Steam showers are gaining popularity as an at-home spa treat. There are several good reasons why homeowners are becoming interested in these fixtures. They are easy to use and have a variety of health benefits. Most of all, though, they add value to the home while saving homeowners the cost of spa passes along with the time investment needed to travel to and from a nearby spa. On top of that, the steam shower is a self-contained unit, smaller than a sauna or a steam room. For homeowners, this means less maintenance and space needed to reap the same benefits that you’d get from a sauna or steam room. Let’s take a look at how steam showers work, along with the benefits they offer.
How Do Steam Showers Work?
A steam shower is a simple enclosure: a stall that is sealed so that it doesn’t allow moisture to leave the shower. To use a steam shower, all one needs to do is step inside and press a button on the shower’s control panel. This activates the shower’s steam generator, which then heats water to boiling. The steam from the boiling water is channeled through the shower’s system, emerging through the steam head, filling the shower with luxurious steam.
Modern steam showers come with digital controls, which makes it easy for the user to activate the shower, adjust the length of time that the shower will operate, or adjust temperature controls. Some models are equipped with extras such as:
- Piped-in sound systems that allow the user to listen to music
- The ability to add various scents to the shower
- Mood lighting
- Conventional shower heads for a quick rinse once the steam shower is complete
Steam showers have a few distinct advantages to saunas and other spa fixtures. A steam shower starts working immediately upon activation, which means there is no need to wait for the steam to start flowing. Simply press the button and enjoy. Water is heated to 118 degrees Fahrenheit, which gives the user a luxurious experience with no risks of burns or other hazards. Steam showers are also easy on the water bill. In 20 minutes of use, a steam shower only consumes about 2 gallons of water compared to the 50 or more gallons that a conventional shower would use over the same duration. That is one reason why many designers are starting to include them in eco-friendly home designs.
What Are the Advantages of a Steam Shower?
As the ultimate tropical bathing experience, steam showers come with many perks. Eco-friendliness is just one of these benefits. There are also numerous health benefits, plus there is that touch of extravagance that makes the home more attractive to both its residents and potential buyers. Here are a few of the reasons why homeowners are asking about these fixtures:
- Steam is well known to help clear stuffy nasal passages, making a steam shower the perfect way to clear congested sinuses — a major plus for chronic allergy sufferers.
- Steam showers are a great way to wind down after exercise. The warmth helps to open capillaries, which allows blood to flow. This removes the metabolic waste that builds up in muscles, causing muscle soreness.
- A steam shower can also help improve circulation. Just as steam helps to open capillaries, it can widen other blood vessels, as well. This can have a blood pressure-lowering effect.
- Steam is good for your skin. Warming skin in this way opens pores, which allows perspiration to run freely. This, in turn, helps to clear pores and reduce the occurrence of blackheads and pimples.
- This is also a great pre-shave treatment because the warmth and moisture can help shed dead skin and soften hair follicles, which can reduce the likelihood of razor burn.
- More and more, homebuyers are looking for high-end touches in the homes that they are purchasing. Spa bathrooms are particularly popular, which means the addition of a steam shower increases the home’s overall value.
- Most importantly, steam showers are relaxing. If you are looking at ways to manage stress, spending some time in a steam shower before bed is a great way to soothe away the mental and physical stresses of the day. People who use steam showers report that not only does the steam itself help to relax them, but afterward, they tend to sleep more soundly — something that isn’t always an easy feat in today’s high-paced world.
Why Do Homeowners Love Steam Showers?
In addition to the benefits listed above, there are other reasons why homeowners are asking about steam showers. A day at the spa means extra expense as well as travel time, which makes the spa experience much less accessible for the average person. By bringing elements of the spa into the home, busy homeowners are better able to find time for the spa experience and save money. A steam shower is a one-time investment compared to day passes or membership fees at a spa.
Steam showers, in particular, are getting a lot of attention because unlike the sauna or steam room, these units are smaller. Instead of devoting an entire room to the fixture, a steam shower takes only about as much space as a large walk-in shower. Because steam showers are smaller, this also means that there is less cleaning and maintenance for the homeowner.
For the minimal investment of a steam shower, the homeowner will be able to enjoy all the benefits of a spay day within his or her own home. The many benefits of steam showers make it easy to see why these fixtures are starting to become a priority among homeowners and potential buyers.