A restroom was once simply a “water closet,” and more recently primary bathrooms have taken on home spa vibes with soaker tubs, glass enclosed wet rooms, marble tiles, heated floors and more. However, this room is now taking on yet another role in some homes: a health and wellness space. With the popularity of home gyms and a culture increasingly aware of health issues, it is no surprise that at-home wellness solutions are moving into the mainstream.

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Glass Enclosed Steam Shower

 

Steam showers offer a number of benefits, and they are easier to incorporate into a bathroom than some of the other wellness installations. As a WebMD article points out, steam room perks can include helping with congestion, promoting relaxation, recovering from exercise, bringing blood pressure down, and more. For many homeowners, a steam room takes the form of a steam shower which doubles as a health space and a shower area.

Besides the normal shower components, a steam shower has a steam generator and closes up completely with no space between the top of the shower glass and the ceiling. Steam enclosures are generally frameless, with glass held in place by clamps, silicone joints, and hinges. Steam units also include a transom that can be fixed or mounted on operable hinges so that it can be opened to release some steam. Inside the enclosure, it’s crucial that all surfaces be covered by a moisture-resistant material like stone or tile.

 

Cold Plunge Tubs for Bathrooms

 

While taking a hot shower in your steam enclosure is warm and cozy, dipping into an ice bath is anything but. All the same, as a January 2024 Mayo Clinic piece points out, the practice of taking a cold plunge “may have a positive effect on recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and soreness. It also may help build resiliency, restore balance to the nervous system and improve cognitive function and mood.” Of course, you want to be able to warm up after your dip into icy water, so you might want to partner this addition to your bathroom with some other upgrades like:

• Heated floors
• Glass wall shelf on metal clamps loaded with plush towels
• Cozy robes hanging on robe hooks installed on your shower glass
• A gas fireplace

 

Home Saunas

 

Sticking with the theme of being warm, saunas are also finding their way into homes and ensuite bathrooms. A Mayo Clinic Proceedings article notes that, “Emerging evidence suggests that beyond its use for pleasure, sauna bathing may be linked to several health benefits, which include reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive diseases; nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases; mortality; as well as amelioration of conditions such as arthritis, headache, and flu.” At home saunas can be finished off with glass doors, similar to those used on shower enclosures. Clear doors allow the sauna’s interior to remain visible and contribute to the space’s overall design scheme. You can choose a glass style and hardware style and finish to match those on your glass shower enclosure for a unified look.

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Do you need frameless glass shower hardware, vinyl seals, shelf clamps, or cabinet hardware for your bathroom wellness space? Peruse the user-friendly Glass Simple site or give us a call at (571)707-7760!