How Much Does a Steam Shower Cost?

A steam shower costs between $2,500 and $14,500+ for a complete installation, with most homeowners spending $3,500 to $8,000, depending on enclosure size, equipment selected, and installation complexity.

At the lower end of the range, you can expect a basic single-person setup with a standard steam generator, a simple enclosure, and some DIY involvement. Costs increase as you move toward larger enclosures, premium finishes, custom construction, and professional installation.

High-end steam showers often include features such as custom tile work, frameless glass doors, built-in seating, digital controls, upgraded shower fixtures, and larger steam generators designed for spacious enclosures.

The biggest factors affecting price are the size of the steam shower, the type of enclosure you choose, the materials used, and the amount of labor required. In the sections below, we’ll break down each cost component so you can understand where your budget is going and which upgrades are most likely to improve your overall steam shower experience.

Factors that Affect the Cost of a Steam Shower

Steam shower costs vary based on several factors, but here are the two major ones:

1. Enclosure Size

The size of your enclosure directly determines the steam generator capacity you need. For example, a compact single-person shower at around 80 adjusted cubic feet can be powered by a smaller, more affordable generator. A larger two-person walk-in requires a more powerful unit, which increases both equipment and installation costs.

Getting the sizing right is equally important. This is because an undersized generator will struggle to produce and maintain the desired steam temperature. It will run continuously, use more energy than expected, and still fail to deliver a satisfying steam experience. An oversized generator can also consume more energy than the space requires, which increases your energy bills.

This is why manufacturers recommend calculating your shower’s adjusted cubic footage, including factors such as ceiling height, tile, stone, glass surfaces, and other heat-absorbing materials, before selecting a steam generator.

2. Finishing Materials

Finishing materials affect cost in two main ways:

• The visible surfaces you choose
• The construction required behind them.

In simple terms, part of what you pay for is design and appearance, while another part is the technical work needed to make the space steam-tight and durable.

A more budget-friendly approach is using standard ceramic tile combined with a prefabricated steam enclosure. Standard ceramic tiles are common, widely available bathroom tiles that are cost-effective and easy to install. A prefabricated enclosure is a factory-built steam shower structure that is pre-sealed for steam use. Together, this approach lowers the total costs you’d spend to purchase and install a steam shower.

On the other hand, premium finishes such as natural stone, large-format tile, or frameless glass increase costs due to higher material prices and more detailed installation requirements. These materials often require more precise fitting and additional labor to achieve a clean, watertight finish.

What is often overlooked is that the choice of finish also affects what is required behind the walls. A steam shower must have a waterproofing and vapor control system beneath all surface materials. This includes waterproof membranes, vapor barriers, and carefully sealed penetrations around pipes, valves, and fixtures. As finishes become more custom or high-end, the underlying installation becomes more complex to ensure the structure can properly contain steam without moisture escaping into the walls.

Cost Breakdown by Component

1. Steam Generators

The generator is the most important purchase in a steam shower build and probably the most expensive. For instance, MrSteam’s residential MS-E series starts at around $1,500 for a 6kW unit. As capacity increases, so does the price. Larger homes or multi-person steam showers require higher-output units, which can range well above this starting point.

Mr. Steam MX-R 20kW Steam Shower Generator

2. Enclosures

The enclosure is what creates the sealed environment needed for a steam shower to function properly. Unlike a standard shower, a steam enclosure must be designed to retain heat and moisture throughout the session. That means the walls, ceiling, door, and seals all need to prevent steam from escaping.

There are two main types of enclosures you can have:

• Prefabricated enclosure

Prefabricated steam enclosures cost between $1,000 and $4,000. The entry-level models provide the basic steam-tight environment, while higher-end units often include features such as built-in seating, body spray jets, rainfall showerheads, and integrated lighting.

• Custom-built enclosures

Custom-built enclosures cost more but offer greater design flexibility. They’re often the preferred option when you want to add a steam shower to an existing bathroom remodel. This is because they can be tailored to the available space and match the room’s finishes. However, modifications to plumbing, waterproofing, and electrical systems can increase the overall project cost.

3. Controls and Digital Interfaces

Most steam systems include a digital control panel that lets you set the temperature, session duration, and optional features such as aromatherapy or chromotherapy lighting. Basic controls come included with packaged kits, while upgraded touchscreen interfaces from MrSteam and ThermaSol add $200–$600, depending on the model. Smartphone-integrated systems sit at the higher end of that range.

Tip: If you’re already investing in a quality generator, the step up to a digital panel is worth it. Being able to pre-set the temperature and start the system remotely means you step into a session that’s already at temperature, rather than waiting for the enclosure to build heat after you get in.

Steam Shower Kits vs. Individual Components

4. Additional Hardware

Budget separately for:

• A steam head
• Bench material
• Humidity-rated door seals
• Ventilation hardware that your local building code requires

These items add $300–$800 in total and are underestimated in most initial project budgets.

4. Installation costs

Handling your own installation can save several thousand dollars in total, as professional tile and waterproofing labor alone runs $1,500–$4,000, depending on your region. If you’re comfortable with tile work, basic plumbing connections, and reading wiring diagrams, the finishing and fixture phases are manageable without a contractor.

Source: Pinterest/Juliana

However, it’s best to have a professional do the installation for you. This is because waterproofing a steam enclosure is more demanding than a standard shower. Any gap in the membrane lets moisture into the wall cavity, and fixing it would cost you more than a professional would have charged from the start.

Tip: Remember to check local permit requirements before you start. Many municipalities require licensed contractors for plumbing and electrical work. Also, to minimize costs, you can handle demolition, material sourcing, and cosmetic finishing yourself, then subcontract plumbing, electrical, and waterproofing to licensed trades.

5. Routine Maintenance

The steam generator is the component that requires the most ongoing maintenance. In areas with hard water, mineral deposits gradually build up inside the system, forcing the heating element to work harder to produce steam. Over time, this reduces efficiency, increases energy use, and shortens the unit’s lifespan. Most manufacturers recommend flushing or descaling the generator at least once a year, if not twice.

Some systems are designed to reduce this workload. For example, MrSteam’s AutoFlush system and ThermaSol PowerFlush feature automatically drain and rinse the generator after each use. These functions help limit mineral accumulation and are especially valuable for daily-use installations, even if they increase the upfront cost.

6. Energy Costs

A steam generator draws between 6 and 16 kilowatts, depending on the unit’s size and the enclosure it’s designed to serve. A full session usually includes a 10–20 minute warm-up period, followed by 20–30 minutes of active use. Over the course of a session, this translates to roughly 2–5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity consumption.

At an average electricity rate of about $0.16 per kWh, a single daily session works out to approximately $10–$24 per month for generator energy use alone, excluding water costs.

For households that use the steam shower a few times per week, total monthly energy costs typically fall in the $15–$30 range, depending on usage frequency, generator size, and local electricity rates.

Total Cost Summary

Is a Steam Shower Worth It?

A steam shower is generally worth it if you use it consistently (at least 3 times a week). When properly sized and installed, it delivers a spa-like experience right in the comfort of your home. To get started, browse our steam shower collection or reach out directly. We respond in minutes and are happy to help you work through sizing, generator selection, and what makes sense for your specific build.

FAQs

How much does a steam shower kit cost?

Steam shower kits from brands like MrSteam and ThermaSol range from $2,500 to $5,000 before installation, with the generator, steam head, and controls sold as a matched set. Add $3,000–$7,000 for professional installation, and the all-in figure for most homeowners is $5,500–$10,000, depending on enclosure scope and tile selection.

What’s the difference between a steam shower and a steam room?

A steam shower combines a standard showerhead with a steam generator inside a fully enclosed, waterproofed space — use it as a regular shower or activate steam mode. A steam room is built exclusively for steam, tiled floor-to-ceiling, with a bench and no showerhead. Steam showers suit a primary bathroom; steam rooms require more square footage and a more complex build.

📌 See our full comparison

How long does it take a steam shower to heat up?

Most residential generators produce steam within 10–20 minutes, based on generator size and enclosure volume. Smaller, well-sealed enclosures heat faster, and a tight door seal and proper insulation have the most impact on real-world heat-up time. ThermaSol’s FastStart technology cuts warm-up time further on PRO Series models.

Do steam showers require special ventilation?

Steam showers require airtight enclosures rather than conventional bathroom ventilation. This is because steam is contained within the unit, so no external venting is needed for the shower itself.

Is a steam shower hard to maintain?

Not with quality equipment. The main tasks are descaling the generator once or twice a year, resealing grout every 1–2 years, and checking door seals on the same schedule. Generators with auto-drain or auto-flush functionality — standard on MrSteam and ThermaSol’s better models — handle the most frequent task automatically.