Walk In Showers & Enclosures: The Ultimate UK Buyer’s Guide 2025

Walk in showers and frameless glass enclosures have become one of the biggest bathroom trends in the UK. They look sleek, make cleaning easier, and can turn even a modest bathroom into something that feels like a boutique hotel. Whether you’re replacing an old shower, ripping out a bath, or planning a full renovation, understanding your options will help you create a space that looks stunning and works perfectly day‑to‑day.

This 2025 buyer’s guide walks you through everything you need to know about walk in showers and enclosures: layout, trays vs wetroom floors, glass, drainage, styling, and accessibility. Throughout, you can refer to real‑world examples of modern walk in showers that are designed for typical UK bathroom sizes and plumbing setups.

What Is a Walk In Shower?

A walk in shower is a shower area that you can step into easily without opening or closing a door. Instead of a contained cubicle with a sliding or hinged door, you typically have:

• A low‑profile shower tray or fully tiled floor

• One or more fixed glass panels

• An open entry zone you simply walk through

The goal is a clean, open feel with minimal visual clutter. Water is controlled by the angle of the tray or floor and the position/length of the glass screen rather than by a sealed door.

In most UK homes, walk in showers fall into two broad categories:

1. Tray‑based walk in shower enclosures – a slim tray on the floor with one or two fixed glass panels and an open end.

2. Wet room showers – a tanked, fully tiled floor with a built‑in fall to a drain, often with a single glass screen.

Both approaches can look very similar once finished, but they differ in cost, complexity, and the level of waterproofing needed.

Walk In Showers vs Traditional Enclosures

Before you choose, it helps to compare walk in solutions with more traditional enclosures.

Traditional Shower Enclosure

• Fully enclosed with a door (pivot, hinged, sliding or bi‑fold)

• Designed to keep water entirely contained within a defined tray

• Often used in smaller spaces or where you want a very controlled shower area

These are practical, but the frames and doors can make a bathroom feel smaller and more “boxed in”.

Walk In Shower Enclosure

• Open access with no moving door

• Uses fixed glass panels to define the wet area

• Easier to step into and out of, with a more open, spa‑like feel

A well‑designed walk in enclosure offers the same functionality as a standard shower but with a more contemporary look and better accessibility.

Full Wet Room

• Entire room is tanked (waterproofed)

• Floor slopes to a drain; the shower area may have a single glass panel, or none at all

• Creates a very open, barrier‑free layout, ideal for accessibility

A full wet room is the most flexible and minimalist option, but it’s also the most demanding in terms of preparation and installation.

For many UK households, especially in semis and terraced homes, tray‑based walk in shower enclosures strike the best balance between style, practicality, and cost.

Planning Your Layout

Good layout planning is crucial. A walk in shower needs to feel generous enough to be comfortable but controlled enough to avoid water spraying across the whole room.

Step 1: Measure Everything

Take accurate measurements of:

• Room length and width

• Ceiling height

• Position of doors, windows, radiators, and soil stacks

• Existing plumbing locations if you’re not moving pipework too far

Common UK walk‑in sizes include:

• 1000mm–1200mm in length for compact installations

• 1200mm–1400mm for comfortable everyday use

• 1400mm–1700mm or more for a truly spacious, spa‑like feel

The width can range from 700mm in tight spots to 900mm or more in larger bathrooms.

Step 2: Decide Where the Shower Goes

Popular layouts include:

1. Along a single wall
   
   

• Ideal when replacing a bath or creating a long, linear shower.

• A tray or wetroom floor runs along the wall with a glass screen and open end.

2. In a corner
   
   

• A corner tray or wetroom floor with a glass panel or two, leaving one side open.

• Works well in small or medium‑sized bathrooms and ensuites.

3. At the far end of the room
   
   

• The shower becomes a focal point as you walk in.

• Needs careful thought about splash zones and drainage.

Whichever layout you choose, think in terms of “wet” and “dry” zones. Towels, storage units and loo rolls should sit in the dry zone, not directly in the line of spray.

Tray vs Fully Tiled Wetroom Floor

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to go for a tray or a full wetroom floor.

Low‑Profile Shower Tray

Modern trays are nothing like the high‑lipped ones of the past. Many are slim, stone‑resin or solid‑surface designs that sit almost flush with the surrounding tiles.

Advantages:

• Simpler and usually cheaper than building a full wetroom floor

• Built‑in gradients ensure efficient drainage

• Available in a wide range of sizes and styles, including stone‑effect finishes

• Easier to install in timber‑floored UK homes (especially upstairs)

Potential downsides:

• There’s still a small step into the shower

• The tray defines your exact shower footprint

For most people, a low‑profile tray is the easiest route to the look of walk in showers without the complexity of full wetroom construction.

Fully Tiled Wetroom Floor

Here, the floor itself acts as the shower base. A former or carefully shaped screed creates slope, and the whole area is tanked before tiling.

Advantages:

• Completely level access, ideal for future‑proofing and accessibility

• Very flexible layout; you’re not restricted to standard tray sizes

• Seamless look from wall to wall

Potential downsides:

• Requires thorough waterproofing (tanking) and skilled installation

• Mistakes can lead to hidden leaks and costly damage

• Often more expensive and time‑consuming than using a tray

If you’re leaning towards a fully tiled approach, it’s worth browsing dedicated wet room showers to understand how formers, drains and screens are combined in real systems.

Drainage and Waterproofing

A walk in shower lives or dies by its drainage and waterproofing. Get these wrong and even the best‑looking room will cause problems.

Drain Type & Position

You’ll typically choose between:

• Square/round point drains – often placed centrally in the shower area.

• Linear drains – long, narrow channels that can run along a wall or at the threshold.

Linear drains are especially popular in wetroom‑style layouts because they work well with large‑format tiles and allow for gentle, consistent gradients.

Placement matters. A centrally positioned drain is simple, but a drain near the open end can help catch any water creeping towards the dry zone. Always follow manufacturer guidance on the required floor fall.

Waterproofing (Tanking)

Proper tanking isn’t optional in wet areas:

• Use a complete tanking system for wet zones (membranes, tapes, liquid sealers).

• Extend tanking beyond the immediate shower area to include splash zones.

• Pay particular attention to corners, niches, and areas where pipes penetrate the wall.

Many complete wetroom shower kits bundle compatible trays/formers, drains and membranes, which can simplify specifying and reduce the risk of mismatched components.

Glass, Thickness and Frames

The glass and metalwork are what you’ll see every day, so it’s worth understanding your choices.

Glass Thickness

Most fixed panels for walk in showers come in:

• 6mm – lighter and more economical, fine for smaller panels.

• 8mm – a very popular mid‑range choice: solid yet not too heavy.

• 10mm – a premium option with a very sturdy, luxurious feel.

Thicker glass feels more substantial but requires robust fixing and support bars.

Glass Styles

• Clear glass – maximises light and space, still the most popular choice.

• Smoked or tinted glass – adds drama and a sense of privacy.

• Fluted or reeded glass – on‑trend in 2025, softening the view while remaining elegant.

Frames, Profiles and Finishes

You can go:

• Frameless/minimal – almost no visible frame, just small clips and slim channels.

• Semi‑framed – thin profiles that outline the glass and can help contain water a little more.

For finishes, chrome remains classic, but matt black, brushed nickel, and brushed brass are all very popular in modern UK bathrooms. Matching the finish of your wetroom shower screens with taps, towel warmers and handles will pull the whole scheme together.

Accessibility and Future‑Proofing

One of the big reasons walk in showers are so popular is that they’re naturally more accessible than step‑in baths or enclosed cubicles.

Key Features to Consider

• Low or level access: A slim tray or full wetroom floor means fewer trip hazards.

• Wide entry: Avoid narrow doorways; a generous open end makes daily use easier.

• Non‑slip surfaces: Choose trays and floor tiles with good slip resistance, especially in homes with children or older adults.

• Grab rails and seating: Modern grab rails and fold‑down seats can look minimalist and stylish, not clinical.

Thinking about future needs now can save you money and disruption later, especially if this is your “forever home”.

Styling Your Walk In Shower

Once the technical decisions are made, you can focus on the fun part: how everything looks.

Tiles and Surfaces

• Large‑format tiles help minimise grout lines and make the space feel bigger.

• Stone‑effect porcelains give a luxury feel without the upkeep of real stone.

• Feature walls in the shower area—such as a textured tile or a contrasting colour—create a striking focal point behind the glass.

Brassware and Fittings

• Ceiling‑mounted rain heads create a spa vibe, while wall‑mounted heads may control splash better in smaller spaces.

• A separate handheld shower on a rail is useful for rinsing down the enclosure and for people of different heights.

• Concealed valves with neat backplates keep walls uncluttered and easy to clean.

Lighting

• Use recessed IP‑rated downlights over the shower area.

• Consider LED strips in niches for subtle, hotel‑style accent lighting.

• Keep colour temperatures consistent across the room for a calm, cohesive effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a good plan, there are a few pitfalls that can spoil the result.

1. Screen too short for the spray pattern
   If your fixed glass panel is too short, water can escape onto the bathroom floor. Always consider how far water will travel from the shower head.
   
   

2. Poor shower head placement
   Mounting the shower head too close to the open end or aimed directly at the gap is a recipe for overspray.
   
   

3. Insufficient fall to the drain
   A flat floor or poorly installed tray will allow water to pool instead of draining properly.
   
   

4. Neglecting ventilation
   Even perfectly tanked wetrooms can suffer condensation and mould without a good extractor fan.
   
   

5. No built‑in storage
   Without niches or shelves, bottles clutter the floor and corners. Plan storage into your tiling design.
   
   

Working with Installers

Most homeowners will work with a bathroom fitter, particularly for wetroom‑style projects.

• Share your layout ideas and chosen products upfront.

• Check that your installer has experience with wet room showers and tanking systems.

• Confirm exactly what’s included in the quote: demolition, waste removal, plumbing, electrics, tiling and finishing.

• Agree on drain location, screen position and tray or former type before work begins.

A clear brief plus well‑specified products (like complete wetroom shower kits or tray‑and‑screen sets) makes life easier for both you and your installer.

Final Checklist Before You Buy

Before you place any orders, run through this checklist:

• Have you measured the room and allowed for door swings and clearances?

• Have you decided between a low‑profile tray and a fully tiled wetroom floor?

• Is the drainage plan clear, with the correct fall and a suitable drain type?

• Have you chosen glass thickness, style and hardware finishes that match your design?

• Is accessibility considered—step height, slip resistance, entrance width?

• Do you have adequate ventilation and a lighting plan?

• Have you built in storage (niches or shelves) within the shower area?

If you can tick all of these off, you’re well on your way to a successful, long‑lasting installation.

Conclusion

Walk in showers and modern enclosures have moved from luxury to mainstream in UK bathrooms, and it’s easy to see why. They’re stylish, practical, easier to clean and more accessible than many traditional setups. With the right planning—choosing between tray or wetroom floor, specifying the right glass, ensuring proper drainage and waterproofing, and thinking about styling and storage—you can create a shower space that feels like a private spa but is robust enough for everyday family use.

To turn ideas into a concrete plan, it helps to see how real products come together. Browsing a specialist range of walk in showers, walk in shower enclosures, wet room showers, wetroom shower kits and matching wetroom shower screens will give you a clear sense of sizes, layouts and finishes that actually work in UK homes—making it much easier to design the perfect walk in shower for your bathroom.