In recent years, we’ve seen a massive increase in clients enquiring about and requesting wet rooms for their bathroom. While some people are quite wary of them, when done right they can be amazing wellness spaces so we are all for them. So today, along with discussing the pros and cons of wet rooms, are going to be answering five of your top Frequently Asked Questions.
FAQ #1 – What exactly is a wet room?
Essentially, a wet room is a waterproofed and completely open plan bathroom where the shower is the same level as the floor. There is no need for a shower recess as the water simply drains away via a floor drain situated in the shower area.
The builder will create a small, mostly unnoticeable to the eye, slope to aid the waters direction towards the drain. This is achieved by spreading a levelling compound to create the slope. This is the area where you want to ensure that your builder is fully qualified and experienced in wet rooms – if the drainage is poorly executed, then you could potentially be staring at a flooded floor, water damaged furniture, a mould loving environment and a hefty bill to fix it all.
When implemented to the correct Australian Standards, the water will quickly slide away and you won’t notice a thing.
Full-width architectural grates are a must-have in a wet room to ensure that all the water generated by your shower goes straight down the drain.
FAQ #2 – Does a wet room still have shower panels?
Not usually. And for the person who is responsible for cleaning the bathroom – what a win! No more glass and frames to clean, no more mould to grow in that tiny space between the frame and glass and the shower frame won’t end up look worn and outdated… because there isn’t one!
Sometimes, a glass panel can be added to stop additional water splashes. This is especially popular in family bathrooms to stop playful children making a huge wet mess. Adding a glass panel creates the look of a walk-in shower, but assists with managing all sorts of water splashes. The panel can also be used to create zones within the bathroom and assist when multiple users need to access the space.
FAQ #3 – What is the floor made of?
Above all, your flooring should be anti-slip. Natural stone tiles will create a beautifully modern look, as will porcelain tiles. Timber-look tiles are also a popular option. We recommend considering underfloor heating and installing good-quality bathroom ventilation options to help with managing humidity. Underfloor heating is a great way to control steam (and not to mention keep your feet nice and warm through the winter months).
We suggest keeping porous tiles such as ceramic to the walls, which should be fully tiled.
FAQ #4 – What décor is appropriate in a wet room?
We highly recommend keeping as much off the floor as possible. You’ll quite often notice that people will choose wall hung furniture for their wet rooms. Floating vanities and shelves will ensure that your bathroom furniture (and anything you place onto it) stays nice and dry. While a professionally designed wet room shower should mean that the water will not reach, and therefore damage, items such as your vanity, there is nothing like peace of mind if you’re sharing the room with children or guests who might have an accident.
An added bonus of choosing wall hung furniture is that your room is going to appear even larger. The shower itself without glass or a frame already opens up the room and the inclusion of a sweeping floor is really going to enlarge it that extra bit more.
Another way to make your wet room appear even more spacious is with a minimalistic touch. Ditch the shower caddy and install a niche to hold personal items and keep items such as laundry hampers and extra towels either in a cupboard or in another room. To take it one step further, as well as making it feel like you are truly out in the open, we love to install a ceiling-mounted rainforest shower. These little changes all take yet another item out of the line of sight.
FAQ #4 – Is my bathroom the right size for a wet room?
Yes! Big, small, average – any bathroom can turn into a beautiful wet room. A lot of people are concerned that their current bathroom is too small to facilitate an open shower but with the correct placement and installation, that small bathroom will appear much bigger than it really is. Due to the close proximity of everything in the room, it is quite possible than your designer will recommend a splash panel to protect the toilet and / or vanity.
A large bathroom can turn into a beautiful wet room – think dual shower heads with a central overhead rainforest shower meeting in the centre. Place a gorgeous free -standing bath in the room and you will feel as though you have just stepped into a luxury spa retreat, brimming with bathing options for you.
There is no denying that a wet room looks modern, stylish and can add value to a home’s resale. If you’d like to know more about wet rooms, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced and friendly team for a chat.
