Upgrade your bathroom with a modern wet room
If your bathroom is starting to feel outdated, cramped, or just doesn’t suit your lifestyle needs, it might be about time for an upgrade. We’ve actually found that more and more homeowners across Plymouth are choosing to rip out their old bath and shower cubicle and replace it with something sleeker, safer, and altogether more modern: a wet room.
Read on to find out why quality wet rooms are winning over Plymouth homeowners and what quality actually means in installations.
What exactly is a wet room?
First things first, you might be thinking – what on earth is a wet room exactly? To put it simply – a wet room is a fully waterproofed bathroom where the shower area is level with the rest of the floor, with no cubicle, shower tray, or step to trip over. When you shower, the water drains away through a discreet, gently sloped floor into a drain, leaving you with a clean, open space.
Unlike standard showers that sit on top of your bathroom floor, a wet room is built into it.
Why homeowners in Plymouth are choosing wet rooms
To name the top 5 benefits of quality wet rooms, they:
1. Look sleek & modern
With their clean lines, minimal fixtures, and open floor plan, wet rooms have a contemporary, spa-like feel about them. In comparison to standard bathrooms, they don’t have fiddly cubicle doors or awkward shower trays to manoeuvre around, giving them a touch of elegance.
2. Make small bathrooms feel bigger
Without a massive shower tray taking up half of the space, wet rooms make even the smallest bathrooms look and feel noticeably more spacious. Over the years, we’ve found that many homes in Plymouth have bathrooms that feel a bit tight and boxed-in, especially those period terraces and smaller new builds. So it’s safe to say wet rooms have been an absolute lifesaver for these types of properties!
3. Are built for everyday practicality
Not having to step onto a shower tray means no trip hazards. Plus, over time, you won’t have to worry about cracks or discolouration in the acrylic or porcelain or mould-prone silicone seals that need hours of bleach and scrubbing!
For you, this means less time cleaning and more time to actually enjoy the space.
4. Support accessible, future-proof living
Being able to access your shower is a genuine safety concern for those with mobility struggles, disability, elderly individuals, or even if you’re thinking ahead about ageing in the future. The good news is – wet rooms don’t have to compromise on style in order to be an accessible bathroom, whilst allowing for safe, level access to your shower.
5. Add value to your home
A quality wet room is a strong selling point, especially in Plymouth’s current property market. If installed to a high standard, it can not only add value to your home but also increase its desirability. Homeowners want to know that they can move in straightaway, without the hassle of renovations.
What quality actually means in wet room installations
Not all wet rooms are installed to a high enough standard – and this is where quality makes or breaks the finish. If you don’t get the fundamentals right, it might look fine for now, but poor workmanship tends to cause issues later down the line. This means you need:
Proper tanking
The waterproof membrane (also known as tanking) below your tiles is what stands between you and a leak into the room or floor below. Think of it like your last line of defence – this must be done correctly without shortcuts. You’ve got to get it done right the first time; otherwise, you’ll end up having to start over again from scratch and pay for your wet room twice (and the consequential damage!).
Correct floor fall
Your wet room’s floor needs a precise, gentle slope towards the drain – too shallow and water will pool, too steep and it will feel uneven, and may cause you to be unsteady on your feet. There’s a fine line with this when it comes to getting the right floor fall for proper drainage.
Quality drainage
Speaking of drainage – you’ll need to make sure that your drain is fitted in just the right place and is the correct size for your space so that your shower water flows straight in – without blocking or smelling over time. Don’t worry, you can leave that to the experts who’ll know exactly what they’re doing!
The right materials
The choice of materials for your wet room is yours to make – porcelain or natural stone tiles, along with slip-resistant flooring, glass screens, and bathroom fixtures & fittings. At KC Bathrooms, we only work with quality brands, so that you can have peace of mind that your installation will last for years to come.
Ventilation
Good extractor fans are essential for preventing condensation and damp, especially in wet rooms. If you don’t get the extraction right or any of the above for that matter, you could very well end up with damp patches, musty smells, or even water damage.
Is a wet room right for your bathroom?
Wet rooms work brilliantly in most spaces; however, they’re not necessarily for everyone! It might all come down to your design preferences – you can, of course, choose from a diverse array of modern or traditional styles.
Here are a few things worth thinking about:
Floor structure
Ground floor rooms with a concrete base are the most straightforward to convert into a wet room. Upper-floor and timber-framed installations are absolutely possible too, but they need the right approach to waterproofing and floor build-up.
Room size
Wet rooms suit small and large bathrooms alike, but layout and drainage positioning will need planning either way.
Household needs
Think about who uses your bathroom and how – a wet room can be designed with assisted living accessories from the outset, saving you from a second renovation down the line.
Ready to upgrade your bathroom with a quality wet room in Plymouth?
Whether you’re renovating your family bathroom, planning ahead for accessibility, or simply want a room that feels like a hotel spa every morning, quality wet rooms are a top choice for homes across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
Take a look at our gallery of work if you’re looking for inspiration, and our reviews for feedback from valued customers. When you’re ready to discuss your wet room upgrade, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team for a free home survey and design consultation or drop by our bathroom showroom in Plymouth.