Home steam room a relaxing option Health issues spark installation uptick

Dear Jim: I think it would be nice and healthy to have a mini-steam room in our bathroom or bedroom. Are do-it-yourself home-size kits available or can I build one myself? Will it cost a fortune to run one? – Art H.

Dear Art: Installing a home-size steam room is becoming more popular. People are spending more time at home and are more concerned about picking up colds or the flu from steam rooms in health clubs. This is especially true for a steam room because of its warm, moist environment.

There are many steam room options available to you for use at home. Obviously the simplest and quickest way to add one is to install a complete kit. A lower-cost option, particularly if you are a do-it-yourselfer, is to buy the steam generator and controls and build the enclosure yourself.

The energy cost to operate a steam room is not as great as you might imagine. Since one usually is used only during the winter, the heat produced helps to warm your home. The moisture given off is also helpful. After a steam bath, a cool shower is common, so less hot water is used.

If your budget is unlimited, go all the way with a combination steam room enclosure-shower-whirlpool. You can take a steam bath first, then a massaging whirlpool bath and finish with a shower from eight nozzles. Some complete systems include televisions, DVD players, surround sound, mood lighting, etc.

For the rest of us, many smaller, reasonably priced steam room kits are available. Small corner-style models are ideal for a bathroom or a bedroom. They take up little space yet can provide a comfortable steam bath. They include a steam generator, enclosure, fold-down seat and padded headrest.

There are also larger, two- or four-person models available and they are sometimes called steam suites. Most often they are rectangular in shape and have glass sides with multiple seating and a larger generator.

Building a steam room yourself is not a difficult project because you can purchase many steam room components. Tightly sealed glass doors are important to contain the hot steam. Complete steam generator and outlet units with a built-in mirror and soap dishes are designed to fit between wall studs.

It is important to match the steam generator to the steam room. If the generator is too large, it will be difficult to control the temperature. If it is too small, it will take too long to produce enough steam. For example, a 100-cubic-foot steam room should use a five-kilowatt generator.

Some things to consider are a domed top so the condensed water does not drip. Acrylic or fiberglass walls are most efficient and programmable, digital controls are most convenient. Optional aroma therapy steam nozzles are available.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 603 – buyer’s guide of 12 steam generator/room kit manufacturers listing controls, heat outputs, features, prices, sizing chart and steam room design/building tips. Include $3 and a business-size SASE, and send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.