How to Choose Tile for a Steam Shower
In steamy quarters, tile needs to stand up to all that water and vapor in style. Here's how to get it right the first time
Steam is much more invasive than water, so a steam shower requires more care to construct than the average shower. There is much more to the equation than simply adding a steam generator and control pad. Building a steam shower requires a new and complete system — from the drain to the ceilings to the type of tile chosen — that works and performs as one.
Some cities have no specific building code for steam showers, no special inspections on vapor management and no safety net for the end user. Working with a skilled shower builder and following the recommendations from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) or the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) will help ensure that the steam shower gives you long years of service. Building a steam shower with regular construction techniques can actually affect a family’s home and health.
Picking tile is an important part of this process. Follow these 10 tips to help make your steam shower safe, beautiful and functional.
Some cities have no specific building code for steam showers, no special inspections on vapor management and no safety net for the end user. Working with a skilled shower builder and following the recommendations from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) or the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) will help ensure that the steam shower gives you long years of service. Building a steam shower with regular construction techniques can actually affect a family’s home and health.
Picking tile is an important part of this process. Follow these 10 tips to help make your steam shower safe, beautiful and functional.
If your steam shower has lighting like this ThermaSol Pro Series, a lighter tile color will cast and reflect more light. The end result is quite amazing and very relaxing. This light system also has sound and connects via Bluetooth to any mobile device.
Tip: Plan for service access through rainheads or fan locations for a more concealed look in your finished steam shower. You don’t want to cut into your ceiling years down the road to change a lightbulb.
Tip: Plan for service access through rainheads or fan locations for a more concealed look in your finished steam shower. You don’t want to cut into your ceiling years down the road to change a lightbulb.
This his-and-hers steam shower is a wonderful retreat. If space allows, plan an oversize bench so you can sit down and relax in style.
Solid stone or composite stone is generally the most comfortable option to sit or lie on. Choosing this first might help you narrow down your tile selection.
Tip: Many of these tile choices require a special setting material, such as tile cement or mortar, so make sure your steam shower is designed with this in mind.
Solid stone or composite stone is generally the most comfortable option to sit or lie on. Choosing this first might help you narrow down your tile selection.
Tip: Many of these tile choices require a special setting material, such as tile cement or mortar, so make sure your steam shower is designed with this in mind.
This large-format porcelain tile offers great traction underfoot, but not all porcelain tiles do. Look for a tile with a good slip resistance rating (A or B is best). Keep in mind that tile with traction is harder to clean, so darker tile will look cleaner for longer.
Tip: If you're planning this shower for someone with impaired vision, do not incorporate inlays or accent tile into the floor — these can look like steps and lead to a fall.
Tip: If you're planning this shower for someone with impaired vision, do not incorporate inlays or accent tile into the floor — these can look like steps and lead to a fall.
Curved ceilings require smaller tile. This steam shower is one of my favorites on Houzz. I love the glass panel, slab bench and curved ceiling.
Remember that shower floors need to be presloped before waterproofing to ensure that any moisture that gets under the tile can drain. Before tiling starts, this need to be checked with a flood or leak test.
Tip: Ask your builder for a 72-hour flood test. You'll get a lot more attention to detail from your tile crew if they know their work will be checked for a period of 72 hours versus 15 minutes.
Remember that shower floors need to be presloped before waterproofing to ensure that any moisture that gets under the tile can drain. Before tiling starts, this need to be checked with a flood or leak test.
Tip: Ask your builder for a 72-hour flood test. You'll get a lot more attention to detail from your tile crew if they know their work will be checked for a period of 72 hours versus 15 minutes.
This porcelain tile offers up all the style of marble without the risk of mineral deposits ruining the finished look. Porcelain tile is also stronger than natural stone and can be a considered if wall-hung, fold-down benches will be used.
Tip: Plan the layout your benches so that you won’t sit right beside the steam head in your shower.
Tip: Plan the layout your benches so that you won’t sit right beside the steam head in your shower.
This white porcelain tile is one of my favorite choices for a steam shower. Using a simple and practical tile such as this can stretch your budget and allow you to afford nicer shower fixtures or another feature.
Tip: It’s very easy to find great deals on small lots of tile — use a white tile as a base, and you can splurge on accent tile somewhere else in the steamer or the bathroom.
Tip: It’s very easy to find great deals on small lots of tile — use a white tile as a base, and you can splurge on accent tile somewhere else in the steamer or the bathroom.
Natural stone shouldn’t be your first choice in a steam shower, but the look and feel of stone is so appealing that it can be hard to pass up.
Do your homework and only buy your stone from suppliers with long histories with their exporter. The installation of slabs in a steam shower is very tricky and best left to the pros.
Find quality stone suppliers
Tip: Make sure your drain line is sized properly if the shower is going to have multiple showerheads. A 2-inch drain usually isn’t enough for more than one showerhead.
Do your homework and only buy your stone from suppliers with long histories with their exporter. The installation of slabs in a steam shower is very tricky and best left to the pros.
Find quality stone suppliers
Tip: Make sure your drain line is sized properly if the shower is going to have multiple showerheads. A 2-inch drain usually isn’t enough for more than one showerhead.
A small glass tile in a solid color like this is a smart-looking option. Avoid clear glass tiles that might look fogged up if water gets trapped behind them.
It is up to the manufacturer of any glass tile to recommend the proper setting materials for installation. This is an industry guideline and promoted by the TCNA.
Tip: When working on a shower floor or steam shower project, avoid tile with a mesh backer on it. Most are not rated for submerged use and can be a risky option.
It is up to the manufacturer of any glass tile to recommend the proper setting materials for installation. This is an industry guideline and promoted by the TCNA.
Tip: When working on a shower floor or steam shower project, avoid tile with a mesh backer on it. Most are not rated for submerged use and can be a risky option.
Ceiling tile in steam showers should be tipped at two inches per foot (or more) to prevent water from dripping on the users.
Tip: If you decide to have flat ceilings, keep a squeegee in your shower for knocking off the water droplets hanging from the ceiling.
What kind of tile do you have in your steam shower? Let us know in the Comments!
More:
Top 10 Tips for Choosing Shower Tile
Accent Tile Stands Out in the Shower
What to Use for the Shower Floor
Tip: If you decide to have flat ceilings, keep a squeegee in your shower for knocking off the water droplets hanging from the ceiling.
What kind of tile do you have in your steam shower? Let us know in the Comments!
More:
Top 10 Tips for Choosing Shower Tile
Accent Tile Stands Out in the Shower
What to Use for the Shower Floor
There's lots of heat and moisture in any steam shower, of course, and small tile in these world-class hammams may help with expansion and contraction.
Tip: Look for a paper- or film-faced glass tile. This will allow you to get at least 95 percent contact from the tile to the setting material on the back side of the tile.