Thinking about a double shower bathtub or a shower bath tub combo for your Perth home? As a full-service designer and renovator of kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes in WA, Joyce Kitchens blends beautiful custom cabinetry with compliant, durable wet-area solutions that suit Australian families and lifestyles.
What is a double shower bathtub?
A double shower bathtub combines a full-size bath with two independent shower outlets—commonly dual shower rails or a rain head with a secondary handheld on each side—so two people can shower comfortably at the same time. It’s a smart way to keep a family-friendly bath while gaining the speed and convenience of a dual shower zone.
Why choose a shower bath tub combo
- Space-efficient: one footprint, both functions—ideal for ensuites and family bathrooms.
- Budget-friendly vs separate bath + double walk-in shower.
- Family practical: bathing kids or pets with the flexibility of two hand showers.
- Resale appeal: retains a bath while upgrading the shower experience.
- Design-flexible: suits coastal, Hamptons, heritage and contemporary minimalist interiors.
For whole-home projects, our bathroom solutions coordinate with your kitchen style—think matching shaker kitchen profiles on a wall-hung vanity, or a porcelain slab vanity top that complements your engineered stone benchtop alternatives in the kitchen.
Your renovation process with Joyce Kitchens
- In-home consult and measure: We discuss layouts, storage, and your broader goals (e.g., kitchen renovations Perth alongside bathroom renovation).
- Design and 3D visuals: We’ll refine the double shower bathtub position, screen style, custom cabinetry WA selections, lighting and ventilation.
- Selections: Tiles (rectified porcelain tiles or ceramic), tapware (WELS-rated), glass (frameless or semi-frameless), hardware (soft-close drawers).
- Compliance + scheduling: Waterproofing to AS/NZS 3740, plumbing to AS/NZS 3500, electrical to AS/NZS 3000, and ventilation provisions per NCC. We coordinate trades.
- Build: Demolition, services rough-in, screed and waterproofing, tiling, screen install, cabinetry, benchtops, splashback where applicable, fit-off and clean.
- Handover: Quality check, warranties, and care instructions.
Tip: If you’re renovating multiple areas (kitchen, laundry, wardrobes), aligning finishes creates a cohesive open-plan living feel and efficiencies in lead times.
Recommended sizes, layouts and drainage
Typical Australian dimensions
- Bath length: 1500–1700 mm is common; 1700–1800 mm for taller users.
- Bath width: 700–800 mm standard; 800–900 mm for a more comfortable shower base.
- Ceiling height: allow 2000–2100 mm clear over shower area (check NCC and splash zones).
- Shower rail spacing: set rails so each user has 750–900 mm elbow room. Offset outlets to avoid collision.
Layout options for a double shower bathtub
- Long-side dual rails: Two shower rails on the long wall; a fixed panel of frameless glass with a return splash panel.
- Opposing ends: A rain head at one end and a rail at the other; great for his-and-hers heights.
- Central rain head + dual hand showers: Keeps valves away from the splash zone for easy temperature control.
Drainage and waterproofing
- Linear drain outside the bath edge captures overspray—especially useful with frameless screens.
- Hob vs hobless: A low hob tight to the bath reduces splash; hobless designs need meticulous falls to floor wastes.
- Waterproof to AS/NZS 3740; chase fall to waste in your screed; seal all penetrations and bath junctions thoroughly.
Materials, finishes and glass options
Bath types
- Acrylic: Warm to touch, light, affordable, good for shower-over-bath; choose reinforced bases.
- Steel/enamel: Durable and rigid, cooler to touch; ensure slip-resistant base when used as a shower.
- Inset vs freestanding: Inset baths suit combo showers; freestanding looks luxe but needs careful splash control.
Glass and screens
- Frameless glass shower screen (10 mm toughened) offers a clean, contemporary look and easier cleaning.
- Semi-frameless is cost-effective and sturdy for family use.
- Consider nano-coatings to reduce water spotting; squeegee after use for longevity.
Tapware and accessories
- Choose WELS 3–4 star showers for water efficiency without sacrificing pressure.
- Dual rail showers with generous hose length (1.5–1.8 m) and a thermostatic mixer for comfort.
- Heated towel rail, LED strip lighting under the vanity, and smart niches for storage.
Vanity, benchtops and cabinetry
Your bathroom can echo your kitchen selections for a cohesive home—think Hamptons shaker doors, contemporary flat profiles, or timber accents. Below is a quick comparison of popular benchtop surfaces for vanities and kitchens.
Comparison: Engineered Stone vs Laminate for Benchtops*
| Feature | Engineered Stone* | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium, stone-like patterns; seamless undermounts | Huge range, including stone-look; modern square edges |
| Heat & stain resistance | Good, but avoid high heat; use trivets | Good for daily use; avoid hot pots directly |
| Cost | $$$ | $ |
| WA compliance | *Subject to national engineered stone restrictions; alternatives often recommended | Compliant; budget-friendly and quick to install |
| Great for | High-end vanities and (where allowed) kitchen benchtops | Rental upgrades, secondary bathrooms, laundries, sculleries |
*Note: Australia has implemented restrictions on engineered stone due to silica risks. We commonly specify porcelain/sintered stone, natural granite, or solid-surface alternatives for bathrooms and kitchens in Perth. Ask us about current WA guidance.
Styles: coastal, Hamptons, contemporary and more
Hamptons/coastal
- Shaker vanity fronts, soft whites, brushed nickel tapware, vertical-groove feature panels.
- Pair a white inset bath with a clear frameless screen; add a soft-blue or stone splashback tile.
Contemporary minimalist
- Wall-hung vanity with finger-pull doors, matte-black fixtures, rectified porcelain tiles.
- Walk-in aesthetic with a long fixed glass panel on the bath and a linear drain outside.
Heritage/federation
- Subway tiles with contrasting grout, chrome tapware, classic bath lines.
- Concealed cistern toilet to declutter, LED strip lighting for ambience.
Costs and timelines in Perth
Every project is unique, but these Perth ballparks help with planning (incl. GST; fixture quality, complexity and access will vary totals):
- Convert to a double shower bathtub (retain room layout): approx. $12,000–$25,000
- Full bathroom renovation with double shower bath tub combo: approx. $20,000–$40,000+
- Typical timeline: 3–5 weeks from demo to handover, depending on lead times for tiles, glass, and custom cabinetry.
We’ll confirm a fixed-scope proposal after design development and site verification. Finance or staged works can be discussed if you’re also planning kitchen renovations Perth or laundry upgrades.
WA case-style examples
Cottesloe ensuite: coastal calm
- 1700 mm inset bath with a single long frameless panel and dual rail showers.
- Porcelain slab vanity top (engineered stone alternative), wall-hung shaker vanity.
- Linear drain outside the bath; white rectified tiles; brushed nickel fixtures.
- Outcome: Small footprint, big usability; perfect for quick dual showers after the beach.
Joondalup family bathroom: practical and robust
- 1600 mm acrylic bath with two opposing rail showers for parents and kids.
- Semi-frameless screen with return panel to contain splash during bath nights.
- Laminate vanity (finger-pull doors, soft-close drawers) for value and easy upkeep.
- Outcome: Durable, family-proof design that stays tidy and easy to clean.
Practical renovation checklist
- [ ] Confirm bath length/width suits your space and users (try in-showroom if possible).
- [ ] Choose dual showers: rail + rail, rain + rail, or rain + rain; ensure WELS ratings.
- [ ] Decide on screen type: frameless vs semi-frameless; consider nano-coating.
- [ ] Specify a thermostatic mixer and valve positions away from direct spray.
- [ ] Plan drainage: floor falls and optional linear drain outside the bath.
- [ ] Waterproofing system to AS/NZS 3740; screed falls checked before tiling.
- [ ] Tile selection: slip resistance, rectified edges, grout colour and sealer.
- [ ] Ventilation: ducted exhaust to outside; confirm electrical compliance (AS/NZS 3000).
- [ ] Storage: niches in the wet zone, vanity with soft-close drawers, mirror cabinets.
- [ ] Coordinate finishes with kitchen/laundry for whole-home consistency.
Local standards and resources
We design and build to Australian codes and WA best practice, including AS/NZS 3740 Waterproofing of domestic wet areas, AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage, and the NCC. For guidance, see:
Ready to plan your bathroom or whole-home renovation?
From custom cabinetry WA to compliant waterproofing and beautiful finishes, Joyce Kitchens makes your double shower bathtub simple and stylish. Book a free design consultation in Perth and explore how your bathroom can complement your kitchen, laundry and wardrobe upgrades.
FAQ
What is a double shower bathtub?
A double shower bathtub is a bath fitted with two shower outlets—typically dual rails or a rain head plus handheld—so two people can shower comfortably within the bath footprint, usually with a frameless or semi-frameless screen to control splash.
Is a shower bath tub combo suitable for a small bathroom?
Yes. A shower bath tub combo saves space by combining functions in one zone. Choosing a 1500–1600 mm inset bath, a single fixed glass panel and slimline dual rail showers can deliver ample elbow room without enlarging the room.
How much does a double shower bathtub cost in Perth?
As a guide, converting to a double shower bathtub starts around $12,000–$25,000, while a full bathroom renovation with a double shower bath tub combo is commonly $20,000–$40,000+. Final pricing depends on fixtures, tiling complexity, waterproofing and access.
What waterproofing and standards apply in WA?
Bathrooms must be waterproofed to AS/NZS 3740 with compliant screeds, membranes and junction seals; plumbing must meet AS/NZS 3500 and electrical AS/NZS 3000, with ventilation per the NCC. We manage compliance and certification as part of the build.
What materials and glass are best for durability and easy cleaning?
Acrylic inset baths with reinforced bases are ideal for shower-over-bath use; pair with 10 mm frameless glass and nano-coating, rectified tiles and epoxy grout. Choose WELS-rated dual rail showers and a thermostatic mixer for comfort and longevity.