KINVARA COMMUNICATIONS |
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Making a Splash In ancient times, Roman baths were a popular aspect of daily life. Bodies were cleansed and beautified through an assortment of activities—from massages and cold soaks to sessions in saunalike rooms. The appeal of self-pampering still is present today. A growing number of homeowners are outfitting traditional bathroom spaces with floor-to-ceiling tilework, large custom tubs, and steam showers with chromatherapy—all of which are housed in open, easy-care wet rooms that help relieve the stresses of everyday life in the comfort of one’s home. To find out more about these “haute” spots, we talked with industry experts Jay Benscoter, president of Flair Plumbing Supply Co.; Lew Gallo, a Phoenix-area designer and co-owner of haus modern living; and Ken Tims, co-owner of Facings of America. BLUEPRINT BASICS Whether new or the result of a remodel, wet rooms are defined by an open, streamlined floor plan (often with a door-less shower), well-appointed fixtures, and materials that stand up to water exposure. These rooms require a cohesive design to produce the most relaxing atmosphere possible, say our experts. “Those [wet room designs] we have seen are a way to open up the bath,” explains Benscoter. “It gives the bath the feel of an exclusive spa. It is a place for people to escape to within their homes without enclosing themselves in a shower.” Here are some tips for laying out a wet room: • Consider the floor plan. “Homeowners need to ensure they have enough space so they don’t feel cramped, yet cozy enough to make their daily experiences delightful,” states Tims. • Devise a room that is watertight. “Stay away from water-sensitive materials,” warns Gallo. He advises avoiding woods that warp, fabrics that are prone to mildew and can’t be washed, and materials with shiny finishes that spot easily. • Make sure surfaces slope. Wet rooms are designed to be open spaces with multiple fixtures, so it is important that surfaces such as flooring and countertops slope slightly to keep water from pooling, notes Benscoter. Another option: Slat flooring. “I have really been loving teak or redwood slat flooring throughout the wet room or in the shower and tub area,” says Gallo. “The water runs through the space between the slats and into a drain beneath the floor. It looks great and offers a new look.” • Install adequate drainage. Benscoter says that proper drainage options can range from “a simple floor drain to elaborate channeling to move water away.” He adds that a shower equipped with multiple fixtures will require a large drain to handle increased water flow. • Keep shower placement in mind. Wet room shower areas, which often do not have a door or curtain, should be located on the wall across from the sink and toilet and built larger than needed to compensate for overspray, says Gallo. MATERIAL MATTERS Numerous choices are available when selecting materials for a wet room. Our experts weigh in on the options: • Choose non-slip flooring. Select surfaces that work well with water and are slip-resistant, Tims suggests. He finds that many clients like the look of slate; however, its iron content can cause rust, he points out, and thus recommends high-quality sealed travertine or limestone instead. • Avoid stains. The Phoenix area’s hard water can stain such porous materials as marble, notes Benscoter. “I would suggest that the floors, walls and ceilings be made of a nonporous material, such as ceramic tile.” • Consider a unified look. “It is popular to use the same material on all surfaces of the room [walls, floors, tub surrounds, etc.], such as Bisazza or Oceanside Glass Tile, creating one dynamic, uniform appearance,” Tims says. Gallo is seeing an increase in organic and recycled materials, including water-resistant woods and cement. • Educate yourself about the manufacturer. According to Tims, the marketplace is full of attractive materials; however, many are suitable only for specific applications. For example, there are numerous brands of glass tile that do not wear well in wet rooms, he notes. “Homeowners desiring to use glass tile or any other product should only work with a reputable dealer to ensure the product they are selecting will work in their intended application,” he counsels. FIXATED ON FIXTURES Perhaps the most enjoyable features in a wet room are the fixtures and faucetry. Water can rain down from the ceiling or come at you from the side, while jetted bathtubs with chromatherapy can offer soothing results. Following are some elements to consider: • Cover all bases. When it comes to a wet room’s shower fittings, many homeowners go all out. Our experts have seen designs that place multiple fixtures at various angles, including in-column body sprays, groupings of wall-mounted spray tiles, and oversized shower heads that generate a “curtain” of water. Benscoter says that a bar-mounted hand shower is a must-have. He adds that it can be adjusted up and down easily, and the fixture, which can be lifted off its cradle, is ideal for hosing down a wet room. • Consider steam showers or saunas. “Steam showers, by far, have been the center of attention when designing a master bathroom or wet room,” says Tims. He mentions a model by Amerec that blends a sauna and steam room into one, as well as steam showers with chromatherapy. Benscoter also sees a trend toward steam showers: “[They] make bathing a soothing experience and a retreat, as opposed to a way to get clean.” • Install wall-mounted sinks and toilets. Benscoter advises incorporating wall-mounted sinks and toilets so that water draining from a shower will pass underneath the fixtures instead of pooling at their bases. If you prefer a floor-mounted toilet, Tims suggests TOTO’s Neorest, which he says “redefines luxury.” The unit features a heated seat, built-in air purifying system, and a lid that opens and closes automatically. • Add the finishing touches. To create the ultimate wet room, Tims points to products that offer lavish amenities. A few he mentions include plasma TVs hidden behind two-way mirrors, towel-warming drawers (which also keep towels dry), synchronized chromatherapy lights, sound-immersion systems, and aromatherapy dispensers. He adds that the best feature of all is a simple one: “The power to relax and rejuvenate in the privacy of your own home is the ultimate benefit a wet room can provide.” SIDEBARS: SAVING WATER Water consumption is higher in bathrooms than any other room in a home, according to greenhomeguide.com—a national resource with advisory boards composed of professional ecological experts. While the term “water-saving wet room” may sound like an oxymoron, there are numerous ways that homeowners can add water-saving features to wet rooms and bathrooms alike, whether they are new or remodels. Here are some suggestions: • Toilets: “Toilets are the single largest user of water in the home, accounting for up to 28 percent of water use,” notes the Web site. Consider a dual-flush toilet, which offers two flush modes that use either .8 gallons or 1.6 gallons of water per flush (gpf). Or choose a 1.6-gpf toilet that is estimated to cut water consumption in half over that of a standard toilet, which can range from 3.5 to 7 gpf (depending on the age of the fixture). Incorporating a gray-water system that recirculates water from shower or sink drains into the toilet bowl is another idea. • Faucets: When shopping for a new faucet, look for models that dispense .5 to 1 gallon of water per minute (gpm). Touchless faucets also are available. These designs will shut off automatically when not in use, thanks to built-in sensors. For older fixtures, install aerators to reduce water flow without restricting water pressure. You also can save water with such simple steps as turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving. • Showers: Purchase shower heads that use 1.5 to 2 gpm. For additional water savings, consider placing a recirculating hot-water pump on the fixture farthest from the water heater. This device will take cold water from the pipes and run it back through the heater before traveling to the faucet or shower head. LONG-TERM SOLUTION Universal design, or aging-in-place, is an approach that is garnering more recognition as people live longer, healthier lives. AARP features a Bathroom Checklist on its Web site that outlines a number of universal design concepts, such as installing a non-slip floor and a walk-in shower with a hand-held nozzle. For some homeowners, wet rooms offer an ideal way to blend universal design with spa-like amenities. Ken Tims sees the benefits of incorporating both applications in a single space and points out one example in particular—the bathtub. He notes savvy choices that range from a leakproof door built into a tub wall to deck-top models with stairs and handrails for easy access. Another feature to consider is the built-in bench found in some models. “A bathtub design that incorporates a sitting ledge built into the side could be ‘just what the doctor ordered,’” he says. This design benefits users of all ages, he adds, explaining that the benches are ideal for parents to use while bathing their children.
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