The difference between a wet room and a walk-in shower

When it comes to creating and designing a modern bathroom, many people want a combination of style and ease of use. This is why wet rooms and walk-in showers have become increasingly popular over the years. 

Many people think that the terms wet room and walk-in shower are interchangeable and are entirely the same. However, this is not necessarily the case. There are some critical differences between the two that you should keep in mind.  

To help you decide whether a wet room or a walk-in shower is suitable for you and your needs, we have put together some key points for you to keep in mind. 

Both are great options for accessible bathrooms 

If you plan on creating an accessible or level access bathroom for your home, perhaps due to someone within your family having mobility options. Then the good news is that, depending on your mobility issues, you have both options open to you.  

Both wet rooms and walk-in showers have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately the right option for you will be dictated by your mobility issues and needs. However, if you only have minor mobility issues, maybe your just not as light on your feet as you once were, then you may be considering both options.

Below are some considerations to take into account when deciding between a wet room or a walk-in shower:

Walk-in showers 

If you are looking for a level-access bathroom, then a walk-shower is not the perfect option for you, depending, of course, on your level of mobility. Walk-in showers will usually come with a small step to get into the enclosure, which will not work for you if you use a wheelchair or are unable to move up a step unaided. Additionally if you need help bathing a walk in shower may not be the best option for you.

You can install additional safety features in to your walk-in shower such as a hand rails or a seat.

Installing a walk-in shower is usually much cheaper and more accessible than installing an entire wet room. This is mainly because it is an enclosure rather than a whole bathroom space.  

A walk-in shower is also ideal if you try to install your bathroom in a smaller space, as you do not need as much room.  

Wet rooms 

As the name suggests, a wet room is a bathroom that is designed, in its entirety, to get wet. This doesn’t mean that you have the whole space for showering in, but it is a far more open space.  

When it comes to an accessible bathroom, a wet room doesn’t have an enclosure or a shower tray that you need to worry about getting over, so you can approach showers independently. This makes them a good choice for wheelchair users or people who need help washing.

There is also much more choice regarding finishing touches, such as handrails and other accessible options for your bathroom space.  

Wet rooms also look great, and whilst they can be designed and installed to fit any accessibility or mobility needs, installing a wet room can also be a stylish feature of your home too.  

So, no matter whether you choose a wet room or a walk-in shower, one thing is for sure, you are going to have a bathroom space that you genuinely love, and you can’t get much better than that!  

Conclusion

As stated above, the right choice between a wet room or a walk-in shower will depend mainly on your mobility issues and needs. You should also consider how your mobility issues will evolve in the future.  

Ultimately you should take advice from your doctor and we also strongly recommend that you consult family members who have your best interests at heart.