Shower Bath Combination: Ideas and Tips for a Combined Bath and Shower Setup

Understanding Shower-Over-Bath: How Combination Systems Work

You have a tiny bathroom of less than 5 square metres and you are struggling to decide if you should fit a bath or shower into this small space? What is the solution? The shower bath combination. It is a solution many Australian homeowners keep going back to!
A shower over bath system includes a bath base with an enclosure or screen fitted on top of the bath, either a glass screen or shower rail or shower curtain. This type of bath serves as both a bath and a shower. You can run the bath and have a soak in the bath or stand inside the bath and shower when you're in a rush. A shower over bath system operates off one drain and one hot water supply. Standard size for a shower over bath system is 1,700mm long. If you are running low on space, then you can go for a smaller 1,200mm bath. The frame for the enclosure is usually made of stainless steel or aluminium. You can opt for hinged, sliding or pivot shower screen panels to suit your style.

Screen and Enclosure Options: Pivot, Sliding and Hinged Designs

The screen type can also affect how you will be able to use the shower. There are 3 main types of shower enclosures:
A pivot screen opens to 90 degrees. This type can effectively stop splashes from escaping from the shower, but you do need extra clearance in front of the bath. Cost $600 to $1,200 installed.
A hinged half screen opens either inwards or outwards. This is the most common type of screen seen in bathrooms in Australia. Cost $400 to $800.
A sliding screen moves along a track mounted on the top edge of the bath or the surrounding tiling. This is the most space-efficient shower screen because the screen moves parallel to the bath and does not open into the bathroom. This type can be quite costly. Cost $800 to $1,500.
Tempered glass is the standard material. Frosted glass will provide privacy if sharing a bathroom. An acrylic shower curtain is the cheapest option at $100 to $300, but this may need replacement after 1-2 years.

Water Containment and Ventilation for Combo Setups

Shower over bath systems are difficult if not properly planned. The shower bath combination needs the top rim of the bath to be a minimum of 300mm high and the shower screen needs to be a minimum of 200mm higher than the showerhead in order to effectively control the water.
Silicone edging between the screen and along the edges of the bath to the wall is vital to prevent water escape. You should re-silicone these areas every 2 to 3 years. Once the silicone becomes brittle or discoloured, the water will find its way through the silicone and end up behind the tiles. The moisture behind the tiles is one of the most costly items to fix in a bathroom in Australia.
Mechanical ventilation with an exhaust fan of at least 25 litres per second is also important. This will also help remove the moisture and mist from the bathroom. You may want to also consider a window to assist. However, this might not be able to be left open all year round especially in winter. Monthly cleaning of the screen seals with a mould resistant cleanser will help keep the screen looking good.

Why Choose a Shower-Bath Combo When Space Is At a Premium

For example, if you plan to fit a shower and separate bath in one bathroom, you would require a minimum length of around 2,500mm. By combining two functions into one space, a shower bath combination unit needs only 1,700 x 750mm. That is valuable space in an average size Australian bathroom. Families with small kids prefer this option. You can bathe the kids in the bath, then shower yourself without needing two wet areas. For bathtub shower combo ideas in compact bathrooms, a corner bath or 1,500mm bath plus a curved screen would work. If you are choosing bath vs shower as an either-or decision, you may prefer a bath with a shower because this removes the need for a choice. If you are looking at a shower tub, consider the depth. A shallow bath will work for a standing shower and will not feel wobbly to climb into.

Installation Costs and Long-Term Maintenance Realities

Let us look at the figures for a shower over bath ideas installation Australia-wide. The bath will cost you $800 to $2,000. Shower screen $600 to $1,500. Plumbers for shower over bath alterations $800 to $1,500. Tiles and waterproofing $1,200 to $2,000. And labour $1,500 to $2,500. Total $5,000 to $9,500. This will depend on the choice of materials and where in Australia you are situated.
Maintenance is where most people do not consider costs until after the work has been done. An annual cost of $200 to $400 for re-caulking, $300 to $600 to replace seals for glass screens every 3 to 5 years, and a regular monthly job cleaning the glass screen if you do not want it looking neglected. In a small space, bathtubs for tiny bathrooms work well with overhead shower setups. If you put this combination together with a good quality bath shower screen, it should work for 15 to 20 years provided regular maintenance is undertaken.