Your Top MrSteam Installation Questions Answered

Are you worried that installing a steam shower in your home might be an intimidating prospect? After all, this is likely something you’ve never done before. And you may have questions – lots of questions – and aren’t sure where to get the answers.

That’s why we created this steam shower FAQ – to give you answers to your top steam shower installation questions. We’ll help you learn how easy it is to install a steam shower and how quickly you can enjoy the benefits of steam at home!

Q: Does my existing tub/shower need to be modified?

A: Most do, while others may not need to be. All have to be water tight on all walls and the ceiling. A licensed contractor who is familiar with steam can help you make that happen.

We do recommend ceiling heights be no higher than 8’. You only need to tile and water seal the portion of the ceiling that will be directly exposed to the steam (inside the steam shower). The primary purpose is to retain heat and prevent moisture from escaping the shower enclosure.

Q: What materials do we need to install a steam shower?

A: The materials you choose depend on your personal aesthetic, but you do have to consider certain physical properties, addressing these by selecting the right sized generator. The more porous a material, such as marble, shale, granite, glass block, or concrete, the more quickly it dissipates heat. If you choose the natural beauty of marble or stone for your steam shower, you’ll need to select a more powerful generator to compensate for the more rapid heat loss. Conversely, choosing nonporous materials like ceramic, porcelain or acrylic will retain heat in the shower, and a smaller generator will be adequate.

This is why we ask specific material questions in our MrSteam sizing tool VirtualSpa System – helping you determine the right size generator for the enclosure size and materials you’ve selected.

Q: What determines the size of a MrSteam steam shower generator?

A: The size of your shower enclosure, in total cubic feet, along with finish material, will determine which MrSteam generator you will need. The larger the space, the more steam you need to fill it. And the more steam you need, the larger the generator needs to be. You may be reconfiguring a current shower for steam or constructing an entirely new space – large or small. We do recommend that your shower enclosure not be smaller than 3’ x 3’ x 7’. That way you have enough space to stand or sit a safe distance from the steam head.

In all cases, there are a few criteria to take into account when selecting the right generator size:

The steam shower dimensions: length, width, height. Multiply each to determine your total room volume in cubic feet.
The materials for the shower walls and ceiling each have different heat retention properties, and this will be a factor in the generator you choose

MrSteam considers sizing a steam shower generator so important that we've developed the VirtualSpa System. It offers website visitors a streamlined step-by-step process guide on how to size a generator, after which you can select controls and add on luxury options like ChromaTherapy or AromaTherapy, all in five simple steps.

Q: Where do I install the MrSteam generator?

A: A MrSteam generator can be installed anywhere within 60’ of your steam room—in a heated attic or basement, closet, vanity, etc. We recommend leaving 12” of excess space on the top and sides for servicing and to ensure adequate ventilation.

Do not install the steam generator inside the actual shower enclosure or in an unheated location where the water supply piping might freeze.

Q: How much water does a steam shower use – and how much does it cost to operate?

A: You may be surprised to learn that energy usage for a MrSteam steam shower is typically less than $1 for an average steam shower session. To produce the steam needed for a typical 20-minute steam bathing session, a home steam generator only needs to heat two gallons of water—much less water than you use in a bath or shower! A week’s worth of steam sessions uses only 14 gallons of water.

Q: Who should help us install the steam shower?

A: Because steam shower installation involves both water and electricity, MrSteam recommends professional installation by a licensed plumber, electrician, or contractor who is familiar with steam. Authorized MrSteam dealers can supply the names of contractors and answer any questions your builder or contractor might have about steam shower installation

Want more in-depth information about these FAQs? Check out the following links:

It’s clear that installing a residential home steam shower is a lot less scary than you might think – and that there is no reason why you can’t begin enjoying steam as part of your health and wellness routine in the very near future! To get started, find a local dealer who can share even greater insights into installing your steam shower.