Your wetroom should be somewhere to relax and enjoy the tranquillity, but if you feel your space is dull and lacking in creativity, then adding art might just be the answer. This simple yet highly effective addition is sure to lift any space but adding art to your wetroom safely to ensure its longevity can be a challenge.
Whether you’re an installer or a wetroom owner, taking the steps to ensure that your art has been added safely to your wetroom is crucial to not only its appearance, but to its vitality. From selecting your material to placing your art, we discuss the best materials, placements and treatments for your wetroom art. So, whether you have a passion for art or are simply looking to add a little extra style to your wetroom and aren’t sure where to begin, read on.
How to Waterproof Art for Your Bathroom or Wetroom
Select the Right Material
The first step to adding art in your wetroom safely is to select the right kind of art, ensuring the chosen material can withstand the environment. There are many risks to artwork in a wetroom, including stains from products such as toothpaste, with the biggest threat coming from humidity.
The good news is that by selecting the right material, you can counter these problems:
- Canvas – a great solution to hanging art in your wetroom safely is to hang canvas instead of traditional paintings. This hardy material is durable and will stand you in good stead.
- Replaceable artwork – if you do want a more traditional print, then going for high-quality but slightly cheaper artwork is advisable such as a print of an original, as this prevents the risk of damaging a one-off piece.
- 3D artwork – whilst you may visualise a traditional painting when art comes to mind, you may want to consider a different type of art for your wetroom space, such as 3D sculptures.
Select the Right Frame Type
If you have selected art that requires a frame, then your next step is to select the right frame type. This will have a great effect on the durability and longevity of your art.
While wooden frames may be the traditional way to hang artwork around your house, this is not so ideal in your wetroom or bathroom. It may offer some water resistance, but it is not an advisable material to use as eventually, the humidity will dampen and expand the frame, potentially causing splits.
Instead of wood, opting for a metal frame is the best option. Not only do they bring a modern yet classic feel to your wetroom, but metal picture frames also provide good water resistance. And to provide even longer life for your artwork, you can even buy metal prints which are even easier to maintain!
But if metal frames don’t go with your style, or you’re looking for a lightweight option, then you can purchase PVC frames or even waterproof art frames from many retailers. This is a low cost and very simple solution to provide protection to your prints in your wetroom.
Treat Your Art
Once you have chosen your artwork and have selected the right frame for you (if necessary), the next step is to treat your art. If you’re unsure as to what to do, always consult a professional. A framing shop will be able to assist you here, ensuring high value art in particular is well protected.
If you have chosen a print or painting to hang, then glazing your art may be something you want to consider. Glazing your art using acrylic or resin, for example, allows for air to flow, adds a little shine and adds that little extra layer of protection.
Then depending on the frame you have chosen, the next step is to check if this frame features a fibreboard backing. This is the thick cardboard backing featured on many picture frames. If your frame does feature this, then replacing it with a foam backing is needed, as this is not resistant enough for high humidity. You can find foam backing and mount boards cut to size easily online.
And if you want to secure your art even further, then sealing the frame using frame tape is another step you can take. This fast and simple step will assist your frame in being as watertight as possible, keeping all that moisture out.
If you have chosen a 3-D sculpture to display, this may also require sealing. Sculptures made out of concrete, for example, will need to be treated due to its porous properties, so make sure to use a brush-on or spray sealer. These should be available at any good paint or craft store.
Place Your Art Carefully
If you have taken the above steps, then your artwork should already be well protected. But taking the time to consider where and how you hang your art in your bathroom is also important.
Of course, taking into account the overall style of the room is a large part, but the placement of your piece may affect its longevity. Placing it on the wall furthest from your main water source, whether that be the shower or bath, is advisable. This will ensure that any excessive water flow doesn’t damage your art.
However, if the only place for your art is in close proximity to your water source, then placing bumper pads between the art itself and the wall is advisable. This creates space for air to flow, reducing the likelihood of mould or damp building up. These can easily be found online and affixed with no trouble at all.
Considering where the sun enters your wetroom is also important. Sunlight degrades certain types of art such as paintings, deteriorating them over time. If sunlight streams in on half of your hanging painting, then you may want to reconsider its placement.
Of course, if you have chosen a 3-D sculpture, then this is less of a concern, but you should always ensure that your art is in a safe location to avoid trip hazards of damage occurring.
Keep Your Wetroom Aerated
Ventilating your bathroom or wetroom boasts numerous benefits to not just your artwork but to the overall health and upkeep of your wetroom space.
As previously mentioned, humidity is the number one problem when displaying art in your wetroom. Even once you’ve followed the above steps, it is vital to continue to treat your art and wetroom space to combat humidity. There are a few ways you can do this:
- Open your windows – letting in that fresh air is a sure fire to way to keep your wetroom aerated, not only benefiting the art, but helping to avoid damp or mould build up from excessive steam.
- Extractor fan – most professional installers recommend a combination of both your window and extractor fan for effective ventilation. This helps to prevent damp and polluted air, and in this case, better protect your artwork from water damage.
- Dehumidifier – the perfect gadget to reduce damp and humidity around the house, a dehumidifier can also be used in the bathroom. Just be sure to place it in a safe location once you have used your wetroom, helping to avoid water damage to the dehumidifier itself. Also ensure the dehumidifier isn’t too close to more traditional pieces of art such as paintings, as this will quickly dry them out.
Looking to upgrade to a luxury wetroom that will do your art justice?
As the UK’s leading wetroom specialists, we know how to deliver luxury wetrooms with true style. Contact the experts at CCL Wetrooms to create your perfect wetroom space today.
