How Much Does It Cost to Install a Steam Shower at Home?

Are you looking to introduce steam therapy to your life? It can be a valuable addition to your routine that can provide you with health benefits for years to come. But visiting a commercial steam room every week can quite get expensive. Not to mention, you might have a hard time adjusting your steam session in your day-to-day routine because of a tight schedule.

If you are low on budget and need to harvest the benefits of a steam session, a steam shower installation might be the home upgrade you need. 

Imagine coming back home from your office or gym, and you have your very own home spa waiting for you. You can hit the steam shower and relax after a hard day's work or an extensive session at the gym. 

The cost of the steam shower depends on a few factors. Whether you want to upgrade your existing bathroom into a steam shower or you need an entire steam room is one of the primary determinants of the steam shower installation cost.

Moreover, you also have to consider the shower size and the materials you need to come at a final cost. 

Considering all these factors, steam shower installation should cost you somewhere between $2000 to $7000. 

Let's take a look at all of these factors in detail:

Steam Shower Installation Cost Breakdown

The key factors that affect the price of steam shower installation include size, installation labor, whether you go with a prefabricated steam shower system or a custom solution, steam generator, and the extra features you need in your steam shower. 

Size

Typically a steam shower comes in 3x3x7 dimensions. On average, one square foot should cost you around $70. If you are building a steam shower from scratch, you will have to spend $70 per square foot. However, if you upgrade your shower into a steam room, the cost could be lowered by $10-$20.

If you choose to install a prefabricated steam shower, the cost could go even lower. But with prefab steam showers, you have to make sure the choice of your steam shower fits your bathroom space. As we mentioned, most prefabricated steam shower solutions are in 3x3x7 size. 

Installation Labor

If you are buying a prefab steam shower, you needn't worry about the cost of installation. You might need the help of a professional to have the steam shower solution installed adequately. But it will not cost you as much as installing a custom steam shower would.

A custom-built steam shower unit would cost you around $1000 to $6000 for installation. On the other hand, a prefab steam shower will only take $500 to $600 for installation.

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Prefab Steam Shower vs. Custom Steam Shower

 As we mentioned earlier, the prices will change depending on whether you get a prefab steam shower or a custom solution. Let's get into the differences, pros, and cons between them:

Prefabricated Steam Shower

There are many options for prefabricated steam showers in the market. You can find one at your nearest home improvement stores or look for them online. 

Prefab steam showers tend to be more affordable than custom ones. A prefabricated steam shower should cost you somewhere around $1000 to $50000. A prefabricated steam shower comes with an all-in-one compact design with all the features of a steam shower. 

Some companies also offer installation services along with prefab sauna packages. 

A steam shower unit will come with an installation guide so you can do the installation yourself. You could also hire a professional if you find the guide to be too complicated. If you choose to hire an expert to do the installation for you, you will have to shell out an extra $500 to $800. 

There are a few shortcomings with prefab steam showers too. Not all steam showers are made the same. You have to check them for quality and safety, and service standards. Moreover, with a prefab steam shower, repairs can be quite costly, which you wanted to avoid in the first place. 

Custom Steam Sauna

If you are a bit more flexible on the budget, you should go with a custom steam shower. With careful planning, you could transform your bathroom into the steam shower of your dreams. However, a custom steam shower means you will have to do your research. From materials to the installation service provider, you will have to find the most suitable options for you. 

A custom steam shower consists of three main elements: the steam generator, the control, and the shower enclosure. The size of the generator will depend on the size of the enclosure. 

You can get a generator and control package at a price ranging from $1500 to $3500. The enclosure, on the other hand, can be pretty challenging to procure. 

You can choose to work with your existing enclosure. You have to make sure the cabin is sealed from top-to-bottom to keep the steam from escaping. 

If you want to build your custom steam room, you should check out our blog: A Complete Guide to Making a Steam Room in Your Bathroom.

If you are thinking of building a steam shower from scratch, keep in mind that the cost may go through the roof. Nevertheless, with a custom steam room, you have to option to build your own personal spa according to your preferences. 

Regardless of the route you choose, a custom steam shower could cost you somewhere between $4000 to $10000. 

Glass Doors

If you are going with a custom steam shower solution, you will have to consider the cost of a glass wall too. Steam showers come with glass enclosures, which helps with keeping the steam in one place. A glass door should cost somewhere between $600 to $1200, depending on the thickness of the door.

Tiles 

Tiles are another critical factor of steam room installation that could levy cost. You would need to invest in tiles that can withstand heat and steam without any cracks. Moreover, for the floor, you would have to consider installing textured tiles to avoid slipping. The price of installing steam shower tiles is between $600 to $14000.

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Extra Features

There are also a variety of extra features that you could add to your steam shower for a more personalized experience. You could install these add ons in both custom steam showers and prefab steam showers.

Here are a few of the most popular steam shower add on:

Custom Lighting: Custom steam room lighting allows you to set preferred lighting fixtures in your steam room. You can control the lighting of your steam room using a remote. With custom lighting features, you can further personalize your steam shower experience and reap the benefit of chemotherapy.

Sound System: You can add a sound system to your steam room and enjoy your music while taking a steam shower. An integrated sound system allows you to tune in to your favorite tracks on demand. You can also change songs, shuffle through your playlists, and increase or decrease volume. 

Automated Controls: Automated controls make for a smarter steam shower experience. All you have to do is switch on the power and choose the modifications, and the steam shower will do the rest for you.

Sitting Area: Steam shower sessions can last up to 45 minutes, which means you need to have a designated sitting area so you can relax. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can get a wall-mounted seat or a luxurious seat made of teak or redwood. 

Steam Shower FAQs

What is the difference between a steam shower and a steam room?

Steam showers and steam rooms are quite the same thing. The only difference is the functionality. A steam shower can be utilized as your washroom, so once you are done with your steam session, you can take a shower right then and there. 

Steam rooms, on the other hand, are standalone steam session solutions. You go in there and partake in a steam session for 30 to 45 minutes. 

Can I Build a steam shower myself?

Most steam showers come with installation guides. If you are adept at basic installation, you can build your steam shower yourself. However, if you don't know much about installation, you should consider hiring a professional to do it for you. 

How do I take better care of my steam shower? 

Some of the things that you need to take care of to keep your steam shower up and running for years include draining excess water from the generator, keeping your feet clean while entering the steam room, and ensuring there is no water collection anywhere inside the shower. 

What kind of benefits do steam showers offer?

Firstly, installing a steam shower in your house instantly elevates the value of your property. Steam showers are also easy to maintain, which could help in keeping them up and running for years. 

In terms of health benefits, steam showers offer similar advantages as a sauna. You can expect a healthier heart, clearer skin, reduced stress, and pain relief. 






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