Solid growth in the UK Wet Room market

Solid growth in the UK Wet Room market

The wet rooms market in the UK has seen solid growth in recent years as the market value increased by 10% between 2014 and 2016, and AMA Research estimates that over 5% of all UK homes now have a wet room installation.

This follows several years of stable growth within the market from 2013 onwards, driven primarily by increasing levels of new housebuilding, particularly in the retirement and care sector, where wet rooms are more common.

Recent product developments include pre-moulded wet room floor formers with a built-in gradient and membrane waterproof tanking systems, which are easier to install and provide greater installation accuracy, saving a significant amount of installation time. Developments in the drainage products sector include wall mounted and linear drains for a seamless finish and digital drainage pumps that operate wirelessly when the shower is turned on. Furthermore, glass frameless wet room panels have seen good growth, as these can add a bespoke solution to a wet room area, acting as a focal point and give the room a unique character, and can be used to ‘zone’ the wet room, creating a wet and dry area.

In terms of end use, around half of all wet room installations in 2016 took place within the domestic refurbishment sector. Many homeowners have seen to add value to their property by improving under-used parts of their home through the installation of a wet room area, in many cases in spaces such as loft conversions, garages, or other areas where additional space is available. The new build housing sector is becoming an increasingly important market for wet room installations, with many housebuilders and developers adding wet rooms in homes to add value and attract buyers. AMA estimates that as many as 50% of private housebuilders now include a wet room as standard in their new build homes or offer a wet room as an ‘optional extra’ to entice potential buyers.

A significant number of installations also occur within the commercial sector; including in hotels, schools, care homes, leisure facilities and hospitals, as well as in newbuild housing. Looking forward, moderate growth is forecast to 2021, when the market is expected to have increased by 18% compared to the market size in 2017, in value terms.

Wet rooms have become more versatile in recent years, something which has been a significant factor for growth in this market, and it is now possible for wet rooms to be installed in any room in the house and on most types of floor. Wet room products have also become more widely available as a growing number of online retailers, bathroom specialists, merchants and distributors now compete in this sector, and as a result prices have also fallen making wet rooms a more affordable choice. Longer term, demand will also be supported by the emerging trend towards multi-generational households, with the accessibility aspect of wet rooms particularly important for elderly and disabled consumers.

Growth in UK wetroom market

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