How Much Does a Steam Shower Cost to Install?
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Steam showers produce steam in a sealed enclosure for a relaxing, soothing effect. Steam shower cost ranges from $2,650 to $6,050, or $4,325 on average.
Highlights
- The typical cost range to install a steam shower is $2,650 to $6,050, with the national average cost at $4,325.
- There are several factors that affect the final cost of a steam shower, including the type and material of the shower and the size and brand of the generator.
- A steam shower has many benefits, including improved health, increased water conservation, and faster muscle recovery.
- Since steam shower installation is a complex and difficult project, it’s recommended that most homeowners hire a professional.
A steam shower offers homeowners a soothing and relaxing spa-like experience in the comfort of their own home. Many homeowners choose to convert their existing showers to steam showers or build new steam showers from scratch to add a touch of luxury to their daily routines.
What is a steam shower? A steam shower typically consists of a sealed enclosure with a generator that produces steam from heated water. The steam is then dispersed through jets or nozzles located within the enclosure, allowing a homeowner to feel the benefits of steam therapy while showering.
How much does a steam shower cost? According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, steam shower costs range from $2,650 to $6,050, with the average cost of a steam shower at $4,325. The exact cost depends on many factors, including the exact type of steam shower, the size and shape, the materials used, and much more. All of these cost factors, the benefits of a steam shower, and tips on how a homeowner can hire the best professional to install their steam shower are included in this cost guide.
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Factors in Calculating Steam Shower Cost
The cost of a steam shower depends foremost on the type and size of the unit. Beyond that, the shape, materials, generator size, and a few other factors will determine the cost. Each of these factors is detailed below to help homeowners estimate the cost of a steam shower.
Type
Any type of shower can be a steam shower, hence the different combinations of steam showers available, like bathtub steam showers and shower steam combos. A basic steam-only shower is the cheapest option, followed by a steam shower and tub combo. Another option is a steam shower and sauna combo, which combines the dry heat of a sauna with the wet heat of a steam shower.
Additionally, there are two types of steam showers that offer jets. A steam and jetted tub combo is both a steam shower and a deep jetted tub, offering a complete relaxation experience. Last but not least, a steam and jetted shower combo includes shower jets from multiple angles. Pricing for different types of steam showers is as follows.
Prefab Steam Shower Types (Cost Per Unit Installed)
- Steam Shower Only: $2,800 to $6,200
- Steam Shower Tub Combo: $4,000 to $7,000
- Steam and Sauna Combo: $4,800 to $7,800
- Steam and Jetted Tub Combo: $5,000 to $10,000
- Steam and Jetted Shower Combo: $5,000 to $10,000
Custom Steam Shower Types (Cost Per Unit Installed)
- Steam Shower Only: $4,000 to $10,000
- Steam Shower Tub Combo: $6,000 to $12,000
- Steam and Sauna Combo: $10,000 to $15,000
- Steam and Jetted Tub Combo: $10,000 to $20,000
- Steam and Jetted Shower Combo: $15,000 to $25,000
Shape
Prefab and custom steam showers come in many shapes and sizes. Standard shapes include corner, square, and rectangular units. Corner units fit perfectly in the corner of a bathroom; however, they do tend to be smaller, ranging from 36 to 42 inches wide. Square steam showers have the same width as corner units but feel larger, as there is no angled edge. Rectangular steam showers can be up to 72 inches wide. Walk-in steam showers are another available shape and come in both prefab and custom options, but they are mostly custom. Although they’re generally 48 by 60 inches, custom walk-in showers can be any size and are often the largest portion of a bathroom remodel cost.
Other steam shower shapes include curved and neo-angle. Curved steam showers are almost always prefab and are installed in a corner. They differ from corner units as the edge is curved rather than straight across. Neo-angle steam showers are also installed in a corner but are a larger version of a standard corner shower—the angled edge protrudes from the other two walls, offering more space in the shower. Pricing for all of these steam shower shapes is as follows.
Prefab Steam Shower Shapes (Cost Per Unit Installed)
- Corner: $2,800 to $4,000
- Square: $3,000 to $5,000
- Rectangular: $4,000 to $6,200
- Walk-in: $4,000 to $6,200
- Curved: $2,800 to $4,000
- Neo-Angle: $3,000 to $5,000
Custom Steam Shower Shapes (Cost Per Unit Installed)
- Corner: $4,000 to $6,000
- Square: $4,500 to $6,500
- Rectangular: $6,000 to $10,000
- Walk-in: $6,000 to $10,000
- Neo-Angle: $4,500 to $6,500
Material
There are several materials that can be used for a steam shower’s surround. Prefab units can be made with acrylic, fiberglass, or Swanstone, while custom steam showers have a lot more material options, from tiles to separate wall panels. The cost for materials for each of these steam shower options follows, and additional details are provided below.
Prefab Steam Shower Materials (Cost Per Unit)
- Acrylic: $2,300 to $5,000
- Fiberglass: $2,500 to $5,000
- Swanstone: $3,000 to $6,000
Custom Steam Shower Materials (Cost Per Square Foot)
- Ceramic Tile: $1.25 to $100
- Porcelain Tile: $3 to $30
- Swanstone Walls: $7 to $15
- Glass Tile: $10 to $50
- Porcelain Slab: $14 to $16
- Solid Surface Walls: $15 to $50
Generator Size
Steam showers rely on a generator to produce steam—the generator heats water to its boiling point, which in turn creates steam that is then pushed out into the shower. These generators are available in a variety of sizes and will need to be sized to match the cubic footage of the steam shower. Available generators typically range from 4½ to 12 kilowatts to produce steam in showers 90 to 450 cubic feet in size. Homeowners can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for a steam generator. The larger the steam shower, the more expensive the generator will be.
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Generator Brand
When shopping for steam shower generators, homeowners will likely choose one of the following brands:
- SteamSpa generators can run from $800 to $1,800.
- Mr. Steam generators have a cost range of $1,000 to $4,000.
- Amerec generators cost between $1,200 and $2,700.
- Steamist generators have a price tag between $1,450 and $4,050.
- Thermasol generators have a cost range of $1,500 to $3,500.
Door and Wall Installation
The glass door and walls that make up a steam shower are essential to its function—they create a seal to keep the steam trapped inside. These key elements come at a price. Homeowners can expect to pay $700 to $1,900 for glass walls in a steam shower and $500 to $1,350 for a glass door, with the exact price depending on the size and thickness of the glass. While doorless showers do exist, they are not practical for steam showers, as the steam will escape.
Wall Tile Installation
When a custom steam shower is being built, the wall tile installation is a large part of the project. Homeowners can expect to pay $640 to $1,400 for both labor and materials to install wall tile in a 36- by 36- by 84-inch steam shower. Two factors that could increase the cost are the size of the shower and the type of wall tile. A large shower will take much longer to tile, and certain types and materials of wall tiles are more difficult to install than others.
Labor
Labor costs will make up a significant portion of the cost to install a steam shower, especially if it is custom-built. Installation costs for a custom steam shower will be anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 but only $500 to $600 for a prefab steam shower. With a prefabricated steam shower, most of the assembly is done in a warehouse before the unit is shipped to the home. This process significantly cuts down on how much labor is required for installation in the home.
Geographic Location
The cost to build a steam shower will differ from region to region. Most often, the price variations can be attributed to differences in cost of living, but they can also be caused by the current demand for plumbers, shower installers, and tilers in a particular region. In more expensive urban areas, homeowners can expect to pay more than in less expensive rural areas for a steam shower installation. For example, the average cost of a steam shower in California is $5,800, while in Colorado it is $4,500.
Additional Costs and Considerations
In addition to the steam shower cost factors discussed above, there are a few more that apply in certain situations. Homeowners will want to determine whether any of the following considerations could impact the cost of their new steam shower.
Prefabricated vs. Custom Steam Shower
There are two main options for steam showers: prefab and custom. The steam shower price for prefabricated units ranges from $2,800 to $7,100, while custom showers cost more at $4,000 to $14,000. Prefab showers are built at a factory, after which the one-, two-, three-, or four-piece unit is transported to the home and installed. This differs from a custom steam shower, which is built directly in a home to fit the exact dimensions needed. The detailed work and extra materials that go into a custom steam shower increase the overall price as compared to the price for a prefab shower. Homeowners will want to keep in mind, however, that there are beautiful prefabricated steam shower units available that mimic the look of a custom one, which can be beneficial for those working with a more limited budget.
Existing Shower Conversion vs. New Steam Shower
Homeowners wanting a steam shower can either convert an existing shower to a steam shower or build a new unit altogether, with the latter being more expensive. Converting an existing shower to a steam shower costs around $4,300. That cost includes a steam unit, generator, and installation labor; however, it does not include any extra costs for shower remodeling. When considering the cost to add a steam shower from scratch, homeowners can expect to pay around $6,500.
Exhaust Fan Installation
A standard shower and a steam shower create excess steam and humidity that need to be released from a bathroom through an exhaust fan. Exhaust fans are often required by building codes, as they help prevent mold growth and water damage. The cost to install an exhaust fan ranges from $250 to $500.
Customizations
When homeowners are installing a new steam shower, there are many customizations available for them to incorporate. For example, they can add shelving to hold bathroom products for $20 to $50 each. Some modern steam shower units have an automatic flushing feature that clears the water line to the steam shower to prevent any water minerals from clogging the pipe; this costs between $100 and $400. Other customizations include an anti-fog mirror for $50 to $100, additional lighting in the steam shower, and wireless and smart system steam shower controls, with prices varying depending on the amount and type of add-ons chosen.
Additional Projects
When contractors are at a home installing a new steam shower, a homeowner may choose to have them also tackle other related projects around their home. Many homeowners use this opportunity to remodel other bathrooms in their homes, incorporating primary bathroom ideas they’ve been considering, or complete other plumbing, electrical, tile, or drywall work. While any additional projects will certainly add to the overall cost of the project, grouping projects together typically ends up being cheaper than completing many projects at different times.
Types of Steam Showers
There are quite a few different types of steam showers available on the market. Home steam shower cost greatly depends on the type of shower and shower surround materials, from prefabricated to completely custom options.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a very popular material for steam showers, with units costing anywhere from $2,300 to $5,000. Most acrylic steam showers are prefabricated units or shower kits, available in a variety of sizes and layouts. Acrylic steam showers do not have any seams, so steam cannot seep through the unit and damage the surrounding walls. That being said, acrylic steam showers do not tend to look very stylish or give a custom feel, which is why some homeowners may opt for a different type of material for their steam shower.
Fiberglass
Another type of prefab shower unit, a fiberglass steam shower costs between $2,500 and $5,000. Unlike acrylic units, fiberglass steam showers have seams between each prefabricated section that could leak if not properly sealed; however, they have excellent insulation for keeping steam showers nice and humid.
Swanstone
At $3,000 to $6,000, Swanstone steam showers cost a bit more than acrylic or fiberglass prefab showers. Like fiberglass steam showers, Swanstone steam showers have seams that must be properly sealed to keep moisture out, but this type of steam shower tends to be more durable, hence the higher price point. Additionally, Swanstone steam showers are more aesthetically pleasing and available in many different styles and patterns that mimic the look of custom showers.
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Ceramic Tile
A ceramic tile steam shower will cost between $1.25 and $100 per square foot for materials only. The large price variation is due to ceramic tile’s ability to be customized in numerous ways. The nonporous material comes in hundreds of different shapes and styles, all at different price points. Basic subway ceramic tiles make up the low end of the price range, and handmade intricate ceramic tiles are found at the high end. Custom ceramic tile steam showers, along with other tile options, require grout, caulking, and waterproofing to create a watertight seal.
Porcelain Tile
Homeowners can expect to pay $3 to $30 per square foot for materials to build a porcelain tile steam shower. Porcelain tiles offer a luxury custom steam shower look and can be a cheaper alternative to porcelain slabs. This material is a great insulator for keeping steam showers warm, and the nonporous qualities make it a long-lasting choice.
Glass Tile
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