Should my new bathroom be a wet room?

October 2020

Wet room bathrooms were one of the big trends in bathroom design last year and they are gaining in popularity this year.

A wet room may sound mysterious, but it's actually quite simple … it’s a bathroom where everything is optimized for a wet environment.

What is a wet room?

Some wet rooms are outfitted from floor to ceiling with water-friendly materials, while others are a more flexible interpretation. Usually, a wet room means that the shower is not enclosed in the traditional way. There is no shower pan, either, so the water from the shower runs via sloped tile to a floor drain.

In some cases, the bathroom will be divided into dry and wet sections. In one area, you'll find the toilet and sink/vanity, and then the bathtub and shower are in another zone. They can be separated by a glass partition.

Regardless of how much of the room will end up being wet, the floors and walls must be sealed properly in the splashing zone(s) and your contractor must ensure that there is proper drainage, preferably in the center of the room. The room needs to have waterproof storage area(s), like recessed shelving in the shower/bath area. You will also need to store towels and toilet paper, and anything else you want to stay dry, away from the overspray radius.

Wet room pros and consPROS• Clean Up: Many homeowners like wet rooms because they are easy to use and maintain. (2) This design does away with shower curtains and full-size glass walls, both of which can be more time consuming to clean.• Tiny Bubbles: Wet rooms can make efficient use of a small space, such as in condos or historic homes. With no shower doors in the way, you can reconfigure a layout more easily, especially in an odd-shaped space.• Accessibility: Even partial wet rooms are a great option for homeowners with mobility issues, as there is no barrier or “lip” between the shower and the rest of the room. It’s still a good idea, however, to install grab bars or other grip accessories for safety. CONS• Pricey: Converting an ordinary bathroom to a wet room can be costly because both the walls and floors need to be tiled and waterproofed, in contrast to a regular bathroom, which has walls that can simply be painted or wallpapered.• Get Traction: Your contractor will need to carefully consider which material(s) in your wet room will be the least slippery underfoot, yet offer a tight seal against water.• Aired Out: Wet room showers – without walls or a shower curtain – can be drafty, so you might want to consider adding a heat lamp or a combination fan/heater. And, depending on the design, you might create places that can be harder to access and clean. Sources:1- House Beautiful – <a href="https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/a30417139/what-is-wet-room/?fbclid=IwAR3roBpoCnLEZQlh94f-Tq9-NqYfgeVLt4aRV7vnFJXBF0QQJk2batvgkd4">What is a wet room?</a> 2- DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen – <a href="https:\www.dreammaker-remodel.com\blog\the-pros-and-cons-of-wet-room-bathrooms\?fbclid=IwAR2Pe7nsAdlu7hsW1McbmZlsbGpCsGSIgbBR8WuGVhq1i0CvLE1GgWAY2Kk">The pros and cons of a wet room</a> 3- Victoria Plum – <a href="https://victoriaplum.com/blog/posts/5-reasons-why-a-wetroom-is-a-great-bathroom-option">Why A Wet Room is a Great Bathroom Option</a>  4- Sunrise Specialty – <a href="https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/wet-room">The Wet Room</a>

You might like the look and style of a wet room, but think about all of your options to make sure this choice is something that will be functional for your family for many years.If you’re considering a change for a bathroom in your home, DreamMaker designers can answer your questions. Call or email us to find out more: <a href="mailto:info@dm-remodel.com">info@dm-remodel.com</a> or 734-669-4000.

Should my new bathroom be a wet room?

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Should my new bathroom be a wet room?

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