Wet rooms in Cork
A wet room has no tray and no step. The floor is waterproofed and slopes to a drain, so a wheelchair, shower chair or walking frame goes straight in. Typically €7,000 to €12,000.
What is a wet room?
In a wet room the whole floor is the shower. The floor is sealed with a waterproof membrane, laid to a gentle slope and finished in non-slip vinyl or tile. Water runs to a drain in the floor. There is nothing to step over, which is why occupational therapists recommend wet rooms for wheelchair users and for anyone who needs a carer beside them in the shower.
Wet room or walk-in shower: which do you need?
| Walk-in shower | Wet room | |
|---|---|---|
| Step | Low tray, about 40mm | None |
| Best for | Unsteady on feet, can still step | Wheelchair, shower chair, carer assisting |
| Work involved | Bath space only | Whole floor lifted and waterproofed |
| Typical cost | €4,500–€8,000 | €7,000–€12,000 |
| Usual grant | Mobility Aids Grant | Housing Adaptation Grant |
What goes into a wet room?
- A floor former that creates the slope, with a drain set into it
- A waterproof membrane under the floor finish and up the walls
- Non-slip safety flooring, sealed at the edges
- Half-height carer doors or a weighted curtain to keep spray in
- A wall-mounted seat, grab rails and a thermostatic shower with controls reachable from a seat
- Often a wider door and a raised toilet at the same time
Can you put a wet room upstairs?
Yes. Timber floors suit wet rooms well, because the former sits between the joists. On a concrete ground floor the slab is cut back to make the slope, or the floor is built up and ramped. We check which applies at the home visit.
Which grant covers a wet room?
Because a wet room usually costs more than €8,000, most families apply for the Housing Adaptation Grant, which pays up to €40,000 depending on household income. The council normally wants an occupational therapist report and an itemised quote.
Sources: Citizens Information, Mobility Aids Grant; gov.ie, revised housing adaptation grants (1 December 2024); Cork County Council; Cork City Council. Grant rules are set by government and each application is decided by the council. Checked October 2026.
Tell us who it is for. We will ring back and arrange a time to see the room.
Your questions answered
How much does a wet room cost in Ireland?
A full wet room typically costs €7,000 to €12,000. Room size, floor type and wall finish make the biggest difference. A concrete floor that has to be cut costs more than a timber one.
Do wet rooms leak?
Not when the floor and walls are sealed with a continuous membrane under the finish. The waterproofing is the part of the job that matters most, and it is done before any flooring goes down.
Is a wet room suitable for an older person who is not in a wheelchair?
Yes. A level floor removes the trip risk entirely. If the budget is tight and the person can still step, a low-tray walk-in shower does most of the same job for less.
Will the whole bathroom get wet?
The floor is designed to. Half-height doors or a curtain keep spray around the shower, and the slope takes water to the drain.