Wet rooms have become very fashionable in Europe in the last 10 years, and more and more people are abandoning conventional shower trays or bathrooms. In this article we examine the pros and cons of wet rooms and take a look at the various design aspects that need to be considered.

The advantages of a properly installed wet room are as follows:-

access level – There is no step in or out of the shower tray, instead a gradual slope is created from the edge of the shower area towards the drain position.

fully tanked room – The entire surface of the floor (with a 100 mm turn on the walls) plus the total height of the wall in the immediate shower area are flooded (waterproofed) with an approved waterproofing system. With a conventional shower tray, only the tray itself is waterproof and often water can seep around the edges of the tray and seep into the area below.

Drainage system – In a wet room, the drain outlet is placed at the lowest point of the room, it also has a fastening system for sealing to waterproofing. The trap is removable from above, which means that it can be maintained in the event of a blockage without disturbing any of the tiles or other finishes.

Esthetic – Probably the main reason why people choose wet rooms is their appearance. Wet room designs tend to be very uncluttered. The chosen floor finish continues throughout its entire length, including the wet area of ​​the shower. Included displays are typically simple and minimalist, often with a milled glass edge and very little metal or plastic bezels and trim.

However, there are some disadvantages that you should consider:

splashes – As the shower area is not fully enclosed, the water will splash over a fairly large area during showering. This is fine from a waterproofing standpoint since the whole room is stagnant, but it can be annoying if you’re not used to it. If you leave towels or clothes lying on the floor, they will get wet. If you have a toilet near the shower, the seat can get wet. This may not be a problem if you have a large room, but for smaller wet rooms I would recommend the use of a well-placed shower screen to divert the worst of the splashes. After showering, you’ll probably want to wring any excess water back into the shower area. This is just part of the wet room shower routine, but if having a wet floor is something that would irritate you then opt for a traditional shower tray or create a wet room area with a fully enclosed glass surround more conventional. The situation can also be significantly improved by including underfloor heating, which will dry up stray water droplets rather quickly.

cost – Depending on the location and the type of construction, a wet room can cost more money to install than a conventional shower tray. The floor in the shower area needs to be “sloping” so that water can run off into the drain outlet. On a concrete surface, this slope can be created within the screed, but on a beamed wooden floor a shower tray is normally used. A shower tray former has a built-in fall slope. It is simply fixed over the joists, waterproofed and then tiled. Most manufacturers have several “off-the-shelf” sizes of formers that are fairly inexpensive, but if you need a bespoke solution, the price will likely be higher than a conventional shower tray. In addition to a shower tray former, you will also need an approved waterproofing kit. They are usually quite reasonably priced, but if you have to pay an approved installer, the cost can vary quite a bit depending on your location, and in all cases will be an additional expense on top of a traditional shower installation.

Wet rooms typically have a tile floor finish or a vinyl flooring system with hot air welded joints. Traditionally, vinyl flooring has been used primarily in the care sector, such as hospitals or nursing homes, but this distinction is blurring as many people who need handicap access now choose the luxurious feel of tile. On the other hand, the range of different styles and colors of vinyl flooring has increased enormously in recent years to offer a very wide choice. Vinyl flooring systems are also considered very low-maintenance compared to tile (there’s no grout to clean up).

It is now quite common to remove a bath and replace it with a wet room shower. This can be a practical home improvement, but should always be considered very carefully, as removing the only bathroom in a family residence could devalue the property or at least make it more difficult to sell, whereas in a studio it would almost certainly have a positive effect. . .

As with most home improvements, it’s basically a matter of personal taste. If you’re considering a wet room, think about your budget, how long you’re likely to stay in the property, and the effect on value. Typically, an attractive, well-appointed bathroom will improve value, while a bathroom replacement project could positively or negatively affect value depending on the type of property and the area in which you live.

If you decide to go ahead with a wet room installation, make sure the person doing the work knows what they are doing. Installation is not difficult and can be carried out by a professional bathroom installer or a competent DIYer, but in any case they should know which products to use and how to lay out the room. The good news is that there is plenty of expert advice available now, just make sure the person you are talking to is an expert and has the necessary experience. Some suppliers of wet room products maintain lists of approved installers or have a free advisory service. So if you are seriously considering installing a wet room, this is probably a very good place to start.