If you have a small bathroom but rarely use your bath, then a wet room could be the perfect solution for you. Removing the tub and adding a level-access walk in shower will free up space in the room, whilst also making showering much more convenient. Wet rooms are also the perfect option for those with young children or mobility issues, as there is no issue manoeuvring in and out of the shower.
Wet rooms are becoming more popular in the UK, and estate agents have found that adding one as a second bathroom in your home often adds value. Walk in shower design tends to be sleek and modern, creating an open plan room which is easier to clean and looks fantastic.
Before you start browsing tiles and choosing taps there are some important things to consider. A wet room can look fantastic, but if the basics are not done right then it could cause you expensive problems in the future. Here’s our guide to the things you’ll need to take into consideration when planning your small wet room.
Tanking
Tanking is the term used to describe waterproofing your wet room. Whilst tiles, adhesive and grout give the right level of waterproofing for a normal bathroom, a wet room needs to be fully tanked. Often only the area around the shower is tanked, however in a small wet room it is important to waterproof the whole room as water will be splashed throughout. You can waterproof your wet room using a waterproof membrane or tile backer board beneath the tiles.
Shower Tray
A wet room shower tray is hidden beneath the tiles, unlike traditional plastic shower trays. Our wet room shower trays have a built in slope to help water flow towards the drain, and are available in a range of sizes featuring different options for drain sizes and positions. We also stock a range of different wet room drains to give you the right look.
Shower Screen
A shower screen is not an essential part of a wet room, and since you’ve tanked the whole room it doesn’t matter if water splashes around the room. However, in a small wet room you might want to consider adding one to avoid soaking towels and toilet paper. Our frameless glass shower screens have a sleek look, and you can choose accessories to accompany your shower screen, for example a bathrobe hook, which will help keep your wet room tidy.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Another optional element to consider is electric underfloor heating, which adds a touch of luxury as well as practicality. As well as heating your tiled floor, the system will help evaporate any surface water, reducing the risk of slipping. Choosing electric underfloor heating rather than a radiator also frees up space in your small wet room, allowing you to better use the wall where the radiator would have been.
Tiles
Choosing tiles for a wet room is not just about the way they look – you need to take into account their slip resistance and ease of cleaning too. We stock a range of non-slip mosaic tiles designed specifically for wet rooms.
If you're looking for a seamless spa-inspired look we recommend using a range that includes coordinating wall and floor tiles such as the Insignia range. This stone effect tile range also features a R11 slip resistance rating on the floor tiles which is ideal for wet rooms.