Steam Showers Rule the Bathroom
The invention of the shower cabinet revolutionized the bathroom space and now the steam shower is taking the experience to a higher level. During the past few years the steam room experience from the local health club has moved into residences allowing homeowners to enjoy a cleansing break anytime he or she wants. Not only is steam available but so are multi-directional shower heads, rainfall shower heads and a host of accessories that rival any leisure room.
To be able to have steam in a sealed environment like a home the area has to be self-contained. Otherwise the house would ingest too much moisture, more than regular air exchangers could remove. Therefore steam cabinets have their own air exchanging system that activates before the user comes exits the unit. They can be installed into an existing are or as a stand-alone cabinet in the bathroom or a room adjacent to the bathroom.
Here are a few of the features available on a variety of steam showers:
The heart of any steam shower is the steam-generating unit. The steam feature ranges in price and the best steam shower will have the most efficient units that require little or no maintenance but produce a favorable steam experience. Most units have digital controls built in to the shower unit. An electric valve opens to fill the steam-generating unit with about a gallon of cold water. An electric element heats the water and the hot vapor is channeled to a dispersal head. The steam fills the cabinet to temperatures up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures can be programmed into the unit along with the other features.
2. Shower Heads
A few manufacturers call multiple, shower heads in their shower cabinets "positional hydro massagers." Some cabinets contain as many as twelve of these powerful water jets that can be set for an individual bather's personal satisfaction. They can either be embedded in the cabinet or installed in one or two panels that are positioned on the cabinet wall. In addition a slider showerhead is available for a conventional shower experience.
3. Rainfall Showerhead
An overhead showerhead that mimics a tropical rainfall shower is also a great convenience. Some of these heads are big as a pizza pan but most are eight to ten inches in diameter. The temperature of the water and the timing of the shower can be programmed. In this way it will begin to rain down an ice-cold spray after a long steam bath that closes the pores and rinses off the sweat. Then it can slowly warm up to a comfortable temperature.
4. Aromatherapy
A steam shower is really enjoyable with the addition of an aromatherapy feature. This allows the bather to put in eucalyptus oil, or other herbal so that the steam can carry it into the pores and lungs of the bather.
5. Ventilation
Reliable steam cabinets will have a good ventilation system built in. This will make sure that fresh air is drawn into the unit while exhausted steam is taken out. This also can be programmed so that the fan will run high just before the shower is finished and it will not be drawn into the household.
6. Chromatherapy Lights
Cabinets are also equipped with lighting features. Most have blue fluorescent lights that are soothing. However, a programmable chromatherapy system will bring in an influx of mood colors that appeals to the bather. In other words, the shower could start off blue and slowly shift to mauve and then a rose color.
7. Entertainment
Waterproof LCD television screens and great stereo is also available on most models. The bather can use the unit for an hour and not miss a show.
8. Whirlpool and Air Tub
Steam cabinets can be combined with a bathtub, complete with water jets and hot air bubble unit.
For more information on great ceiling effect consult our Contractor Directory for a bathroom remodeling contractor, or simply post your project online.
Kim Kinrade writes for renovation, travel and news sites. When he is not doing this, or renovating old houses, he finds the time to write novels.
