Walk-in shower areas and wetrooms are two appealing and adaptable options for maximizing space and style in your bathroom. Both offer a spacious, contemporary aesthetic with ample customization potential, making them excellent choices for updating your home.
Both designs are also favored for practical reasons, including improved accessibility and the ability to visually expand the size of a room. Historically, these shower types were associated with users facing mobility challenges, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, or those with injuries, due to the ease of entry and exit compared to conventional enclosures. This benefit has now been broadly embraced by consumers who appreciate the gentler impact on joints and the ability to create visually stunning, non-claustrophobic shower spaces.
Traditional shower enclosures can make a room feel smaller because they occupy a defined area and physically block off viewable floor space. Conversely, many walk-in shower and wetroom designs use only a single, often frameless, glass screen, which allows light to travel across the entire room, preserving the visual length of the floor and making the space appear much larger.
If you are considering either a walk-in shower or a wetroom, this guide covers key questions about their functionality, design options, and the process of integrating them into your home.
An Introduction to Walk-in Showers
Walk-in showers are, simply put, showering areas you can enter without needing to step over a high edge or, in the case of showers over tubs, having to climb in entirely.
Walk-in showers differ from fully enclosed shower cubicles in two main ways:
- Low-Profile Trays: They utilize low-profile shower trays, which have a minimal height compared to standard shower trays (which often start at 35mm and higher, creating a noticeable step). Low-profile trays sit much lower, often at 25mm or less. The intention is that you can simply walk into the area with ease, making them highly accessible and reducing pressure on joints without the need for grab bars or external assistance.
- Open Design: Walk-in showers are not fully contained; typically, at least one side remains open to the room. Configurations can range from a single glass panel to a three-sided enclosure using two side panels and a front screen. This contrasts with traditional enclosures, which are fully sealed and require a hinged or sliding door for entry and exit.
Walk-in Showers: The Pros and Cons
When evaluating a walk-in shower, considering the core advantages and drawbacks is essential:
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish & Contemporary | Temperature Control |
| They offer a sleek look that maintains the visual flow of the bathroom, making the entire space appear cohesive and attractive. | Unlike fully enclosed showers, walk-in designs are more prone to letting warm air escape, which can lead to a cooler showering experience in chilly bathrooms. |
| Convenient to Use | Reduced Privacy |
| The step-free entry feels luxurious for everyone and is a significant benefit for those with mobility issues, making entry and exit effortless. | Without a door or curtain, there is a higher chance of accidental lack of privacy if someone enters the room while the shower is in use. |
| Versatility | Slip Risk |
| Screens allow you to define the boundaries of the showering area, providing more control over size and placement than pre-fabricated enclosures. | The floor area within the tray can be slippery when wet, although this is true of all shower types. |
Walk-in Shower Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Walk-in Shower Cheaper Than a Wetroom?
Generally, walk-in showers are more affordable than wetrooms. While precise costs depend on your fittings and room specifics, walk-in showers are less complex to install. They do not require converting the entire room to be fully waterproofed or making extensive structural changes to the floor and plumbing, which contributes to a lower installation cost than a full wetroom conversion.
Do Walk-in Showers Wet the Floor Outside?
If installed correctly, a walk-in shower should keep the water contained. Water is channeled down the low-profile tray and into the drain. The surrounding screen(s) act as a protective barrier. If properly installed and sealed, water should not escape beyond the shower area.
How Do You Prevent Water from Escaping a Doorless Shower?
The key methods are:
- High-Flow Drains: Many shower drains installed with walk-in trays are high-flow models (often rated around 30 liters per minute). These efficiently remove water, preventing pooling on the tray and reducing the chance of overflow.
- Screen Placement: The single or multiple screens create a strategic barrier to ensure water is directed back toward the drain.
How Large Should a Doorless Walk-in Shower Be?
- Dimensions: Walk-in trays commonly range up to 900mm in width and up to 1900mm in length, though larger options exist.
- Access Opening: The recommended minimum access opening to the shower should be no less than 600mm, though 700mm (about 28 inches) is advised for maximum comfort.
- Screen Sizing: If using multiple panels (e.g., a front screen and a side return panel), ensure the screen sizes leave the required access gap while still providing sufficient coverage to prevent water escape. The ideal size maximizes the space you have while maintaining practical boundaries.
An Introduction to Wetrooms
While walk-in showers aim to keep water contained on the tray, wetrooms are fully open-plan areas where the entire floor is designed to be waterproof, with all water flowing toward a central or linear floor drain.
Crucially, wetrooms are always completely floor-level with no lip or step whatsoever. Unlike walk-in showers that use a conventional tray, wetrooms utilize a specialized shower tray former or installation kit that is recessed into the subfloor, which is then covered by the final flooring (such as tiles).
While some wetrooms are entirely open, many homeowners choose to install a single glass screen to define the showering space and contain splashing, separating it visually from the rest of the bathroom.
Wetrooms are exceptionally beneficial for people with disabilities or significant mobility issues, as they remove every barrier to entry and exit. Users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids will find it easiest to shower unassisted in this completely level environment.
Wetrooms: The Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple to Clean | Complex Installation |
| The cleaning process can be simplified to merely squeegeeing excess water toward the drain. Even with a screen, there is less hardware to maintain than a traditional enclosure. | They are significantly more challenging to install, requiring specialized waterproofing membranes, sloped flooring, and complex plumbing adjustments to ensure effective drainage. |
| Ease of Use | Higher Cost |
| The ability to simply undress and walk straight into the shower area feels undeniably luxurious and is highly convenient for all users. | Due to the extensive structural and waterproofing work required, wetrooms are often more expensive to install than any other shower option. |
| Space Utilization | Resale Value Risk |
| Wetrooms are an excellent space-saving option, especially in tight areas where a hinged or sliding door might not fit comfortably. | While they do not necessarily devalue a home, they can make the property harder to sell, as not all prospective buyers will want a wetroom. |
Wetroom Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Wetroom?
It is impossible to give specific costs due to variables like room size, fixture choices, and required structural work. You should generally budget between £6,000 and £10,000 for high-quality fixtures and professional installation for a full bathroom renovation, but it is essential to get specialized quotes, as complex plumbing or structural requirements can alter this estimate significantly.
Does a Wetroom Devalue Your House?
A wetroom won’t necessarily lower the value of your home, but it may appeal to a smaller pool of buyers who might prefer a standard tub or enclosed shower. However, any investment in a bathroom should be viewed as an investment for yourself and your quality of life, rather than being solely focused on resale value.
Can You Have a Toilet in a Wetroom?
Yes. A wetroom is simply a fully waterproofed bathroom space and can accommodate a shower, basin, toilet, and even a bathtub.
Do Wetrooms Get Moldy?
If maintained correctly, there is no reason for a wetroom to become moldy. Key prevention steps include:
- Ventilation: Ensure the space is well-ventilated, ideally with both an extractor fan and a window.
- Maintenance: Keep the area clean and minimize moisture buildup.
- Sealing: Verify that a professional tradesperson uses the correct waterproofing and sealing products during installation.
Are Wetrooms Hard to Keep Clean?
Because there are fewer (or no) screens and trays to contend with, cleaning a wetroom is generally easier than maintaining a traditional bathroom. You can confidently hose down the entire room, knowing all water will drain effectively through the floor.
