Steam rooms in a climate that is already humid

The tank, and then the air

Liquid membrane over slab and walls past the ceiling junction, taped at every corner, screed falling at least 1:50 to the drain, then stone or tile. The ceiling is pitched 3 to 5 degrees or domed so condensate runs to the walls.

Then the part that matters here: mechanical extract with a long run-on timer, ducted out, sized to change the room's air several times after use. In a dry climate a room recovers by itself overnight. On this island it does not, and a room that stays wet smells within a season.

Basalt and coral stone

Dark basalt is local, dense and superb in a steam room, and thermally heavy — it absorbs the first ten minutes of every session, which is a generator sizing question rather than an aesthetic one.

Coral stone benches are warmer to sit on and lighter on the structure. We use both and we price the difference rather than choosing quietly.

Water and scale

Island mains water varies and some properties are on borehole or rainwater supply, which changes the chemistry entirely. We test at the property before specifying the generator and put the descaling interval in the handover notes.

In short

• Membrane over slab, walls and ceiling junction, taped at every corner
• Extract sized for several air changes after use — the room will not dry itself here
• Local basalt is dense and thermally heavy; coral stone is warmer and lighter
• Water tested at the property, including borehole and rainwater supplies