Design a Steam Shower
A steam shower is a wonderful way to add an element of a spa retreat to the home design. Steam showers can rejuvenate the body, help a stressful day slide away, and assist with chronic sinus problems. Any shower can be designed to incorporate a steam unit to refresh and rejuvenate the homeowner with little modification to a traditional shower design. Simply take steps to prevent steam absorption or escape of steam, and choose the correct unit for the job to begin experiencing the relaxing nature of steam. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Determine the size of the steam unit to be installed by measuring the size of the shower in cubic feet and taking into account its placement. Cubic feet are determined by multiplying the height, width, and depth of the shower. Add 25% to this size for each outside wall the shower abuts to, and 30% for each glass wall. Ceiling heights above 8 feet will need an additional 25% increase in size as well.
The final number achieved will determine the size of the steam unit to be purchased, and therefore how much space will be needed for its placement outside the shower.
2. Select materials for the shower. Steam is extremely diffuse; porous materials such as natural stone can absorb steam. This will not only render the steam unit inefficient, but it can stain and discolor the stone.
Use only porcelain materials, glass tiles, or machine made glazed ceramic tiles with no cracks or crazing in the glaze. Crazing or crackling of the glaze will result in the clay body of the tile absorbing steam, so avoid handmade tiles which have a tendency to craze after installation and tiles with deliberate crazing of the glaze to prevent discoloration over time.
3. Include a seat in the shower design. Large showers can include a permanent seat or bench built of a plywood box and tiled with the shower wall tile. Smaller showers should make use of teak seats which fold against the wall when not in use to maximize space for standard showering.
4. Select the controls. Steam showers can be programmed by a standard timer, or by sophisticated key pads which are installed both just outside and just inside the shower. These key pads come with a variety of features which allow the homeowner to personalize their shower experience, and are available in finishes to match the shower valve trim.
5. Install a shower door with a venting transom. The steam shower should be able to be sealed tightly to avoid the escape of steam. This will mean installing a shower door with mitered edges and a moving transom, or window, at the top of the door. This transom will be necessary to allow the steam to escape at the end of the steam shower's use, or during the course of a normal shower.
6. Place the steam generator in a nearby compartment to the shower. Be sure to have ample access to this compartment to ensure proper servicing and maintenance of the unit to help guarantee its long use.
Tags: steam unit, escape steam, steam shower, crazing glaze, Design Steam, Design Steam Shower
