1. Seal the enclosure, ceiling included
Steam goes up and finds every gap. Waterproof every surface, including the ceiling, with a membrane or vapor barrier behind the tile. As a trade article in the Journal of Light Construction put it, the water stops at the waterproofing, not at the tile and grout.
- Ceiling height: Delta recommends about 7 ft, 8 ft at most.
- Ceiling slope: recommendations range from 1 in to 2 in per foot so condensation runs down the wall instead of dripping on you. Some makers specify none; follow your generator’s manual.
- Door: use a door made for steam, sealed on both sides and the top, with the bottom left open for ventilation.
- No skylights, and avoid windows in the steam room. Insulate exterior walls.
2. Size the generator to the room and materials
Generators are rated by room volume. Tile, stone and glass pull heat out of the steam, and exterior walls and tall ceilings add load, so a tiled room needs a bigger unit than a bare volume suggests. The steam shower sizing calculator applies the adjustments and shows the kW you need.
3. Find a home for the generator
- Indoors, dry and above freezing. Delta specifies 50 to 104 °F.
- Within the maker’s distance limit. Delta allows up to 70 ft between generator and control; many brands allow 50 to 60 ft of steam line. Slope the line so water can’t pool and block the steam.
- A mechanical room, vanity or closet with room to service it and a safety pan under it. Generators can leak.
4. Plan the power, water and drain
- A dedicated electrical circuit sized to the generator, installed by a licensed electrician.
- A water supply line to the generator.
- A drain connection or auto-drain kit. It flushes minerals after each use and extends the generator’s life, especially with hard water.
5. Place the steam head and control
- Steam head low on the wall, away from the seat and the door, and not under the shower valve or the control. The steam is 212 °F.
- Control about 4 ft above the floor and never above the steam head.
- Check finish materials are rated for steam. Tile and natural stone handle it; check acrylic and plastic parts.
Questions people ask
- Can I turn my existing shower into a steam shower?
- Only if the enclosure can be sealed to the ceiling. Steam showers need waterproofing on every surface including the ceiling, a door sealed on both sides and the top, no windows or skylights, and room for a generator nearby.
- How far can the steam generator be from the shower?
- It depends on the brand. Delta allows up to 70 linear feet between the generator and the control, and many brands allow 50 to 60 feet of steam pipe. Shorter runs work better.
- What size steam generator do I need?
- Size it to the room’s volume, adjusted for materials. Tile and stone absorb heat, so they need a bigger generator. Our steam sizing calculator applies the adjustments.
- How high should a steam shower ceiling be?
- Delta recommends aiming for 7 ft, with 8 ft as the maximum. Taller rooms need more generator power.
Size your generator Shop steam showers
Sources: Delta Faucet, how to build a steam shower; Journal of Light Construction, steam shower lessons learned. Follow your generator’s installation manual and local code.