TL;DR: Yes, you can have a roll top bath with a shower, usually a bath shower mixer with a handset, or an overhead shower with a curtain on a ceiling-fixed rail or hoop.
- A roll top with tap holes takes a deck-mounted bath shower mixer, such as our cast iron Ritz and Bentley 2 tap hole versions.
- Roll tops without tap holes need a floor-standing bath shower mixer or wall-mounted taps.
- For a stand-up shower, plan a wall or ceiling-fed head and a curtain that goes all the way round.
- Glass screens rarely suit a rolled rim, so choose a back to wall or straight bath if you want one.
- Expect some splashing, so plan the floor, walls and ventilation with care.
Yes, you can have a roll top bath with a shower. Most people use a bath shower mixer with a handheld shower, and if you want to stand under an overhead shower, you add a curtain on a ceiling-fixed rail or hoop to keep the water in the bath.
What you can fit depends on whether your bath has tap holes, where it sits in the room and how often you will shower. The prices below are ours at the time of writing and include VAT.
Four ways to have a shower over a roll top bath
1. A bath shower mixer with a handset
A deck-mounted bath shower mixer sits on the rim of the bath with a handheld shower on a hose. It needs a bath with tap holes. In our range of roll top baths, the cast iron Ritz 1700 slipper with 2 tap holes is from £4,295, and the Bentley double ended bath with 2 tap holes is from £3,595. The Dovedale also comes in a 2 tap hole version. This is the simplest set-up and is ideal for washing hair and rinsing off, though most people sit or kneel to use it.
2. A freestanding bath shower mixer
Many roll tops have no tap holes. Our acrylic Hettie (1500 x 750mm, from £1,765), the Audra boat bath and the Maeve are all designed for a floor-standing bath filler or wall-mounted taps. A floor-standing bath shower mixer stands beside the bath with a handset in a cradle, so you still get a handheld shower. The pipes come up through the floor, so it is easiest to plan during a full refit. See our bath taps and bath shower mixers.
3. An overhead shower with a ceiling curtain rail
For a proper stand-up shower, fit a shower valve on the nearest wall with a rigid riser and overhead head, or run a head through the ceiling. Then hang a curtain from a ceiling-fixed rail or round hoop that surrounds the bath. This is the classic way to have a roll top bath and overhead shower in a period bathroom. Browse our showers and shower valves.
4. A wall-fixed screen, with a back to wall or straight bath
A glass bath screen needs a flat rim that meets the wall, so it does not suit a rolled edge or a bath standing away from the wall. If a screen matters to you, choose a bath that sits against the wall instead. A back to wall bath such as the Juliet (1500 x 750mm, from £1,765) keeps a freestanding look with one flat side against the wall, and can take a fixed screen where it sits in a recess, which we check on site. A straight bath or shower bath takes a standard bath screen.
Shower over roll top bath: pros and cons
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Deck-mounted bath shower mixer | Simple, no extra pipework on the wall | Needs tap holes; handheld only |
| Floor-standing bath shower mixer | Baths with no tap holes | Supply pipes come up through the floor |
| Overhead shower and curtain | A full stand-up shower | Ceiling fixing, more splashing, a curtain to keep clean |
| Back to wall or straight bath with screen | Daily showers with less mess | Not a true roll top |
The big plus is that one fitting does two jobs, so you keep the traditional look without finding room for a separate shower enclosure. The downsides are that a roll top has a curved base and high sides, so it is less steady underfoot than a flat shower tray, and you will need a curtain. A non-slip mat helps, and if anyone in the house is unsteady on their feet, a handheld shower used sitting down is the safer choice.
Splashes, floors and walls
- Floors. Water will reach the floor around a freestanding bath, so choose a floor that copes with it, such as porcelain tiles, and keep the seals in good order.
- Walls. Tile or panel any wall within reach of the shower. Our guide to shower wall panels vs tiles compares the two.
- The curtain. Hang it so it falls inside the bath, and choose a rail or hoop large enough to clear your shoulders.
- Ventilation. A shower adds a lot of steam, so a good extractor fan is worth it.
- Electrics. Lights near a shower must have a suitable IP rating for their bathroom zone, fitted by a qualified electrician.
- Water pressure. An overhead shower needs enough pressure and flow, and a thermostatic valve keeps the temperature steady. We check your hot water system at the consultation.
Which roll top baths with showers work best?
Double ended bath suitable for shower
A double ended bath often suits a shower well, because you stand in the middle, where the base is widest and flattest, and the taps are usually mounted centrally. The Bentley is double ended with 2 tap holes, and the acrylic Audra is a double ended boat bath for a floor-standing mixer.
Roll top bath with shower in the corner
Placing the bath in a corner gives you two walls to tile or panel and lets you use an L-shaped curtain rail. For a fluted, freestanding look in a corner, the Sofie comes as a left- or right-hand corner version, 1700 x 800mm, from £2,029.
Modern roll top bath with shower
The Hettie's slim, rolled lip and rounded shape suit a modern room as well as a classic one. If you will shower every day, look at our shower baths too, such as the Carron Urban Edge in 1575 or 1675mm lengths, from £1,018 with an optional screen.
Roll top bath suites
A roll top bath suite pairs the bath with a matching basin and toilet. We plan the whole room at your free consultation, including where the shower goes and how the curtain or screen will work. For ideas, see our guide to traditional bathroom ideas, or our back to wall baths guide if a screen is on your list.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a shower screen on a roll top bath?
Not usually. A screen needs a flat rim that meets the wall, and a roll top has a curved rim and normally stands away from the wall. A ceiling-fixed curtain rail or hoop is the usual answer.
Can you have a roll top bath and overhead shower?
Yes. Fit a shower valve with a rigid riser and overhead head on the nearest wall, or a ceiling-fed head, with a curtain that surrounds the bath.
Do you need tap holes for a roll top bath with shower?
Only for a deck-mounted bath shower mixer. Without tap holes, use a floor-standing bath shower mixer or wall-mounted taps with a handset.
Is a freestanding roll top bath with shower practical for daily use?
It works, but expect more splashing than with a shower bath and screen. If you shower every day and rarely bathe, a shower bath or a separate shower is easier to live with.
Plan your bath and shower with us
Every project starts with a free one-to-one consultation, followed by a clear, itemised quote covering the bath, taps, shower, plumbing and fitting. Visit our showroom at 32 Manor Park Rd, Birmingham B36 0DJ (Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), call 0121 794 2553 or book your free consultation online.