Steam Shower Set Up Options

Certification

Make sure you purchase a steam shower enclosure and related equipment that are safety-certified. The certification ensures the safety of the electrical equipment in the steam shower, and is provided by a company called Intertek (see Resources). Look for products marked with a round symbol with the letters "ETL," around which is written "Intertek Listed." ETL stands for "Electrical Testing Laboratories," which has been around for over 100 years and was founded by none other than Thomas Alva Edison.

Roof

The roof of the shower enclosure must be covered with a lightweight dome. The dome can be acrylic, fiberglass or stainless steel. It must be sloped or curved to ensure that condensed water doesn't drip and settle on the roof of the steam-shower enclosure. Many options can be found online that pertain to the materials and designs of steam showers (see Resources).

Doors

A steam-shower enclosure must be sealed with a door. The door (and sometimes multiple doors) must open outward. When setting up your steam-shower door, it's important to have a complete seal between the door and the enclosure; otherwise, you will have a very wet bathroom floor. Doors in different varieties of finish and material are available; however, glass doors are the preferred choice. Make sure the hinge jambs are set up opposite the shower head to help with waterproofing.

Generator

You can't have steam without a steam-shower generator. The generator should be linked to the water pipe and a 240-volt outlet. It must be placed between 20 and 50 feet from the steam-room enclosure.

Seating

It is important to have some sort of a seating arrangement in a steam shower. You can add a tile or stone bench, and even a plastic bench will do; the important thing is to be able to sit somewhere within the steam shower A seating arrangement may not sound important, but one of the main benefits of a steam shower is relaxation, which is not easily achieved while standing up.