What is a wet room?

Considering a bathroom remodel can feel like a big decision, especially when you’re thinking about installing something different, like a wet room. While it might be a new idea for your home, a wet room can bring real benefits, from making cleaning easier to creating a more spacious, accessible bathroom for all.

In this article, we explore what a wet room is, how it works and the key benefits of choosing one for your home.

What is a wet room in a house?

The first step to deciding if a wet room is right for you is to know what it entails. Installing a wet room means opting for a bespoke bathroom that’s fully waterproofed and much more open plan than a traditional version. A shower base sits level with the rest of the floor, which is usually tiled. Instead of featuring a tray or cubicle, the whole space acts as a walk-in shower and the water drains away through a flush floor drain.

Wet rooms are a great way to use space efficiently in your home and can be installed on both ground and upper floors, regardless of whether your house has timber or concrete construction.

For extra comfort, many homeowners choose to install underfloor heating too. This helps keep the space warm and dries out moisture more quickly.

If you are worried about water splashing, this can easily be solved as many of our customers choose a glass screen or partition. However, it’s not essential and many people love the seamless, open look.

Because all the surfaces are tiled and waterproofed, cleaning is straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about mould or water damage. This design not only looks sleek, but also makes your bathroom safer and easier to maintain.

How do wet rooms work?

Wet rooms work by entirely waterproofing your bathroom, so your space can safely handle water from the shower. Beneath the tiles or flooring, a sealed, waterproof membrane, sometimes referred to as ‘tanking’, acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that no water seeps into the underlying structure. The floor is sloped towards a flush drain, allowing water to flow away easily and preventing any pooling.

Ensuring your wet room is professionally sloped and sealed is essential for your wet room to work. Without the correct gradients and waterproofing, water may pool or escape into surrounding areas, potentially causing long-term damage.

At Merilyn Phillips, our experienced installers will take care of every technical detail from priming and tanking to creating precise floor gradients to guarantee your wet room is fully protected and built to last.

Why should I have a wet room in my house?

Adding a wet room will futureproof your bathroom, making it suitable for all ages and mobility needs.The extra space means you can add grab rails, seating, and other features that enhance bathroom accessibility.

• Wet rooms make it possible to fit a shower into even the smallest spaces, where a standard fitting or bath wouldn’t work. If every little bit of space counts in your property a wet room can be a smart decision.

• They can add long-term value to your property, especially when fitted by an expert with a stylish, high-end finish.

• Installing a wet room in a home makes your bathroom easier to clean. Their design means there are fewer nooks and crannies where dirt and grime can build up.

At Merilyn Phillips, we take time to understand how you live. From selecting elegant fixtures to integrating smart storage and underfloor heating, we craft every element of your bespoke bathroom around your lifestyle and design preferences.

If you're ready to transform your bathroom with a bespoke wet room, our expert designers are here to help. Whether you need a family-friendly, open bathroom to make the evening routine easier or you're making the most of a small-space with an open en-suite, we will create a space that suits your lifestyle, taste and future needs. Visit our Heswall showroom today and experience what we have to offer first hand.