rainfall shower head and chromatherapy lighting, source:arielbath.com
Steam showers are becoming more and more popular for homes today! With the stresses of a fast paced life, a steam shower can be a great pleasure for you and your family. Because there are many different styles to choose from, it can be a difficult task to settle on one. The following tips and suggestions will help you to know what is available and what to consider.
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Steam Showers Are Beautiful Yet Functional
The most important thing when purchasing a steam shower is functionality and design. Do you want a one or two person shower? Size and shape, right and left door opening, lighting, benches, number of jets, are all important decisions. All steam showers have a generator that actually creates the steam. This is specifically known as the steam generator.
The Steam Generator
Steam Generator can be contained within the steam showers unit, such as in the Ariel Platinum and Ameristeam showers in the Ariel line. A high quality steam generator will create steam in a few seconds, to minutes. Steam Generators are typically 3000 watts, 110 V, and 6000 watts, 220 V. Both 3000 watt and 6000 watt generators will generate enough steam. But the more powerful 6000 watt generator will deliver the steam at a faster rate. These 220V models will also require a dedicated electrial line and will be less energy efficient. A generator can also be a separate unit from the steam shower. This option is not always practical for the homeowner looking to replace a standard shower easily with a steam shower. The separate generator would require more extensive design planning and is more typically used in new construction.
The Size of Your Space and the Steam Shower Appliance
Finding a steam shower unit that will fit in your existing shower space should be relatively easy. There are so many styles to choose from, and the self containing generator units are considered a stand alone appliance. This means that you do not need to permanently installsteam showers to your wall, as you would not need to install a washer or dryer. With proper assembly this type of steam shower is made to be moved to another location if ever you should relocate. Just measure the size of your space and find a steam shower unit that is compatible. When you remove your existing shower stall, the wall will need to be refinished. Then your new steam shower will simply fit into that space without further alteration to the bathroom structure.
Steam Shower as a Spa
Your steam shower can also double as a spa with a few luxury options. A bench is not included with every unit but is a nice feature to add comfort. Practically, a small plastic chair from the department store or a geriatric shower chair could work for those units not including a bench. Along with a comfortable seat, the shower massage jets can be turned on or off for acupressure therapy. A Steam shower is equipped with between 6 and 28 of these jets, and their pressure is controlled through the water pressure of your plumbing system. Chromatherapy lighting, is colored lighting designed to relax your experience, typically installed in the steam shower ceiling. Aromatherapy ports are built into most units, to calm or re energize you with the power of scent therapy. Aromatherapy can create an environment that promotes physical healing as well as relaxing and soothing benefits Aromatherapy systems are meant to be used with your own essential oils which are sold separately. If a tub and shower combination is desired, consider a whirlpool tub/steam shower combo.
Rainfall and Handheld Shower Heads
Quality steam showers will also include rainfall ceiling and handheld shower heads. The rainfall head is a gravity system which falls gently with the water pressure from your plumbing system. It is a large round shower head mounted in the ceillng of the shower unit. Some of the two person steam showers will have two rainfall heads. The handheld shower heads are on a long hose to be used to shower all of the body parts separately. This will provide you with the customized shower experience that is ideal for you!
Computer Control Panel
The computer control panel is mounted on the wall of the steam shower. The computer panel controls the functions for the unit.
- The computer control panel is where the steam generator is turned on and off.
- Steam is regulated there, on and off.
- Shower Room temperature is selected.
- The timer can be set when steam function is turned on.
- Ventilator is turned on and off.
- Chromatherapy lighting is controlled.
- FM radio feature is turned on and off, frequency and volume adjusted.
This is a picture of the Control Panel Buttons for the Ariel F3 Type Steam House.
source: arielbath.com
This is a picture of the Ariel Platinum F8 Type Steam House Control Panel
source: arielbath.com
The option to remodel your bathroom with a steam shower is so exciting! Finding the right shower for your bath is easier with the right information. Knowing the basics of steam shower anatomy and what to consider for your purchase will help you discover the true priceless value in your home spa connection!
