Bathrooms vs Wet Rooms: Which is Better?

In recent years, wet rooms have become more than a choice for accessibility and convenience. Today, many people are opting to convert their traditional bathrooms into wet rooms as a functional but fashionable option. This has brought around a big debate about bathroom vs wet room; what is the difference, and which one is best for your home?

If you are considering renovating your bathroom, your decision should be based on functionality, style, cost, and maintenance.

Both are functional in different ways, but the styles, costs and maintenance vary, meaning you need to consider them all when making the decision.

MJ Burt has accredited teams of plumbers and renovation specialists who can help you bring your dream bathroom or wet room to life. With over 30 years of experience in property maintenance and renovations, we are experts with a reputation for quality services provided with a smile.

Our experience has taught us everything there is to know about the difference between bathrooms and wet rooms, making us the perfect people to explain the differences and help you work out which you should choose for your property.

In this blog, we explain the differences between the two types of rooms, listing pros and cons and sharing tips to help you choose the right option.

What Is a Bathroom?

A bathroom is defined by the components included in it.

The name stems from when houses used to have separate rooms for the toilet and the bath. As you would guess, the bathroom was where the bath was.

Today, we usually put all these facilities in one space, but the aim to keep water in a certain enclosed space remains the same.

Typically, a bathroom will have:

• Bath and/or enclosed shower
• Toilet
• Sink
• Storage space

Carpet, tiles or vinyl flooring are often used along the floor, while tiles line walls where water will hit.

In more modern bathrooms, you might see the tiles surrounding the walls, but more traditional styles will have painted walls.

What Is a Wet Room?

The distinction between a bathroom and a wet room is nuanced and comes down to how open the space is.

A wet room is typically defined by the lack of a shower tray or bath, meaning shower floor space blends into the bathroom floor space - they are one and the same.

Key features of a wet room include:

• Fully waterproofed (tanked)
• Open-plan
• No shower tray
• Drainage slope

Previously, wet rooms were installed where people needed more space, making showering more accessible and easier. However, they have become a fashionable and luxurious trend for a home recently.

With the development of them as a trendy space in the home, it is not uncommon for the space to be fully tiled with underfloor heating to enhance comfort.

Pros and Cons of Bathrooms vs Wet Rooms

Now you understand the difference, let’s dive into some of the pros and cons of bathrooms vs wet rooms.

Advantages of a Traditional Bathroom

• More familiar & conventional – Most homes already have bathrooms, making renovations simpler.
• Better resale value – More buyers expect a bathroom than a wet room, making it more appealing.
• More privacy & separation – Enclosed shower/bath spaces separate wet areas from dry spaces in the same room.
• Lower risk of water damage – Proper enclosures prevent leaks and water damage.
• Greater variety of designs – Can accommodate baths, showers, vanity units, etc. And you can choose from more materials for flooring, etc.

Disadvantages of a Traditional Bathroom

• Space constraints – Small bathrooms can feel cramped, and can be difficult to fit everything in a functional layout.
• More cleaning required – Mould and limescale can build up in enclosed areas where water is captured.
• May not be as accessible – Step-in showers and baths can be difficult for those living with mobility issues.

Advantages of a Wet Room

• Modern & stylish – Wet rooms offer a sleek, minimalist, and open-plan design.
• More accessible – Ideal for people with mobility issues, and they are wheelchair-friendly.
• Easier to clean – No shower screens, trays, or bath edges to scrub, reducing specific areas where limescale will build.
• Maximises small spaces – Great for compact bathrooms as you don’t have to separate wet and dry spaces.
• Highly waterproof – Full tanking protects against leaks and water damage when installed properly.

Disadvantages of a Wet Room

• Can be expensive to install – Professional waterproofing (tanking) is required.
• Risk of poor drainage – Bad installation can cause flooding or pooling, and you need to make sure drains don’t get clogged to prevent flooding, too.
• Colder & less private – Open-plan design can make it feel less cosy and less private.
• May lower resale value – Not all buyers want a wet room instead of a traditional bathroom, meaning they can detract buyers.

Cost Comparison Of A New Wet Room vs New Bathroom

As with any renovation decision, cost will always be a factor in what you aim to create.

So, you must understand the difference in cost for a bathroom vs a wet room.

Material and Equipment Costs

Wet rooms are usually more expensive than a new bathroom when buying materials and equipment for the space. This is because they need waterproofing, specialist drainage, and often use more tiling.

A bathroom renovation is a more budget-friendly option. However, this will depend on the fixtures and materials you choose. Obviously, you will pay more for premium brands and materials.

Labour & Installation Costs

Because wet rooms need to be fully waterproofed, and a slanted drainage system is needed to ensure all the water is removed from the room, specialist installation is required.

Not every plumber might have the knowledge or equipment to transform an existing bathroom into a wet room, meaning you might have to pay a premium for the expertise.

Additionally, installation might be more complicated for a wet room rather than a bathroom renovation because you might need additional drainage, and you will certainly need the space to be waterproofed.

Maintenance Costs

While bathrooms are likely to have limescale hotspots, if you keep on top of them with regular cleaning, they won’t be a problem for you.

However, while limescale might not be too much of an issue with a wet room, it is likely that over time, the waterproofing will need re-tanking - which is likely to be quite a big job.

Which Option Is Best for You?

So, which is best for you? A new bathroom or a wet room?

The final factor to consider when facing this decision is which room is suitable for which needs - basically, who should have a new bathroom and who should consider a wet room.

Who Should Choose a New Bathroom?

A new bathroom is probably preferable for those with the following:

• A family with children who need a bath
• Homeowners looking for the best resale value
• Those who prefer enclosed spaces for warmth and privacy
• Those who want separate wet and dry areas within the same room

Who Should Choose a New Wet Room?

Meanwhile, you should choose a wet room if:

• You or someone you live with suffers from mobility issues, so need easy access
• You want a sleek, modern, minimalist design
• You have limited space and want to maximise your bathroom layout

Our Final Verdict: Bathroom VS Wet Room

The debate of bathroom vs wet room isn’t going to go anywhere. We think wet rooms will gain popularity, but traditional bathrooms will stay part of a home's design.

It really comes down to personal preference and circumstances.

Budget, style, functional needs and space will all impact your choice to choose a new bathroom or a new wet room.

Both types of rooms have their advantages, but both have considerations that need to be factored in, so you need to make sure these are all thought about before jumping into a decision.

If you are struggling to make up your mind, we recommend you consult a professional. They will be able to talk you through how your specific space could work as a wet room or a new bathroom, pointing out how you will benefit from them and what you need to think about.

At MJ Burt, we are a team of professional plumbers and property renovators. Having helped residents across Poole, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas with bathroom renovations and transformations into wet rooms, we can offer expertise to guide you through the decision.

Offering a comprehensive service that includes painting and decorating, plumbing installations and underfloor heating installations (should you choose it). This means you can rely on us to bring your vision to life while sticking to your time frame and budget because everything will be done under one roof.

Contact our team to discuss bathrooms vs wet rooms and figure out which one is best for you. Call us on 01202 721955 or complete our online contact form, and we will give you a callback.