Frequently Asked Questions
How does a steam shower work?
A steam shower is a sealed glass enclosure with a built-in electric steam generator. When you start steam mode on the control panel, the generator heats water into steam and feeds it into the cabin, saturating the air. You set the temperature on the panel: Ariel Platinum controls adjust from 68°F to 122°F (default 104°F), and Mesa's manuals list settings up to 140°F (60°C). With steam off, the same unit works as a normal shower.
How is a steam shower different from a sauna?
A steam shower fills a sealed glass cabin with steam from a built-in generator, so the air is saturated at a comparatively low temperature: Ariel Platinum controls top out at 122°F and Mesa's at 140°F. A traditional sauna heats a wood room with a sauna heater to higher air temperatures at low humidity, with bursts of steam from water poured on the stones. A steam shower installs in a bathroom on its water supply and drain and doubles as a regular shower; a sauna is its own room or cabin.
What dimensions do I need for a steam shower?
Measure the floor footprint, the ceiling height and the route into the bathroom. In this collection, corner units measure 35"–47" along each wall, rectangular walk-ins run 45"–59" wide by 32"–35" deep, and tub combos run from 48" x 48" (Mesa WS-609) to 66" x 66" (Mesa WS-701A), or 67" x 35" for the Mesa 807A. Units stand 85"–89" tall, and most product pages add 2" for the ventilation exhaust pipe. Exact dimensions are on each product page, and the spec sheet shows where the plumbing and power connections sit.
Should I choose a corner or a rectangular steam shower?
Choose by the walls you have. A corner steam shower has a square footprint (35"–47" per side here) with a curved or angled glass front and fits into a 90-degree wall corner, which makes it the most compact option. A rectangular walk-in has a straight back wall and sits against a flat wall or in an alcove, with a wider interior; the Ariel Platinum DZ972F8, for example, is sized for a standard 60" x 32" bathtub space.
Should I choose a walk-in steam shower or a steam shower tub combo?
Choose a walk-in if you want a smaller footprint and a step-in shower; choose a tub combo if you also want a jetted bath inside the same enclosure. Combos are larger (48" x 48" to 66" x 66" in this collection) and heavier (the Mesa WS-701A lists 801 lb), and they add a tub pump: Mesa's tub-combo spec sheets call for two dedicated circuits rather than one. Some combos are sized to replace a standard bathtub, such as the Mesa WS-905 at 60" x 33".
Do I need a left-hand or right-hand steam shower?
It depends on which wall your water supply, drain and power are on. The Mesa WS-802L and WS-905 and the Ariel Platinum DZ959F8 and DZ961F8 are sold as separate left and right versions, and the Mesa WS-803L is reversible. Each version's spec sheet shows where the controls, plumbing and door sit; compare it with your bathroom before ordering.
Is the steam generator included with a steam shower?
Yes. Every steam shower in this collection has the steam generator and its control panel built in, so you don't buy or install a separate generator. Mesa uses a 3kW generator on every current model except the WS-701A (listed at 4kW) and rates it for cabins up to 75 cubic feet. Ariel Platinum uses 6kW on seven of its eight models; the DZ934F3 uses 3kW.
What voltage and breaker does a steam shower need?
Every steam shower in this collection is listed at 220V on its product page; the Ariel Platinum DA333F8 is listed at 110/220V, with a 110V whirlpool. Breaker size, conductor size and circuit configuration must be taken from the installation manual for the specific model. Two units with the same kW rating can have different requirements, and Mesa's tub-combo spec sheets call for two dedicated circuits rather than one. The manuals also specify ground-fault or leakage protection. A licensed electrician should install the circuit; the installation guide and spec sheet are linked on each product page.
What plumbing connections does a steam shower need?
A hot and a cold water supply plus a drain. The Mesa and Ariel Platinum spec sheets list 1/2" hot and cold connections. The supply positions and the water-pressure requirement are given in each model's installation manual and spec sheet. A licensed plumber should make the connections to local plumbing code; if you're replacing an existing shower, the supply and drain may already be close to the right location.
What drain does a steam shower need?
A drain connection sized to the model's spec sheet. Mesa spec sheets list a 1-1/2" drain intake, and Mesa includes a pre-cut drain with a 1-1/2" flexible drain hose so the connection point can be adapted. The Ariel Platinum DZ959F8, DZ961F8 and DZ963F8 spec sheets list a 2" drain intake with a 1-1/2" flexible hose. Check the drain location on the model's spec sheet and follow local plumbing code.
Do I need to waterproof the walls around a steam shower?
These units are self-contained enclosures, so they do not require the same custom steam-room waterproofing system as a site-built tiled steam room. That does not mean the room can be ignored. Follow the installation manual, local plumbing and electrical code, and the floor and subfloor requirements: a level floor that can carry the unit's weight, with water-resistant flooring around it. The manuals also recommend a bathroom exhaust fan to clear humidity after sessions.
Does a steam shower require professional installation?
Yes, for the connections. Mesa's installation manuals direct that the plumbing and circuit be installed by a qualified professional, Ariel Platinum's manuals direct the electrical work to a qualified electrician, and Mesa states that its warranty requires installation by a licensed plumber and electrician. The enclosure itself is assembled in the bathroom: Mesa lists adult assembly as required, and Ariel Platinum's manuals show a two-person assembly.
What arrives with a steam shower?
The complete enclosure, packed as components for assembly in the bathroom: base tray, glass panels and door, roof, the built-in steam generator and control panel, the shower fixtures, mounting hardware and the installation guide. Mesa includes a pre-cut drain and flexible drain hose. The Mesa 9090, for example, ships in three packages: glass panels and doors, base tray and roof, and the post and steam pipe. The feature list on each product page shows extras such as seats or stools.
How is a steam shower delivered?
Steam showers ship free within the contiguous U.S. unless the product page says otherwise. Units this size normally travel by curbside freight: the carrier books a delivery appointment, an adult signs the Bill of Lading, and you move the packages from the curb into the house. The estimated delivery time is on each product page. Alaska, Hawaii, other U.S. islands and Canada are quoted separately. Don't book installation labor until the unit has arrived and been inspected.
What warranty applies to a steam shower?
The manufacturer's warranty applies, subject to its terms. Mesa lists a 7-year structural warranty against manufacturer defects and a 1-year warranty on steam shower parts for residential use, and states that the unit must be installed by a licensed plumber and electrician for the warranty to stay valid. Ariel Bath covers Ariel Platinum steam showers with a limited warranty for the original owner and residential use; the DZ962F8 manual, for example, states a 1-year term. Topture helps with troubleshooting and warranty coordination.
What brands of steam shower does Topture carry?
Topture is an authorized retailer for Mesa and Ariel Platinum. Mesa's lineup uses a 3kW generator on every current model except the WS-701A (4kW), with tempered clear or blue glass, a rainfall head and handheld shower, body jets, ozone sterilization and blue mood lighting. Ariel Platinum, a line from Ariel Bath, uses a 6kW generator on seven of its eight models, with LCD computer control panels, aromatherapy and LED chromotherapy on every model, and wood floors on most.
How long does a steam session last?
You set it on the timer. Ariel Platinum controls run 5 to 50 minutes with a 30-minute default, and most Mesa models default to 45 minutes. Many models, including the Ariel Platinum F8 control panel and several Mesa units, also shut the unit off automatically after 60 minutes. Check the control-panel section of the model's manual for its exact range.
Can I use aromatherapy and chromotherapy lighting in a steam shower?
On Ariel Platinum, yes: every model lists an aromatherapy system and LED chromotherapy lighting. Most Mesa models use blue mood lighting and ozone sterilization instead, and aromatherapy is listed on the Mesa WS-803L and WS-905. The feature list on the product page is the definitive list for each model.
How do I maintain a steam shower?
Let the cabin dry after each session by leaving the door open and running the fan, and wipe the glass and surfaces with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. The manuals warn against strong chemicals and hard or sharp tools. Descale the steam generator on the schedule in its manual. Mesa's WS-609 manual, for example, recommends cleaning the steam generator every 3 months, especially in hard-water areas, using a diluted citric-acid solution. Ariel Platinum manuals describe a built-in cleaning function for the same job.