Originating in a concept from Japan, the idea of homes having a wet room bathroom is increasingly gaining traction in North America. In Japanese culture, bathers clean themselves in a ‘yusenba’ or washing area before entering a tub for a relaxing soak. This open splash zone is extended to the entire bathroom where water is not just confined to the shower area. There are a number of pros and cons to a wet room bathroom to reflect on before taking the time and expense to incorporate a wet room bathroom into your own home. 

Pros and Cons of Wet Room Bathrooms

Before taking a virtual dive into adding a wet room bathroom to your home, you should take the time to become familiar with the pros and cons. While the idea of open space and a new look may be appealing, the flip side of the installation coin could be a costly one. 

Wet Room Advantages

Due to their open design and lack of need for shower trays, a wet bathroom is ideal for those members of the family with mobility difficulties. The open floor plan and accessible shower is very accommodating for those in wheelchairs or using walkers. 

The open design of wet room bathrooms allows for fewer hidden, out of the way places to clean and fewer concealed corners where muck can build. With a sloping floor to an available central drain, wet rooms can easily have water directed out. 

With a minimalist design, wet rooms offer a modern style that not only can appeal to the current owner of the home. It also may increase the home’s overall value as a feature that home buyers might covet. 

For smaller homes or condos, a wet room bathroom opens up and completely utilizes the limited space allotted to a bathroom. Combined with accessibility, ease of cleaning, and modern style, this could be a positive addition to your condo life.

Wet Room Disadvantages

The cost of a wet room can be considerably higher than installing a conventional bathroom. These rooms require several layers of a waterproof membrane and sealant to make the room watertight. Specialized drainage to a central drain is necessary, More costs can result if a luxury tile is chosen for the walls and floor, and an underfloor heating option can also cause a jump in installation costs.

Because of moisture buildup in a wet room, which most likely has tile on the floor, walking with caution is mandatory. Soap film as well as water on the floor, drainage that may not be sufficient, and flooring chosen with form over function can all lead to slipping accidents. A non-slip coating or a textured tiling for the floor would be vital. 

Wet rooms can generate a lot of moisture. Because wet room bathrooms are watertight, the moisture from showers and baths may overwhelm customary ventilation. An upgrade of the ventilation system will add to installation cost, but it would be necessary to prevent mold, control odours, and improve the quality of the air. 

An open design bathroom covered in tile may feel colder, especially in northern areas, than a mainstream bathroom. Additional heating can alleviate the chill, and that is most safely done with radiant floor heating. If your home does not already have that installed, fitting a wet room bathroom into your home can be more complex and costly.

Is It Time To Install A Wet Room Bathroom In Your Home?

Before you take the plunge and seize the day on installing a wet room bathroom in your home, take a step back and deliberate over what is involved. You gain accessibility, less maintenance, and a modern, sleek bathroom. On the other hand, making a wet room bathroom a safe, warm, and ventilated place can come at an exorbitant price. 

To discuss this major decision, contact the professionals at Top Home Builders for advice on how to proceed. With 5/5 stars on Google, Yelp, and HomeAdvisor, we will give you superlative service and advice. As the #1 home remodelling contractor in San Jose, you are in safe hands with us. 

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FAQs

Essentially, it is a bathroom, but the entire space from floor to up the walls has been waterproofed and the water empties down a centralized floor drain. The shower is open and easily accessible, and water splashing is not confined to a specific shower area. 

Usually, several layers of a waterproof membrane is attached to the floor and walls. The wall membrane may cover partway or completely up the walls to the ceiling. The waterproofing material could be applied in a liquid form, attached as flexible sheets, or fastened on as thicker, stiff boards. 

Of course, you can have a toilet in a wet room bathroom. It is still a bathroom, and toilets are a regular feature. It would be best to place the toilet at a distance from the showering area to cut down on shower splashes, and a wall mounted toilet should be considered. That would make cleaning around the toilet a much easier process.

Yes. In the past, inadequate waterproofing or lower quality materials were the causes of leaks from upper floors. Today, with advancements in waterproofing materials and techniques for installation, a wet room on the second or third floor is a very viable option. 

Careful planning with an eye towards accessibility and use of space is a key component to designing a wet room. The room will need to be completely watertight, and drainage and ventilation will need to be more than adequate. 

This is something that is technically possible, but it is not recommended for the weekend warrior of home improvement. Specialized skills are required to waterproof the room, shore up structural aspects of the home, and reroute plumbing and drainage. Hiring a professional contractor for this task is strongly advised.