Thanks - I suspect this will end up being the best option.

Could you incorporate some sort of slatted timber the slides to one side, as opposed to having to be taken apart?

The difficulty here is that the slats must be sturdy enough to walk or fall on. I wonder if the sliding option would mean the top slider would likely be higher than the floor and so would be a potential tripping problem or perhaps my thinking is flawed in this area.

Perhaps contact some companies that install these baths and see what options there are for covering?

Could anything be attached to wall on left side of photo? I am thinking a custom made timber cover that rests on the bath perimeter but attached with hinges on that wall. So it can be lifted and anchored to wall when bath is used. Not sure if this would compromise the waterproofing though..

ETA: This photo is as close as I can find to what I was trying to describe.

Would something like a frameless glass pool fence work?

Interesting - I'll certainly look into it.

Please let us know what you choose, this is a dilemma we don't see often!

I'm not entirely sure I understand the problem. Is your mother going to be using the bath/shower? If so, at the very least, you need a handrail for her when she's going down the steps. If not, and she's just going to be using the bathroom, I'd be inclined to go for the pool-fence idea with a gate where the steps are.

For now, an internal garden full of vibrant healthy plants.

What about filling in the 'hole' and installing a modern stand alone bath in the same place? The plumbing is in place so the only cost would be the fill / concrete + the bath. You could even install a square timber style bath if you wanted to keep the Japanese aesthetic.

The sunken bath is great as, as I get older, walking up and down steps is so much more appealing than climbing over the side of a bath. It is also very non slip. Unfortunately, just filling in with plants as suggested by dashavaugh would still not help the falling problem of my mother who won' t actually be using the bath.

I have now investigated the frameless glass pool fencing with a gate as suggested by Marc and this appears to be a great option.

I like dohraime's idea but I'd get the timber treated with a non-slip surface, OR replace the timber with something non slip without the slats for toes to get caught in, but keep the timber for the future when the problem may no longer exist (sorry! but it comes to us all!)

Sorry I meant to comment on Dohraime's idea which is a very good one. In this case though the side is too narrow on our bath to rest the timber cover on.

Can't you swing it from the end so that it lifets up back to the end where the photo was taken from? Is that a possibility?

At the end is the walk- in shower.

Hello,

If you are considering the pool fence style, a base rail would produce a nice clean finish.

Similar to this balcony.

Nice idea, except in our place, we need any splash to be able to run into the bath from the shower so need a clearance from the floor.

You could try looking at using the same frameless glass with spigots. This would allow the water to flow away under the glass.

Yes this is what I have discussed with the manufacturer - will be quoted this week. I think this will do the trick nicely.

Received a quote today to supply and install pool safety glass and hinged glass door $2,800. What do you think of the price quoted?

It seems high to me, could you ask for a supply materials only price and see whether you can work out the installation cost?

I'm sure I've seen some nice wooden bath covers on Houzz that are bifold in style. So it would fold back to one end when in use.

Yes we are now looking at a metal frame and timber slatted top. With the price for the pool fence idea I can only wonder at the cost to fence a complete pool.

As its not a permanent solution I would look into childproof safety rails for stairs.
They work extremely well and can be easily removed later.

Well decision time has come. We have now engaged a well respected and innovative local furniture craftsman to design and make a hinged to the wall spotted gum timber slatted cover. It has one longer but narrower hinged section covering part of the bath and all the steps. The second hinged section incudes the remainder of the bath. It will be flush with the adjacent walk in shower floor and able to be walked on. We are very pleased with his design and it is a little cheaper than the pool fence concept but , as most of you point out, the preferred option. The oiled timber slats will really warm up the bathroom as well. It will be ready in about 7 weeks as he is a popular craftsman. I will post the completed cover.

The furniture maker is Gerard Murphy Furniture, Dunkeld Victoria

Lesley that is a stunning bath! Have you considered a DIY glass fencing option? We have sets at Bunnings you can purchase for installation that come in various styles. You are also able to add in a handrail, too, for added safety.

Our products are made for pools, spas and balustrades so this may be an option to look into that could also save you some money.

Good luck, and hope this helps!

Hi Everyon - this was explored above and decision now made and have commissioned a slatted timber cover.

If you haven't already, please consider a seat somewhere near the shower. Even a cheap plastic chair. With the wood, concrete and glass, if your mother is feeling faint or not steady on her feet, it is not a safe environment if she falls. Just an afterthought.

Thanks johouse. I am very up on access issues and she never showers without a shower chair with arms. You make a very good point.

Finally finished. Gerard (Gerard Murphy Furniture, Dunkeld Victoria) was a real craftsman and kept the industrial look although it was our idea to use galvanized steel rather than chrome. I am glad we took the time and thank you all for the comments. You were right with the timber. Now I will be ordering a back rest as the concrete absorbs the warm water well but not at the back and shoulder level. https://www.facebook.com/Gerard-Murphy-Furniture-Dunkeld-1483521541912391/

Looks good - well done!

Hi LeslyH, sorry I was a bit flippant with my comment, didn't know about mother, it appears you have found a suitable solution. I still love sunken baths and yours is a great example.

Comment above was in another post. No worries, not sure if I was more worried about my mother or my husband after a few red wines. I am not a great user of the bath but I did buy the neck and back pillow and it does work a trick.

Not sexy, but we also use the timber top as a clothes drying area as we have a full length roof window above - but I won't post photos of this use.

Project completed.

sounds like a good use of space, you could install a pull out hotel clothes line, you know the one with the round fitting on one wall with a single pull out line which clips into a fitting on the other side. Attaching some photos the first is a bathroom that I would love to use to replace our existing ensuite (without replacing the window) which is as you enter the WC is behind the door to the left, right side is a nearly sunken bath with shower plus a large sliding window beside the bath, we think the architect hadn't allowed enough showering space so by adding the window gave extra width. Then we have a full width vanity and mirror on the third wall.

The last should have a swimming pool style hand rail. Did you build your house, would love to see some more photos of the bathroom etc. cheers