Wetroom vs shower tray - Cost difference

Chaoscontrol

We're planning to ask for quotes to renovate the entire bathroom of our new house. And we are planning for a wetroom. I am not handy myself, but I'm trying to understand as much as possible so tradespeople don't take me for a fool. (actually the first one I talked to told me a wetroom would be extra £3k due to the tanking. I had no idea then, but now I know a bit more and can't understand why the tanking would be any difference). 

Searching online it says a wetroom is usually more expensive than a standard shower tray. And for the life of me, I cannot understand why. 

Can someone help me understand the differences in costs? 

Assume same wall tiling, same shower glass panel, same everything. Just replace shower tray for extra floor tiles. Why would that be more expensive in labour? 

As far as I've found online, both need tanking the same way. I cannot see why they wouldn't. This is a 1st floor bathroom.

Can someone help me understand? Thanks! 

ariarnia

a shower tray is a pre-made waterproof tray that you put onto a floor then keep the water in the tray by using a screen that's sealed at the bottom and side. you can do whatever you want to the rest of the room because the water will stay in the shower area. 

a wet room is different because the whole floor is the 'tray'. because you can't buy a tray the size and shape of your whole bathroom (just imagine trying to get it in the door) then its more work. 

they basically line the room and a bit up the walls with a waterproof sheeting that's melted at the joins so it becomes a 'tray' the shape and size of your room. then they put the tiles and everything else on top of that. 

like buying a cake from a supermarket vs icing one by hand. 

Chaoscontrol

Yeah I understand that. 

But as you say, the walls are exactly identical. Why do you make them waterproof when on wetroom but not with a tray? It doesn't make sense.

Plus, if you trust the sealing between the tray and the tiled wall, or the tray of the with the glass, why don't you trust the same sealing in the wetroom?

I understand the slightly extra work of tiling instead of putting a tray (which is some area where you avoid the tiling work). But that's should be the only difference, nothing else! 

Gavin83

Chaoscontrol said:

Yeah I understand that. 

But as you say, the walls are exactly identical. Why do you make them waterproof when on wetroom but not with a tray? It doesn't make sense.

Plus, if you trust the sealing between the tray and the tiled wall, or the tray of the with the glass, why don't you trust the same sealing in the wetroom?

I understand the slightly extra work of tiling instead of putting a tray (which is some area where you avoid the tiling work). But that's should be the only difference, nothing else! 

The walls still need to be waterproof whether you use a tray or it’s a wet room. 

Ultimately any areas exposed to water need to be waterproof. So in a normal bathroom that’ll be the shower area but with a wet room it’s potentially anywhere.

Chaoscontrol

Gavin83 said:

Chaoscontrol said:

Yeah I understand that. 

But as you say, the walls are exactly identical. Why do you make them waterproof when on wetroom but not with a tray? It doesn't make sense.

Plus, if you trust the sealing between the tray and the tiled wall, or the tray of the with the glass, why don't you trust the same sealing in the wetroom?

I understand the slightly extra work of tiling instead of putting a tray (which is some area where you avoid the tiling work). But that's should be the only difference, nothing else! 

The walls still need to be waterproof whether you use a tray or it’s a wet room. 

Ultimately any areas exposed to water need to be waterproof. So in a normal bathroom that’ll be the shower area but with a wet room it’s potentially anywhere.

Anywhere just means the area of the tray lol. 

And since there is no door maybe an extra meter in the towards the opening, but again, that's would be the same for the tray with the same configuration. Correct? 

And again, waterproofing an extra meter can't be such a massive difference? 

GDB2222

I don’t really understand why people are so keen on wet rooms? Is it a fashion thing? Or are there some real advantages? 

In this case, I don’t think that the op is planning a completely wet room, but a shower cubicle at one end. The only difference from a standard shower is that the 'tray' will be custom made from tiles. Have I understood that bit correctly?

Chaoscontrol

GDB2222 said:

I don’t really understand why people are so keen on wet rooms? Is it a fashion thing? Or are there some real advantages? 

In this case, I don’t think that the op is planning a completely wet room, but a shower cubicle at one end. The only difference from a standard shower is that the 'tray' will be custom made from tiles. Have I understood that bit correctly?

Not sure what you mean. Isn't exactly that a wetroom? Maybe I'm getting it wrong.

But yes, it's a corner of the room, with a fixed glass, no door in my case. Exactly, where the tray would be, you take it out and place more tiles. That's it. Obv some water can splash out, so I understand the need of some extra waterproofing. But that's based on having no door, nothing to do with having a tray or not. 

Well yes, it's a matter of aesthetics and not wanting a tub. Again, maybe I'm missing the difference? 

GDB2222

I used a completely wet room once, where the whole floor got wet. It was dreadful, as there was nowhere to dry off properly, nor even anywhere to put a towel so it didn’t get wet.  What you are planning is much more sensible. 

I don’t think that there’s anything you can do about the cost being higher. I can see some difference in the work required. For example, with a shower tray the base it is laid on is flat, and the tray has the contours to make the water flow away.  That’s easier to construct than a carefully contoured floor. 

Also, I am not sure how the drain will run?

Bendy_House

I think wetrooms are a good idea, tho' I'm always concerned by their integrity. They just seem like the sort of setup where a leak can occur without you having a clue about it, until a joist rots away...

How are they more complex than a shower tray? The most obvious way is that whatever is used as the floor material has to be 100% watertight. The floor mustn't flex excessively. A tile mustn't crack. A grout line mustn't have a pinhole in it. The seal around the sunken (so a complete destructive bar steward to replace) drain must also be one hundred percent.

A tray will be.

Terrifying!

ariarnia

Chaoscontrol said:

I understand the slightly extra work of tiling instead of putting a tray (which is some area where you avoid the tiling work). But that's should be the only difference, nothing else! 

here is how to install a shower tray https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/blog/how-to/how-to-fit-a-shower-tray-so-its-watertight/

here is how to install the floor of a wet room https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-install-a-wetroom

its not 'slightly extra work' in just one corner of a room. that's why its called a wet ROOM

Chaoscontrol

ariarnia said:

Chaoscontrol said:

I understand the slightly extra work of tiling instead of putting a tray (which is some area where you avoid the tiling work). But that's should be the only difference, nothing else! 

here is how to install a shower tray https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/blog/how-to/how-to-fit-a-shower-tray-so-its-watertight/

here is how to install the floor of a wet room https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-install-a-wetroom

its not 'slightly extra work' in just one corner of a room. that's why its called a wet ROOM

That's specific guide of wetroom has a tray, so I'd call that a normal shower. Again, what's the difference?

I'm not talking about it having a door or not. I'm talking about how the tray makes a difference. This is the config.