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KBB WETROOMS FEATURE Mike Wilson, marketing manager for Daryl Showers comments: - Thursday, March 19, 2009

1. Is the demand for tanked wetrooms on the wane? And if so is this in favour of walk-in and walk-through showers?

Walk-in showers are becoming increasingly popular and immediately give an added sense of luxury to a bathroom. This doesn't mean tanked wetrooms are on the way out; they are still popular and tend to be more common in larger houses which have several bathrooms.

The demand for walk-in showers is being fuelled by the fact a wetroom look can be easily created without the expense and time taken to tank a room. Consumers are opting to create the look by opting for frameless designs and walk-in showers with low profile trays.

Walk-in showers are a more accessible option as they are cheaper to buy and install but still reflect luxury and create a statement. We all want a luxurious and state of the art bathroom but usually within a set budget. A trendy, spacious and contemporary bathroom is definitely becoming a must-have, but for most people it must still be functional. Walk-in showers are easier to build into full service bathrooms.

The latest walk-in showers use as little framework and as much glass as possible with low profile trays that enable you to walk easily between the shower area and main bathroom, creating a seamless environment. This creates a large shower area and feels very open and inviting.

2. What are the advantages of an open shower or wetroom over a traditional shower enclosure?

As consumers seek more light and space in their bathrooms frameless designs are becoming more minimalist and technology has had to move on to ensure that screens with more glass and less metal can still perform. The pivot, hinge and sliding doors on the Daryl Minima, Indigo and Iana ranges provide strength but less metal to provide a more open feel.

Traditional shower enclosures are still popular where space is restricted and are becoming more innovative in terms of looks, functionality and design. Easy installation and size is always key selling point.

3. What should you consider before installing a wetroom or minimal shower?

Wetrooms and minimal showers have different installation requirements. However, there are some common factors which should always be considered. Firstly, if you're employing an installer to fit the shower, ensure you use someone who is reputable and has knowledge of water systems and heating arrangements. A good installer should be able to tell you what water pressure you have and therefore help you choose what type of shower you should have. Ensure you have the correct drainage system in place for the amount of water being used, especially if using a pumped shower or installing multi-outlets in a wet room.

Think about cleaning as well. Given its size and various spays and jets, a wetroom is going to take longer to clean than a minimal shower. Daryl enclosures are made with toughened safety glass and are coated expertly in the factory to ensure the glass is easy to clean and looks tidy.

4. How does a minimal shower affect the layout of the rest of the bathroom?

A minimal shower could be used to create a statement in the bathroom. If so, it should be well positioned and the rest of the bathroom designed around it. A minimal shower such as the Indigo range of enclosures from Daryl, bring together a clean, frameless design with a modern finish. Indigo enhances the feeling of space and light in the bathroom whilst demonstrating personal expression and creating a focal point.

If you opt for built-in ceiling mounted spray heads or a large deluge head then you need to think about the actual shower area and whether it can cope with spray patterns and area covered e.g. if you have a screen as opposed to an entire enclosure, does it matter where the water spray lands? This is worth considering whilst choosing your shower design.

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For further information please contact Anya Barker or Hannah Lomas at McCann Erickson PR on 0117 921 8114/8127 or e