Wet Room Planning: Tips from Orbry

It’s hard to know where to start when planning your new wet room, so we’ve put together some advice to help you. Got more questions? Get in touch with our friendly customer services team on 0333 355 3725 or pop us an email to info@orbry.com.

What is a Wet Room

A basic level of understanding is probably a good way to start planning your wet room. Generally, a wet room is a bathroom where the entire space becomes the shower enclosure. The walls and floor are fully waterproofed to protect the rest of the house from any leaks. The shower base is usually set flush with the floor and tiled to create a level access space, however a shower screen can be added to keep water more contained if necessary. The majority of wet rooms do not include a bath, however if there is space it can be a great addition.

Use

Before you do anything you need to think about how you use your bathroom currently. Do you take regular baths or just quick showers? Is it a busy family bathroom or only used by one or two people? Are you neat and tidy or do you need extra storage space? These questions will help you decide what elements you will need within your wet room and what you can get rid of.

Layout

Once you’ve decided what you want to include in your wet room you can start to think about the layout. Choose a shower tray and drain that can handle the amount of water your shower will be putting out, and if the room is on the smaller side consider adding a glass shower screen to stop water splashing throughout the room. Make sure to position storage for towels and toilet paper away from the shower area.

Products

What will you need to create a wet room? A shower tray with built in falls and a suitable drain will be needed to help water drain away properly, as well as suitable waterproofing for the rest of the room. Tile backer boards are strong, insulating and waterproof – and they are the perfect background for tiling on to. Wall hung basins and toilets will give more floor space and make the room feel larger.

Choosing Tiles

Tiles are ideal for wet rooms as they are strong, water resistant and easy to keep clean. They can become slippery in wet areas so choose a tile with an anti-slip surface, or opt for something with lots of grout joints like a mosaic tile. Hard-wearing porcelain is perfect for floors and can also be used for walls, or go for something decorative in ceramic or glass on the walls to add interest.