Whether you’re looking to refresh your current bathroom with a stylish refurbishment or want to invest in a second shower space, a wet room can be a luxurious and versatile addition to your home. Wondering where to start? From the basics of how this bathroom design works to installation tips, here’s all you need to know about wet rooms.
What is a wet room?
A wet room is a bathroom with no shower tray or enclosure at all — all the walls and floors in the room are waterproof. It’s a bit like a large walk-in shower and can be a great option for a variety of property types. If you’re happy to go for a shower room without a tub, a wet room is an excellent way to make the most out of a small bathroom space or spruce up your en suite.
What are the benefits of a wet room?
Wet rooms have become increasingly popular in recent years as homeowners look for ways to make their bathrooms more luxurious and modern-looking. Many people find that this type of bathroom refurbishment can increase their property value.
Wet rooms are also great for people with mobility issues or young children, as there are no barriers or steps that could cause accidents. An experienced bathroom fitter will ensure your wet room has a specially-designed non-slip floor to further increase safety.
In addition, wet rooms are easy to clean and maintain. Because there are fewer corners, ridges, and raised edges than in other bathroom designs, there are fewer areas for dirt, mould and bacteria to build up.
Wet rooms are incredibly versatile. Once you have a basic idea of the size and shape of your wet room bathroom design, you can tailor it to your needs and aesthetic tastes. You might want to install underfloor heating, for example, or choose bold and eye-catching patterned tiles.
Design and installation considerations
In order for a wet room to work properly, certain precautions must be taken during installation. Firstly, it’s vital that the entire floor of the room slopes slightly towards a drain in the centre of the room. As the name suggests, a wet room can get rather soggy! A sloping floor ensures there’s no build-up of water around the room and reduces the risk of damp and mould.
You can decide to have a wet room that incorporates a toilet and sink or go for one that’s purely a space for showering.
The beauty of a wet room is that the walls and floors are all waterproof to prevent any leaks into other parts of the home. Your bathroom fitter will usually use specially designed waterproof panels or waterproof paint to achieve this. When deciding on your bathroom design, you might want to opt for more traditional tiles or choose smooth and sleek panels.
It’s also essential to make sure there’s plenty of ventilation — again this will prevent damp and reduce the risk of mould growth. Often, wet rooms use extractor fans rather than windows, but you can discuss the different options available with your bathroom designer.
Bathroom refurbishment services from Cambridge Bath Co.
From underfloor heating and plumbing services to installing luxury bathroom fixtures, our experienced team is here to bring your design dreams to life. As experienced bathroom fitters in and around Cambridge, we have the skills and know-how to renovate your bath or shower area smoothly and efficiently.
Having worked with all types of spaces and styles, we can transform even the smallest areas into elegant wet rooms or shower rooms. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions and to discuss your bathroom refurbishment needs.