Not everyone knows about wet room bathrooms, but we see them more in new construction builds because of their appeal. They, like other master bathroom ideas, make for an overall more enjoyable bathroom experience. But, they aren’t perfect.
Wet room bathrooms aren’t for everybody, but they are incredible for others. This is why it’s good to weigh the pros and cons before installing a wet room. You’ll be able to make the most out of your bathroom remodeling project and have it fit your lifestyle.
In this post, we cover a few needs-to-knows about wet room bathrooms, along with their main pros and cons.
What Is A Wet Room Bathroom?
A wet bathroom is a bathroom with no tub and an open threshold shower area. This means the water drains down into one place. It involves taking a traditional bathroom and making it into a seamless, waterproof area you can relax in and enjoy.
There are some options for customization as you see fit, such as putting in a partial wall in your shower area or adding a tub if that is a must-have.
Wet rooms allow for more function in a small space and are a wise investment if done correctly. Proper waterproofing and drainage are a must, so before committing to a wet room bathroom, you need to decide if you want to put the work into it.
How Do Wet Room Bathrooms Differ From Traditional Bathrooms?
Wet rooms are like traditional bathrooms, except the shower is open without a threshold, and each area flows into the next seamlessly. There might be a wall to separate it from the remainder of the bathroom, but it’s not distinctly separated. A wet room bathroom usually has no bathtub, just an open shower with sloped flooring to the drain, but some opt for one with an additional drain.
The lack of a shower enclosure and the openness of a wet room bathroom let more natural light in, and water drainage is easier than ever.
Wet room bathrooms may have water-sealed or raised sinks and toilets. Wet rooms typically focus on function rather than aesthetics and are often more minimal or simple. Wet rooms also make a great master bathroom layout. But you can make all types of bathrooms match your style and preferences.
Wet Room Bathrooms— The Pros And Cons
Here are the pros and cons of a wet room bathroom, so you can decide if it’s the best choice for your home.
Pros Of Wet Room Bathrooms
Better Ventilation
In a traditional bathroom with a shower enclosure, steam from your shower can quickly build up, leading to mold and mildew growth—not to mention an uncomfortable environment. Because wet rooms are open, however, that steam is free to escape, which helps keep mold and mildew at bay.
Ventilation is also important for preventing condensation buildup on surfaces like mirrors and countertops. When water droplets come into contact with cold surfaces, they condense and can eventually lead to water damage. By ventilating your bathroom properly, you can help prevent this type of damage from occurring.
Finally, good ventilation can also help reduce odors that can linger in a traditional bathroom. By allowing fresh air to circulate freely, you can help keep your bathroom smelling clean and fresh.
Easier Cleaning And Maintenance
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining a wet room bathroom, there are several things you should keep in mind. First of all, because there is no tub or shower enclosure, there are fewer nooks and crannies for mold and mildew to take hold. Second, the tile or stone floor can be sloped slightly toward a drain in the center of the room, which means that any water that does accumulate on the floor will quickly drain away. Finally, most wet room bathrooms have glass walls or panels, which makes it easy to keep the space clean and clutter-free.
In terms of actual cleaning, all you really need to do is sweep or vacuum the floor on a regular basis and wipe down the glass or tile surfaces with a mild cleaner. You may also want to invest in a small handheld vacuum to make quick work of any stubborn dirt or dust that might accumulate in corners or along baseboards. All told, you should be able to keep your wet room bathroom looking sparkling clean with just a few minutes of effort each week.
Great For All Age Groups
One of the great things about wet room bathrooms is that they can be easily customized to meet the needs of any homeowner. For example, if you have young children, you can add a shower seat or bench to make bath time safer and more comfortable for them. Or, if you’re caring for an aging parent or grandparent, a wet room bathroom can help make bathing easier and less physically demanding. No matter what your needs may be, there’s sure to be a wet room bathroom layout that’s perfect for you.
Wet Room Bathrooms Look Incredible
Wet room bathrooms are designed around the concept of an open, spacious shower area with no compartmentalization. This creates a clean, minimalist look that is perfect for contemporary homes. By contrast, traditional bathrooms typically have bulky tubs and shower enclosures. These can make the space feel cramped and cluttered.
Wet room bathrooms don’t rely on pre-fabricated fixtures. This means they can be easily customized to fit any design style. You can adapt the style to your taste, whether you’re aiming for a sleek and modern aesthetic or a rustic and farmhouse-inspired look.
Another advantage of wet rooms is that they make good use of natural light. This is something that is often lacking in traditional bathroom designs. By incorporating large windows or skylights into your wet room bathroom design, you can help brighten up the space and make it feel more open and airy.
Cons Of Wet Room Bathrooms
Higher Installation Costs
Installation costs can be high. Since every element in a wet room must be completely waterproofed, the installation process can be both time-consuming and expensive. This includes things like waterproof drywall, cement backer board for tiling, and mildew-resistant grout and caulk. All of these materials come with a hefty price tag, so be sure to factor that into your budget before proceeding with your project.
You may also have to remove walls and other parts of a traditional bathroom to create a wet room bathroom.
Water Damage Risks
There’s also the risk of significant water damage. If your drains become clogged or if there’s any leakage around doors or windows, you could be facing major repairs—and that could end up costing you even more money.
Your wet room bathroom needs proper drainage and ventilation to avoid water damage. Being a bathroom, water damage can happen if you don’t maintain it well. But it’ll happen faster and more often with poor drainage or ventilation.
This also means everything needs some degree of water resistance.
It’s A Different Experience
Many people find the spa-like experience of a bath therapeutic and relaxing. Since wet rooms don’t usually have a bathtub, wet room bathrooms may not work well for you if this is important. However, some people never take baths and only utilize the shower portion of their bathroom, possibly resulting in unused or wasted space.
You may not feel as warm or hot when showering because there isn’t an enclosure to trap the heat. Since most people are used to a shower enclosure, all of the open space may feel weird at first.
Other Cons Of Wet Room Bathrooms
- Many buyers expect a traditional bathroom with an enclosure
- If the drain backs up, water can cover the floor of the whole room
How Can You Customize Your Wet Room Bathroom?
While wet room bathrooms are known for their openness and lack of enclosures, there are still ways you can make yours even better. You can choose to build a larger wet room or to have larger or more cabinets for maximum storage.
There are many ways to personalize a wet room bathroom, such as:
- Enclosing your shower: Wet room bathrooms are known for their lack of closed-in areas, but there is a small way of getting around this. When planning your space, you can choose to install a small wall for splash prevention or a door-less open enclosure
- Size of the wet room: Some people may find a small one is all they need, while others want something with more space. It depends on how much elbow room you want
- Storage and cabinetry: Having a wet room bathroom full of water is not always ideal when you need to store bathroom products. Thankfully, you can raise sinks and other storage areas to help combat this. You can also keep bathroom storage outside the room, like in a linen closet. There are plenty of storage ideas for wet rooms you can use.
- Accessories: Add your personal touch with pictures, embroidered towels, and other accessories. It’s the best way to personalize any room in your home.
Choose Wise Choice Construction For Your Bathroom Remodel
Every home remodeling project requires listening to the homeowners’ needs, attention to detail, and careful planning. Wise Choice Construction can take the stress off your bathroom remodel or renovation. Our customer service is unmatched, and you will love the finished look of your new traditional bathroom or wet room bathroom!
Wise Choice Construction can transform your space into something you will love. Working with both traditional and wet room bathrooms has given us the proper knowledge and experience. Fill out our contact form today so we can start planning your bathroom remodel!