Good steam head placement comes down to three rules that every manufacturer we checked agrees on: mount it low on the wall, point the steam away from people, and keep it well clear of the bench. The exact height varies by brand, from 6 inches (Kohler, SteamSpa) to 12 to 18 inches (Steamist) above the floor, so your generator’s manual is the one that counts. Here is what each guide says and where they differ.
Steam head placement: the short answer
Plan the head low on the wall farthest from the seat and away from the door path, with the control panel off the same vertical line. Low placement lets rising steam mix with room air instead of hitting the person on the bench, and the head itself gets hot enough to burn skin, so every guide treats contact as the main hazard.
Steam outlet height by manufacturer
Figures from each manufacturer’s installation documents, measured from the finished floor inside the shower.
| Manufacturer and document | Height above floor | Tub or shower combo | Other location rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohler steam generator installation guide | 6 in, and 4 1/2 in from the threshold | Not listed | Not near a seat or bench; control not directly above or in line with the head |
| Steamist SMP plumbing instructions | 12 to 18 in | 6 in above the tub rim | As far from the seating area and bather as possible |
| Mr. Steam steam head instructions | 6 to 12 in | 6 in above the tub top edge | Where incidental contact cannot occur; not aimed at door seals |
| SteamSpa generator user guide | 6 in, and 12 in from the wall | Not listed | Outlet faces down; avoid spots the bather can easily touch |
Sources: Kohler installation guide, Steamist SMP plumbing instructions, Mr. Steam steam head installation instructions, and the SteamSpa Steam Bath Generator Installation and User Guide (4.5 to 15 kW models).
For custom showers, Kohler recommends putting the steam head and steam control on the same wall as the plumbing controls.
Steam head location relative to the bench and the user
This is where the guides are most firm. Kohler warns, as a scald risk, not to block the steam head or locate it near a seat or bench, because the head is hot during operation. Steamist says to place it as far from the seating area as possible. Mr. Steam says to keep the steam emission zone away from any seat, bench or occupied space, and away from traffic patterns.
In a typical layout the bench goes on one end wall and the steam head goes low on the opposite end. Avoid the spot beside the door, and do not aim steam across the doorway: Mr. Steam says not to locate the head where direct steam would hit the door seals.
The orientation matters too. SteamSpa says the outlet should face down to keep steam and hot water from reaching the bather. Mr. Steam installs its round head with the oil well facing up.
Where the control panel goes
The control’s sensor needs to read the room, not the steam plume. Kohler says not to install the control directly above or in line with the steam head and places its control at 60 inches above the shower floor. SteamSpa puts its control 4 to 5 feet up, away from the steam head and its direct spray, and not below the shower head. Mr. Steam’s general guidelines place the control 4 to 5 feet above the floor near the bather seating area.
Steam line length and the generator location
The head location and the generator location are one decision, because the steam line between them has limits:
- Kohler: install the generator within 25 feet of the steam head, and below the level of the head for best performance.
- Steamist: 3/4 inch copper or brass pipe (1/2 inch acceptable but not preferred), insulate runs over 10 feet with insulation rated for at least 212 degrees F, and keep the total under 50 linear feet.
- SteamSpa: keep the generator less than 20 feet from the steam room, use 3/4 inch copper, and keep the run as short as possible with few elbows.
The brands also differ on slope. Steamist prefers the steam pipe pitched back toward the generator so condensation drains into it (toward the steam head is its second option). SteamSpa says to incline the pipe 1/4 inch toward the steam room. Both say no traps, no low spots and no shutoff valve in the steam line. Follow the manual for the generator you actually buy.
Acrylic, fiberglass and other surfaces
Direct steam can damage materials that are not heat resistant. Mr. Steam’s CU steam head sheet calls for 12 inches above the floor with its acrylic shield in tile or stone rooms, but 20 to 30 inches above the floor in acrylic or fiberglass enclosures. Mr. Steam and SteamSpa both say to ask the enclosure maker about acrylic or other non heat resistant materials.
Large rooms and more than one steam head
Large rooms often use more than one head. Mr. Steam’s linear steam head sheet calls for two linear heads on its MX4 to MX6 generators. SteamSpa’s larger kits ship with more than one head: the SteamSpa 12 kW Gold Self Drain kit ($2,799, rated to 430 cu ft) includes two gold steam heads, and the Black Series 2 x 10.5kW package ($3,058.99, rated for 500+ cu ft) includes four steam heads. Apply the bench and doorway rules to every head. For sizing, see our steam shower generator size guide.
Aromatherapy wells and pumps
Many steam heads have an oil well, so put the head where you can reach it once cooled. If you add a separate pump such as the SteamSpa SS-SAP001-XX essential oil delivery system ($699.99), its installation guide says to install the injection three way valve on the steam pipe within 8.2 feet of the steam jet, injection port facing up.
SteamSpa packages and the steam heads they include
All prices are listed prices at the time of writing.
- SteamSpa Oasis Series Package with New Square Steam Heads, from $1,559: touch control and a solid steel steam head with an aroma reservoir.
- SteamSpa Royal Series Package, from $1,799: dual control panels, steamhead, filter and drain pan.
- SteamSpa Executive 9 KW QuickStart Package, $1,999: rated to 255 cu ft, with steamhead and a plumber ready quick connection kit.
- SteamSpa Black Series Package with New Square Steam Heads, from $2,338.99: touchscreen, WiFi app control and an aroma reservoir steam head.
See the full range on our SteamSpa brand page. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight.
Safety and who signs off
A steam head is hot during operation and after, and the steam at the outlet can scald. Clean it only once cooled (our steam shower maintenance guide covers that). The steam line, generator and dedicated circuit are jobs for a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician, and your local code and inspector have the final word. Still deciding if your shower can take steam? See our guide to converting a shower to a steam shower.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a steam head be above the floor?
Kohler and SteamSpa specify 6 inches, Mr. Steam 6 to 12 inches and Steamist 12 to 18 inches. In a tub, Steamist and Mr. Steam say 6 inches above the rim.
Can the steam head go under the bench?
None of the four guides we checked recommends it; Kohler and Mr. Steam both say to keep it away from seats and benches.
What is the best steam head location in a small shower?
Low on the wall farthest from the seat, away from the doorway and not aimed at the door seals.
Does steam outlet height change with an acrylic enclosure?
It can. Mr. Steam’s CU steam head sheet says 20 to 30 inches above the floor in acrylic or fiberglass rooms, and both Mr. Steam and SteamSpa say to check with the enclosure maker.
Need help planning your layout?
Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, with your room dimensions and bench location. For return questions, see our return and refund policy.
