Pros and cons of wetrooms
Wetrooms are becoming very popular in the UK. This is partly because of the aging population – people tend to have reduced mobility as they get older – and partly because of experiencing the convenience and luxury of wetrooms on overseas holidays. Back in Britain, people wish to recreate a similar type of ambience in their bathroom at home.
As with everything, there are pros and cons of making big changes to any functional room in a house. Let’s have a look at them.
Pros of having a wetroom
- Wetrooms can be very advantageous of people with reduced mobility. They avoid the need for climbing in and out of a bath and increase safety by reducing the chance of slipping.
- A well-designed wetroom can increase the value of a property. Done right, it can create a luxurious impression.
- If your bathroom is small, a wetroom can be a great space saver.
- Wetrooms are easier to clean than bathrooms.
Bonus hint
To make cleaning really easy, you can’t beat a steam cleaner. We use a Kärcher in our home and highly recommend it. It’s particularly good for making tiles look like new!
Cons of having a wetroom
- Wetrooms can be expensive, depending on what finish you choose. They should be tiled from floor to ceiling, so if you choose expensive tiles, the cost will mount up as you need to cover a larger area.
- Whilst a wetroom can add to the value of a property, the converse can also be true if you are replacing a bathroom with a wetroom. Some people enjoy a relaxing soak in the bath. If you remove the bath altogether, it could make the house less sellable. A wetroom will always be a welcome addition to existing facilities, but do think carefully before you make a property bathless.
- Wetrooms can increase the chances of leakage, and possible damp problems. It’s imperative to have it correctly installed. Whilst it is possible to create a DIY wetroom, and it looks easy, if you’re not a DIY expert you’ll probably be better to call in a professional. (Why does Frank Spencer spring to mind?)
- Wetrooms can get very steamy, especially if they’re small, so do ensure good ventilation and design the space so the loo roll and towels don’t all get wet every time someone has a shower.
I hope the above has given you an idea of what to consider if you’re thinking of installing a wetroom. But for many people, the most important is safety and a wetroom is likely to reduce the risk of accident and injury. Good looks and increased property value are desirable too. But increased safety is priceless.
