Key Considerations for Including a Wet Room in Your Dallas, TX Bathroom
The wet room is gaining in popularity here in the United States, and for good reason. A popular bathroom design style in Japan and Europe for years, this innovative option is user-friendly and allows easy access for residents of almost any age and mobility. Sleek, stylish, and functional, a wet room offers a luxurious, spa-like experience.
Easy to clean and low maintenance, the wet room provides convenient universal design features that streamline your daily routine. This practical bathroom design option uses modern amenities to deliver enhanced function and comfort for all ages and abilities. If you’re planning a bathroom remodeling project, join us as we explore the key wet room considerations that are necessary for successful, attractive results.
What is a Wet Room and Why Are They So Popular?
A wet room is an open-concept bathroom that is designed to be completely waterproof from floor to ceiling. The shower, minus the typical base or threshold, is flush with the rest of the floor, enabling easy movement throughout the room. This space-saving bathroom design usually includes a toilet, sink/vanity, and often a free-standing tub.
Much of its popularity stems from its universal design elements and attractive modern features. It offers easy access for residents of all dexterity levels, so it’s suitable if this is your forever home. In addition, the practical, minimalist style is low maintenance, easy to clean, and boosts the value of your home.
Chris Black, President and Owner of Blackline Renovations said, “Many Dallas homeowners are choosing the practical wet room design for their bathroom remodel. It’s a wise investment, as its efficient, state-of-the-art amenities and layout suits the whole family’s needs.”
Important Wet Room Functional Considerations
“A wet room must include the appropriate foundational elements in order to function properly,” Black added, “otherwise the integrity of the room will be compromised. To avoid water damage and future costly repairs, choose a knowledgeable contractor or design-build firm with experience in wet room installation.”
Proper Waterproofing is Essential
To create an effective moisture barrier, it’s vital that the wet room be completely waterproofed from floor to ceiling. Proper waterproofing measures with high quality materials are an absolute must. Often called “tanking”, a waterproof membrane is installed to ensure the walls, floor, corners, joints, and transitions are completely covered and watertight. This seals the room and prepares it for the next steps in the process.
Flooring and Drainage Considerations
In addition to the waterproofing process, it’s important to ensure that the subfloor is strong enough to support tile and features like a freestanding tub. Using quality materials and following recommended installation guidelines creates a watertight, strong, and secure foundation.
Flooring
Choose a durable, non-slip tile that will offer the necessary traction to prevent slips and falls. There are a variety of attractive textured tiles available that will suit most any design style.
For additional function and comfort, add radiant heat flooring to your wet bathroom plan. Installed beneath the tile, its uniform warmth provides an enhanced, spa-like experience. Radiant heat keeps your feet warm during colder months and helps any residual moisture evaporate quickly year-round. Available with programmable temperature controls, this energy efficient amenity adds comfort and value to your home.
Drainage
The drainage system is one of the most important elements in the wet room. Floors are designed to slope gently toward the drain, enabling water to flow out quickly and efficiently. Available in a range of sizes, colors, and finishes, drains will complement the room’s aesthetics, blending into the overall design plan. From standard circular drains to the sleek, rectangular linear design, these unobtrusive features play a big role in the room’s function.
Ventilation Requirements
“As expected, the wet room experiences significant humidity and moisture on a regular basis. So, adequate ventilation is an absolute must,” Black said.
Optimal ventilation includes windows and exhaust fans, with fans addressing the bulk of the humidity. For proper moisture control and function, the fan and exterior vent should be appropriately positioned, installed by a reliable contractor or design-build firm.
Accessibility
One of the most popular benefits of the wet room is the open concept features. Wide entryways and a largely barrier-free design ensure universal accessibility for most every member of the household. The level floor with non-slip tile enables safe, easy movement throughout the room.
Bailey Nutt, Design Director at Blackline Renovations said, “Customizable features, such as benches, handrails, and grab bars can be installed immediately or in the future. Suited for homeowners who wish to age in place, the wet room bathroom design allows space for a wheelchair or walker as needed. The room’s ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant features are a plus for future resale value as well.”
Wet Room Design Considerations
Similar to a standard bathroom design plan, a wet room’s considerations enhance the room’s function and long-term comfort.
Fixture Selections and Placement
The wet room concept dovetails well with modern minimalist design trends. Sleek, contemporary bathroom fixtures provide function and all the necessary comforts while complementing your personal style. Purposefully placed wall-mounted sinks, vanities, and toilets enhance the open feel, providing an efficient bathroom experience for the entire household.
“A designer can help create the perfect interior design plan, customized to suit your style and facilitate efficiency, traffic patterns, and mobility concerns. They can help create a beautiful, luxurious space that is uniquely yours,” Nutt said.
Tile Selections
“For a seamless look throughout the room,” Nutt added, “choose the same tiles for the walls and floor. This will showcase the open concept layout, moving the eye through the space for an attractive, cohesive look.”
Available in a variety of textures, colors, shapes, and sizes, ceramic or glass tile and natural stone are durable wall and flooring choices. Look for materials that have sufficient texture to avoid slips and mishaps, as well as ones that are low maintenance and easy to clean. Avoid tile or stone that’s porous, as it’s not as well-suited for high moisture areas.
Glass Partition or Open Space?
While some homeowners prefer a completely open wet room, others choose to install a barrier to gently define areas and contain errant splashes of water. Glass partitions or doors can offer a purposeful barrier while maintaining an open, airy aesthetic in the room.
Other options include a pony wall, which is a tiled half wall that divides but doesn’t completely obstruct. As space allows, an L-shaped layout is another alternative, housing the shower at one end away from the sink and toilet. Additional creative dividers that elevate visual appeal include glass block or framed glass panels. Consider the bathroom’s size, layout, and frequency of use to help select the right option for you.
Lighting Choices
When it comes to choosing the right lighting, room size is the first consideration. Select fixtures that illuminate appropriately, avoiding any that are too large or those that wouldn’t be suited for daily tasks.
The second consideration is natural light, as it works in conjunction with your overall lighting plan. Note where and when natural light filters in, and how it will complement your fixtures.
For suitable illumination for all bathroom activities, a layered lighting plan is best. Wet-rated recessed and other lights are necessary for those exposed to water. Ambient and decorative lighting provide attractive support and personality. Consult a designer, licensed electrician, and/or design-build firm for additional guidance.
Should You Include a Tub?
As space allows, a tub can be a welcome addition, adding function and an attractive focal point to the room. Placed outside the shower area, it’s a practical feature that adds value to your home. A freestanding tub complements your design style, offering an elegant, luxurious feel to the room.
Not every homeowner installs a tub in their wet room, however. Some prefer the shower-only option, especially if there is another bathroom with a tub elsewhere in the home.
Toilet Selection
A flush or wall-mounted toilet is ideal, as it complements the other elements in the room. These streamlined, modern toilets are mounted above the floor, enabling easy cleaning. Bathroom size will help determine placement of the toilet and the location of other important features such as the shower and sink.
Storage Solutions
The wet room, with its simple design, offers greater storage potential than you might think.
“With its minimalist design, the wet room delivers a simple, uncluttered look that’s easy to maintain. Recessed shelves, nooks, and niches store and keep necessary items neat and close at hand,” Nutt said.
Depending on your sink and/or vanity selections, find additional storage in waterproof cabinets or drawers as well. Partitions and pony walls offer extra storage with a niche or shelves, or bins for linens and/or laundry. Wall-mounted benches provide storage to keep bath and shower essentials up and off the floor.
Hire a Qualified Design-Build Firm for Your Wet Room
The remodeling process is a multi-layered endeavor. From plans and permits to hiring contractors and selecting materials, it can seem like a confusing and overwhelming process.
“A qualified design-build firm offers a single point of contact,” Black said, “guiding the homeowner through the entire process. They assume the contractual obligation to complete your wet room remodel from planning through construction to your complete satisfaction.”
Black continued, “The design-build firm’s team has your project in hand from the start, so you can expect an accurate, controlled budget and minimal delays, resulting in a shorter timeline. Good communication between the firm, its professionals, and homeowner helps ensure that any issues that arise are handled quickly and efficiently.”
Choose a design-build firm that you can trust, one with a good reputation, experience, and proper licenses and certifications. Your home is one of your greatest investments, so don’t let price alone dictate your choice. Consider a firm’s references, reliability, and quality of work to find the best fit.
Blackline Renovations, Your Wet Room Remodel Experts
Since 2002, Blackline Renovations has been providing design-build services for Dallas, TX homeowners. Our range of experience includes modern bathroom remodels of all types and sizes, including the popular wet room design. From the planning stages to marvelous completion, our knowledgeable team guides you through the entire process.
In addition to wet rooms, we’ve helped homeowners remodel their kitchens, living and bedrooms, and laundry rooms. We also build and/or remodel accessory dwelling units, garages, and home additions. Our guidance and expertise ensure your complete satisfaction.
Feel free to browse our portfolio of bathroom remodels and other home remodel projects. Contact us at 214-827-3747 or schedule a consultation with our talented staff. It would be our pleasure to answer your remodel and home addition questions.
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