A current trend in bathroom design is walk in wet room showers. The concept behind these spa-like rooms is to eliminate traditional enclosed spaces for bathing and showering, such as bathtubs or shower stalls, and instead open up the entire bathroom space to create a full-room shower. Such rooms can be included in the original design for a newly constructed home, or they can be created by converting an existing small bathroom.
Walk in shower wet rooms have a number of benefits compared with traditional bathroom layouts. By eliminating closed bathing spaces, which section off what is traditionally fairly small already, the room is opened up, creating the feeling of a larger space. In addition, bathing rooms can be easier to clean than a traditional bathroom since all surfaces are tiled and can be wiped down and rinsed with no concerns about getting walls or floors wet. Cleaning is even easier if the room is designed with wall-mounted sinks and toilets that not only take up less floor space, but are easy to clean under and around.
It is best to install a wet room bathroom as a second bathroom, either as a feature of the master suite or as a conversion for a guest bath. As an addition, such a luxurious feature can increase the value of a home. But if a home only has one bathroom, and that bathroom is converted to a wet design, the value of the home could decrease, so a homeowner should carefully consider his or her overall floor plan before installing a shower room. In this case, an more traditional walk in shower may be a better choice.
In addition, wet designs are best installed by a professional contractor. A number of aspects of this design, including proper drainage and a fully water-tight floor, must be completed correctly to ensure that damage does not occur to the home. Repairs can be expensive if the floors and walls are not properly constructed. The extra design considerations and materials, such as more tile than a traditional bath, can make installation more expensive than a standard bathroom, so a homeowner should get several estimates before beginning construction to ensure he or she has an accurate budget for the project.
Some walk in wet room designs incorporate shower screens. Screens can be curtain-like, but typically take the form of a glass wall to retain as much of the open feel of the room as possible. Screens serve several purposes. They more clearly define the bathing space, as well as keeping more of the floor area dry, which can improve safety. Screens also help keep towels, bathrobes and fixtures dry. An added benefit is that with less of the room getting wet on a regular basis, the opportunity for mold and mildew to grow is reduced. But with a central drain it is also much easier to wash down.
Walk in wet room showers are an innovative way to make the most of a small space, while creating a modern, sleek design and reducing the amount of time and effort needed for bathroom cleanup. When designed well and installed correctly, these stylish rooms increase both a homeowner’s experience and the value of the home.
