A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to be a full renovation where you dismantle everything, design a new layout and replace the integral features with new ones. Unless the whole space is falling apart from top to bottom, it would make more sense to focus mainly on areas that require the most attention, including the bathroom’s wet area.
Villwell Builders, LLC, your trusted roof repair expert, also specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about the wet area.
About the Wet Area
The wet area, also known as a wet room, is a section of the bathroom in which the shower is open or set behind a single wall. Its floor area is level with the rest of the room but is pitched slightly to account for water drainage. It is where fixtures designed to get wet are located, including the shower and freestanding tub. The wet room can have a glass enclosure that serves as a partition or divider between it and the sink and toilet areas.
Wet areas evoke a sense of luxury and relaxation, which is why they are often associated with larger bathrooms. However, the concept itself began as a smart solution for institutional and minimal budget areas. Decades since World War II ended, residential bathrooms tend to be smaller, with those measuring five feet in width and eight feet in length being one of the most common dimensions. One way designers improve access and open up the whole space is to get rid of the bathtub and turn the whole space into a wet area.
Benefits of a Wet Area Remodel
A wet area remodel can be a great alternative to a full-scale bathroom renovation for various reasons. For one, this section of the space, which includes the shower, tub, walls and flooring, takes the most abuse. Expect these features and fixtures to be exposed to water, dirt, scum, soap residue and body oils. If you are thinking about updating your bathroom, there’s a huge chance the wet area will need a makeover the most. Upgrading one or a combination of the wet room’s features is enough to make a huge difference in improving the aesthetics and functionality of the entire space.
If your bathroom doesn’t have enough square footage, remodeling the wet room helps open up the whole space, making it look larger and more functional. This is an advantage, especially if you are looking to update the bathroom to make it more accessible for everyone, including the children, elderly and individuals with physical disabilities. Also, improving the wet area can boost your property’s overall value. An open and airy bathroom, after all, is among the many things that appeal to prospective buyers.
Challenges Involved in a Wet Area Remodel
Challenges abound when it comes to the wet area, most of which involve waterproofing. Certain items and areas can get wet, plus it can get humid. One workaround is to plan out the placement of the lavatory and towels. When converting a small bathroom into a wet room, the toilet can be located on the wetter side of the shower curtain or screen. This means that the toilet seat can be turned into a shower seat when showering. But what about the toilet paper? A paper holder with a cover or a shower curtain should protect it from getting wet.
Containing the water at the wet room’s threshold is also seen as a challenge. Although a level entry is preferred, one solution can be to raise the threshold by up to half an inch, especially if you have a smaller bathroom space. Alternatively, you can choose to install a second drain near the entrance. With the expertise of a reputable remodeling and roofing contractor like us, potential disasters that may arise while using the wet area can be averted. Crafting a bathroom design that increases safety, flexibility and visual impact is crucial in ensuring the aesthetics and functionality of the wet room and the entire bathroom as a whole.
Wet Area Remodeling Ideas to Consider
It is not uncommon to find one or two elements within the wet area that look worse for wear, including an outdated shower wall or a dirty tub. Fortunately, you can replace them with high-quality products engineered to resist mold and mildew buildup. Plus, they are less likely to crack, peel, fade or chip.
Depending on your preference and budget, you can tackle a small-scale or large-scale wet area remodel. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Wall Surround or Flooring Replacement – Updating the surfaces of the wet area might not be as large-scale as a bathtub or shower replacement, but it can provide one of the most dramatic changes to your bathroom space. In fact, changing the wall surround or flooring is among the easiest remodels you can do. High-quality acrylic wall panels, for instance, can be attached to existing bathroom walls to create a waterproof surface that lessens mold growth and grime accumulation.
- Bathtub or Shower Replacement – A dirty, deteriorating bathtub or shower is an eyesore. Replacing either one—or both—is a great idea to help transform the bathroom space and increase the utility of the wet area.
- Bathtub or Shower Conversion – Sometimes, one has to go. Depending on your needs, converting your existing tub into a shower or vice versa helps improve the appearance and functionality of the whole bathroom. A tub-to-shower conversion, in particular, is worth considering if you are looking to design a bathroom that takes the mobility issues of an elderly loved one in mind.
From upgrading fixtures to completely gutting your bathroom, Villwell Builders, LLC provides numerous bathroom remodeling services that help update the look and feel of your space. When you work with our team of expert designers and installers, we ensure that your preferences are seamlessly integrated into your new bathroom, providing you with suggestions and insight as needed. Count on us to guide you through the entire remodeling process, from the planning stage to the actual installation.
Our company can also be relied upon to work on your roof. We also perform emergency roof repair and complete roof replacement. Give us a call at (475) 271-1242 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.
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