Comparisons
Wet room vs walk in shower: what is the difference?
Written by Martin, M24/7 Bathrooms
Last updated:
A wet room has no tray and a fully waterproofed sloping floor. A walk in shower uses a low tray with an open side.
The short answer: a wet room has no tray at all, because the whole floor is tanked and tiled to fall towards a drain, while a walk in shower uses a large, low profile tray with a fixed screen and an open entry. A walk in shower is usually quicker and cheaper to fit; a wet room gives true level access and suits very small rooms.
These two get used interchangeably in showrooms, but they are different builds with different costs and different consequences if you get it wrong.
If a tray and open screen suit your room, our walk-in shower installation service covers the fitting checks and work involved.
Walk-in shower or wet room: which suits your bathroom?
A walk-in shower suits most upstairs family bathrooms. It uses a low tray, so the waterproofing is simpler, the floor build up is smaller and the rest of the room stays dry. A wet room suits rooms that are too small for a separate enclosure, homes where someone needs a completely level floor, and owners who want an open, tray-free look and accept the extra preparation. If the floor is timber, the joists and boarding decide how practical a wet room is. If the waste can be reached easily and the room is a reasonable size, a walk-in shower usually gives the result people want with less disruption. The survey confirms which build your floor and drainage will support.
Wet room versus walk in shower at a glance
Here is the difference between a wet room and a walk in shower, side by side.
| Wet room | Walk in shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | Tiled floor laid to falls, no tray | Low profile tray on the floor |
| Waterproofing | Whole wet area tanked, floor and walls | Walls tanked, tray protects the floor |
| Step in | None, fully level | Small upstand at the tray edge |
| Cost and time | Higher, more floor preparation | Lower, quicker to install |
| Cleaning | Grout lines on the floor | Smooth tray surface |
| Best for | Access needs, very small rooms, ground floors | Most upstairs bathrooms and bath swaps |
Cost and disruption
The walk in shower wins here. A tray sits on the existing floor with minimal structural work, so it is faster and cheaper. A wet room needs falls formed and the full area tanked before tiling.
Accessibility
The wet room wins outright. There is nothing to step over at all, which matters a great deal if mobility is a current or likely future concern. A low profile tray still has a small upstand.
Cleaning and maintenance
Trays are easier to keep clean because the surface is smooth and there is no grout in the wet zone. A tiled wet room floor has grout lines that need reasonable ventilation and regular attention.
Which one suits which room
The decision usually comes down to floor structure and who uses the room.
- Upstairs timber floor, tight budget: walk in shower with a low profile tray
- Ground floor concrete slab: wet room becomes much easier to justify
- Accessibility a priority: wet room, every time
- Very small room where every millimetre counts: wet room
- Family bathroom keeping the bath: walk in shower alongside it if space allows
What both need to get right
Whichever you choose, the failure points are the same: waterproofing behind the tiles, a properly sealed junction where the wall meets the floor or tray, and enough extraction to clear the moisture afterwards.
Want a professional to handle it?
Get a quote from M24/7 Bathrooms.
Questions
Frequently asked
Is a wet room the same as a walk-in shower?
No. A walk-in shower uses a low tray with an open entry, while a wet room has no tray at all and the whole floor is waterproofed and laid to fall towards a drain.
Which is better value overall?
A walk in shower for most upstairs bathrooms. A wet room earns its extra cost where access matters or the room is very small.
Does a wet room reduce the value of my home?
Not on its own, but removing the only bath in a family house can narrow its appeal. Keep a bath somewhere if you can.
Can I have a walk in shower without a door?
Yes, with a fixed screen and the showerhead positioned to throw water away from the opening.
Is one easier to keep clean than the other?
A tray is easier, because there is no grout in the wettest area.
Can you convert a bath into either?
Both are common conversions for us. Which one suits depends on the floor and the drainage position.