Exuberant Pampering … Or Essential Luxury?
Home Steam Rooms And Saunas Become Part Of Today's Total Environment Trend

(HIT) - Looking for a retreat from fast-paced lifestyles and uncertain times? Many consumers are turning their homes into luxury living areas with customized amenities. And perhaps nowhere else in the house is this trend more prevalent than in the bathroom. Once boring and functional, bathrooms are now a central focus in the trend toward healthy living and homeowner’s desires for a day spa experience right in their own homes.

"With an emphasis on healthy living and a desire for pampering, more and more consumers are looking for ways to create the day spa experience right in their own home," explains Jim Finazzo, President of VJS Marketing, a manufacturer’s representative in St. Louis for Sussman Lifestyle Group, a leading U.S. manufacturer and supplier of luxury saunas, steam bath generators, and towel warmers.

According to Finazzo, he has seen tremendous growth of steam rooms and sauna products in home remodeling projects in the Mid Western states where his firm sells SLG products. "With easy-to-install steam rooms and pre-built sauna products, such as Sussman Lifestyle’s MrSteam® steam generators and the Allegro™ line of furniture style saunas, it is easier than ever for consumers to consider bathroom or exercise room remodels that include a steam room and sauna."

Another aspect driving the trend toward steam room and sauna purchases may be the potential health benefits. With the plethora of published health studies, articles, and books by renowned physicians explaining the health benefits of steam and sauna, more people are becoming aware of how these potential benefits might impact their quality of life. In fact, many in the medical community suggest that steam and sauna can help clear sinuses and nasal passages; relieve symptoms of common respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis; and relieve tired, stressed muscles from exercise and exertion.

"As distributors of fitness equipment since 1971, we’ve noticed a metamorphosis in the way people think of their health and homes," said Dan Fry, President of General Recreation (GRC), one of Georgia’s premier health and fitness dealers. "Today, health conscious consumers are designing customized full-service exercise rooms and personal spas. With a growing demand for the revitalizing benefits of steam and sauna, everyone from consumers to contractors, builders and architects are now shopping for reliable and attractive steam systems and other ‘must-have’ amenities to incorporate into their home plans."

Steambathing takes place in an enclosure, such as a shower, that has been made watertight. A steam generator—installed in almost any location in the home—provides warm, moist steam heat to the shower enclosure. Mr.Steam Systems are available with electronic in-shower time and temperature controls and an optional auto flush system with the enclosure.

Sauna bathing uses very dry heat within an insulated wooden sauna room dedicated for this activity. The heater is contained within the room, and time and temperature controls provide control over the interior environment of the sauna room. "In simple terms, steambathing is somewhat comparable to spending a hot high humidity August day in New Orleans, where as sauna bathing is more like spending time in a hot, dry desert environment," said Charles Monteverdi, president of Sussman Lifestyle Group.

Once a homeowner has decided to include steam or sauna in a home or bathroom remodeling project and has chosen the kind of heat relaxation experience they desire, it is easy enough to install either product. However, there are some logistics to consider, such as placement, sizing and material used.

"If you enjoy steam, you can basically put a steam room anywhere … you just need an enclosed or pre-fabricated shower of durable non-porous material and 240-volt wiring," says Fry. "A Mr.Steam steam generator is easily fitted inside a closet, cabinet or vanity, within 50 feet of the steam room. It’s installation-friendly and can be plumbed to tap into an existing hot water line in your home."

Mr.Steam has a full line of residential steam generators to match room size, construction materials, etc., for any remodeling job. Mr. Steam is available with electronic in-shower time and temperature controls, and an optional auto flush system that drains, and allows only fresh water to be used for the next steam bathing experience. The steam head has a reservoir which can even be filled with aromatherapy fragrances.

Fry notes that his fitness-conscious customers often install their sauna units where they exercise, whether it’s a basement, in-law suite, garage or upstairs loft space.

SLG’s modular Allegro Series saunas range in size from 52" L x 36" D x 78" H to 72" L x 44" D x 78" L. They are suitable for one or two people depending on the model selected. It is necessary to have a room space large enough to accommodate these dimensions. The Allegro series of saunas is constructed of high-grade wood, self-contained with large pieces such as ceiling panels, benches, supports, trimming and lighting pre-assembled. A sauna heater is premounted and standard with each room.

"Even though installation of our products is relatively easy, it is still necessary that consumers consult the licensed trade or other certified home specialist to do the installation," said Monteverdi.

"After relaxing in a steam bath or sauna, Sussman Lifestyle Group also offers a complete line of WarmaTowel® products," said Monteverdi. "Towel warmers are the perfect addition to the shower and spa areas, etc."

The Sussman Lifestyle Group has manufactured quality residential and commercial steam bath generators, sauna rooms and heaters for many years. SLG is best known for their Mr.Steam® and Mr.Sauna® brands, and their Allegro™ saunas and WarmaTowel® products. For more information call 1-800-76-STEAM on the East Coast or visit SLG’s website: www.mrsteam.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center