Due to the current economic climate, many of us are staying at home more and consequently using the money we would have spent going out on items for our homes. High-spec televisions are being purchased almost as quickly as the manufacturers can build them and the interior design business is enjoying a boom as well.
Though this can possibly be attributed to the range of popular interior design shows on television, the fact remains that people are redecorating their homes in droves, and the bathroom is often the first room they tackle.
It's easy to see why - the bathroom is where many of us relax and unwind, refurbishing it is also one of the biggest jobs in the house due to the amount of waterproofing that needs to take place, as such many people find themselves wanting to enjoy a bit of luxury in their bathroom and tend to opt for a walk in shower.
A walk in shower - or wet room - is exactly what its name implies: a shower without any screens or divisions which you literally walk into. The whole room is the shower room. Though installing these can be a lot of work, the feeling of luxury enjoyed by them is peerless and can really help make the bathroom feel like something special.
Having a walk in shower necessitates that the entire room be tiled and waterproofed, and the floor must replaced with one which gently slopes towards the drainage point which is usually in the centre of the room. Though this is clearly an extensive task and isn't cheap, the equipment and installation often costs far less than people expect - wet rooms aren't just for rock stars and footballers anymore.
The installation process for a walk in shower is fairly intensive as it requires special attention to ensure that the room is completely waterproof. This tends to be a three stage process, beginning with the whole room being stripped and coated in liquid polyurethane which will serve as the final defences if the drainage unit leaks or if the tiling lets some water through. It is unlikely that the drainage tanks or the tiling will leak if they are fitted properly, but the polyurethane waterproofing should not be left by the wayside while you hope for the best as water damage can be both very expensive and very difficult to repair.
Remodelling your bathroom into a wet room is an excellent way to really make your home feel like a castle, providing a luxurious and relaxing washing experience, often available cheaper than you may expect with a variety of design options and most suppliers also offering professional installation for a reasonable fee as well, they are an excellent investment if you plan to wait out the recession in style.
Thomas Pretty is an interior designer with many years of experience in remodelling bathrooms. Find out more about a walk in shower at http://www.wibco.com/
