Steam shower enclosures · Northern Virginia
Steam Shower Glass Enclosures
A steam shower enclosure is glass that runs from the shower floor to the ceiling and seals the space, so the steam stays inside. We build full-height glass, with a transom at the top and seals around the door, measured after the tile and the ceiling are finished. We use tempered safety glass for our steam shower enclosures.
- Full-height glass
- Measured after the tile and the ceiling are finished
- Protective glass coating is a standard feature
A complete enclosure
Glass to the ceiling
A regular shower door stops short of the ceiling, and the gap at the top lets steam escape. A steam shower closes that gap. The glass runs all the way up, the ceiling is tiled, and the door and panels are sealed at the edges.
That's what makes a steam enclosure different from a standard shower enclosure:
Full-height glass
A transom
Seals
Heavier glass and hardware
It still works as a regular shower when the steam is off.
The finishing details
Door seals, glass and hardware
Steam finds every gap, so the enclosure is built to be close to vapor-tight. Clear seals run along the door edges and between panels, and a sweep at the bottom closes the gap at the curb.
Steam enclosures typically use 3/8 or 1/2 inch tempered glass. We choose the glass, hinges and door swing for the particular opening and system after measuring; there is no single specification for every enclosure.
Hardware comes in chrome, brushed nickel, matte black and brass finishes. Clear glass is the standard, with low-iron glass for a clearer edge. Protective glass coating is a standard feature on every shower enclosure we install.
Your installation
How American Screen & Glass installs steam shower glass
A mass-market enclosure is designed to fit many bathrooms. A custom steam enclosure is designed for yours. No opening is perfectly square, plumb or level, so we measure those conditions and build them into the glass rather than covering them with deep channels and extra silicone.
Measure.
We look at the plans or the space, talk through the transom, glass and hardware, and give you a free, itemized estimate. Our technicians take final measurements after the tile and ceiling are complete.Manufactured to the exact size.
Your tempered panels, door and transom are manufactured to the exact size of your opening.Install.
Our technicians set the panels, hang the door and transom, and fit the seals and sweep.Clean up.
We clean the glass, take away the packaging, and show you how to care for the protective coating.
Plan the room
Working with your steam contractor
We build the glass. The steam system and the room around it belong to your contractor. That includes:
The steam generator
The tiled ceiling
Waterproofing
The exhaust fan
Tile and backer board change the size of the opening, so our technicians take the final measurements after all the tile, including the ceiling, is finished. Book your consultation early in the remodel, and we'll time the final measure with your tile setter.
Our work
Steam shower glass projects
Your options
More shower glass
Custom shower enclosures
Glass planned around curbs, half walls and finished tile.
Frameless shower doors
Hinged glass doors with minimal hardware.
Sliding shower doors
Doors on rollers for rooms without swing space.
Bathtub glass enclosures
Sliding doors and fixed screens for tubs.
Shower door buying guide
Glass thickness, hardware and layouts, explained.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer fixed and tilting steam-shower transoms?
Yes. We offer fixed and operable, tilting transoms. We assess the enclosure, reach and ventilation plan with your contractor before recommending the arrangement.
Can you fit steam-shower glass to a sloped ceiling?
Yes. We can manufacture the glass to the ceiling angle. Final measurements are taken after the ceiling and tile are finished.
What thickness and door swing do you use?
Glass is typically 3/8 or 1/2 inch. The final glass specification and door swing depend on the opening, hardware system and project conditions.
How long does shower glass take after approval?
For most ordered materials, we typically receive them within 10–12 business days after approval, then call to arrange installation. We confirm the lead time for your chosen glass and hardware; material arrival is not the installation appointment.
What is a steam shower enclosure?
It's a shower closed off with glass from the floor to the ceiling, so steam stays inside. It has a transom at the top and seals around the door. A regular shower door leaves a gap at the top.
Does the glass have to go all the way to the ceiling?
Yes. Any gap between the glass and the ceiling lets the steam out. The glass runs to the tiled ceiling, with a transom closing the space above the door.
Does a steam shower door need to be sealed?
Yes. Clear seals run along the door edges and between panels, and a sweep closes the gap at the bottom. Without them, steam escapes and the shower won't hold heat.
Can a steam shower be used as a regular shower?
Yes. With the steam off, it works like any other shower.
Does a steam shower need an exhaust fan?
An exhaust fan in front of the transom helps clear moist air from the bathroom. The fan is part of the bathroom's ventilation, which your contractor plans and installs.
When do you measure for steam shower glass?
After all the tile and stone work is complete, including the ceiling. Tile and backer board change the size of the opening, and full-height glass has to fit it exactly.
How much does a steam shower enclosure cost?
The price comes down to the size and height of the opening, the glass thickness, the transom and the hardware. We give you a free, itemized estimate after we see the plans or the space.
Explore your options
Related services
Steam shower glass across Northern Virginia
American Screen & Glass has installed custom shower glass throughout Northern Virginia since 1993. We serve all of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Alexandria and parts of Prince William County.