Buying and Fitting a Sauna or Steam Shower

There are several noticable benefits of steam and is generally used for relaxation purposes. It can sooth aching joints due to arthritis or injuries. Steam decreases stress, removes impurities and adds moisture to the skin. Now it's possible to bring the luxury of the sauna or the spa home to your personal bathroom suite.

The main difference between saunas and steam baths is found in the temperature and humidity levels. The steam bath generally has a temperature of 110 to 120 degrees with 100 percent humidity. The sauna, however, is dry with only 10 to 15 percent humidity. The temperature ranges from 165 to 180 degrees. Steam showers are usually made with ceramic tile or stone while saunas are made with cedar or redwood.

Before you convert your regular shower to a steam bath, there are a few things you need to consider. First of all, wall and ceilings must be covered in tile or stone, not even water-resistant drywall will do. To avoid damaging the rest of your bathroom, you'll need a door that keeps in the steam, preferably one that seals shut with the frame. These generally come with the steam bath unit.

You also need to make sure that the ceiling of your steam bath is slanted. If the ceiling is flat, the steam will rise, condense and then fall on your body in the form of cold drops of water. The slant causes the water to run down the wall instead of your body. The only other advice given by manufacturers is the installation of a fan. No special vapor barriers are needed, just a simple bathroom fan.

If you decide to install a sauna, you can take the do-it-yourself route or hire a professional. You just need to be sure that you have a big enough space to accommodate your sauna and are able to seal it properly to prevent the steam from escaping. Aside from that, there are no extra plumbing installations required and very little electrical requirements.

How Much Do Saunas and Steam Rooms Cost?

If you can't quite decide between a sauna and a steam bath, take price into consideration. A sauna package will generally cost you between $3,500 and $4,000. That is only if you create the insulated space and run the required electricity. Basic steam baths cost between $800 and $1100. You'll need to raise that price for additional features. Also keep in mind that steam baths require extra costs like electrical costs, room modifications, and plumbing alterations. However, using only one gallon of water per steam bath, the water bill will not be noticeably higher.