Shower shower and shower stall news
Whether you're updating the half bathroom for your family or selling your home and looking to make some extra revenue. Bathroom remodeling is a sure way to add stylishness and worth to your home. The bathrooms in a house are a influential factor of whether or not a house sells, buyer have specific wants and needs when it comes to the bathroom and kitchen studies have shown. Bathroom remodeling can be costly so buyers by and large are looking for bathrooms that already meet their expectations.
An easy way to add value to your house is to convert half bathrooms into a fully functional bathroom. This can be effortlessly done by installing a small shower stall or steam shower enclosure. Neo-angle showers and corner shower stalls are a great way to save space in a small bathroom while adding that revolutionary style you've always been looking for. Steam shower stalls can be inexpensive and add sophistication and function to your bathroom with features such as a steam generator, back massage, foot massage, sound system and much more. Homes with steam shower stalls installed have been reported to sell in half the time as homes with typical shower enclosures.
Another speedy way to add value to your home through an already existing shower is installing a contemporary shower panel. These shower panels transform typical showers into luxury shower stalls. They come in a variety of styles and have options such as digital temperature display and adjustable massage jets. These shower panels are very economical ranging from $300 - $600 and can drastically increase worth of your home.
Master bathrooms are the most vital bathroom in the house. This should be the nicest , most up to date bathroom in the your home. A modern master baths is more like home spas with the addition of massage bathtubs and steam showers. Remodeling your master bathroom is a sure way to increase the charisma and value of your home. When planning your master bathroom renovations keep in mind buyers are looking for a large shower for two with a built-in or external bathtub. Large 2 person steam baths are an economical way to fill this demand. They also have many extra features that really grab buyer's consideration. Updating your old bathroom fixtures is another way to increase the appeal of your bathroom. When planning your renovation decide what type of theme you are going with. There are many bathroom vanities that come in many styles and materials ranging from glass to exotic woods. It is important to match your vanity with the rest of the bathroom fixtures, for example you wouldn’t want to have and old fashion marble vanity with a modern computerized steam shower.
Flooring is another very significant part of bathroom remodeling. There are many options to choose from such as linoleum, tile, and hardwood floors. Tile is a favorite among buyers. It ranges in price from $1 per square foot up to $20+ per square foot. Linoleum is another option and is less expensive; however it isn't as durable and isn't as impressive. Depending on what bathroom fixtures you have installed you should match the floor. If you have installed an economical acrylic steam shower you can get away with installing a cheaper linoleum floor and it will look great. However if you have choose a high end glass shower we recommend tile or hardwood floor with a protective covering. This adds visual appeal and durability to the bathroom, and is something many people haven’t seen in a bathroom. Making your bathroom stand out from the crowd is the easiest way to sell your home.
What Makes Ariel Steam Showers Better than Competing Brands?
The first and one of the most important reasons Ariel steam showers are better than other showers on the market is because they are ETL certified. ETL/CSA certification is an electrical certification that is accepted in the United States and Canada. These showers can be installed anywhere in North America and are tested to be safe for daily home use. Many of the other steam showers that are imported and are not tested for safety, your build inspector may also make you remove the shower which can be costly because it is not certified.
Another reason customers choose Ariel over other brands of showers is because they come with a 5 year warranty. Other steam shower companies only offer a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty which is basically useless unless you know who manufactures the unit. Parts can take up to 3 months for delivery with these companies.
Ariel steam showers are easy to install. Each piece of glass is surrounded in a metal frame making the Ariel Platinum line of steam showers the easiest to install. A typical installation takes about 2-3 hours to have your shower completely assembled and hooked up to water and electrical.
We are a stocking dealer all showers are in stock and ready to ship in within 3 business days of your purchase. Many showers ship within 24 hours. Other shower companies do not stock showers and have them shipped from the manufacturer taking up to 12 weeks for delivery.
Steam Showers the New Spin on the Shower Stall
Throughout history almost every major civilization had its own version of the steam room. Finland had its saunas, Europeans had their Turkish baths, and even the Aztecs had their own version called the Tamazcal. The benefits of steam therapy can cure everything from chronic pain to asthma.
Custom steam shower enclosures have become popular in recent years. Companies such as Kohler have come out with spa like shower systems that can be installed in your home shower enclosure. These systems are usually controlled through a touch screen control panel giving you access to such features as; water massage jets, music and entertainment systems as well as a steam generator. These modern shower enclosures can easily cost $25K-$40K. The health benefits that can be achieve with one of these systems is well worth the price but may be out of reach of many middle class Americans.
Fortunately there are several new modular steam showers on the market that cost a fraction of the price of one of these high cost custom shower enclosures. These modular steam showers are easy to install and save thousands on labor costs. They also offer many additional features not found in custom shower enclosures. Such as a built-in telephone, answer the telephone with the push of a button from within your shower. The majority of these models also come with ozone sterilization. This sterilizes and cleans the inside of the shower killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Many models are equipped with chromo therapy lighting, overhead rainfall showers, and hand held shower wands. These Modular showers cost between $2000-and $12,000.
Modular steam showers are perfect for any bathroom design. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to fit any bathroom
. There are traditional styles as well as more contemporary showers. These modular steam showers are also easy to install and save thousands in tile work and plumbing. Steam showers are the most economic way to get the health benefits from steam therapy. They also add value to your home. Installing a steam shower not only improves the quality of your bathroom but your quality of life.
Buyers Guide to Steam Shower Stalls
Before buying a steam shower stall there are many things to take into consideration. There are literally thousands of steam shower manufacturers however only a few are worth buying. They key to a good steam shower is the quality of the materials that it is constructed of. Here are a few tips to keep you on the track to owning a quality steam shower enclosure.
Steam Shower Frames
The supporting beams of a steam shower are typically made of aluminum. Aluminum is widely used because of it strength and light weight. The bathtub and shower trays that make up the bottom of many steam showers are typically constructed of a stainless steal frame. It is important that steam showers have both a sturdy base and strong supporting beams. This is a must when shopping for a steam shower. Beware of cheaper models that have plastic supports, these don’t have nearly the strength of aluminum and the finish can be scratched off easily.
The tempered glass in steam showers should be at least 5mm thick. Most steam showers have 6mm glass this is something you should ask about before purchasing the shower. Thinner glass has a much higher risk of breaking.
Shower doors
are another vital part to your steam shower. The seal around the door is very important if the seal isn’t tight enough to much steam escapes making the unit inefficient.
220 Vs 110
There are some companies that will claim that steam showers run better of 220 volts. This is somewhat true but we have found a way to get the best of both worlds. Steam showers were originally produced for European and Asian countries which run of a 220v power source. However American homes run on 110v power. All of our steam showers have a built in power amplifier which converts your 110v to 220v give your steam generator the power it needs while keeping the unit more efficient. This also saves money when it comes to installing you steam shower.
Stock
There are a lot of websites’ and eBay sellers that don’t have inventories. After you buy the product from them they have it manufactured and shipped taking anywhere from 2-3 months to get your shower. Many of the showers arrive broken because of poor shipping precautions. This seems great if you have the time to wait, however if something goes wrong with your shower it could be months before you have a replacement part. These companies often have little to no technical support if it seems too good to be true it usually is.
Warranty
Steam showers primarily come with a one year warranty on electrical parts and a one year warranty on the shell or acrylic pieces. This is a manufactures warranty. The warranty a company offers some insight to the quality of a steam shower. If they offer a warranty that is longer than the manufactures warranty it is a good indicator that the steam shower is a quality unit.
Certifications
There are many Safety certifications such as ETL, CE, UL, and ISO-9001. Depending on where you live your building inspector may require your steam shower to have certain certifications. ETL certification however is universally accepted in the United States and Canada. It is important to check with your building inspector before purchasing a steam shower that isn’t ETL certified; this can save you from having to return the shower which can be expensive and hold up construction.
Common Brand Names
WMK
WMK is a well known steam shower manufacturer. They have a contemporary look to them with their signature blue tinted glass. Their two most popular models are the A-12 and Apollo steam shower. WMK steam showers and bathtubs are ETL certified which means they comply with electrical standards all over the United States and Canada.
Ameristeam
Ameristeam steam showers are also ETL certified. Their traditional look and high quality materials make them a favorite among hotels and condo developers. The Ameristeam P-219 is their most popular unit offering a bench with offers comfortable seating for two similar to commercial steam rooms.
Royal
Ariell steam showers are best known for their modern styling and innovative features. They have both a full line of bathtubs and steam showers. Their bathtubs and large combination steam shower units are equipped with air massage pumps along with the traditional water massage jets. Their chromo therapy and ozone sterilization are features found in all Royal units. Their unique styling sets them apart from other steam shower brands they have their own distinctive look. Royal showers will be ETL certified by November of 2007.
Ariel
Ariel steam showers are very popular for their affordable prices and quality craftsmanship. Ariel also has a line of massage bathtubs. Their futuristic look and air massage makes them perfect for any bathroom remodeling project.
We are dedicated to customer service. Our cordial, knowledgeable staff is here every day of the week to help you with the purchase of a new shower or any questions you may have on your existing shower.
We also have a wide selection of parts available for Ariel shower stalls. Unlike other companies if a warranty problem arises we will have your replacement part shipped to you within two weeks of the initial problem date.
The overall looks of the Ariel line of steam showers is what makes them so popular. They have a futuristic clean style that allows them to be installed in almost any bathroom. They also have a wide selection of models including corner shower stalls, alcove showers and fiberglass shower stalls.
We offer quick shipping times. Typically a shower will be delivered in 7-10 business days.