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Get a Spa-like Showering Experience

For folks who think there’s never anything truly new in bathrooms, it’s time to wake up and smell the steam. An innovation in bathroom design called “wet rooms” is flooding the market (see what we did there).

A wet room is a fully waterproofed, fully tiled, open space that typically has no enclosure separating the shower or tub from the rest of the bathroom.  Some modified wet room designs add a partial glass enclosure or glass door to contain the spray. But a true wet room has no panels and offers you a high-end, luxurious look, more showering space and room to move, and an eye-popping open layout that is easier to keep clean than a normal tub/shower configuration.

To be completely upfront, we need to admit that installing a wet room has the potential to take a bit more time and could possibly cost more. Ensuring the room is completely waterproof, a process called “tanking,” requires a waterproof membrane be installed on floors and walls before tiling the entire area.

You might find that the benefits outweigh the need to wait a little longer. First, the floor is completely level, so no worries about Grandmom climbing over tub walls or tripping over a shower tray. Second, the aesthetics are unbeatable; they can be works of art. Third, wet rooms are often easier to clean than traditional bathrooms.  With excellent ventilation, they typically see less mold and mildr=ew growth.  And finally, experienced installers may build in safeguards — such as tray systems hidden under the floor tiles and low-level shower trays that fit flush with the tiles — that maintain the sleek look and ensure proper drainage, and ensuring that your wet room will be low maintenance for years to come.

Here are some points to consider when planning your wet room:

1. Heating, moisture and surface drying – Consider adding underfloor heating to keep the room warmer and help the surfaces to dry fully. Excellent ventilation is imperative to clear steam away quickly.
2. Enhance the illusion of space — consider wall-hung or flush-mounted ceramic sink and toilet models that physically consume less floor space and visually reduce clutter. Wall-hung vanities also make the room feel larger.
3. Consider remodeling a second bathroom or powder room, or repurpose an unused space for a wet room. You may prefer that your main bathroom maintains a traditional bathtub and shower enclosure, as these can be important to have when selling the home and useful for families with children. Try using a second bathroom – e.g. your bedroom ensuite — for your wet room. Transform small or awkward spaces that previously were unusable for a shower, such as rooms with sloped ceilings or strange layouts into wet rooms, now usable because you avoid the restrictions of standard shower tray sizes. If you have a loft, a wet room is perfect to make the best use of the small floor space.
4. Treat yourself to luxurious touches —  Make sure to include natural light from windows and/or skylights, and at least two electrical lighting sources – one for overhead lighting and another for adjustable mood lighting. Build a niche in the wall to keep products corralled, and add a bench for lounging and steam bathing.

Wet room installation is not for novices.  A “rookie mistake” or skipped step could end up causing a major problem in the future. It’s important to find an experienced bathroom renovation/installation specialist. And consulting with a professional designer can help you create the stunning, elegant, luxurious shower sanctuary that you’ll thank yourself for every day. Why not call us now to discuss whether a wet room is right for you.