Renovate Your Old Bathroom: Make it an All-Inclusive Spa and Steam Bath

Renovate Your Old Bathroom: Make it an All-Inclusive Spa and Steam Bath

​Renovate Your Old Bathroom: Make it an All-Inclusive Spa and Steam Bath

What if you could build a professional grade steam bath in your own home?  Many homeowners are already enjoying the health benefits and comfort of an integrated steam bath bathroom.  This article will walk you through the basics of realizing the benefits of your very own private steam bath.

Once you know the basics of a steam bath bathroom, you will find that such an addition to your home is not cost prohibitive and is relatively easy to accomplish, provided you consult with an experienced renovation professional.  Your renovation professional will have a clear understanding of your needs and your project.

Steam bathrooms are not another fad, their judicious use of water, combined with their health benefits, are causing people to rethink their bathing routines.  Imagine your morning routine starting with a steam sauna.

​Steam Baths in History

​The concept of the steam bath has been around for millennia.  Some cultures made use of natural hot springs and others, without nearby geothermal activity, constructed their own versions; the native American "Sweat Lodge" for instance.  Common to all of them regardless of time or place is the health and relaxation benefits they confer.

The Health Benefits of Steam Baths

That steam bathing is popular around the world should come as no surprise when considering how the practice helps to improve health and well-being.  Among the many health benefits of regular steam bathing are decreased stress, increased relaxation, breathing improvements, improved skin and, not least, because of these other health benefits it should be no surprise that sleep will come easier and be of a higher quality.

Other Benefits of a Steam Bathroom

Aside from all the health advantages to having your own steam bathroom, there are also some money and time saving benefits.  The personal steam bathroom of today reduces water consumption.  Taking a quick rinse shower before your steam bath and then one after saves the many gallons of water that would otherwise have gone down the drain – only a small quantity of water is necessary to immerse you into a fully satisfying steam bath environment.

​A steam bathroom is an integrated tiled unit which makes it considerably easier to clean than a standard compartmentalized bathroom.

Also, having a high-quality steam bathroom can greatly improve the resale value of your home.

Types of Steam Baths and Installations

For the homeowner there are two approaches to installing your steam bath.  The first method is to purchase a prefabricated kit from a big box retailer like Home Depot.  The second method is to have a custom installation; this can be accomplished by attempting to do it yourself or by hiring a professional contractor.
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The pros and cons of any of these methods are dependent on what kind of time and expense you are willing to incur.  Consider that even a kit will likely require a professional installation service, and so the expense on the back end could well rival that of a custom install.

If the DIY route is chosen, then care must be taken to ensure plenty of time to study the requirements, materials and plans for the install.  A missed step or slapdash workmanship can cause severe structural damage to a house, not to mention the wasted cost of materials should the unit need to be torn down and replaced.
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Hiring a professional is generally the preferred method.  A professional has a depth of knowledge and experience to complete a high-quality install on time and on budget.  A professional Steam bath installer understand the local building codes and is also licensed and bonded so that you are covered by your homeowner's insurance should anything go wrong.

​How a Modern Steam Bathroom Works, the Steam Generating Unit

Aside from materials and labor, the most expensive item for a Steam Bath is the steam generating unit.  There are many units available on the market and they are tailored to different needs.  If the Steam Bath space is to be small, then a smaller unit is, of course, the best option.  The installation professional will provide the best options for the size of the space.
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Further, most unit now come with remote controllers so that the atmosphere is readily adjusted at will, without having to continually adjust the unit manually.

​Ask a Professional for Advice

When it comes to something as durable and convenient as your very own steam bath it is best to consult with a professional.  An install professional can serve as a valuable guide through whit is a very complex process.  By getting the most reliable information available you will ensure that your Steam Bath is not simply built to standards of the highest quality, but that you will have saved money over the course of the install.
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The installation professional will also advise you if a kit might be a better option than a custom installation.  Moreover, your professional will be there to back up their work should you ever need it.