A wet room is a bathroom design that minimizes barriers and makes the space accessible and easy to clean. Instead of containing shower areas with glass screens or shower curtains, the entire bathroom has a level access wet floor, with a drain in the middle. The open layout provides a sleek, modern look. But is a wet room right for your home? There are several factors to consider when deciding if a wet room is the best option for your bathroom remodel.
What is a Wet Room?
A wet room is a bathroom with an open shower area that occupies most or all of the floor space. The floors gently slope towards a central drain, allowing water to run off and the entire area to be cleaned with a squeegee or mop. Walls and ceilings are waterproofed with tanking systems, waterproof boards, or sealants. Fixtures like toilets and basins are set into the tanked walls and all internal walls are removed.
Unlike a traditional bathroom, a wet room has no glass screens or shower trays to contain water. Instead, the shower area flows openly into the rest of the bathroom. Some key features of a wet room include:
- Open plan layout with no glass screens or shower enclosures
- Floors slope gently to a central floor drain
- Tanked walls and waterproof ceilings
- Level access shower area with no raised trays
- Sleek modern design with minimal obstructions
Wet rooms provide a stylish, contemporary look and feel more spacious than typical bathrooms. The open layout also makes them more accessible, as there are no doors or steps between shower and sink areas.
Benefits of a Wet Room
There are several benefits that make wet rooms an appealing choice for many homeowners:
Accessibility
Wet rooms have level access and no shower screens or enclosures. This makes them ideal for people with mobility issues or disabilities, allowing easy wheelchair access throughout the bathroom. The lack of obstacles also reduces the risk of falls.
Easy Access Showering
The expansive shower area lets you move around freely while showering. There’s no need to step over a tray or glass screen, making using the shower easier and more comfortable.
Sleek, Modern Aesthetic
With their minimalist design, wet rooms provide a sleek, contemporary look. Built-in recessed shelves and sleek linear drains add to the modern style. Tanking the walls and ceilings also allows for a seamless look.
Feels Spacious
By removing shower screens and enclosures, wet rooms feel much more open and spacious than typical bathrooms. The lack of barriers maximizes the feeling of space.
Easier Cleaning
The smooth waterproof floors and walls, along with a large central drain, allows you to simply squeegee water away after showering. This makes cleaning much faster and easier than scrubbing a shower enclosure.
Suitability for Any Age
Wet rooms suit users of all ages and mobilities. Children can safely use the shower area without stepping over enclosures, while the accessibility suits aging occupants.
Considerations Before Choosing a Wet Room
While wet rooms have numerous benefits, they aren’t necessarily right for every home. There are some downsides and considerations to keep in mind before installing one:
Cost
Converting a bathroom to a wet room requires extensive waterproofing, new floors and fixtures, and moving plumbing. This makes installing a wet room substantially more expensive than retiling a standard bathroom. Expect costs between $15,000-$30,000.
Space Requirements
Wet rooms require adequate floor space for the shower area and proper drainage. Small bathrooms under 30 sq ft may not accommodate wet room layouts.
Risk of Leaks
Poor waterproofing or substandard construction can lead to leaks and water damage. Using experienced designers and contractors minimizes this risk. Proper maintenance is also required.
Increased Humidity
The expansive wet floor space increases ambient humidity in the bathroom, which may contribute to mold and mildew. Proper ventilation is key for wet rooms.
Resale Value
Although trendy, wet rooms are still considered specialty bathrooms. Not all homeowners like their contemporary, minimalist look. This may limit resale value for some buyers.
Ongoing Maintenance
Wet rooms require sealing grout and silicone at least annually. Faulty silicon or grout can lead to leaks and water damage if not properly maintained.
Is a Wet Room Right for My Home? Key Considerations
If you’re still debating whether a wet room is right for your home, consider the following:
Bathroom Size
Wet rooms work best in bathrooms larger than 30 sq ft. This allows adequate space for the level access shower area and proper drainage. Small cramped bathrooms are poor candidates.
Household Mobility Needs
The accessibility of wet rooms makes them ideal for households with elderly, disabled or mobility-impaired occupants. The lack of obstacles enhances safety.
Household Size and Ages
Larger households with family members of different ages can benefit from the versatility and accessibility of wet rooms. They suit users of all ages.
Aesthetic Preferences
Do you want a sleek modern bathroom? If you like contemporary design and minimalist styling, a wet room may match your aesthetic preferences.
Budget
Converting an existing bathroom to a wet room costs between $15,000-30,000. Make sure your bathroom remodel budget accommodates a wet room installation.
Water Pressure
Good water pressure is required to distribute water across wet room floors. Check your home’s water pressure before deciding on a wet room.
Mold Concerns
Wet rooms have increased humidity. If your bathroom already experiences mold or mildew problems, a wet room may exacerbate issues. Proper ventilation helps.
Maintenance Commitment
Wet rooms require diligent resealing and silicon maintenance 1-2 times per year. Are you prepared to properly maintain a wet room?
By evaluating these factors, you can determine if a wet room is the right design choice for improving and upgrading your bathroom.
Design Considerations for Wet Rooms
If you decide that a wet room suits your needs, there are several design factors to consider:
Location
Avoid rooms above finished living spaces. Wet rooms are best located against outside walls or stacked bathrooms, minimizing condensation issues and leaks affecting lower floors.
Waterproofing
Tank walls and ceilings with waterproof sealant or boards. Membranes like Schluter Kerdi provide reliable waterproofing for wet areas. Use silicone sealant on all joints.
Floors
Floors should slope at a 1:50 ratio towards drains. Mosaic tile patterns help improve grip. Use anti-slip mats and grab rails to minimize slips.
Fixtures
Choose wall-hung basins and toilets without pipework underneath, as there is no place to hide plumbing in a wet room. Install recessed shelving. Mount mirrors on tanked walls.
Heated Floors
Heated flooring helps reduce feeling cold when walking barefoot on wet floors. Hydronic systems or electric underfloor heating work well.
Ventilation
Exhaust fans, humidity-sensing fans, and vapor-resistant primers help reduce condensation and control humidity.
Drainage
Linear drains stretch across the floor. Multiple drains may be needed for large rooms. Proper drainage prevents flooding.
With careful planning and design, you can create a stylish, accessible wet room suited to your needs. Work with experienced bathroom contractors familiar with wet room construction.
FAQs About Wet Rooms
What exactly is a wet room?
A wet room is a bathroom with an open concept shower area covering most or all of the floor space. The entire bathroom has a wet floor, with drainage running to a central drain. Walls and ceilings are waterproofed. Fixtures are built into tanked walls.
How is a wet room different than a typical bathroom?
Unlike standard bathrooms, wet rooms have no shower tray or glass enclosure. The shower area is open. They only have floor drainage, no screens or curtains. Tanking systems also waterproof the entire space.
What are the benefits of a wet room?
Key benefits include accessibility from lack of obstacles, easier showering access, a sleek modern look, feeling more spacious, easier cleaning with smooth floors, and suitability for users of all ages.
What should I consider when deciding on a wet room?
Consider your bathroom size, household mobility needs, budget, aesthetic preferences, water pressure, susceptibility to mold, and ability to maintain the waterproofing. Wet rooms have higher costs and maintenance needs.
What types of homes suit wet rooms?
Wet rooms work best in homes with larger bathrooms, households that include elderly or disabled members, larger families, and homeowners who like modern design aesthetics.
How much does installing a wet room cost?
You can expect to pay between $15,000-$30,000 to convert an existing bathroom into a wet room. Costs vary based on the room size, required plumbing changes, and finishes selected.
What kind of maintenance is required for wet rooms?
Expect to reapply silicone sealant and reseal grout around tiles and joints annually. Check waterproof membranes for deterioration. Proactively treat potential mold and mildew.
How can you minimize leaks in a wet room?
Careful installation of waterproofing membranes coupled with ongoing maintenance helps prevent leaks. Using an experienced designer and contractor also reduces leakage risks.
Should I install heated floors in a wet room?
Heated floors help reduce feeling cold when walking barefoot on wet room floors. Hydronic or electric underfloor systems provide warmth.
Conclusion
While the upfront costs are higher, wet rooms provide many benefits like accessibility, sleek aesthetics, and easier maintenance that make them worth consideration. For homeowners that value a modern, spacious shower area, wet rooms can be the right choice. They must be properly designed with adequate tanking, waterproofing, ventilation and drainage to function effectively and minimize risks. When installed correctly in the right setting, wet rooms provide an opulent, spa-like shower experience.
