While style and accessibility often drive a client’s choice between an enclosed or unenclosed shower, the decision has important compliance and construction implications, too. The way water moves — and where it’s allowed to go — affects everything from fall requirements to waterproofing boundaries and the inclusion of floor wastes. Our accompanying Technical Bulletin, Floor Wastes, Falls & Wet Area Waterproofing (see more below), unpacks these details and offers practical guidance for achieving compliant, watertight design solutions.
Before we get to that, though, it's useful to weigh up the pros and cons of each shower option in order to help our clients determine their priorities.
Enclosed Showers
Areas enclosed by walls or screens, including hinged or sliding doors, that contain the spread of water to within that space.
Pros:
- Reduce water spread — easier to control drainage and waterproofing compliance.
- Minimise slip hazards in adjoining floor areas.
- Support smaller bathroom footprints and efficient heating/steam containment.
- Keep towels, cabinetry and adjacent materials drier and cleaner.
- Simplify compliance with NCC fall and waterproofing clauses.
Cons:
- Add cost and visual weight through the use of additional screens or doors.
- Can create cleaning challenges (especially in framed or semi-framed systems).
- May feel visually or physically restrictive in small spaces.
- Limit accessibility for users with mobility aids unless designed carefully.
The image above illustrates an enclosed shower with a hob. This defined, physical boundary manages water spread and drainage, and is one of the three options allowed in the NCC. Refer to our technical bulletin for more information. (Image provided by Pivotech Architectural.)
Pictured above is another example of an enclosed shower area. The screen provides a defined threshold that essentially separates the shower area (including the bath) from the general bathroom area, potentially simplifying waterproofing and waste requirements. (Image provided by Pivotech Architectural.) The NCC sets out specific requirements for enclosed showers without a step-down or a hob; refer to our technical bulletin for more information.
Unenclosed Showers
Areas where, under normal use, water from the shower rose is not contained within the shower area.
Pros:
- Create an open, contemporary look with seamless flooring and a spacious feel.
- Improve accessibility — ideal for universal or adaptable design.
- Easier cleaning and maintenance with fewer joints and frames.
- Enable barrier-free transition between wet and dry zones.
Cons:
- Require significant wet area waterproofing and potentially a floor waste.
- Increase the risk of water spread and slip hazards if falls are not carefully managed.
- May demand higher design precision and builder supervision to achieve compliant gradients.
- Can impact overall heating comfort and moisture control.
Design Tool: Shower Type Decision Matrix
When consulting with clients, encourage them to consider the following priorities:
Encourage clients to rank their priorities — cost, style, accessibility, maintenance, and comfort — to guide the most suitable design solution.
Understanding Floor Wastes, Falls & Waterproofing in Wet Areas
When it comes to wet area design, the smallest details can have the biggest impact. The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out clear expectations for floor wastes, falls, and waterproofing in bathrooms, laundries, and sanitary compartments; however, the practical application of these rules often raises questions for designers.
In the latest KBDi Technical Bulletin, we’ve unpacked the NCC’s requirements for:
- When floor wastes are required in different building classes.
- Minimum and maximum falls to ensure safe and adequate drainage.
- The difference between enclosed and unenclosed showers, and the waterproofing considerations for each.
- Best-practice waterproofing details, including hobs, step-downs, level thresholds, and waterstops.
- Special considerations for unenclosed showers and showers over baths.
- The bulletin also explains how Australian Standards interpret mandatory (“shall”) and discretionary (“may”) requirements — a subtle but important distinction that can affect compliance and liability.
Why it Matters
Poor waterproofing is one of the most common causes of building defects in Australia. Getting these details right protects not only the home but also your reputation as a designer. Knowing the nuances of the NCC — and the state-based variations (like South Australia’s specific requirements) — is key to delivering both safe and compliant projects.
Members: Dive Deeper
KBDi Members can access the full bulletin, titled Floor Wastes, Falls & Wet Area Waterproofing, in the Members Portal. It includes diagrams, clause references, and detailed guidance to help you navigate these often-tricky requirements with confidence.
Not Yet a Member?
Resources like this bulletin are just one of the many technical supports available exclusively to KBDi and ACFA Members. If you’d like direct access to expert interpretations of the NCC, along with a library of tools, templates, and industry insights, consider joining our community of kitchen and bathroom professionals.
Learn more about membership here.
Header Image Reference
Left: Bathroom designed by Robyn Cote (Inspired Interiors) and John Spiteri CBD Au (Bridabella Bathrooms)
Right: Bathroom designed by Anna Wood CKD Au, CBD Au (Picchio Interiors)
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