Wet Room vs Shower Tray in Ireland — Cost, Tanking, and When Each Works
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Wet room in Ireland: €11,000–€23,000 installed (tanking €8,000–€15,000, plus falls to drain, drain, screen, and the standard bathroom spec). Shower tray: €3,000–€8,000 installed. Wet room is best for accessible bathroom design (Part M compliance, ageing in place). Shower tray is the standard for most bathrooms. Tanking is the critical detail. A failed tank is a €10k+ fix. Use a proprietary tanking system (Schlüter, Mapei, Weber) and a professional installer. The floor must have falls of 1:80 to the drain. The walls must be tanked 2 m up (full wet zone). Most Irish self-builds use a shower tray for the family bathroom and a wet room for the ensuite (or for the accessible downstairs bathroom).
TL;DR
Wet room in Ireland: €11,000–€23,000 installed (tanking + falls + drain + screen). Shower tray: €3,000–€8,000.
Wet room is best for accessible bathroom design (Part M compliance, ageing in place). Shower tray is the standard for most bathrooms.
Tanking is the critical detail. A failed tank is a €10k+ fix. Use a proprietary tanking system (Schlüter, Mapei, Weber) and a professional installer.
When this matters most
You're at design stage and need to choose between a wet room and a shower tray.
When this doesn't apply
The bathroom is in.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wet room cost in Ireland?
€11,000–€23,000 installed (tanking + falls + drain + screen + standard bathroom). Tanking alone is €8,000–€15,000. Use a proprietary system (Schlüter, Mapei, Weber).
Wet room or shower tray?
Wet room for accessible bathroom (Part M, ageing in place). Shower tray for standard bathrooms. Wet room is more expensive but level access is best for accessibility.
What is the most common wet room mistake?
Failed tanking. A 1 mm gap in the tanking membrane allows water through and damages the structure below. Use a proprietary system and a professional installer. Test the tank before tiling.
Sources
Building Regulations 2023, TGD-M (Access). https://www.gov.ie/
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wet room cost in Ireland?
€11,000–€23,000 installed (tanking + falls + drain + screen + standard bathroom). Tanking alone is €8,000–€15,000. Use a proprietary system (Schlüter, Mapei, Weber).
Wet room or shower tray?
Wet room for accessible bathroom (Part M, ageing in place). Shower tray for standard bathrooms. Wet room is more expensive but level access is best for accessibility.
What is the most common wet room mistake?
Failed tanking. A 1 mm gap in the tanking membrane allows water through and damages the structure below. Use a proprietary system and a professional installer. Test the tank before tiling.