Shower rose
The shower rose is the shower head fitting. Under AS 3740 it sets the shower-wall waterproofing height: 1800mm above floor or 50mm above the rose, whichever is higher.
Ask Chalkline about this →A shower rose is the shower head fitting that projects from the wall. In waterproofing it matters for more than washing: it is the reference point AS 3740 uses to set the height of the shower-wall membrane.
The height rule
Under AS 3740 (and NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 10.2), the wall lining in an enclosed shower must be waterproofed to a minimum height of the greater of:
- 1800 mm above the finished floor level, or
- 50 mm above the shower rose.
For a standard rose mounted at or below about 1750 mm, the 1800 mm rule governs. But a high-mounted rose, a tall rain shower or an overhead drencher, pushes the requirement up: the membrane has to run to 50 mm above that rose, which can be well over 1800 mm. The rose, not a fixed number, is what you check.
The other shower-rose dimension
The shower rose is also the reference for the water stop: under NCC 2022 HP 10.2.18, a water stop must sit a minimum 1500 mm horizontal distance from the shower rose (verified 2026-05-25, NCC HP). It keeps water from tracking out of the shower zone across the floor.
For a builder
- Fix the rose height before waterproofing. The waterproofer sets the membrane height off the rose; a rose relocated or raised after the membrane is on can leave the wall under-waterproofed.
- Watch tall roses. A rain shower or high drencher needs the membrane above it (50 mm clear), not just to 1800 mm. Brief the waterproofer on the rose height.
- Coordinate plumber and waterproofer. The plumber sets the rose; the waterproofer works to it. A mismatch is a re-do.
- Measure to substrate, allow for tile. The 1800 mm is to the floor substrate; set the membrane with clearance so it is not short once tiling adds height.
Also known as: shower head, rose.
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Last updated: 2026-05-25. Verified: 2026-05-25. Quarterly review for currency.