Help & advice
Wet room or enclosed shower?
Wet rooms are likely to consume more water, and in our experience get colder faster than an enclosed shower, so the enclosed shower is the more water and energy efficient option.
Wet Room
A wet room is a bathroom design in which the entire room, or a significant portion of it, serves as a waterproof shower area. The distinguishing feature of a wet room is the absence of a traditional shower enclosure.
In a wet room design, a tray is not typically visible underneath the shower. Instead, the entire floor of the wet room is constructed to be waterproof, and the water drains directly into a floor drain. The floor is sloped toward a drain to allow water to flow freely.
Enclosed Shower
An enclosed shower refers to a traditional shower design where the shower area is enclosed by glass or plastic doors.
Deciding factors
In favour of the wet room:
- Open and spacious feel - wet rooms create a sense of openness and spaciousness, making even small bathroom designs appear larger
- Accessibility - ideal for individuals with mobility issues, as there are no barriers like shower enclosures or curbs to navigate
- Versatility in design - allowing for various configurations and creative use of space
- Easy to clean - generally easier to clean with no shower doors or curtains, reducing the risk of mould and mildew
In favour of an enclosed shower:
- Wet rooms splash back - without a shower enclosure, water can splash throughout the bathroom. Proper drainage and a well-designed layout are crucial. If you live in an area with hard water, you may also get issues with limescale in the room as a result of water overflowing / splashing
- Wet rooms require the entire room to be waterproofed to prevent moisture from seeping into the walls and floor
- Temperature - it gets colder faster in a larger, open space, so you need to consider how to keep the room warmer
- Installation is more complex with a wet room, involving waterproofing, sloping the floor, and proper drainage
- Shower head size (and related water consumption) is generally larger for a wet room for design purposes, which is not the most efficient choice
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a wet room and an enclosed shower?
A wet room has a fully waterproofed floor with water draining directly into the floor itself, usually without a traditional shower tray or enclosure. An enclosed shower contains the water within a tray and glass enclosure.
Are wet rooms colder than enclosed showers?
Often yes. Because the shower area is open to the rest of the room, heat escapes more quickly than in an enclosed shower, especially in larger bathrooms.
Do wet rooms use more water?
They can do. Wet rooms are often paired with larger rainfall or drench shower heads, which tend to use more water than smaller enclosed shower setups.
Does a wet room need the whole floor waterproofed?
Yes. A wet room requires the floor, and usually parts of the walls, to be fully waterproofed so water cannot seep into the structure below.
Are wet rooms harder to install than enclosed showers?
Usually yes. Wet rooms require additional waterproofing, drainage planning and floor falls to ensure water drains away properly.
Do wet rooms splash water everywhere?
They can if the layout is not planned carefully. Without an enclosure, water is more likely to splash onto the rest of the bathroom floor.
Are wet rooms good for small bathrooms?
They can work very well in small bathrooms because they create a more open feel and remove visual barriers like trays and shower enclosures.
Renovating? Read more...
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Dimensions and understanding the space needed around your bathroom items
You'll want at least 700mm of clear floor space in front of your basin, toilet, shower, or bath - basically enough room to use them comfortably.
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Where to start planning a new bathroom
What is the to do list? What should I work out first, what comes later?
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Why moving a toilet is a big decision
It will add to the overall time required to complete the project, which, in turn, increases the cost.
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What needs to be decided before first fix?
Pipes and cables are installed inside walls and floors, so changes become expensive and disruptive.
Bathroom
What needs to be waterproofed in a bathroom?
Tiling a bathroom does not make it waterproof. The waterproofing sits behind the visible finish and protects the structure of your home.
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