What type of floor best suits a wet room?

Many property owners planning a bathroom refit may be considering a more open-plan layout featuring a modern wet room. These contemporary shower solutions can make for more spacious bathrooms and stylish designs, but one area of concern is key – what type of floor should you use?

A solution that offers an impermeable barrier to water is absolutely essential for a wet room, and in the following sections, we’ll explore this, along with some suitable options you might not have considered.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is defined as completely waterproofed bathroom that supports a shower space at the exact same level as room’s floor. A dedicated wet room is entirely open plan and removes any need for a separate enclosure or stall for a walk-in shower, although some homeowners still prefer to fit a Perspex or glass screen to mitigate water being splashed beyond the specific shower area.

While being able to simply step into your shower with ease may seem like a luxury you’d like to appreciate, due to this design, a waterproof floor is critical.

Traditional tiles

A conventional option for wet rooms, tiling can be ideal if performed by professionals, but there are some downsides. If incorrectly installed, tiling can lead to unwanted leaks, and unlike many modern solutions, this traditional method has plenty of margin for error. Installing tiling can be a lengthy process, particularly in larger wet rooms, and the costs of natural stone, ceramic and porcelain, along with the skilled contractors to fit them, make tiles among the more expensive options.

Vinyl

At the other end of the scale, those looking for a cost-effective option will find vinyl an excellent choice. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, vinyl is easy to clean and quick to install.

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)

For householders seeking a luxury look to their wet room, LVT can make an excellent solution. Cleverly crafted to resemble natural stone tiles or wooden planks, it can create a high-end look for your bathroom that will also be exceptionally hardwearing.

Laminate

Like LVT, laminate flooring can also look like wood or stone. Whereas this option once would have been an impossible pairing with a wet room, today’s cutting-edge technology enables laminate flooring – if fitted by flooring professionals – to provide a completely waterproof solution for wet rooms. A specially engineered water-proof coating provides a robust barrier to any unwanted moisture seeping below your floor.

From affordable vinyl to laminate and LVT, there are a wealth of options open to homeowners looking for effective flooring for wet rooms that don’t require the use of conventional tiles. An underlay that boasts a damp-proof membrane installed below your floor choice is always a wise move, and many leading floor suppliers will include this service for free when you purchase your wet room flooring from them. Remember, both laminate and LVT can offer the same look of natural stone tiles at a much lower cost, and with less inconvenience.