Steam Baths - Hot, Steamy and Totally Relaxing!

Steam baths 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.

We often hear the terms steam bath, steam shower and steam sauna. Do they mean the same thing? Strictly speaking, a steam bath is an enclosure which is kept at about 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). It is fed with a steam generator which produces thick clouds of warm, moist air. The room needs to be fairly well sealed to prevent the steam from escaping and also to prevent moisture damage to the surrounding structure.

A home 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 bath rooms.

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.

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