R. D. Sigi Herring, managing director of Bathroom Engineering looks at design trends in wetrooms...

The UK wet room market is still in a relatively embryonic state, compared to Europe, with new products, often European, being launched regularly. However, herein lies the problem, as European products in the most part are originally designed for concrete floors. In the UK, most refurbishments and a large proportion of new build projects use suspended timber floors.

Hence, a significant problem with many wet room systems in the UK is compatibility, especially the floor it is being fitted to.

Some systems rely on cheaper and weak raw materials at their core. These concrete style systems are not the future for suspended joist floors. They hide 'old production technology' as factories have needed to invent new methods to level the floor as taller & thicker trays are needed, to maintain strength. The 'overboarding' solution promoted by board manufacturers is tempting, with the promise of an 'easy to fix' solution, combining waterproofing & levelling in one go. However, 'overboarding' timber floors cannot disguise a poor compromise, that is incompatible with the 'consumer' ideal' of a level entry at the threshold to the bathroom, and also to the shower entrance.

Worse still, some board systems are promoted as ideal for wet rooms & showers, but the manufacturer's forget to tell you they are not waterproof. Sure, they may be water resistant or stable when wet, but they still allow moisture to pass. Don't become a retailer, or fitter who must undertake costly remedial action, due to unwittingly supplying this type of product.

It would be easy to fall into the most subtle of pitfalls by choosing a system with price as your main method of comparison, but price has no role to play in wet room product selection, at least not yet!

At this stage, product selection is critical, so concentrate on the right system designed originally for the floor you are installing on.

Whether you currently supply wet room systems or not, the key is take your time & choose the system carefully. Make sure it was originally designed to do the job you need, not just what the rep promises is possible with adjustment, as the two are not always the same. The market is still undecided about the right long term solution, so if you're waiting because you cannot trust either product, installer or both, steer clear of wet rooms until the right solution is launched.

It may be sooner than you think...