Wetroom panels have transformed modern bathroom design, offering a minimalist alternative to traditional shower enclosures. Also known as shower screens, walk-in screens, and walk-in shower enclosures, these glass barriers create open, spacious showering areas whilst providing essential water protection.
Whether you're renovating your bathroom or building from scratch, choosing the right wetroom panel requires careful consideration of several key factors. This comprehensive guide from Asturias Bathrooms covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Why Choose Wetroom Panels?
Minimalist Design Appeal
Wetroom panels create clean, uncluttered lines that make bathrooms appear larger and more spacious. The transparent glass maintains visual flow throughout the room, particularly beneficial in smaller bathrooms where traditional enclosures might feel cramped.
Easy Access and Comfort
Walk-in shower screens provide barrier-free access, making them suitable for users of all ages and mobility levels. The open design allows comfortable movement within the showering area without the constraints of hinged doors or sliding mechanisms.
Types of Wetroom Panel Glass
Understanding glass options helps you balance privacy, light transmission, and maintenance requirements.
Clear Glass Panels
Standard clear glass provides maximum light transmission and creates the most open feel. These panels showcase bathroom tiles and fixtures whilst maintaining the minimalist aesthetic that makes wetroom panels so popular.
Low-Iron Glass Panels
Also called extra clear glass, low-iron panels eliminate the slight green tint present in standard glass. This option provides the purest transparency and most accurate colour representation of your bathroom's design elements.
Frosted Glass Panels
Frosted glass offers privacy whilst still allowing light to filter through. The etched surface creates an elegant, pearl-white appearance that works particularly well in family bathrooms or guest facilities.
Patterned Glass Panels
Textured glass adds visual interest through embossed designs ranging from simple geometric patterns to more elaborate motifs. These panels provide moderate privacy whilst creating attractive light patterns.
Coated Glass Panels
Special protective coatings repel water and reduce limescale buildup, making cleaning easier and maintaining the panel's appearance longer. Most quality wetroom panels include this protective treatment as standard.
Key Factors to Consider
Bathroom Size and Layout
Your bathroom's dimensions determine which wetroom panel configurations work best. Measure carefully and consider how the panel placement affects both water containment and access space.
For recess installations, subtract your desired entrance width (typically 500-600mm) from your total space to determine maximum panel width. Corner installations offer more flexibility but require careful planning for multiple panel configurations. For more information, read through our guide on How to Install a Wetroom Screen.
Budget Considerations
Wetroom panel prices vary significantly based on size, glass quality, frame finish, and brand. Premium panels offer superior durability and warranties, whilst budget options provide essential functionality at a lower cost.
Consider long-term value when evaluating options. Higher-quality panels often include better sealing systems, adjustable fittings, and comprehensive warranties that provide better value over time.
Accurate Measurements
Precise measurements prevent costly mistakes and installation delays. Measure your space multiple times and account for wall irregularities. Most quality panels include adjustable wall channels that accommodate variations up to 20mm.
Installation Options
Shower Tray Installation
Installing wetroom panels onto shower trays provides easier waterproofing and quicker installation compared to full wetroom floors. This approach works well for bathroom renovations where full wetroom installation isn't practical.
Modern shower trays offer excellent drainage performance and can simplify your renovation project significantly. If you're considering this option, browse our extensive range of shower trays for compatible options.
Tiled Floor Installation
Direct installation onto waterproof wetroom floors creates the most authentic wetroom experience. This approach requires proper floor preparation, waterproofing, and drainage, but delivers the ultimate open-plan showering space.
For detailed installation guidance, read our comprehensive guide on how to install a wetroom screen for step-by-step instructions.
Size Considerations and Entrance Space
Planning adequate entrance space ensures comfortable access whilst maintaining effective water containment.
Minimum Space Requirements
Wetroom screens require a minimum space of approximately 1200mm to work effectively. Smaller spaces often result in excessive water escape, even with well-positioned panels.
Entrance Gap Planning
Allow 500-600mm entrance space for comfortable access. This gap provides sufficient room for most users whilst maintaining reasonable water containment. Larger gaps offer more accessibility but may require additional spray protection measures.
Multiple Panel Configurations
Two-panel systems offer superior water containment for larger showering areas. Plan diagonal access routes between panels to ensure adequate entrance space whilst maximising coverage.
Frame Finish Options
Frame finishes should complement your bathroom's overall design scheme whilst providing durability and corrosion resistance.
Chrome Wetroom Panels
Chrome finishes provide timeless appeal and work with most bathroom styles. The polished surface resists corrosion and maintains its appearance with regular cleaning. Chrome Wetroom Panels suit both contemporary and traditional bathroom designs.
Chrome's reflective properties help maintain a bright, open feeling essential to successful wetroom design. This finish coordinates well with most bathroom fittings and accessories.
Black Wetroom Panels
Black frames create bold, contemporary statements whilst delivering dependable performance. The matte or gloss finish resists moisture and staining, making maintenance straightforward.
Black Wetroom Panels work particularly well in modern bathroom designs and coordinate with current trends towards darker colour schemes. This finish provides a striking contrast against light-coloured tiles and fittings.
Gunmetal Wetroom Panels
Gunmetal Wetroom Panels offer a sophisticated, dark metallic appearance that suits both compact and spacious bathroom layouts. This modern finish provides excellent durability whilst maintaining its elegant appearance.
The sophisticated grey-black tone works well with contemporary bathroom designs and provides an alternative to traditional chrome or stark black finishes.
Brushed Brass Wetroom Panels
Brushed brass frames add warmth and refined style to bathroom spaces. Built with toughened safety glass and durable brass profiles, these panels resist moisture, corrosion, and daily wear whilst maintaining their elegant appearance.
Brushed Brass Wetroom Panels coordinate beautifully with matching taps, accessories, and bathroom fittings to create cohesive design schemes.
Brushed Bronze Wetroom Panels
Brushed bronze finishes provide rich, warm tones that complement traditional and contemporary bathroom styles. These Brushed Bronze Wetroom Panels offer the same durability and performance as other finishes whilst adding distinctive character.
Bronze finishes work particularly well in bathrooms with warm colour schemes and natural materials like wood or stone.
Adding Return Panels for Spray Prevention
Return panels provide additional water containment, particularly important in smaller spaces or high-pressure shower installations.
Fixed Return Panels
Fixed return panels attach at 90-degree angles to your main panel, creating more effective water barriers. These work well when you have adequate space and don't require variable access.
Hinged Return Panels
Hinged return panels offer flexibility, opening inwards, outwards, or both directions for easy access. This option allows you to use wider main panels by folding the return panel when needed.
Warranty and Reviews
Importance of Warranties
Quality wetroom panels should include comprehensive warranties covering glass, frames, and hardware. Leading manufacturers offer lifetime guarantees on their premium products, providing long-term peace of mind.
Read warranty terms carefully and ensure you understand registration requirements. Many extended warranties require manufacturer registration within specific timeframes. For example, the Scudo S8 Momentum Black Sliding Wetroom Panel is supplied with a lifetime manufacturer's guarantee for long-lasting quality assurance.
Reading Customer Reviews
Customer reviews provide valuable insights into real-world performance, installation experiences, and long-term satisfaction. Pay attention to comments about build quality, customer service, and any common issues.
Look for reviews from customers with similar bathroom sizes and requirements to your own situation.
Can You Install a Shower Tray in a Wetroom?
Yes, you can install shower trays in wetroom configurations. This approach offers several advantages:
- Easier waterproofing compared to full wetroom floors
- Quicker installation process
- Additional protection against water damage
- Suitable for most renovation projects
We have a comprehensive collection of shower trays available in various sizes and styles to complement your wetroom panel installation.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing the right wetroom panel involves balancing several factors: your bathroom size, budget, design preferences, and performance requirements. Take time to measure accurately, consider your long-term needs, and select quality products from reputable manufacturers.
Quality panels from established brands provide better adjustability, superior warranties, and reliable customer support. These factors often justify slightly higher initial costs through better long-term value and performance.
Browse our extensive range of wetroom panels to explore the full selection of sizes, finishes, and configurations available.
