Are you considering accessible bathing solutions for your home? Have you found it increasingly difficult to use due to changes in your mobility or age? Or are you concerned that your current bathroom won’t be useable soon? Are you worried about the time it will take to complete a bathroom renovation and how much it will cost? Whether you’ve had any thoughts about replacing your bath with a walk-in shower, installing a wet room or opting for a walk-in bath, we’re here to guide you through the process. We can help in choosing which type of bathroom adaptation could be right for you, and how much it might cost.
At AHM installations we know how overwhelming it can feel to change your bathroom. Thousands of our customers across the UK also felt the same way at the beginning of their journey. However with the right help and guidance from us, they ended up with a bathroom that was suited to their individual needs, while also meeting their design aspirations and staying within their budget.
We are experts at undertaking a ‘bath out – shower in’ installation, where we remove a traditional bath with high sides and replace it with a walk-in shower, but we also create stunning wet rooms. Both options provide safety and ease of use, but they suit different needs and preferences.
In this guide, we’ll cover the differences between walk-in showers and wet rooms, the benefits of each and key considerations – such as mobility needs and space availability, costs and installation factors. We’ve also included a questionnaire to help you decide.
Option 1: Walk-In Shower ('Bath Out, Shower In')
A walk-in shower is a great accessible bathing option if you’re finding it harder to get into or out of your bath. It’s a safer option because it has a low or level-entry shower tray, meaning there is no requirement to lift your feet more than an inch off the ground to step into the shower. Additionally, their grab bars and drop-down seats further maximise safety whilst you shower. A walk-in shower will usually feature some, or all, of the following:
- A shower screen to contain water.
- Slip resistant low-level shower tray.
- Grab rails and seating for added support.
- Slip-resistant flooring.
- Easy to clean wall panels instead of tiles to make cleaning and maintenance easier.
Benefits Of Walk-In Showers
- Safer than traditional showers or baths because the risk of falls, trips and slips is greatly reduced.
- Drop down or fixed shower seats make showering more comfortable for those who may struggle with balanced or decreased lower body strength.
- A walk-in shower is usually more affordable then a full wet room conversion.
- Walk-in showers can fit into most standard bathroom spaces.
- Installation time is usually quicker, on average we install walk-in showers within 2-4 days.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
Cost Considerations For Walk-In Showers
Costs can vary depending on the size of your bathroom, how much plumbing or electrical work is needed, and the materials you choose (like flooring, wall panelling and furniture). Installation time is typically shorter than a wet room, and walk-in showers are generally more affordable.
Option 2: A Wet Room
A wet room is an excellent choice when it comes to accessible bathing. They are a great choice if you have a larger bathroom and you do not wish to have any barriers such as trays or screens. Many of our customers who are wheelchair users or rely on support aids find a wet room easier to manoeuvre, especially if they also require help from a carer.
A wet room differs from a walk-in shower because it is a fully waterproofed bathroom where the shower area is completely open. Water drains directly into a waste outlet built into the floor, and there are no barriers. It usually has:
- No screen or shower door.
- Slip-resistant safety flooring.
- Grab rails strategically placed and seating placed for extra support.
- Enough room to enable a carer and / or wheelchair walking or support aid.
A wet room can also be installed with half height privacy screens and or a curtain to enable privacy for those who rely on carers.
Benefits Of A Wet Room
- Completely barrier-free access- ideal for those who use wheelchairs, walking or support aids.
- Provides more space to move around- useful for third party carers to assist.
- The floor is slip-resistant which reduces trips or falls.
- Grab bars can be positioned anywhere in the room to further aid balance and walking.
- Easier to clean with no shower tray.
Cost Considerations For Wet Rooms
Wet rooms typically cost more than walk-in showers due to the need for full-room waterproofing, specialist drainage and extended labour. However, they provide maximum accessibility and are a great long-term solution for staying in your home.
If you’re considering converting a space like a spare room or garage into a wet room, additional building and plumbing work will increase the overall costs. Many of our customers chose to convert dining rooms, garages and spare rooms, into new wet rooms. This can increase the costs due to the need for added building, plumbing and pipe works, electricals and decoration.
Key Considerations When Choosing What Accessible Bathing Solution Is Right For You
Here are a few key considerations to consider:
What are you currently struggling with in the bathroom? What are your mobility needs?
If you struggle with balance or stepping up, a walk-in shower may be sufficient. If you need wheelchair access or room for a support aid, a wet room is usually the better choice.
What space is available?
A walk-in shower can replace a standard bath, fitting into smaller bathrooms. A wet room requires full waterproofing and works best in larger spaces.
What is your budget?
Walk-in showers are cheaper to install than wet rooms. Wet rooms require specialist waterproofing (called ‘tanking’), which increases costs.
Who will be using the bathroom?
If multiple people use the space, a walk-in shower keeps part of the bathroom dry. If you need maximum accessibility, a wet room offers complete freedom of movement.
Take a look at our walk-in shower page or wet room page if you want to learn more.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this guide has provided some useful insight into which accessible bathing solution you might need. However, we know it can still be a difficult decision to select a company to undertake the work. We always recommend obtaining three quotes and ensuring you ask as many questions as possible during the home survey and insist on a full written quote.
It’s not always advisable to accept the cheapest quote or who can install it the quickest. If the company is not a specialist in accessible bathroom design, you may find they don’t provide the best use of the space and don’t have access to a wide range of fixtures designed to help those with limited mobility.
You should always check if they have positive reviews online with platforms such as Trustpilot, so you can gauge other people’s experiences with them. Be sure to also check of they have any special endorsements such as the Which? Trusted Trader badge. This ensures they have undergone assessment and deemed a trustworthy company with a high standard of workmanship and customer care. Also, ask to see their gallery of ‘before and after’s so you can get a sense of what type of work they’ve conducted in the past.
Finally, always be sure certain about what after care or guarantees are included. If something were to go wrong after the installation, you’ll want peace of mind that the company you chose will have it covered.
For A Reliable Range Of Accessible Bathing Solutions, Contact AHM
At AHM installations, we are proud to say we tick all the boxed mentioned above and as a family-run business with over 26 years of experience, you can be sure you’ll be in safe hands.
Call us on 0800 731 6495 or request a free brochure here
