Spring Lake, Monmouth County · Steam enclosure with transom
Steam enclosure in a Spring Lake Victorian
A converted upstairs bedroom bath with a dropped soffit and a steam generator already specified. The enclosure had to seal to the ceiling without looking industrial.
The constraints
- Steam requires a full-height sealed enclosure, but the soffit left an irregular ceiling line to seal against.
- The owners wanted the glass to disappear rather than dominate a period bathroom.
- Plaster-and-lath walls meant hinge anchoring had to hit real structure.
- Configuration
- Hinged door, fixed panel, fixed transom, operable vent
- Glass
- 3/8 in. clear tempered
- Hardware
- Steam-rated header with full-perimeter seals
- Finish
- Oil-rubbed bronze
Finished spec
How we solved it
Transom cut to the soffit line
A fixed transom above the door closed the enclosure to the ceiling, with an operable vent panel for post-shower drying.
Minimal visible hardware
Slim header and matching hinge finish keep the enclosure quiet against original wainscot.
Blocking confirmed at template
We located and confirmed backing behind the tile before committing to hinge positions.
Photos from the job
- Transom detail at the head, showing the seal line
- Steam in use, glass sealed to the ceiling
Result
The room holds steam at temperature, and the vent panel opens afterward so the enclosure dries instead of staying damp all day.
More projects
Next step
Have a similar opening?
One short form. We come out, template your finished tile, and quote the glass that actually fits.
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