Walk-in showers, shower trays and wet rooms

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Showers are at the heart of most of the bathrooms we design. At Isabella Bathroom Design & Tile Boutique, 10 Ballyclare Road, Doagh, you can see shower trays, wet-room trays and enclosures on display, alongside large-format tiles and shower wall panels for the walls. We supply everything for the job, including tanking and trims, and we can introduce you to trusted local fitters and tilers.

How do you plan a walk-in shower? Our order of decisions

Walk-in shower or wet room? A walk-in shower uses a low tray and a fixed glass screen; a wet room is fully waterproofed and tiled, with the floor falling to a drain.
Which tray? Choose the size and shape to suit the space and where the water will drain.
Which enclosure or screen? A walk-in screen, a door or a full enclosure, depending on the room and how much splash protection you need.
Tiles or wall panels on the walls? Large-format tiles (60x120 cm is our most popular) give few grout lines; grout-free wall panels are quicker and easy to clean.
Waterproofing: plan tanking for the shower area, especially in a wet room.
Access needs: for level access or a shower seat, tell us early so the design works for you.

Walk-in shower or wet room: which is right for me?

Walk-in shower: suits most bathrooms and en-suites. Watch out for: screen size and position, to keep splashes in.
Wet room: open and accessible, with no tray edge. Watch out for: the whole floor needs tanking and a fall to the drain, so it is more involved to build.
Shower enclosure: fully enclosed, good for smaller rooms. Watch out for: doors need space to open.

What do you need in place before you buy a shower?

Room measurements, and where the waste pipe can run.
A decision on tray or level-access wet-room floor.
Tanking for the shower area, plus adhesive, grout and trims if you are tiling.
A fitter and tiler booked. We can introduce you to trusted local fitters and tilers.
If the shower is for someone with a disability or long-term illness, read about VAT relief on bathroom adaptations.

What do people get wrong with walk-in showers?

A screen that is too short. Water ends up on the bathroom floor.
No tanking. Grout and tiles are not waterproof on their own.
Polished floor tiles. Choose matt or textured tiles for a shower floor.

Walk-in showers: frequently asked questions

Do I need tanking for a walk-in shower?

Yes, the shower area should be waterproofed (tanked) before tiling. A wet room needs the whole floor tanked.

Tiles or wall panels: which is better?

Both work well. Large-format tiles give a seamless look with few grout lines; wall panels are grout-free, quick to fit and easy to clean. You can see both in our Doagh showroom.

Can you help with an accessible shower?

Yes. We design level-access and accessible showers, and some adaptations for disabled people may qualify for VAT relief; see our VAT relief page.

Do you fit showers?

We supply everything for the job and can introduce you to trusted local fitters and tilers.

Come and see the showers in Doagh

We are a small, local team at 10 Ballyclare Road, Doagh, BT39 0PE, with on-street parking nearby. Opening times: Monday to Thursday 9.30am–4.30pm, Friday 9am–3pm, Saturday 9.30am–12.30pm (Wednesday and Thursday evenings by appointment). Call 028 9302 2321, ask us for a quote, or book a design appointment.