Walk in Baths & Showers

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Having an Easy Access Bath Installed will provide many Benefits

I recall going to the hospital as a child to visit my mother and needing to go to the bathroom. In the bathroom I remember seeing red handles and cords as well as other novelty things such as bars near the facilities. I know now that these are a necessary part of providing easy access baths and easy access showers for those with mobility problems.

As you get older you will find that there are certain things which are just not as easy to do as when you are younger and although this is not a pleasant realisation, it makes sense to deal with it as soon as you can. A lot of people refuse to face the fact that they are ageing and will do anything to deny what they secretly know but refuse to face. On the other hand there are people who like to face the truth and prepare accordingly.

These are the ones who decide to install things such as an easy access shower or an easy access bath long before they actually need it, or at least as soon as they feel that they may need one. It is a personal decision as to which type of equipment you wish to go for as some people enjoy having a shower more than a bath or vice versa. Many opt for both and it all depends on your budget and your requirements as to whether you for easy access baths or easy access showers, or a combination.

For my money I have always found that there are many benefits to having a long soak in the tub, especially after a particularly gruelling day, or a stressful week. A shower is fine for a quick refreshing pick me up in the morning but a bath can leave you feeling relaxed and ready for a good sleep. In just half an hour you can relax your muscles, calm your mind, detoxify, moisturize, stimulate circulation and clear your lymph system!

Make your bath hot enough to induce a sweat. The process of perspiration removes toxins from the body. You may even notice that a regular bath routine reduces perspiration odour so you have less of a need for deodorants to control body odour. The heat of the water also kills many strains of bacteria and viruses decreasing the number of colds and infections you may get throughout the year.

Also add oils to moisturize and shed dead skin cells. Natural oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil, help to moisturize your skin and prevent future dryness. The use of a loofa or sea sponge will remove dead skin cells to improve the appearance of radiant glowing skin without harsh chemicals. A regular hot bath with a good dermal scrubbing will put an end to dry, flaky skin and the itchiness they cause. These are the benefits of a bath and can still be enjoyed later by installing an easy access bath in your home, or you can opt for an easy access shower if you prefer.

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Walk in Showers may not be to Everyone’s Taste

We tend to think of elderly people as being incapable of looking after themselves and keeping clean and well fed. This may be the case for some people but most elderly people are not only capable but would actually prefer to be independent and do things for themselves. The only thing is that they sometimes need help and a mobility bathroom may just be the thing.

A mobility bathroom will have certain features such as a walk in bath or a walk in shower and will feature safety aspects which are necessary to avoid accidents. The problem is walk in showers and walk in baths may not be to everyone’s taste. A walk in shower is great for making the bathroom look bigger, it’s easy to access and there are limitless design choices. While there are some cons such as the chance of mildew and the lack of privacy, the benefits usually outweigh the problems.

Frameless shower enclosures surround the shower area with thick glass without a metal frame around each piece of glass.

This type of enclosure offers several benefits, such as easier cleaning and a sleeker appearance. The lack of a frame tends to make the shower area look larger and more attractive as well. Consumers can choose between completely frameless shower enclosures or semi-frameless models and can also opt for a shower door that slides open, folds and slides, or opens on a hinge like a regular door.

The different types of frameless shower enclosures vary mostly by size and shape. Some come in standard sizes for showers and tubs while others can be custom fit to almost any bathroom. Completely frameless shower enclosures bypass the metal frame, though there may be a track for a sliding door. The pieces of heavy, tempered glass will be attached to the wall, to the floor, and to each other with such things as clamps and silicone.

Enclosed shower:

PROS: Home owners that prefer a more private bathing experience may opt for the enclosed shower. Shower walls can be fully transparent, semi-transparent, or etched glass can provide more privacy.

CONS: Some home owners do not like the glass getting wet and splattered with water droplets after every shower usage. The glass either needs to be cleaned after every use, or wiped dry to avoid build-up of water droplets. This can be time consuming, and if you have hard water – more laborious than worth it.

Open shower:

PROS: The no barrier appeal of open showers opens up your bathroom and can give visual views of expansive vistas and views outside of a window beyond. This modern touch gives the feel of a luxury spa or high end hotel that home owners enjoy.

CONS: Many home owners don’t enjoy the open and unprotected feel of open showers. While visually appealing, some home owners still prefer to have a visual and physical barrier between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. A walk in bath or walk in showers has more advantages than disadvantages on the whole.

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Mobility Wet Rooms offer the Disabled an Easy Alternative when Bathing

I still recall slipping in the bath once and finding it difficult to get up again as I was quite young at the time and I remember feeling panicky. Recently I was talking to an elderly woman and she was telling me how she was scared of hurting herself every time she took bath and we started to discuss the types of mobility wet rooms, or disabled wet rooms.

Wet Rooms are waterproofed (tanked) rooms usually equipped with a walk in shower. The mobility wet room itself becomes the shower enclosure, with a shower drain inset into a gently sloped floor in place of a conventional shower tray.

Tanking is a waterproofing procedure carried out in bathrooms, wet rooms, shower rooms and sauna/steam rooms which protects the building against moisture migration and leaks (steam, shower spray, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, all disabled wet room flooring including tiles, adhesives and grouts are permeable and therefore can allow moisture to migrate into the structure over time causing mould growth, rot, and in some cases resulting in structural damage.

       Advantages of such systems include:

Complete level access.

Large spacious showering area.

Perfect solution for wheelchair users.

Fully slip resistant surface.

No shower tray required.

Fully watertight so no leaking.

No need for shower curtain.

Integral or fold down seats.

Strategically placed stylish support bars to assist sitting and standing or just to give that extra bit of reassurance.

A range of shower systems to suit every design and budget.

Total Flexibility

Facilitates a shower where a traditional shower tray may not have been viable

Wet room flooring can be wooden or concrete floor

No predetermined shower sizes or shapes

Excellent Finish

Protects your building from moisture damage and leaks

Prolongs the life of your tiles and grout

Level Access floor – assists less-abled showering

Providing a large open tiled floor and wall area with drainage not only accommodates more than one person in the shower, but it also allows adequate space for someone using a shower bench or shower wheelchair, and who requires some assistance while bathing.

Some things which are needed in a mobility wet room are:

D-type handles on storage drawers;

Drawers that pull out fully and cupboards with pull-out shelving;

Hands-free faucets;

Reinforced walls that accommodate grab bars in customized positions;

Resilient flooring (rather than hard surfaces);

Lighting activated by motion detectors;

Shower head that can be adjusted to a variety of heights.

The trend to larger disabled wet rooms allows for easier manoeuvrability for people as they get older and may need to use a mobility device. However, people with very limited mobility may find they need to plan for support as they move around a larger disabled wet room. If you have limitations in your mobility or balance, it is important to consider additional safety issues such as the placement of controls within easy reach and the presence of grab bars beside the toilet and near the bathtub or shower. Mobility wet rooms are a great alternative for those for physical limitations.

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Mobility Shower Enclosures are Useful for Physically Disabled People

When I first started work I remember that I used to pass a place which was called the assisted living centre and although at the time I did not know what this meant I now realise the importance of such places. It is so easy to overlook the fact that many people have serious physical disabilities and this makes even the most routine task anything but. This is why a walk in shower or a mobility shower enclosure is such a good idea to have installed.

There are both pros and cons to having walk in showers in your home but you need to remember that for some people there is no choice but to install a mobility shower. the good news is that mobility showers and mobility shower enclosures are now easily available and can be attractive in a bathroom.

Here are some of the pros and cons of walk in showers:

Pro: Easy Accessibility

This needs no further explanation as it is the accessibility that is the most important thing.

Con: Spilled Water

It is much easier for water to spill out of the walk-in shower. A walk-in shower without a door just has a space, and the water will easily rush from that area to the rest of the floor. It can be quite a mess if you aren’t careful. Even those with doors don’t protect very well against water. There is a seam around the door, and the water will typically get through this seam. There are features like a splash guard that can help minimize the splashing, but it will still be a problem.

Pro: Durability

Once again this makes perfect sense as you want something which will be built to last for a long time.

Con: Cost

A walk-in shower is more convenient, durable and needs an advanced drainage system. This all adds up to a lot of money. You can expect to pay several thousand for a good walk-in shower, and even more if you want an advanced unit with special features. These showers are not cheap, so don’t think that you can skimp on the cost. While you might be able to save some money in the long run because these showers tend to use less water, don’t expect to make up the loss anytime soon.

Pro: Low Maintenance

A walk-in shower is typically very low maintenance. It’s very easy to clean them because there aren’t any curves for the water to get trapped in, and you don’t need to clean the shower that often.

Con: Privacy

Many walk in shower units are made from glass or they have low walls to make it easier to access the shower. While this looks better and serves the purpose of letting you easily get into the shower, it also means that there is less privacy. People won’t be able to come in while you are showering without seeing you, and this can create some uncomfortable situations. However, telling people not to come in while you are showering is better than locking the door.

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Low Level Showers can Make a Bathroom Appear Larger than it is

Installing a low level shower or a level access shower has pros and cons attached to it. One of the biggest pros of a level entry shower is the increased accessibility provided to those with mobility problems. However, another benefit of level entry showers is that they make a bathroom appear larger than it actually is.

Installing level access showers, or low level showers is a good idea since most people will tend to have some kind of problem as they get older and it is better to be prepared before the time comes. These are sometimes called walk in showers and some of the pros and cons include:

Pro: More Spacious

A walk-in shower tends to be more spacious than a typical tub. This makes it much easier to move around, and it reduces the chance of you bumping your leg against the side of the tub. While there will be some smaller models that aren’t quite as big, most of them will give you more leg room while you are showering.

Con: Careful Renovation

You need to be very careful about the renovations when you are installing a walk-in shower. This is not a job for one person. You need to have a professional backing you up, and even still it can be difficult. This is because walk-in showers need good drainage, and you need to make sure that the shower is installed in the best place for good drainage. Otherwise, the water has an even higher chance of spilling out of the shower.

Pro: Designing

One of the major elements of a walk-in shower is the tile within the shower. Tiles can take on many different shapes, colours, styles, textures and designs, so this enables you to easily design the walk-in shower exactly as you want it for the bathroom. If you are a visual person, or if you like interior design, then this is amazing. You don’t have to worry about having a small selection of designs. You can make something that truly lights up your bathroom.

Con: Mildew

It’s true that a walk-in shower is easy to clean, but these showers are a little more prone to grow mildew when compared to tubs and other showers. This is because of the grout used to install all of the tiles, and the tiles are typically exposed to more water due to how the walk-in shower is designed. However, you can keep this from happening by regularly cleaning the shower. As long as you do this, you shouldn’t have a problem with mildew.

Pro: Increase Bathroom Size

A walk-in shower will make the bathroom look much larger. This is because these showers create an illusion that makes them appear almost invisible, and the eye will see that there is more room than before. This is great for smaller bathrooms, or if you don’t like feeling claustrophobic in the bathroom.

There is no con for this point as who would want to install a low level shower to make a bathroom look SMALLER?

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Disabled Baths Provide Health Benefits to the Elderly and Infirm

Getting older is no joke and although each case is different on the whole there are many things which make life harder. One of the hardest is the way that many people hate to lose their independence due to disabilities or accidents and have to rely on others for the basics such as bathing and keeping clean. It is for this reason that that there has been a growth in the disabled baths industry, as more and more people are opting to have a disabled bath, a disabled shower or a disabled wet room installed.

Disabled wet rooms are expensive and so not a popular as other options but you will find that disabled baths and disabled showers are great in helping the disabled to keep clean, independent and even to relax and receive the health benefits of a warm bath.

Benefits of a walk-in tub that nearly everyone can appreciate.

Reduces stress – Soaking in a walk-in bathtub that circulates millions of tiny bubbles around your body will help dissolve stress from even your most challenging days. It also stimulates your body to release endorphins, the body’s natural chemicals that help counteract the effects of stress. Warm water massage has also been shown to relieve headache pain, especially from tension headaches. The circulation and warmth of a walk-in tub encourages your body to unwind and relax on its own.

Improves sleep patterns – Almost everyone experiences difficulty sleeping at some point in their lives. A warm bath is an effective home remedy that releases muscle tension and relaxes your entire body, resulting in a deeper, more restful sleep. And the slight rise in body temperature has shown that sleep comes sooner to those who soak in a walk-in bathtub before bedtime.

Provides versatility – A walk-in bathtub doesn’t have to be for soaking only. walk-in tubs can be equipped with a hand-held shower system, enabling you to sit down and shower for everyday bathing needs. Simply sit in your walk-in bathtub, leave the drain open, and use the hand-held shower to rinse as you would in a traditional shower stall.

If you decide that you want a disabled wet room then you need to keep a few things in mind such as:

Planning

Careful planning is a key element in any new wet room installation. The positioning of all water and power services should be considered before the tanking process commences since the sealed area should not be punctured or pierced after installation. The installation process is also quite detailed and time consuming and allowance for the room to be completely out of use for several days should be made.

Installation

Disabled wet rooms are totally water sealed by the application of special sealing tapes, waterproof underlays or membranes and ‘tanking compound’ which, when fully cured, creates a fully water tight area. The application of the tanking compound is carried out before the installation of the wall and floor finishes. Tiling and panelling alone will not create a wet room since some tiles and grout may be porous.

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Installing Baths for the Elderly Requires Forethought and Planning

I have a friend who has recently decided to have his bathroom altered so that his elderly mother finds it easier to have a bath or shower. Installing baths for the elderly involves considerable cost and planning, whether this is a disabled bath, disabled wet room or disabled shower.

The deep muscle relaxation associated with a good hot bath helps to reduce cramps, tension headaches and improves muscle elasticity. The process is similar to a massage and beneficial for everyone from athletes to those who sit at a desk all day. When a hot bath is followed with gentle stretching, the benefits to the musculoskeletal system may even reduce the number of trips many people take to the chiropractor by helping to maintain muscle position and equal tension on the skeletal system.

Increased independence

While nearly everyone appreciates the benefits of soaking in a warm bath, not everyone has the mobility to do so. A disabled bath makes safe bathing and hydrotherapy a possibility for many people who otherwise are unable or unwilling to take a bath in a traditional tub. Low thresholds, textured non-slip floors, safety bars, comfortable seats and ergonomic faucet and jet system controls allow you to safely take the bath you’ve been dreaming of.

If you have high, or low, blood pressure, a bath that is too hot may cause problems. Always cool down slowly after a hot bath. Allow the water to cool or add cold water slowly to return your body temperature and circulation to normal before getting out of the tub. If you have any questions about the safety of a hot bath based on your medical conditions, talk to your doctor, and maybe consider disabled showers as opposed to disabled baths.

Anyone suffering with mobility issues will benefit from utilising specialist bathing solutions designed with easy access, easy use and comfort in mind. Existing bathrooms can be tailored to assist with access to either the bath or the shower which will help, but this will not always deliver the perfect result. Depending on the existing bathroom, it may require that the solution is to provide either a bath with access provided or to update the shower facilities to allow a larger standing area or even a seated area within the shower.

A lot of people do not wait until the problems arise but decide to install disabled showers or baths in advance in the anticipation of getting older and having mobility problems. this makes sense from  many points such as financial as prices will only increase and since you will have less income in your final years it is a good idea to plan ahead.

The cons this approach are of course the fact that you may not even need the disabled baths or other facilities you install or that you may have to move out of your home and never have the chance to use them. Also let us not forget the final option that you may not even last long enough to have to use them!

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Easy Access Showers can help the Physically Challenged to Keep Clean

So many of take our mobility for granted and until we are rendered incapacitated for some reason we never give a second thought to those people for whom it is a daily challenge just to manage a bath or shower. For these people, at least for the lucky ones, there are a few options available such as easy access baths and easy access showers.

For many people with reduced mobility, showering is much easier than bathing, and may be achieved more independently, especially with an easy access shower. Accessibility is the first consideration, and there is a very wide choice of shower trays available which are easy to enter either on foot or in a shower-chair. They may be chased into the floor for completely level access, or if this is not possible, then a surface-mounted tray with a ramp is a solution. A longer, gentler ramp is easier to manage than a short steep one. It is quicker and more economical to install a tray on the surface rather than excavating the floor. If the floor is uneven, look for a tray with self-levelling feet to compensate.

The easy access shower tray must be sturdy enough to support the combined weight of the user and any chair, and a non-slip surface is also important. Many trays for easy access showers now have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal protection built-in, to assist with infection control.

Doors must be strong and shatter-proof, to prevent nasty accidents if someone should fall against them. Doors and tray are probably best sourced together from one supplier; so that you are sure they fit properly. There is a really wide choice of door configurations, to provide the most convenient access for each installation. Make sure the doors open outwards and wide enough to allow a shower-chair to be moved in and out of the enclosure.

The unique design of an easy access bath is interesting to many individuals who are concerned for either their own or a loved one’s safety & comfort. Some easy access baths models are even available for individuals who are wheelchair bound, which have wide, outward opening, doors and seats at the optimal height to allow the user to slide, laterally, on to the seat.

When you are thinking about installing an easy access bath or shower there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. The main one is the amount of mobility which the person is capable of and just what are their needs. One important feature you need to keep in mind is that having an anti –slip surface is essential as most injuries are caused when getting in or out of a bathtub or shower.

You also need to make sure that you have adequate hand rails which are also easy to grip and strong to offer support. Most companies will be able to advise you as to your best options and which features you will need for the easy access baths or showers you are considering having installed.

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A Level Entry Shower is Much Easier to Get in and Out Off

I used to know an elderly man called Jim who loved his wife very much and would tell stories about their courtship and married life. When I asked if I could meet her he said that she couldn’t leave the house due to osteoporosis and that she had just had another fall in the bathroom. I thought of Jim last month when I almost slipped getting out of the shower and decided to look into low level showers.

The risks of slipping and falling in the bathroom are great:

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places in the home for slip-and-fall accidents.

The majority of broken hips happen by slipping in the tub.

Two-thirds of older adults that fall in the tub area will fall again within six months.

Thousands of elderly people fall in the bathroom every year.

Walk in bathtubs provide numerous benefits to the people who use them. While walk in bathtubs are most commonly associated with seniors and other people who are mobility challenged, anybody can appreciate the handy design of these tubs. Several alternatives are available and consumers can choose the option that works best for their bathroom’s configuration, their level of ability and their budget.

A walk-in tub, also called a step-in tub or safety tub, is a bathtub with a built-in door. The door has a special lock and seal to prevent water from leaking. Because the door is only two or three inches from the floor, you can walk into the tub without needing to step over a high rim or asking for help. Walk-in tubs and showers can replace your regular tub, or you can install one anywhere there is access to plumbing, such as a laundry room. However many people do not like to take baths and would prefer a level access shower instead.

The low level shower is a great alternative if you would rather take a long hot shower than a bath. Level access showers have a very low rim—about 5 inches high—so you can step safely and easily in and out of the shower. Whether you choose a walk-in tub or a level entry shower, the ease of entry greatly reduces your risk of falling, allowing you to be more independent.

A level entry shower or level access shower is designed to make life easier for anyone with mobility problems. these people need to keep clean as much as anyone else and many people find that warm water is therapeutic and they miss it when they can no longer manoeuvre their body in to a regular bath tub or shower.

As we get older and we tend to have more and more problems with getting around, we need to think of the future and to the time when we may not be able to get in and out of the bath or shower and would welcome the option of being able to use low level showers as a normal part of our life.

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Level Access Showers can make Life so much Easier for People

Anything which makes life easier is always a welcome addition to a home and this is even more so when we look at things which make life easier for those who have mobility problems for whatever reason. Whether a person is disabled in some way or is just elderly they can often find it difficult to bathe and keep themselves as clean as they would like. This is why level access showers are such a good idea to have installed in the home.

A level access shower can make life much easier for anyone who cannot manoeuvre into a standard shower or bathtub. There are various different kinds of low level showers available and the type you choose will depend on your budget as well as your requirements.

If you have mobility problems, managing a step into a traditional bath or shower enclosure may prove difficult making regular bathing a dangerous chore. A perfect solution could be a level entry shower that provides you with a safe and easy way to enjoy your shower whether you walk-in, wheel-in or use a Zimmer frame.

They feature slip resistant flooring, for added peace of mind, and a range of half height shower doors to ensure water doesn’t escape and allow a carer to assist you if required. Level access showers are an ideal replacement for a traditional bath or shower, and can also be fitted as part of a complete mobility bathroom. They also allow for the addition of shower seats and grab rails for extra security and comfort whilst showering.

Benefits of a level access shower

Perfect design - Makes access easier and safer

Slip resistant surfaces - Aids safety and prevents falls

Multi use – Zimmer frame and wheel chair friendly

Water tight - Prevents damage by water leakage

Half height door - Allows for carer assistance.

There are many reasons why people prefer showering over bathing. A shower takes up very little time, and can leave you feeling much more refreshed and rejuvenated than bathing can. Showers are also the only options for many elderly or disabled people who can no longer get in and out of the bath. Walk in showers offer all the benefits of showering presented in a sleek, modern and accessible way.

Walk in showers can be installed even in the smallest of bathrooms, and are a great option for rooms that aren’t large enough to accommodate a full sized bathtub. They can also be fitted into the same space where your old bathtub was, should you choose to replace it. Walk-in shower enclosures are usually made of glass, giving the illusion of space in bathrooms. They also make a bathroom look much cleaner and more modern.

Having limited mobility or agility is not only physically debilitating but also the affects the mental health of a person. They feel trapped and dependent for even the most intimate things such as bathing and so installing a level access shower is a sensible idea to make life easier.

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Easy Access Baths may be an Important Investment for Your Future

When we think about planning for the future we usually think in terms of finances rather than anything else. However some people start quite early to think about things such as how they will cope with loss of mobility or agility and take steps accordingly. This is why many people have decided to install an easy access bath or a disabled wet room in their home so that they are prepared for the infirmities of old age.

Easy Access Baths

Mobility challenged people are at a greater risk for falls than most other segments of population. Falls can be fatal for an elderly or disabled person living alone or with minimal assistance. With a walk in shower enclosure, walk in shower, or a walk in bath, the possibility for a fall is greatly reduced. With a range of low step shower trays, combined with full or half height shower doors or fixed screens, you can have a shower room that’s practical but also modern and stylish.

What is a wet room?

A wet room is a fully waterproofed (tanked) walk-in shower room. Unlike traditional bathrooms, there is no bath or separate shower enclosure – instead, the room itself acts as the shower enclosure. In some cases, the shower area may be separated with a glass screen, whereas in others, the whole wet room may be open plan. In all cases, the floor of the wet room is designed with a gentle slope, with water draining through a special drain built directly into the floor.

Easy access baths are bathtubs that can be used by people with limited mobility or the disabled. A bathtub can be made accessible for some people by the addition of grab bars or hand grips, or through the use of lifts that lower and raise the bather in the water.  Other bathtubs have been specially designed for accessibility. These may include walk-in bathtubs,  tubs with built-in transfer benches, or, more recently, tubs with raised beds and sliding doors to allow for a seated transfer.

Many accessible bathtubs are available with hydrotherapy or whirlpool features, internal grab bars, anti-slip floors and seats, and handheld showerheads that, in some cases, can also be wall mounted to enable a person to take a standing shower. Some bathtubs categorized as "walk-in" actually require a low step-in, as they have higher seats and outward-opening doors that enable a person to simply sit on the seat and pivot and swing his or her legs into the tub. This type of walk-in bathtub can be helpful to wheelchair users and to others with mobility impairments.

When it comes to looking at baths for the elderly there are certain features which need to be looked at carefully. These will be different for everybody, depending on their requirements but the two which are essential in almost every case is the non slip feature and the ease of getting in and out. This is why the easy access bath is an investment which you may consider early on.

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A Disabled Shower does not Mean One Which isn’t Working!

Last week I was sitting in a waiting room and the man nest to be said he had a disabled shower. I was quite surprised as he laughed when I said that I know someone who could fix it quite cheaply until he explained that he meant he has a shower suitable for a disabled person! After this I did not ask whether he had a disabled bath too!

Disabled baths and disabled showers are available to make life easier for those with physical disabilities which make it difficult or impossible for them to get in and out of a bathtub or shower. The latest addition to this group is the disabled wet rooms which are fast becoming a popular option in the UK.

Definition:

A wet room is a fully water tight bathroom with no separate shower tray. The “walk-in” shower area is usually level with the surrounding floor but with a slight slope to the drain which is fitted directly into the floor. The shower unit and controls are fitted to one of the walls within the wet room. The concept of the domestic wet room is relatively recent but the idea is now fully developed. A number of manufacturers have designed “tanking systems” which, when installed correctly, fully seal the bathroom against water leaks.

Wet rooms are growing in popularity in the UK in both domestic and commercial properties and are now having a major impact on bathroom layout and design. They are particularly useful where level entry to the shower area is essential - for instance, for use by someone in a wheel chair. A wet room is more versatile than a conventional shower tray and enclosure and gives additional options in bathroom design. The concept allows the showering area to blend naturally with the rest of the room.

Wet rooms give a feeling of spaciousness and minimalism. They make the best use of the available space and don’t, necessarily, require a fixed shower screen. Furthermore without any steps there are less chances of slips and trips, cleaning is much easier and hygiene levels are excellent.

Important requirements of a wet room:

Stable (not flexible) flooring

Correct sloped flooring and floor drainage to ensure no pooling

Effective water proofing by ‘tanking’

Good ventilation

Protection of neighbouring rooms from water migration

Benefits of a wet room

For everyone - Easy access for all users, regardless of mobility

Safe space - More space for ease of movement

Complete safety - Ensures the entire bathroom area is safer

Easy to maintain - No screens or doors, so less cleaning

Function with style - A modern look that’s future proof

Recognised as being the complete showering solution, a wet floor shower, or wet room, ensures easy access combined with maximum safety, whatever your mobility issues. Instead of having a traditional shower tray or enclosure, the entire room becomes your shower, with slip resistant tiles or vinyl covering the floor and walls. The disabled wet rooms available these days are a sensible option.