How to Choose a Steam Shower Generator

Enclosed, Floor to Ceiling — Steam needs a sealed room. The shower must have a door that closes to the floor, walls that run to the ceiling, and a ceiling of its own. An open shower, a curtained one, or one with a gap above the door will not hold steam.

Tile or Stone, Not Paint — The walls and ceiling need a vapor-tight surface: tile, stone or solid-surface panels over a waterproof substrate. Painted drywall is not a steam room.

A Sloped Ceiling — Steam condenses on the ceiling and drips. A ceiling pitched about two inches per foot lets the water run to a wall instead of onto your head. On an existing shower this is the change a contractor most often has to make.

A Seat, Away From the Steam Head — The steam head sits low on a wall, about a foot off the floor, away from where you sit and away from the door. Plan the seat and the head together.

Ceiling Height — Steam rooms are sized to about eight feet of ceiling. A taller ceiling means more volume to fill and, usually, the next generator size up.

Cubic Feet First — Multiply width by length by height. The maker's table for the package we carry: 9 kilowatts for roughly 84 to 140 cubic feet, 10.5 for 126 to 168, 12 for 147 to 315, and dual-generator packages at 15 and 18 kilowatts for larger rooms.

Then the Materials — Natural stone, glass walls and ceilings over seven feet all absorb or lose more heat than ceramic tile, and each one pushes you up a size. Where two sizes overlap, that is what decides it.

Between Sizes, Go Up — A generator that is too small never brings the room to temperature. One that is slightly large reaches it and cycles. The maker we carry asks for the room dimensions and confirms the size before you order, and so do we.

Two Generators — The 15 and 18 kilowatt packages are two units working together. They need twice the plumbing and twice the circuit, so the sizing conversation has to happen before the electrician quotes.

The Circuit — A steam generator runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized to the generator, installed by a licensed electrician. The exact breaker size depends on the kilowatts; the installation manual lists it, and your installer confirms it before work starts.

Water In, Water Out — The generator needs a cold water feed and a drain. The package we carry requires an inline water filter, changed every six months, and quick-connect fittings, as conditions of its warranty.

Where the Generator Lives — Not in the shower. It goes in a closet, a vanity cabinet, an attic or a basement within the run length the maker allows, with access for service. The generator we carry is 16 by 6.5 by 14.5 inches and 28 pounds, each.

The Control and the Button — The touchscreen control mounts inside the shower. The package also includes an on/off button that mounts outside, so you can start the steam before you step in.

The Steam Head — Low on the wall, away from the seat and the door. The one we carry has its own aroma reservoir, separate from the aroma pump.

Controls — A timer and a temperature are the whole job. The touchscreen on the package we carry stores profiles, and the app adds scheduling over WiFi. Decide whether you will use a schedule or just a button; both are included either way.

Aroma — The dual aroma pump holds two 1,000-milliliter bottles and feeds scent into the steam line. It is a feature you use every session or never. If never, it is still in the box.

Lighting and Audio — Two chroma lights, one white light and two Bluetooth speakers. These are wired at installation, so decide before the walls close.

Finish — The package we carry comes in matte black across the steam head, the control and the trim. Match it to the shower fittings you already have.

The Installer Rule — The package we carry requires a licensed installer, and its warranty is void without one. Budget for an electrician and a plumber alongside the generator, and keep their invoice.

The Warranty, by Part — Lifetime on the steam generator against defects in materials and workmanship. One year on the controls and accessories: the control panel, lights, steam head, aroma pump, speakers and drain pan. Residential use only. Surges, lightning, local water conditions and installation outside the manual are excluded.

The Filter — An inline water filter, changed every six months, is a warranty condition. Hard water scales a generator; the filter and the drain pan are what the maker counts on.

On Delivery — Open every box and check the parts against the included list before the installer starts. Report shipping damage within 48 hours with photographs. Scratches and finish defects must be reported within five days.

Returns — Unused, in original packaging, within 30 days, with a return authorization, return shipping at your cost and a 25 percent restocking fee. Opened or installed packages are reviewed before any return is approved. Size it right the first time.