Refresh Your Wet Room: A Guide To The Best Wet Room Flooring

Have you got a wet room that desperately needs a refresh? Are you finding it harder to get out of the bath and you're toying with the idea of converting your bathroom to a wet room? You're in the right place to learn more about choosing the best wet room flooring for you and your home.

Wet room floors have come a long way from the textured vinyl that looks like it belongs in a swimming pool changing room. If you have an eye for style and a mind for practical application, keep reading as we have compiled some of the key pieces of information that you need to know about wet room floors before you start designing your new bathroom.

What qualifies a material to be considered ‘wet room flooring’? All it needs to be is safe to walk on whilst wet, provide suitable drainage and be waterproof. With this in mind, some materials are more suitable for this type of project than others.

Tiles are a popular and practical choice for wet room floors because they offer unmatched durability and with proper care can last for decades. Not all tiles are suitable for wet room floors even though they are typically water-resistant. Tiles are the easiest option for cleaning and don’t typically need specialist products. Look out for those with a high slip resistance, particularly if stated safe for wet room use.

Other wet room floor materials can compete on the safety front but it is a very personal choice for the person designing the wet room as to whether they want to explore using vinyl.

Some people might notice a smell that accompanies vinyl flooring that might be unpleasant. Despite this, vinyl flooring is a practical and budget-friendly option for wet rooms and should be considered based on your individual needs.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a new option for people looking to install a wet room. LVT brings a high-end look and feel to your new wet room and has been developed to be easy to maintain and durable. Most styles are slip resistant but not all are suitable for wet room use so it's best to check their technical specification first.

The most common consideration for people installing a wet room is ensuring that the floor is safe - this means that the risk of slips, trips and falls is reduced as much as possible. This is essential for people who experience mobility issues and value peace of mind when using the bathroom. If safety is your priority when choosing your new floor, look out for these features:

• Non-slip credentials - check the product description on our website. You'll find assurances on how slip resistant a product is and whether it's designed for use in a wet room. Browse our range of wet room floor tiles for peace of mind.


• Underfloor heating compatibility - underfloor heating can be a joy in the winter months and many people who are designing a bathroom with longevity in mind will consider this option.


• Waterproofing - to comply with British Standards, a wet room must be fully waterproofed (aka tanked) before tiling. There are various methods in which to do this but all lead to creating a fully water tight space.


• Price - you can pay a pretty penny for wet room flooring but if you can't wait for a sale or a promotion, check out our Get The Look For Less range and use the product filter to find suitable flooring options at a lower price.

Put your unique stamp on your wet room by choosing a linear or square-shaped grate. Made with high-quality laser-cut stainless steel, they can add a touch of luxury to your wet room. Wet room drainage grates are available in different designs so you can swap around your grates to create different looks quickly, cheaply and easily. Our favourite is the Bubbles linear grate as it brings a sense of fun.

The great thing about a wet room is that you don't have to install a big, white shower tray if that doesn't fit in with your aesthetic. However, if you want to make a feature of your shower then consider choosing some different tiles to fit under the showerhead.

 The type of shower tray you choose for your wet room is dependent on the shape of the grate you’ve already chosen and the position it will sit within your wet room. We always recommend that your drain sits underneath your showerhead for the most efficient flow of water.

When it comes to the best flooring for a wet room, there isn’t just one solution that suits everyone. There are lots of factors to consider. We’ve selected a few options for people who have extra considerations.

Safety is everyone’s primary concern when choosing wet room flooring so this should go without saying when it comes to families with young children. Busy families don’t always have time to keep on top of rigorous cleaning schedules so a darker colour floor or choosing tiles with a fun and engaging pattern could be a good choice. We’d also advise on a darker grout colour as this will be keep your tiles looking fresher for longer.

Accessible wet rooms don't have to be dull and boring. At Topps Tiles, we offer a range of high-resistance flooring options that offer peace of mind but if you decide to opt for traditional vinyl flooring in your shower space, there are plenty of other ways to make your bathroom an oasis of tranquillity such as bringing in stylish wood effect tiles for the walls, timeless white and gold marble or brightly coloured subway tiles.

We love the Hartley grey tile as it brings texture to a wet room floor that can be styled to be more industrial or rustic, depending on your preferences. It's incredibly versatile and also contains up to 40% recycled content so it is a more sustainable choice too.

How about white marble? It never goes out of style and we have a fantastic option that is not only beautiful but is suitable for a wet room too - check out our white Marbex tile. It's budget-friendly compared to traditional marble but its finish means that it can be used in wet areas that would normally result in discoloured marble so this is a great choice.

If you're ready to take the next step and transform your bathroom into a wet room, it's time to think about the practicalities and read our blog about how to turn your bathroom into a wet room. Stuck for ideas on how to make it beautiful as well as practical? Head on over to our Bathroom Decor Pinterest page for more real-life inspiration.