In the age-old argument of whether showers are better than baths, there are inevitably those who much prefer the former, to the point that they're quite happy not to have the latter in their home at all.
When a shower is your only source of keeping clean, the best way to lay out your bathroom is to turn it into a wetroom.
However, making this decision is no simple affair and there are plenty of pros and cons that you need to take into consideration before deciding whether or not such a move is for you.
One of the reasons why this is a choice that shouldn't be made lightly is that if you decide later down the line that you've made a wrong call, then setting things back to the way they were can be a costly and time-consuming affair. Not to mention the fact that you'll have wasted an awful lot of effort turning your bathroom into a wetroom in the first place.
What is a wetroom?
To begin with, it's perhaps best to gain an understanding of what a wetroom actually is.
In a nutshell, this setup consists of a shower that doesn't have a tray or screen to collect water and stop it from splashing around the rest of the bathroom. As a result, it requires the entire area to be waterproofed to stop water from leaking through and damaging the rest of the house via damp or rot.
Because the water drains from a plughole in the floor, it's highly recommended that a plumber carries out the fitting of a wetroom to ensure it is done properly and to a standard where you are not likely to experience problems further down the line.
One of the trickiest parts of creating a wetroom is ensuring there is a gradient on the floor so the water is naturally channelled to the drain.
Another point to consider is that you may want to raise the door by an inch or so, just in case the room floods, which can feasibly happen if someone ends up leaving a towel over the drain. However, if you choose to increase the door threshold, then this problem should be counteracted.
Wetroom pros
So, why might you want a wetroom?
For a start, they can add an incredibly stylish edge to your house and become a real feature of the property.
A wetroom offers a contemporary, alternative design that can really give you a reason to love your bathroom - especially if you're the only person you know who has one and you like to be a bit different.
It can also be convenient if you struggle with mobility and would otherwise struggle to get into a bath or step into a regular shower to wash.
Another plus point is that they can really help you to make the most of your space if your bathroom covers a small area. Removing the bath can often be the only way to make rooms of a limited scale feel more spacious.
If you decide to incorporate a wetroom as a second bathroom, it can also significantly increase the value and saleability of your house - worth bearing in mind if you have a spare room that's too small to be a bedroom and you are thinking of moving on.
It's also easier to clean than a regular bathroom. There are fewer surfaces and no shower screen or tray to worry about - so less work to do.
Finally, if the waterproofing - or 'tanking' - is done properly, it can be better protected against leaks than if you had left your bathroom as it was, which is perfect if you already had concerns over whether or not your current system could be causing damp in your home.
Wetroom cons
However, there are some negative aspects to consider as well.
Because they need to be tiled from floor to ceiling to ensure they are properly waterproofed, it can be an expensive business to install your wetroom. If you are operating on a budget, then it is definitely worth pricing this option up before deciding to go ahead with it.
Another downside is that if you take a bath out of your home without replacing it, there is a chance this can reduce the appeal of your property to a wider market if you should choose to put it up for sale.
While smaller bathrooms can benefit from the extra space a wetroom affords them, a downside is that nearby items like toilet roll or towels may inadvertently get wet if they don't have the protection of a shower screen, then you may find that the spray created when you turn the water on can create more problems than you bargained for.
Ultimately, the choice is yours and there are certainly convincing arguments for both sides. Just be sure you're happy with your decision before committing either way!