Product Review - Kohler Steam Shower

Why do we love Kohler’s steam shower system? Because it brings the benefits of spa-day to your home, without the need to dedicate a whole room to the event!

Saunas and steam showers have gained huge popularity over the last few years! Each has a long heritage of use and benefits, and both are well loved for their many health benefits.

For most homeowners, stress relief and relaxation are the biggest reasons to install a steam shower or a sauna. The therapeutic heat delivered by these spa systems is also beneficial for those with stiff joints or arthritis. But there are a few key differences in the effects of steam showers versus saunas.

Steam showers, which deliver heat via humidity, are much better at relieving symptoms of congestion. If you regularly suffer with sinus congestion, a steam shower will better soothe and decongest than the dry heat of a sauna. Additionally, steam showers are much better at hydrating skin. Though the heat of a sauna is equally effective in cleansing pores, the humidity of a steam shower helps soften rough or callused skin too. This hydrating action makes steam showers better for individuals with dry or sensitive skin.

Saunas do offer more intense heat, which is absorbed and re-radiated by wood and stone finishes in the room. The low humidity environment has also been reported to be better than steam for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, who use it to loosen painful joints and relieve stiffness.

However, there is another major factor homeowners must consider when choosing their spa experience. There is a big difference in how much space each spa unit requires. Whereas a sauna requires a dedicated room, with an electric or wood heater to provide heat; a steam spa can be integrated within a regular shower. If you want the benefits of a spa, but can’t give up space to a single-use sauna room, steam may be the way to go. Adding a steam unit to a shower is as simple as extending the tile to enclose the whole shower, including the ceiling. A glass door that seals both top and bottom is recommended, and the steam generator can be placed inside a nearby utility closet.

Kohler’s steam units are specially designed to bring spa-like ease to your shower. Designed to generate steam within a minute of starting up, the steam shower is ready much faster than a sauna, which can take from 20-30 minutes to heat the whole room. Paired with easy-to-use controls, and an automatic cleaning system, the whole unit is user-friendly. They are also efficient, requiring only 1 gallon of water per 20-minute steam session.

Steam showers can provide a great way to relax and de-stress after a long week, and the wide array of additional benefits makes them a useful investment. Steam showers are much more space efficient than saunas, and easy to integrate into a primary bathroom, whether you’re renovating or building a new home. At Designed for Downtown and the AJH Family of companies, we have many years of experience designing and installing steam showers, and we’re excited to help you with yours!

Learn more about Kohler steam showers here.