What Is a Wet Room and How Do You Build One?
A wet room bathroom is a 100% watertight, spa-like bathroom with an open concept design.
In this inclusive functional space, there’s no clear separation between the shower area and the rest of the room. You also don’t need a shower tray because the bathroom floor is level.
The basic requirement for building a wet room is creating a watertight environment. You’ll need to tank the floor and walls of the room thoroughly to safeguard it from leaks.
Therefore, a watertight membrane needs to be laid first. Next, the entire floor should be tiled with a gentle slope towards the main shower area so that water flows straight into the waste drain.
Finally, you can complete the design by installing the floor and wall tiles of your choice.
- Benefits of Having a Wet Room
- Factors to Consider When Planning to Make a Wet Room
- How Much Does Wet Room Installation Cost?
- Is a Walk-in Shower the Same as a Wet Room?
- Is Having a Wet Room a Practical Solution?
- Shop Wet Rooms and Shower Enclosures
Navigate to any section of this post by clicking on the links above.
Benefits of Having a Wet Room
a. Ease of Cleaning
In a wet room bathroom, fittings and fixtures are minimal, making it easy to clean.
Hence, maintaining a wet room shower is less work. A shower enclosure is the first fixture that comes to mind. With all its framework and runners, it will inevitably gather dirt and grime.
Hence, it’s a huge relief to know that you need to clean just a sheet of frameless glass or bathroom walls and floor in this self-contained space.
You could also minimise obstacles and clutter on the floor by installing a floating vanity unit and wall-hung toilet.
b. Waterproof Space
The biggest advantage of a wet room is it has waterproofed walls and floor.
However, the installation needs to be of a high standard. Since moisture is a universal problem in a bathroom, water damage is prevented as all surfaces are waterproofed.
Also, there’s inherent design strength: The sloping floor drains water swiftly, which is another factor that reduces water damage.
The use of waterproof materials throughout the space ensures that a wet room lasts much longer than a conventional bathroom.
c. Increases the Value of Your Home
A premium bathroom with spa-like features has become popular among home buyers nowadays.
In this context, the high aesthetic value of a wet room shower creates a major WOW factor. So naturally, an updated bathroom is bound to improve the value of your home.
In addition, the ease of use means families with infants, toddlers and seniors with mobility issues will find a wet room appealing. Also, the functional and beautiful design of a wet room means more prospective purchasers will be interested in your home.
d. An Open, Comfortable, and Safe Space for All
Ease of access makes a wet room future-proof. It’s easily accessible for every family member, especially in a multi-generational household.
As people age, they develop mobility issues. As a result, washing and bathing could become a challenge. Seniors might find it difficult to handle multi-level baths or showers.
Fortunately, a wet room bathroom is a safe space for all. Its slip-resistant flooring means it will no longer be a source of anxiety even for people with mobility concerns.
The flat, open space permits easy wheelchair access, as well.
e. More Design Options
A wet room shower presents you with more creative design options compared to a traditional bathroom. Since you don’t have to deal with a fixed shower enclosure or shower tray, you get full freedom to be as creative as you want.
You can also choose from an assortment of lighting options and 3D waterproof tiles. Under-floor heating is a great option too, as it will keep the space dry.
Instead of tiles, you can explore other decorative options such as Tadelakt plaster or micro-cement (micro-concrete). Tadelakt plaster is beautiful and versatile, while micro-cement creates a concrete aesthetic.
You can create a wet room shower even in a small or awkward scenario, such as a room with a sloped ceiling or unusual layout.
Factors to Consider When Planning to Make a Wet Room
a. Bathroom Size
In practice, the size of the smallest wet room that can accommodate a wash basin and toilet is 4.9ft x 3.3ft (1.5m x 1m). So space isn’t a constraint when you are planning to make a wet room.
Your old shower enclosure or bathtub would probably occupy more space.
A bathtub or shower enclosure also restricts movement in a room, while a wet room shower gives you more freedom. A wet room is suitable for an irregular-shaped space or even a space with an awkward layout.
Bathroom size isn’t an issue as you can optimise the room as you desire.
b. House Location
You can install a wet room on any floor and even under a staircase.
A wet room shower isn’t constrained to a solid floor. You can build one anywhere – including onto timbre floors. A common notion is that a wet room bathroom can be installed only on the ground floor because of the higher water pressure on the floor. But this isn’t true.
A carefully installed wet room will be 100% watertight regardless of its location in your home – downstairs, upstairs, or in the loft.
c. Budget
Compared to a traditional bathroom, you’ll need to budget a higher amount for installing a wet room because it’s a job for professionals.
Since the installation of a wet room is specific to the room, you’ll need to factor in additional expenses such as the tearing down and modification costs. But if you are a DIY expert, you could significantly reduce labour costs.
The budget will also depend on your individual requirements. For instance, you’ll need to budget extra money if you want under-floor heating.
d. Quality of Fittings & Additional Features
The type of the existing floor – concrete or timber – will determine the products to be used. Since waterproofing is a crucial aspect of wet room construction, the fittings must be of high quality.
Fittings include bathroom mirrors and wall cabinets that can be moved or replaced easily.
Using the right products is important because everything in a wet room can get wet repeatedly, especially when it’s small. Hence, you should pick materials that can withstand moisture and damage over long-term use.
e. Time Frame
Depending on the room size, it would take 3 to 5 days to build a wet room. In this project, creating an efficient drainage system is a technically challenging element.
Adequate slope at flooring will prevent the formation of water pockets. So right from the outset, aim to get the design features right. Wall tiling also adds extra elegance.
Overall, a clear layout, perfect waterproofing, and bright lighting are all crucial for success.
How Much Does Wet Room Installation Cost?
According to HomeHow, the installation cost of a small wet room £4,000.
Similarly, for a medium-sized wet room, this figure would be between £4,000 and £8,000, and for a large-sized wet room, it would be between £8,000 and £12,000.
Advance planning is essential for a remodelling project. The rule of thumb is that if the existing pipework and plumbing can be salvaged, your project cost will be a lot less.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula to estimate the cost. Most often, the cost of a wet room could easily overshoot your budget. Hence, choosing the right service provider is vital to ensure the project is executed cost-effectively and flawlessly.
Is a Walk-in Shower the Same as a Wet Room?
The area for showering is clear-cut in a walk-in shower. The idea is to keep the rest of the bathroom environment dry. A separate shower tray is also installed on the floor for quick water drainage.
The design of a wet room bathroom is different.
It’s completely open with a sloping floor to funnel water into the drain. Unlike a walk-in shower, the whole space is exposed to water spray in a wet room due to its open plan. However, a shower screen can be installed to reduce the water spray.
Is Having a Wet Room a Practical Solution?
A wet room is a space-saving and extremely practical solution.
People with mobility issues will find a wet room especially convenient as they don’t need to step over hurdles such as the edge of a bathtub. Using a wheelchair inside the space is also easy as the floor is level.
In addition, a wet room allows people with limited mobility to retain their independence when using the toilet or bathing. The open plan also makes a wet room easy to clean, and even normal household bathroom cleaners are effective in keeping mould and mildew at bay.
Shop Wet Rooms and Shower Enclosures
At Bathroom City, in addition to walk-in shower enclosures, you can shop for quadrant corner shower enclosures and hinged shower enclosures. You’ll find a variety of designs – from the conventional to the ultra-modern.
Browse through our selection of bathroom furniture, vanity units and wall-hung toilets that would perfectly complement a wet room.
Other related articles you might also like to read: