How do steam showers work and the benefits of having one?

Nothing’s better for clearing your mind of stress than hitting the sauna after a long day. The trouble is that when you’re already exhausted, heading out to feel these benefits can be a real chore. Wouldn’t it be better if you could just enjoy your favourite chill-out method at home? With a steam shower, it would be possible to do just that.

Nothing’s better for clearing your mind of stress than hitting the sauna after a long day. The trouble is that when you’re already exhausted, heading out to feel these benefits can be a real chore. Wouldn’t it be better if you could just enjoy your favourite chill-out method at home? With a steam shower, it would be possible to do just that.

Steam showers are nothing new, but they are rising in popularity as more of us consider wellness techniques close to home. As the name suggests, a steam shower is simply a shower enclosure that you can also program to generate sauna-like steam. Sounds good, doesn’t it? You might want a little more information before making the switch, though, and that’s why we’re going to break steam showers down to size.

Widespread benefits of steam showers

There are a fair few benefits in turning to this alternative showering option. In fact, steam showers can work wonders for both physical and mental health, and bring benefits including:

• Clearer skin
• Decongested sinuses
• Improved circulation
• Stress relief
• Muscle relaxation
• Improved sleep
• And much more

Using your steam shower

A digital panel typically controls the steam function of showers like these, allowing you to turn that steam function on as you desire. Once activated, cold water from your shower will filter to a steam generator that you can either buy individually or have pre-installed. This steam generation will then fill your sealed shower cubicle, and make way for the benefits mentioned above.

The main worry for those considering a switch here is whether a steam shower still works like a regular shower. You’ll be glad to hear that the answer is a resounding yes. Before you activate steam and even during a steaming session, the showerhead of steam enclosures performs the same function as any other shower.

You may even find that a steam option takes some of the monotony from your showers moving forward. Instead of being ‘another thing on the list’, showers like these could soon become your favourite part of the day. This is especially the case if you invest in some in-shower seating, allowing you to chill out and soak up the experience.

Deciding whether steam showers are right for you

Of course, there’s no such thing as one shower solution for everyone. As such, you might want to consider whether steam showers meet your needs before investing. Some top questions to ask yourself include -

• Do you have space? (steam showers tend to be larger than standard cubicles)
• Are you willing to spend a little more upfront?
• Do you have time to enjoy a steam shower?
• Are you prepared to spend longer cleaning your enclosure?

These are all key considerations, and answering no to most of them may be a sign that a steam shower isn’t for you after all. That said, keeping the benefits mentioned above in mind, you may find that these niggles don’t bother you much at all. For example, a steam shower can still be an economical choice if you currently pay for multiple sauna sessions. Equally, a small-scale bathroom renovation could open up the room that you need to install a top-quality steam alternative. Even those who prefer to hop in and out of the shower often find that steam transforms their experiences.

Are steam showers worth the money?

As we touched upon above, cost is an important consideration when looking into steam showers. There’s no denying that the multitude of benefits on offer can result in price increases compared with standard options. Still, many users would argue that steam showers are well worth the money, especially considering a comparable installation cost and significant improvements to overall home value.

We’ve already discussed how much more economical this can be than paying per session at the sauna, and that’s certainly true. Individuals who pay for spa sessions or even yoga classes may also find that a steam shower offers much the same benefits for a cheaper one-off cost.

Individuals reluctant to part with large amounts of money straight away may want to install a steam generator into an existing shower at first. This is an affordable alternative, though it isn’t a lasting option. For one, operation can be more complicated when steaming from old showers. Broken seals can also impact overall enjoyment. Not to mention that many steam-specific shower enclosures also boast of additional benefits including body jets and monsoon showers for next-level luxury.

Features like these tend to be what raise costs and most users would argue that they’re worth every penny.

Seeking the best steam shower

Of course, making sure that your steam shower is worth the money is, in part, about making sure that you invest in the best option.

There are now endless steam showers on the market and, as is always the case, some are better than others. The right option for you primarily comes down to your personal needs, but some considerations you might want to make along the way include:

Materials

A good-quality steam shower should be fully sealed and built to last. As such, the right materials are vital to making this investment worthwhile. The question is, what exactly are the ‘right’ materials for a steam shower model? Porcelain or ceramic tiles are always preferable as they’re non-porous and will therefore not absorb steam. As for your shower enclosure itself, mirrored panels and glass fronts are desirable for the same reason.

Features

As well as a basic steam function, a high-quality steam shower should come complete with a wide range of extras, including the jet streams and high-quality shower already mentioned. Other features to look out for include ambient lighting for added relaxation and even Bluetooth connectivity for entertainment during steaming sessions.

Summary

Steam showers can bring a whole host of benefits, especially if you do your research before investing. If you’re keen to turn showers into a pleasure rather than another item on your to-do list, then it really doesn’t get better than this.