steam shower units
Saveshenandoah.com – green home living about Luxury on a Budget – Steam Showers. Steam showers are the ultimate prima donnas in luxury bathroom upgrades. Whether you want a steam shower for yourself or you just think a steam shower will finally help you get your house sold, here are five tips for installing steam shower units on the cheap that will knock your socks off… and hopefully your shoes and pants and shirt too!
- Consider using a prefabricated one-piece steam shower unit.
Prefabricated one-piece steam shower units are an excellent choice for a home handyman that wants to get the project done quickly and efficiently. The hardest thing about installing a new prefabricated unit is getting the old unit out and measuring correctly for the new unit. Once you have the old unit out take all your measurements again. You don’t want to be moving walls the day you are planning on installing your new unit. Before install you will also want to allow yourself time to repair any existing water damage. Provided time and space allow, a waterproof barrier (like wonder board) can be applied to the walls and floors behind the steam unit as an extra safety precaution.
The actual install of the prefabricated unit goes really quickly. Follow the directions on how to set the unit up and you are ready to stem away!
- Choose Your Steam Generator Carefully.
The right generator can make a world of difference in how effective the unit is and how long it lasts. Some generators on the market are focused on selling Amore with a thousand settings for music, aromatic oils and lighting. My bet is you can create all these things yourself better than a steam generator.
A steam generator is a serious piece of equipment so look into buying the closest thing to a commercial grade unit that you can afford. Here are a few tips for buying a generator that will run hassle free for years:
- Look for a simple control panel. You want one that is easy to set, easy to use and easy to read.
- Look for a system that automatically drains the water from the system after every use. This will prevent calcium buildup and ensure clean steam every time.
- Look for industrial-grade heating coils. As mentioned above, if possible buy a commercial grade unit. However, if you can’t afford this inquire about the warrantee and durability of the coils themselves and buy the best you can afford.
- Ask about servicing and parts. Look for a unit that can be serviced rather than replaced.
- Check for certifications by a respected agencies and independent reviewers.
- Make Sure Your Electrical Components Can Handle the Load.
Electrical Components Can Handle the Load
Ironically the most expensive part of adding a steam shower may have nothing to do with the shower. Steam requires heat generated by electricity. Steam generators run on 240, the same as electric dryers. You will probably have to hire an electrician to install the electrics. Where you place your shower and how well it works in the future will depend on having a balanced electrical load. If your new steam shower can go anywhere adjacent to your laundry room you may be able to forgo the electrical upgrade. Provided there is an accessible gas line, you can replace your old electric dryer with a new gas one and use the 240 circuit already available in the laundry room for the steam generator. At the same time create easy access to the generator (via the laundry room).
- Going Custom? Creativity Can Save You Money!
Think out of the box. Think about using recycled, used or commercial materials. Stone fabrication shops typically have unused pieces of granite and stone lying in a yard somewhere behind their shop. These are not the stone yards. Get to know a few good stone fabrication guys and you can get some of the highest grade materials at rock bottom prices. No time for all that? Try mixing 90% low quality tiles with 10% ultra-expensive tile trim to create that luxury look at a cheap price. A friend of mine even used pieces from a shattered ceramic lamp to edge the top of her shower stall. It looks like it came straight out of Italian Vogue! Get creative and make it beautiful!
- Think watertight and you will get it right.
Steam is water on steroids. It seeps everywhere and can damage drywall in the blink of an eye. No matter what kind of steam shower you are installing be obsessed about using waterproof materials everywhere near the steam shower. Once watertight you can kick back and enjoy your stream. Add in a set of luxury spa towels just to finish it off!
We all know that household upgrades can be costly, but with some imagination and the right attitude, there’s no reason that you can’t make the most out of what you can afford. With these tips, you’ll be showing off your fancy steam shower in no time, leaving your friends to wonder how in the world you were able to afford such luxury.
This post was written by Ryan Tupper. Ryan has been designing and remodeling bathrooms for over 10 years, and uses DecorPlanet.com for his remodel needs.
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