Steam Shower Different from a Regular Shower

There are copious variations between a steam shower and a regular shower, from design to features and even the cost. This should guide you in making an informed decision on which type of shower fits your needs best.

Design

The design of a steam shower is quite DIFFERENT from that of a regular shower. Whereas traditional showers are typically small and enclosed, steam showers are MORE spacious and luxurious, DESIGNED to provide an enjoyable spa-like experience.

They usually have LARGER cubicles with walls that extend up higher than those in regular showers so as to contain the HOT steam within the cubicle.

Pro Tip: They may be equipped with various features, such as built-in seating or shelves for storing products you need during your bath or shower.

Features and Capabilities

Steam heads boast MANY features and capabilities that regular showers simply can’t match. They are equipped with a steam generator, ALLOWING for the production of hot steam, which ENHANCES the showering experience and offers various physical and mental health benefits.

They may also have ADDITIONAL amenities such as massage jets, chromotherapy lights, rainfall SHOWERHEADS and radio systems.

Water Usage

A steam shower typically uses MORE water than a regular shower due to its larger size and the need for ADDITIONAL hot water for the steam generator.

On average, a standard 10-minute steam shower CONSUMES around 60 to 80 litres of water, whereas a regular shower USUALLY uses only 15 to 30 litres in the same time period.

This is because the steam shower needs to fill a LARGER area with hot water in order for the steam to be PRODUCED.

Capacity and Convenience

A steam shower has a much HIGHER capacity than a regular shower, making it more convenient for multiple people to use it at once. It is also larger in size, with walls that EXTEND up higher in order to CONTAIN the hot steam within the cubicle.

This makes it possible for MULTIPLE people to shower together without feeling cramped or uncomfortable. Additionally, some steam showers come with built-in SEATING or shelves for convenience.

Health and Safety

Steam showers offer VARIOUS physical and mental health benefits, such as increased circulation, improved skin tone and complexion, RELIEF from stress and tension, improved sleep quality, REDUCED aches and pains, and even weight loss.

In addition to this, steam showers are also very SAFE due to the presence of a temperature control feature on the generator, PREVENTING the steam from becoming too hot.

Regular showers do use SAFETY glass in their cubicles. However, they do not offer the same range of health BENEFITS or as much safety as steam showers.

Cost

Steam shower cost tend to be more EXPENSIVE than regular showers due to their additional features and capabilities. The cost can range from several hundred pounds to several THOUSAND, depending on the MODEL you choose.

However, this is a worthwhile INVESTMENT if you are looking for an enjoyable spa-like experience in your OWN home.

What is Steam Shower Installation Like?

When you install a steam shower in your home can be an EXCITING undertaking. It offers many benefits, from RELAXATION and health to convenience and luxury.

However, it is important to understand WHAT goes into the installation process so you can make sure everything is done CORRECTLY for maximum safety and enjoyment. Steam shower INSTALLATION typically involves plumbing, wiring and tile work.

It is best to hire a professional contractor who has EXPERIENCE with these types of projects in order to ENSURE that all the necessary steps are taken properly, such as connecting the steam generator and setting up SAFETY features.

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

A steam shower can be a GREAT investment if you are looking for an enjoyable spa-like experience in your own home. It offers many benefits, from RELAXATION and health to convenience and LUXURY.

However, it is important to UNDERSTAND what goes into the installation process so you can make sure everything is done correctly for maximum SAFETY and enjoyment.

Steam showers typically operate at LOWER temperatures than saunas but offer more amenities such as MASSAGE jets, chromotherapy lights, rainfall showerheads, radio systems, etc.

The temperature control feature on the generator also HELPS ensure that no one gets burned or injured due to EXCESSIVE heat. So whether you want a relaxing spa day or an intense sweating session – there’s something out there for EVERYONE.

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] Lohman III EB, Sackiriyas KSB, Bains GS, et al. A comparison of whole body vibration and moist heat on lower extremity skin temperature and skin blood flow in healthy older individuals. Medical Science Monitor. 2012;18(7):CR415-CR424. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/msm.883209