The trends in home decor are constantly changing, regardless of whether you hire professionals or do it yourself. When it comes to bathrooms, wet rooms are high up on the list. Before we get into the details, let us first go over some basics about bathrooms. What is the best way to describe bathrooms?
Quarter bath / 0.25 bath - Toilet, no sink, no shower, no tub.
Half bath/0.5 bath- Sink, toilet. No shower.
Three quarters / 0.75 Bath – Sink, toilet and shower.
Full bathroom - All: toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub.
Wet room - All or none of the preceding - it all depends on the flooring.
It is common for your toilet and shower to be located in the same room in some parts of the globe. A typical home might have 2.5 baths or 3.25 options depending on its configuration.
Regardless of what, the world is changing and so does home construction. Today, open-plan kitchens and master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms are commonplace. Wet rooms can be thought of as an open-plan bathroom. But what exactly are they?
What is a wet room?
A wet room is basically an open bathroom with no distinction between the shower area and the rest. This is something interior decorators can achieve in a variety of ways. There are many styling options:
There is no separation between the shower and the larger floor.
Use a full or half-glass shower door, and then continue the same flooring in the room.
Remove the bathtub and replace it completely with a shower tap.
You can modify the hand-held shower to place in the tub, while still ensuring that the space feels open and spacious.
Remove your shower tray, and re-tile the entire floor with uniform slabs.
A wet room can be described as a space that is waterproof and open to the elements. It has no steps, trays or raised sections. This allows you to use more floor space and makes your bath feel more spa-like. Installing a wet area can increase the value of your entire house.
What is the Difference Between a Wet Room and a Regular Bathroom?
You can think of a "group shower scene" in any movie. It doesn't matter if it's a locker room or a gym. This is a wide-open feeling where everyone can see everyone else. Imagine that setup in your home. It's not loud, curvy, buff people covered in towels. This is your wet area.
The shower is usually not separated from the rest.
You might have a tub but most often you will just have a regular shower.
You won't find a shower tray or a shower door. However, you may have a partial-glass partition.
There is no need to take a step - the floor goes on without interruption.
From floor to ceiling, the entire room is waterproof.
Your wet room shape can vary - it is not always straight lines.
Why Would You Like A Wet Room?
Recent censuses indicate that the world's population has been changing. There are more people over 60. Some people live independently and would prefer to have their homes made easier. Others grandparents moved in with their grandkids and children.
Refurbishment may be necessary for an older or less mobile member of your household. This includes making the bathroom easier for walkers and wheelchairs and installing grab bars and railings. Both are possible with the help of wet rooms.
Many younger people are putting off marriage and living in single-person apartments. These people are not only living in smaller apartments but also have to pay more for rent. It is possible to make an apartment smaller by adding a wet room.
Wet rooms, unlike regular bathrooms, are one big shower that doesn't have any separate sections. Tanking is a method that waterproofs the entire space. This renders the room impervious to water damage and leaks.
Benefits of a Wet Room
Wet rooms are a great way to convince your spouse or your neighbor handyman. They can be costly, but they also have the following:
It is easy to find comprehensive wet-room kits, which makes the process of renovating your bathroom easier.
You will use waterproof paving options for installation. These fancy finishes increase the price of your bathroom and your entire house.
Wet rooms are easier to use for the elderly because they don't have a raised shower tray.
The wide-open shower room allows you to spray steam further along walls and floors to make the space more manageable for those who like to scrub the shower.
You can transform a small bathroom into a spacious wet area to give your space a fresh look. This is a great idea for older houses that have been inherited or for foreclosures that have been flipped.
You'll accumulate less clutter in your bathroom if you have less storage.
There are some disadvantages to having a wet room
Although there are not many negatives to the wet-room phenomenon, here are some:
It can be costly to waterproof an entire room.
Your utility bills will be higher because wet rooms use more water (and also power) than shower cubicles.
Some people feel lost in the large, open bathroom.
Things to Consider when Installing a Wet Room
It is simple to decide whether you want to get wet. Plumbers will tell you how easy and quick it is. You can actually do your research online and be in a hurry to order a wet room kit or go to the store in a matter of seconds. Here are some things to focus on.
Although a wet area can be installed on higher floors, it will increase your water volume. Make sure to check the drainage in your home to make sure it can handle this excess water.
This could include cleaning out your gutters and drains.
Wide open spaces are the most prominent feature of wet rooms. Therefore, it is important to choose space-saving fixtures such as hidden piping or recessed shower heads that are built into the ceiling.
The design of a wet room is usually minimalist. You might consider using metallics and chromes to complement steamy sauna-like bathrooms.
You can add thermal flooring or recessed lighting to your floor and wall panels if you want extra luxury.
This wide-open appearance means that drawers, cabinets, and vanities will likely be eliminated. You'll need to install niches in your bathroom for items.
You may also want to get rid of all towels, washcloths, and toilet paper. They can easily become damp and cause mould and mildew.
A floor gradient is important, but it should be subtle. It can be confusing, especially for older residents and children.
You should designate the tile or stone for bathrooms. It will be more durable and have low slip properties.
Although your wet area is open and free, you might consider installing grab bars and handgrips. You will find a hot, shiny bath area. It can be soothing to have something to hold onto.
How to make sure your wet room is waterproof
Because they are durable and attractive, standard bathrooms use stone and tile. All these bathroom paving options can be installed on sand held in place by grout. They are vulnerable to water seepage and can cause damage to the ground below.
You can basically build a wet area from any type of flooring. However, you must ensure that the bathwater doesn't slip from your wet room surface to the sub-surface beneath. This applies regardless of whether the bathroom has an upstairs or downstairs.
The tub in ordinary bathrooms is made from waterproof material such as fiberglass or porcelain. The same material is used for sinks, toilets and shower trays. These bathroom fixtures are the ones that can handle the most water. Walls and floors are subject to the occasional drip or spillage.
Because the surface moisture is very low, your floors and walls won't be submerged for too long. However, a wet bathroom will mean that the entire floor of your shower will be submerged. The walls will be covered with steam even if there is no shower curtain, cubicle or door.
Tiles are used in wet rooms from top to bottom. Sometimes, even the ceiling. Apply waterproof primer and gel membranes to the tile surface. The tanked layer can be topped with your slab or tile, which will make the floor and walls impermeable.
Materials that you can safely use in your wet room
Your wet room's waterproof substrate is the most important component. After the waterproof substrate is installed securely, you can use any water-friendly materials. You can still get ceramic tiles with wood grain patterns, although this naturally leaves out wood.
Natural stone is a popular option. Although it is porous, thorough tanking can resolve this problem. However, excessive water can seep through the stone floor's pores, which can cause problems. You'll need to seal it regularly to prevent moisture from entering. This is an additional cost.
Buy A Hand-Held Faucet
Many people find the best part of a shower to be the water's temperature, pressure and smell. It can be overwhelming to have all the water splashing around in a wet area. You might feel more exposed if your bathroom is larger. Wet toilet seats are not something that people like.
You can enhance your spa experience in a wet room by adding water jets to different levels on the shower walls. However, this may require a partial glass door to contain water. A hand-held showerhead allows you to direct water as you wish, giving you greater control over the water flow.
Hand-held shower taps can be used to clean your wet area. You can direct the water exactly where you want it. You can add a waterproof exhaust fan to your underfloor heating system to keep your wet area clean and improve hygiene. They dry your wet area faster.
Wet Room with a Tub
You can still use your bathtub if you are really attached to it. Your tub should be tiled in the same style and colour as the rest of your wet area. Consider removing a corner tub that is built into a wall and replacing it with a freestanding one.
Your shower head can be placed to drain into the tub. It doesn't matter if it is a fixed or portable head attached to the ceiling, wall or ceiling.
It's Wet and Wonderful
Is it possible to have a wet area? If you're interested, yes. It's not as difficult as you might think. You want a smooth, continuous floor with a slope towards the drain. To give the room an open feel and to remove all partitions, consider partial glass doors for hygiene and anti-splashing.
You should make sure that all surfaces, including ceilings, are waterproofed. You can either buy a ready-made wet room kit or hire licensed plumbers.
