ThermaSol ThermaTouch steam shower package with round Serenity rainhead, 7-inch control and steamhead

How much is it to make your shower a steam shower?

October 23, 2026

Making an existing shower a steam shower typically costs about $4,300 on average in third-party estimates, but your real number depends on the enclosure you already have. Budget for the generator, controls and steam head, plumbing and electrical labor, waterproofing, a door or glass panels and a vent fan. Published ranges run from roughly $2,800 to $7,100.

If you already know you want one, browse our steam shower generators and packages to see real prices for the equipment. The rest of this article breaks down where the money goes when you convert a shower you already have, so you can plan the full job and not only the box on the wall.

What does it cost to turn a regular shower into a steam shower?

Two home-cost guides land in the same neighborhood. One reports a national average of $4,300 and a range of $2,800 to $7,100 for installing a steam shower, with custom designs climbing much higher, in its steam shower cost breakdown. Another puts converting an existing shower at around $4,300 and notes that figure covers the unit, generator and labor but not extra remodeling, in its steam shower cost guide. Treat both as ballpark figures. Your local labor rates, your tile and glass, and the brand of equipment will move the total.

The useful way to think about it is as five line items: equipment, installation labor, enclosure work, ventilation, and ongoing running cost. The sections below take them in order.

Equipment: the generator, controls and steam head

This is the part you buy once and live with. Every steam shower needs a steam generator sized to the room, a control, and a steam head inside the shower. The cost guides above quote generic generator units at roughly $500 to $2,500. Our ThermaSol lineup sits above that range: the ThermaSol Pro Series II starts at $3,799.97 and comes in 8, 10, 11, 15, 20 and 24 kW sizes, and the Pro Series III starts at $4,499.97 in 6 to 24 kW sizes. The Pro Series I is an 11 kW unit at $4,399.97 for rooms from 241 to 395 adjusted cubic feet.

Each of these is made in the USA with a stainless steel body, and the Pro Series II and III include PowerFlush pressurized sediment cleaning. If you want one purchase that covers the controls and steam head too, a package such as the ThermaTouch 7-inch round wellness steam package ($6,499.97) bundles a 7-inch touchscreen, a round Serenity light and sound rainhead and a SteamVection steamhead. Our listing notes that package does not include a digital shower valve, so confirm what your plumber needs before ordering.

Sizing decides which generator you pay for

Generator size is set by the volume of the steam room, measured in adjusted cubic feet, and a bigger or leakier shower needs more kilowatts. Tile and glass absorb heat, and a high ceiling adds volume. Oversizing wastes money and undersizing leaves you with a lukewarm shower, so size first and shop second. Our steam generator size calculator walks through the numbers, and you can send us your shower dimensions if you are unsure.

Installation labor: plumber, electrician and a steam-ready enclosure

A steam shower is a plumbing and an electrical job. The generator needs a water supply, a steam line to the steam head, a safety relief and a drain path, and it needs its own circuit sized to the model. The generator can be installed up to 50 feet from the shower on the Pro Series I, so it often lives in a closet, vanity or adjoining space instead of the bathroom. A licensed electrician should size and install the circuit, and your local code and the manual have the final say. Our steam shower installation guide lays out the trade-by-trade steps.

The cost guides cited above quote custom installation labor from $1,000 to $6,000, and only $500 to $600 for a prefab unit. Converting an existing shower is a different job from either: you keep your plumbing but add a steam line, a generator location and a circuit, so get local bids.

Enclosure: where conversions get expensive

This is the line item people forget. Steam fills the whole space, so the shower needs a sealed, waterproofed enclosure, a door that closes tightly, and a ceiling that does not drip. An open-top or louvered shower, or a curtain-only tub shower, usually needs rebuilding before it holds steam. One guide quotes $700 to $1,900 for glass walls and $500 to $1,350 for a glass door. If your enclosure is already framed-in with tile, a sealed ceiling and a full-height door, your conversion is the cheaper kind. If it is not, enclosure work can cost more than the generator.

Ventilation and extras

You still need to move moisture out of the bathroom after a session. One guide prices exhaust fan installation at $250 to $500. Other extras that add up are a bench, a tile upgrade to a less porous surface and an upgraded control or sound package.

What does a steam shower cost to run?

Running cost is small next to the build. One guide estimates about $0.50 to $1 in utilities for a 20 to 30 minute session, and roughly 2 to 2.5 gallons of water for a 30 minute shower. Your electricity rate and generator size change that, so use it as a rough guide only.

Sample budgets for converting a shower

Scenario	What changes	Where the money goes
Ready enclosure	Fully tiled, sealed ceiling, full-height door	Generator, controls, steam head, plumber and electrician, vent fan
Partial rebuild	Door or ceiling needs replacing	Everything above, plus a new door or glass panels and ceiling work
Full remodel	New walls, tile, waterproofing	Enclosure becomes the largest cost, then equipment and labor

These are planning categories, not quotes. Get written bids from a licensed plumber and electrician before you commit.

How to keep the cost down without cutting corners

Size the generator to the room first, so you do not pay for kilowatts you will not use.
Check your existing enclosure for the three things steam needs: full waterproofing, a sealed door, and a ceiling that sheds condensation.
Buy the generator and controls together so the pieces are compatible. ThermaSol generators are built to work with ThermaSol controls.
Do the demolition and tile work in one stage so the plumber and electrician only come once.

Steam rooms are for relaxation and comfort. If you have a health condition, take medication or are pregnant, ask your doctor before using one. Shop Pay Installments may be offered at checkout for eligible orders.

Is a steam shower worth the money?

For many homeowners who will use it often and plan to stay put, yes. The generator alone runs from $3,799.97 for a ThermaSol Pro Series II to $8,299.79 for a top Pro Series III, before plumbing, electrical and a steam-tight enclosure. It is harder to justify for occasional use.

The honest test is how often you will use it and how long you will own the house, because this is permanent equipment. If you want something you can move or skip the construction, our guide to whether portable steam saunas are worth it covers the lighter route. If you are weighing a built-in system, read whether ThermaSol is a good brand and browse the steam shower generators. Steam use is for general relaxation and wellness; check with your doctor if you have a heart condition or are pregnant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to turn a shower into a steam shower?

Third-party guides put converting an existing shower around $4,300 on average, with a broader installation range of about $2,800 to $7,100. Your enclosure condition, labor rates and equipment choice move the total.

Can any shower be turned into a steam shower?

Most can, but the enclosure must be sealed. You need a fully waterproofed space, a door that closes tightly and a ceiling that does not drip. Open-top or curtain-only showers usually need rebuilding first.

Do I need an electrician for a steam shower?

Yes. A steam generator needs its own circuit sized to the model, and a licensed electrician should install it to local code and the manufacturer manual.

How big a steam generator do I need?

It depends on the volume of the shower in adjusted cubic feet. For example, our ThermaSol Pro Series I is rated for 241 to 395 adjusted cubic feet. Use a size calculator and confirm with the manufacturer.

How far can the generator be from the shower?

The ThermaSol Pro Series I can be installed up to 50 feet from the shower. Check the manual for the model you choose, since steam line limits can differ.

Is a steam shower expensive to run?

One home-cost guide estimates about $0.50 to $1 in utilities per 20 to 30 minute session. Your electricity rate and generator size will change the figure.

Is a steam shower worth the money?

For frequent users who plan to stay in the home, often yes. The generator alone runs from $3,799.97 to $8,299.79 for ThermaSol Pro Series II and III, before plumbing, electrical and enclosure work.

Written by Logan McClure, founder of Restore Suite. Every guide is researched using peer-reviewed studies, recognized medical sources, and manufacturer specifications. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Learn about our editorial standards or contact our team.