Create The Perfect Wet Room

Before you fall for the streamlined finish of a wet room, be sure that you’re making the right decision by reading our checklist.

A wet room is a completely water-proofed room where you can have a walk-in shower without an enclosure or shower tray. As with any home improvement, there are pros and cons to this contemporary bathroom finish.

The pros of a wet room:

  • Ideal for a small bathroom or en-suite as there’s no shower enclosure to take up extra space
  • Easy to clean as the room can be hosed down

The cons of a wet room:

  • A wet floor could lead to damp footprints in the rest of the house
  • Anything that isn’t covered could get splashed – even the loo roll!

A wet room floor slopes towards an inset drain where water will drain away. To create this gradient, a plywood sub-floor or a sloping shower tray former is installed and then tiled over. It’s likely your floor will need to be strengthened to take the extra weight. It must also be raised by about 5cm to allow for the waste fittings.

Create The Perfect Wet Room

A waterproof membrane is applied under the wall and floor tiles, similar to that used for swimming pools. This is known as tanking. It’s critical to get a good seal between the walls and floors, as any leaks will be very expensive to put right later on.

Create The Perfect Wet Room

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are perfect as they’re hard wearing and water resistant. If you prefer stone, limestone and granite tiles are good options, though they’ll need regular sealing. Whichever you choose, opt for textured non-slip tiles.

Create The Perfect Wet Room

Underfloor heating will not only keep your wet room snug, but also help the floor to dry quickly after your shower.

Create The Perfect Wet Room

It’s best to employ a specialist company rather than a separate builder, plumber and tiler. Before choosing a company, ask to see examples of their work. The cost of installing a wet room is usually between £5,000 and £10,000.

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