What Is Steam Bathing All About?
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What Is Steam Bathing All About?

A 'steam bath' is an enclosure which is kept around 45°C. It is fed with some sort of steam generator which produces thick clouds of mist.

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Historically, steam baths, not to be confused with saunas, have been a popular way of bathing for thousands of years.  They were known to the ancient Greeks and have long traditions in both Turkey and Russia.

In our modern world, steam baths or saunas can be found in most spas and gyms. They are also becoming increasingly popular for home installation.  Thanks to recent developments in steam generator technology steam baths can be installed in almost any residential bathroom.

However, as in the paragraph above, we often hear the terms "steam bath", "steam shower" and "sauna" used pretty interchangeably. But, do they actually mean the same thing?

Not necessarily.

Strictly speaking, a "steam bath" is an enclosure which is kept around 45°C. It is fed with some sort of steam generator which produces thick clouds of mist.  Obviously, the room has to be fairly well sealed to prevent the steam from escaping and also to prevent moisture damage to the surrounding structure at the same time.

A steam shower is basically the same as a steam bath but on a smaller scale.  It is usually big enough for one or two people and can be installed in a standard shower stall.  Steam showers are often used for residential steam baths.

The Sauna...The Bath

A steam bath is sometimes called a steam sauna but, a sauna is actually a different type of bath.  A Finnish sauna produces a dry heat and is also much hotter than a steam bath.  Saunas are usually heated between 70°C and 100°C.  Steam is produced within a sauna by pouring water over hot rocks, but usually the air is quite dry -- approximately 20% humidity as compared to nearly 100% humidity in a steam bath.

Many people would like to have a steam shower installed in their house but are understandably concerned about the build-up of humidity.  However, if you have a fairly modern bathroom with an enclosed shower stall, you can easily install a steam shower without any concerns about excess humidity.

The steam shower will have to be an enclosed unit to contain the moisture and to allow it to drain off.  If you don't have an enclosed shower stall or bathtub, existing bathtubs can still be modified to accommodate a steam shower.  On the other hand, if you have a large bathroom, a better alternative might be to just install a separate steam shower.

Steam Generator

Fortunately, the steam generator does not have to be in the bathroom. It can be installed up to 40 feet away from the steam shower.  The generator needs an adequate electrical connection, and some models also need to be connected to a drain.

Learn more at How Does a Steam Generator Work?

Finally, the steam generator is connected to a steam head which is installed in the steam bath itself.  Some modern steam heads have built in controls while others are controlled with an external unit.  As you can understand, it is more convenient to have the control inside the steam bath itself so that you can make adjustments as needed.

Since steam baths are, indeed, so relaxing you will likely spend more time there than in a normal shower.  This means you should also think about installing some kind of seating arrangement.  The steam heads should be installed away from the seating area so that the possibility of being scalded with the hot steam is reduced.

All of this installation work will require specialized plumbing and electrical skills.  Before making the decision to install a steam shower in your house, consult both a plumber and an electrician to see if it is feasible.

They will also be able to give you a pretty accurate estimate of the cost involved.

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Page Updated 8:48 PM Friday 9/22/2014