4 Critical Pointers Before Buying Your Steam Shower

From time immemorial, steams baths have been believed to be therapeutic. It has been in use in almost all parts of the world and the apparent benefits cannot be denied. So the simple of act of indulging in a residential shower kit or having a plumber/contractor custom design one for you isn't going to be just a random act of luxury; it is going to be an investment for better health and an out-of-the-world relaxing experience.

Nothing like stepping into the shower and immersing yourself in a steam shower, is there? But then, to enjoy an out-of-the-world experience, you must ensure that your residential steam shower can actually deliver. A manufacturer might make it all sound simple, but there is a lot of thought that should go into design, aesthetics, technical and ergonomic considerations. Here are some points you must remember if you want to enjoy your steam shower.

1. Slope the shower ceiling: Steam condenses and to allow for this property, the slope of the steam shower must be curved or sloped for maximum effect. The reason this is very important is because the steam would reach up to the ceiling and condense. These water droplets would then rain down back on you which is going to be cold, unwelcome and spoil the fun entirely. When the ceiling is sloped, however, the steam condenses into water, slides down to the walls and drips off along the sides of the wall and lets you experience the steam shower without the unwelcome cold-water dripping on you.

2. The steam has to be contained, but the moisture should escape: One critical aspect is to see to it that the steam is well-contained within the enclosure. Most manufacturers install a glass door to keep the steam in while you take the shower, but also have a transom in place to allow for the moisture to escape. The door or the panel above it must reach the ceiling and touch it, effectively making it a closed enclosure. The joint where the ceiling touches this door or the panel must be sealed effectively.

3. Care for the shower enclosure: The enclosure for the steam shower is yet another important area you will need to pay attention to. There ought to be a door or some kind of obstruction which the door or the custom doors that your contractor might have designed for you will suffice. The enclosure walls must be lined with material that doesn’t absorb water – something like ceramics or stone, either of which is supposed to be very effective in bathrooms and steam shower enclosures. Don’t go for a painted drywall which might not work at all – even though it might be the cheaper option.

4. Even the hardware matters: Aesthetics and controls will matter a lot when it comes to residential steam showers. Using appropriate faucet types with the appropriate finish, easy controls to switch the steam on or off and operate the normal shower are, needless to say, very important. Pay attention to the look and aesthetics of your steam shower since it is going to be a major part of your bathroom and hence it better look good. The steam shower must blend with the rest of the bathroom. If you are buying a ready made steam shower kit instead of hiring a contractor, do try it out before you sign on the dotted lines. This way, you can ensure that your steam shower enclosure is truly a part of your bathroom and your home.