Specifications keys for modern bathrooms and washrooms
When specifying drainage for bathrooms and washrooms, professionals are often balancing competing demands: space constraints, floor build‑ups, performance reliability, hygiene standards and increasingly exacting aesthetic expectations. One of the most common challenges is integrating effective drainage into thinner floor constructions, particularly in refurbishment projects or high‑rise buildings where falls, outlet positions and waterproofing zones are tightly constrained. In washrooms and wetrooms, poor drainage specification can result in standing water, odour issues, noise complaints or long‑term maintenance problems — all of which carry reputational and cost implications for specifiers.
Several macro trends are currently shaping drainage design and performance. Open‑plan bathrooms and level‑access wetrooms have moved firmly into the mainstream, driven by luxury residential design, hotel standards and accessibility requirements. These spaces demand high‑capacity drainage that can cope with modern overhead shower outputs without compromising floor continuity. At the same time, there is growing focus on ease of cleaning, removable components and hygienic detailing, particularly in hospitality, healthcare and multi‑residential developments. Water efficiency regulations and sustainability targets are also pushing designers to consider drainage systems that perform reliably even at lower flow rates.
Architects and designers are increasingly balancing aesthetics with performance by using linear and concealed drainage solutions that visually recede into the architecture while delivering dependable water management. Slot and perforated‑based channels allow drainage to be integrated into floor lines, wall junctions or tile layouts, maintaining visual calm without sacrificing capacity. The challenge lies in ensuring these slimline solutions still meet hydraulic requirements — particularly critical in wetroom and open‑plan layouts where the entire floor becomes part of the drainage zone.
Regulation and best practice continue to play a significant role in drainage specification. UK Building Regulations Part H, BS EN standards for gullies and channels, and guidance around accessible design all influence how drains are selected and installed. There is also greater scrutiny around slip resistance, waterproofing interfaces and compatibility with tanking systems, reinforcing the importance of using purpose‑designed shower drainage.
Erik Mul, Technical Product Manager at ACO Building Drainage outlines how the ACO ShowerDrain range has been developed to directly address these challenges in both residential and commercial washrooms. ‘Our range offers high hydraulic performance within shallow installation depths, compliant with the relevant standards, making it well‑suited to refurbishment projects and timber or concrete floors alike. Integrated waterproofing flanges and reliable flow rates reduce installation risk, while easy‑access channels and removable traps support long‑term maintenance and hygiene compliance.”
Erik continues “Crucially, the range adapts seamlessly across environments. In residential bathrooms, it supports minimalist wetroom design with dependable everyday performance. In hotels and commercial washrooms, it handles higher usage, cleaning regimes and durability demands. For accessible wetrooms, the system supports level thresholds and compliant layouts without visual compromise.”
“Design flexibility is a defining feature of the ACO ShowerDrain range. A choice of linear and point drainage options, multiple lengths, and a wide selection of stainless steel, tile‑in and designer grates allows specifiers to align drainage discreetly with interior finishes. This combination of technical performance, regulatory confidence and design freedom ensures drainage is no longer a constraint, but an integrated part of modern washroom design.” said Erik.
For more information on the ACO Shower range visit www.aco.co.uk/wetroom-showers