A wet room is one of those spaces that you may think is a flight of fancy for your home. We hear so much about luxurious homes having wet rooms, and if we want to turn our bathroom into a wet room, we’ve got to completely gut out our home. However, any small space can turn into a wet room!
A wet room could completely transform your bathroom experience; let’s show you exactly what you need to know about this underestimated component and how a wet room can “wet” your appetite.
What Is a Wet Room?
A wet room is a perfect addition to any home. It is a bathroom where the showing area is incorporated into the design of the room. By waterproofing the space, this removes the need for a shower tray and can transform your bathroom into a spa-like experience. Wet rooms come in different varieties, and can be installed in numerous types of bathrooms. As an ensuite, loft, downstairs utility, or even has its own shower room or cloakroom, it is the area of the bathroom that is specifically created. But in essence, it is a room that revolves around the shower.
The main features of a wet room are simple, and typically includes the following:
Water Drainage
As a gradient needs to be created along the floor, this will ensure that the shower water drains safely. The most important aspect of your wet room is positioning the drain in the optimum position. Ideally, the drain should be away from the bathroom door, as this minimises water leaking out of the bathroom.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing involves priming the floor, and the wall area around the shower. Once the waterproofing has been set, it is tiled to insure extra protection, while also suiting the aesthetics of the space.
The Shower
The key component of a small wet room is the shower. Depending on the layout you want, you could mount the shower on the wall or from the ceiling.
Small Wet Room Ideas
If you are looking for more inspiration, here are some of our favourite wet room additions.
Premium Tiling
If you are looking for a long-lasting solution with a distinctly modern style, premium tiling comes in a variety of materials and textures to suit any property. Tiles are high performing when it comes to drainage and waterproofing, making them ideal for a wet room. Flooring tiles provide an aesthetic quality but are also secure. Flooring tiles will have a non-slip surface so you can rest assured your wet room is safe as well as stylish.
Spa-Like Technology
If you are looking to recreate the spa feel in your home, you can incorporate a variety of modern additions, such as underfloor heating, or massaging jets. Underfloor heating isn’t just a great way to turn your wet room into a warm space, they are also an energy-efficient option, so you won’t spend over your utility budget. The importance of installing the right features will elevate your experience beyond a mere wet room into something similar to a spa.
Shower Accessories
If you want to keep the shower area contained, you could install a shower screen. In addition, if you want to install a shower tray, this is also an option. While a shower tray and a shower screen are what characterises a walk-in shower, if you want to personalize it to your needs, this is your choice.
Special Features
If you want to be creative with your wet room, you can incorporate eye-catching panels to give the room extra height. You could install a variety of designs including mosaics, giving your wet room a bold look.
Space Saving Wet Rooms
Space saving wet rooms are a lifesaver for people looking to create something similar to a spa in their home. Wet rooms have a number of benefits, ensuring that you can take advantage of this in your home.
The Aesthetic Quality
Wet rooms are perfect to add a contemporary feel to any property. Whether it’s an open-plan design or minimal fixtures, you can create an elegant and luxurious feel of a hotel spa in your home.
Wet Rooms Allow Multiple Design Options
Without typical bathroom obstructions like cubicles and shower trays, and the opportunity to have an open plan bathroom, you can become more creative with your designs.
They Are a Great Space-Saving Solution
Smaller properties can benefit from a wet room. They offer the benefits of a functional shower space without bulky fixtures and fittings.
They Provide Better Accessibility
A standard wet room is ideal for people who have limited movement, such as the elderly. Wet rooms increase the value of your property. A luxury home goes up in value with a wet room. With a sleek design, a modern bathroom with a wet room can make a home more attractive to potential buyers.
Wet Rooms Last Longer
Due to the sophisticated waterproofing systems, a wet room is resistant to damage from moisture and leaks, making it easier to maintain.
How Much Does a Wet Room Cost?
The cost of installing a wet room depends on a variety of factors. Typically, it costs between £5,000 and £10,000. However, if you are installing high-quality tiles, and are completely making over the space, it could cost more.
How to Look After Your Wet Room
If you look after your wet room, it could last a lifetime. However, there are important things you need to know to look after your wet room properly:
Ventilation
Wet rooms need to be ventilated properly due to the presence of steam and heat. Throughout the installation process, you should have an extractor fan installed. But it is also crucial to allow adequate airing on a regular basis, with the windows open, as well as making sure the extractor fan is cleaned once or twice a year.
Looking After the Drains
High-quality wet room drains can cope with water, but it’s crucial to remember that the drain can fill up with hair and soap residue, causing the water to drain inefficiently. Cleaning the drains regularly, approximately every six to eight weeks, can prevent buildup.
Cleaning the Screen
Using domestic cleaning materials, clean the shower screen regularly, including the handles, edges and seals, which can build up with water deposit and grime. It’s important to clean any surfaces with the right materials, but remember that you can get soap residue in every place causing stains and watermarks. However, these are easy to clean, as long as you dry the glass after cleaning to avoid streaks.
Looking After the Wet Room Floor
To preserve the quality of the wet room, make sure that you look after the floor by helping the drainage with a mop to sweep the water towards the drain.
FAQs on Wet Rooms
If you need more inspiration, here are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t know whether you need a wet room or not, let’s give you more insight.
How Small Can a Wet Room Be?
A wet room is not a one-size-fits-all design. It can be designed to accommodate a variety of spaces. If you are looking to turn a small space into a wet room, this is not a problem. The question is what additional features you want to incorporate. If you want to add a toilet and basin alongside your shower, you will need more space. However, if you are turning a small space into a wet room, wet rooms can go as small as 800mm x 800mm.
Why Is a Wet Room a Good Idea?
Wet rooms bring a number of benefits to the modern home. If you need convincing that a wet room is a good idea, ultimately, as long as there’s enough room under the floor to drain the water, you can install a wet room in any part of your home. It is the perfect way to maximise the underused areas of your home. If there is a confined space in the house, you can turn this into a wet room that benefits you or any elderly loved ones without causing any issues.
What Is the Difference Between a Wet Room and a Walk-In Shower?
A wet room is an open plan space. A walk-in shower usually needs a screen and a shower tray.
Need Help With Wet Room Installation?
A wet room can boost your home in so many different ways. If you are looking for help to install a wet room and see the benefits it can offer you, you need to make sure you work with the professionals from the outset.
A wet room is a fantastic addition to your home, but wet room installation is a fine art. However, if a wet room is not installed properly, this could cause poor drainage, insufficient waterproofing, and incorrect floor depth, resulting in a disaster on your hands. For any of your wet room needs, you can contact us on 0800 328 4329 or email us at info@aquatek.info.