The steam shower market can be rather confusing especially when only researched from the internet where much emphasis is placed on stark data such as price, features and gimmicks that tell us nothing about a product’s quality, durability or operational effectiveness.
Price & Quality
We can also purchase steam showers that look very similar to ours for a quarter of the price we pay for our Luyisi and Potter models. Since we sell direct we would be able to sell these models at the same low prices on offer elsewhere. However we choose not to sell this type of product because of the inevitable poor quality and believe that they offer the customer a false economy. It’s only possible to manufacture steam showers so cheaply if compromises are made on the quality of build and the materials and components used.
Cutting Costs
There are literally hundreds of ways to cut costs when manufacturing a complex item such as a steam shower enclosure and pretty much all of them are used in varying combinations in many of the models currently on the market today. Most of these are almost impossible to spot by looking at pictures alone.
Below we touch upon just a few of them; however we believe the best defence against buying a poor quality steam shower is to view it in person before parting with any money. We have seen hundreds of steam showers in person and normally you can tell the quality the moment you touch/feel it and stand inside the cabin.
With this in mind you we welcome you to visit us and view our range of steam showers at our showroom in Chobham Surrey.
Build Quality
Build quality is something that is very difficult to convey in pictures and yet is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a steam shower. A steam shower built with a flimsy framework and tray will move, flex and creak the moment you stand in it. Trays will often crack over time and the units will start to leak as the silicone that holds it all together starts to degrade.
Frames
Steam showers are normally freestanding units which are in effect self contained rooms and therefore need to very sturdy. Many currently on the market have a very thin metal or in some cases plastic framework and are naturally very unstable.
All of our models are constructed with substantial, heavy-duty aluminium frames for superb stability. You will probably notice that the columns and framework on our models are visibly wider than on most other comparable products.
Tubs and Trays
The tray is a very important part of the structure as a flimsy base tray will flex under load and will inevitably weaken and crack over time.
All of our baths and trays are built using 5-ply re-enforced acrylic constructed over a heavy duty, powder-coated steel box metal framework which prevents it from flexing.
Acrylic Panels
Many steam showers on the market have acrylic back walls supplied in multiple sectional pieces. Due to the reduced packing size this saves a great deal in freight and delivery costs but also significantly undermines stability and structure which will inevitably cause the unit to flex and creak. Units made in this way also often have to be glued back together with Silicone to regain some of the lost strength.
All of the back walls of our acrylic backed stock range are made from one single piece of tough 5-ply re-enforced acrylic for strength and stability. The only exception to this is the Rimini which due to its larger size requires two panels.
Silicone Free
Many steam showers on the market require the liberal use of silicone sealer during assembly. Often it is required to re-enforce poor build quality and to seal the unit. In many cases these models need to be glued together and then to the base tray with silicone. Inevitably this silicone will deteriorate and discolour over time and can harbour various moulds and fungal growths.
All of our models are sturdy enough to not require silicone they are self sealing and are constructed within the confines of a specially designed base tray. These trays have a lip all the way round the unit that prevents any water from escaping and removes the need to use unsightly silicone sealer. There is also no need to silicone the back panel to the aluminium side columns due to a channel incorporated into the design which prevents any water from escaping the confines of the tray.
Glass
To save on costs many manufacturers use cheaper 4-5mm tempered glass. Recently however the thickness of the glass has increasingly been touted as a mark of quality, as it’s something that can be easily compared with other models on the market and can look impressive when listed in the specifications. Subsequently even some very poorly constructed models are now being manufactured with 6mm or even 8mm glass although this glass is often very poor quality.
All of our models are constructed with 6mm heavy-duty, tempered safety glass.
Fixtures and Fittings
Faucets/Diverter valves
All faucets may look the same at a glance but on closer inspection they can be very different indeed. They can be made of various materials including plastic, brass and stainless steel or combinations of all three. The quality of the materials used will make a huge difference to its service life. The action should be smooth and solid with no loose play. It’s also important to make sure that the graphics are not painted on as painted symbols will most likely rub off within a few weeks of use.
All of our faucets are thermostatically controlled cast solid brass units with chromed stainless steel controls. All our valves have ceramic cores for superb durability. The symbols are all etched into the metal and won’t rub off. They have a smooth operation and are well engineered with no lateral movement.
Door handles, Jets, Shower heads and all the rest
Everything down to the smallest screw can be purchased more cheaply if you are prepared to compromise on quality. This applies to all the components that go together to make a steam shower. Whether this is pipe fittings, door rollers or shower heads compromises can be made almost anywhere. For example; door handles are a simple enough item but again plastic is cheaper and is therefore often used to save money. After all chromed plastic looks very much the same as chromed stainless steel in a photograph.
The door handles on all our models are made using chromed stainless steel and all the fixtures and fittings are designed and built for a long service life not just to be supplied as cheaply as possible.
Steam generator & control circuit
A good quality and reliable electrical control circuit and steam generator is essential for a long and trouble free service life. Many manufacturer’s are now producing overly complex control circuits with a variety of gizmo’s and gimmicks that are poorly suited for use in steam showers. Technology such as television’s and telephone’s etc. are notoriously unreliable in a steam environment. These are often added to look good on the specification list often at the expense of more practical features and higher quality components.
Practical & Reliable
All of our Luyisi and Potter steam rooms share the same control circuit and steam generator which has been tried and tested over many years of production and has proved to be both safe and reliable. The main computer also features an additional redundant CPU (computer processing unit) which ensures superb reliability.
Most other models do not have this built in redundancy due to the extra cost.
Unbranded Steam Showers
The market has recently been flooded with unbranded steam showers for which parts can be impossible to source. Some importers will put their own brand on a unit which also hides the true identity of the manufacturer. We get numerous requests each week for parts for unidentifiable steam showers. In these uncertain times it is essential that you have a route direct to the manufacturer should your supplier cease trading.
Quality Brand
We only supply quality branded units sourced from a single manufacturer that has been established for over sixteen years. All of our showers carry the Potter or Luyisi brand which means that you will always be able to obtain spares for your shower. Luyisi and Potter steam showers are sold throughout the world and are all rigorously tested prior to dispatch. They are manufactured to numerous international standards including, ISO 9001:2000, ANAB, ROHS, EWC and CE.
It’s also comforting to know that when you buy a Luyisi or Potter shower you are purchasing from a manufacturer that’s proud to associate their name and reputation to the products they supply. After all not many of us would buy any other major appliance like a television, refrigerator or washing machine from an unknown source.
Display Models
The steam shower market has expanded rapidly over the last few years. We have seen many Companies come and go but there are still relatively few that have the infrastructure in place to stock and display their showers.
Whether or not it’s possible for you to travel to view a steam shower before purchase it’s still comforting to know that the supplier is offering a model that they are proud to show off. Steam showers sold just via pictures over the internet do not necessarily need to hold up to the close scrutiny that comes with a personal inspection. Many Steam showers are built almost entirely to be sold through web and auction sites and are consequently very poor quality.
Showroom
We at Eden Steam Showers display all types of the models we sell at our showroom in Chobham Surrey and always advise and welcome viewings whenever possible. We are also happy to send additional photographs of our display models upon request.
