Installation of the screen under the bathroom. Choosing and installing a screen under the bath with your own hands. Professional installation secrets
Everyone has their own aesthetic preferences, so the style variety of bathroom interiors is huge. However, on one issue, almost everyone is unanimous: the lower part of the bath from the sides should be closed. For this purpose, special bathroom screens are used. They are light, beautiful and easy to install.
Bathroom screens are needed to mask unaesthetic details, the space under the bathroom, and sometimes to get additional space for storing household items.
A few decades ago, these functions were performed either by light curtains or blank brick walls trimmed with tiles.
Entering the bathroom, a person sees a bathtub. If the screen is not installed, then the legs of the bath, elements of the plumbing system are noticeable.
They seem ugly and the whole bathroom looks sloppy. The screen can be a wonderful decorative element that will cover all unnecessary and help to decorate the room in a single style.
Soviet times it was difficult to find a worthy alternative to the brick walls under the bathroom. Now there are structures made of light and beautiful materials, but brick screens are still installed in some apartments.
The design will protect the pipes from moisture and damage, it will become an additional cabinet where you can store household chemicals, household supplies, plumbing tools and other useful items.
Screens are not only beautiful and practical, they can act as a reliable barrier that blocks access to household chemicals for children and animals.
What types of screens are there?
Now you can buy screens for bathtubs of any design and made of any material. Manufacturers of decorative panels connect experienced designers to the design of models.
They develop original designs that can fit into even the most sophisticated interior.
For the manufacture of screens, plastic, metal, MDF, polystyrene, drywall, polyvinyl chloride, and acrylic are used. Patterns, plot pictures (photo printing), decorative elements can be applied to the surface of the product.
Often there are models of combined materials.
Frames for modern screens are made of aluminum, steel or plastic. Often buyers choose models with aluminum frames, because. they are durable and affordable
Glass and mirror screens look very original. They are used not only for their intended purpose, but also for modeling the space of bathrooms.
For such panels, not ordinary glass is used, but organic glass, because. it better resists mechanical damage and shock.
When choosing a material, you should pay attention to its strength, resistance to moisture and high temperatures. A quality model can last for decades.
Good performance means a higher price for the design, but this is the case when the investment is fully justified.
Models in the form of lattices are chosen by people who care about good ventilation of the space under the bathroom. This helps to avoid the appearance of dampness, fungus and unpleasant odors.
We select a convenient design
Screens consist of a frame (most often aluminum) and panels. They can be deaf or equipped with doors for access to communications and items stored under the bathroom.
There are also models with removable panels, they are usually installed under acrylic bathtubs.
The advantages of blind panels are high aesthetics and durability. A smooth surface can be decorated in any way or left plain.
It will look nice regardless of the presence or absence of additional decor. With no moving parts, these bath screens last much longer.
The disadvantages of deaf stationary structures include the inconvenience that occurs in the event of breakdowns in the plumbing system. To access it, you will have to remove the entire panel.
This takes a long time, which can cause problems if a leak has formed and water accumulates under the bath.
In some interiors, screens perform a style-forming function. A luxurious bright model looks very attractive if the rest of the design elements are plain or made in the same style.
Designs with doors are more practical than deaf ones. The doors themselves can be hinged or sliding. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages.
In most cases, bathroom owners opt for sliding models.
Swing doors open and close conveniently, providing access to the shelves with the necessary little things.
However, a screen with such doors should not be chosen for a small area bathroom. Open, they take up useful space and make it difficult to manipulate the elements of the plumbing system.
The doors of the sliding screens under the bath are opened, sliding along the guides. When buying such a system, special attention should be paid to the quality of the metal.
The stronger it is, the longer the bath screen will last. It is better to give preference to steel or aluminum.
There are models with plastic frames. They are less reliable, but quite suitable for apartment owners who are not going to store frequently used items such as washcloths, towels, shampoos, hygiene products, household chemicals under the bathroom.
If the doors are needed only for access to communications, then you can buy a plastic system.
Doors can swing open not only to the left or right. There are models with folding elements. They have the same advantages and disadvantages as swing screens.
Model selection: important nuances
First, decide on a design that is suitable for your purposes. The most convenient options:
- Deaf stationary model with a technical opening without a door. This design is usually preferred by craftsmen who do everything in the house on their own. It is simple, convenient for access to pipes, but does not involve arranging a mini-storage under the bathroom.
- Removable stationary model without a technical opening. If you choose a similar model, then try to stay on a panel that can be easily removed if pipe repair is necessary.
- Screen with hinged doors. If the bath is spacious, then there will be no problems at all. If the area of the room is small, carefully calculate the size of the doors so that they do not occupy the entire bathroom.
- Model with sliding doors. This is a versatile screen that will be appropriate in any bathroom.
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the type, dimensions, design design, type and performance properties of the material.
Before buying, measure the space that needs to be covered. Standard screens are 1.5, 1.6 or 1.7 m long and 0.5, 0.55 or 0.6 m wide. There are also models of other sizes.
So, on sale you can find screens 1.05x0.5 or 1.9x0.5 m.
If you set a goal, you can find a model for any bath. The only difference is that among screens of non-standard sizes, models of non-banal design or with a unique decor are less common.
If you are satisfied with the design with a smooth plain surface, then this option can be found in any size.
Sometimes there are doubts about the required width. This happens when the screen is selected before finishing work in the bathroom.
Often the owner himself does not know the exact dimensions until the bathtub is installed and the tiles on the floor are not laid.
The problem with the selection of a model of the desired width is also relevant in cases where the floors of the room have a slope. You can solve it with the help of a screen on adjustable legs.
When mounting, the legs are set to the desired height on each side.
Models with adjustable legs must be selected according to the length, because. width can always be adjusted. Adjustable screens come in both solid color and with a variety of decorations.
The best bath screen manufacturers
As for manufacturers, there are many of them - both domestic and foreign.
Among the Russian manufacturers of screens, the trademarks Techno, Vann Bock (Karavann), Remstroyplast, Ciar, Aquamate, Ecroline have proven themselves well. Their main advantage is versatility.
Russian manufacturers take into account the diversity of the sanitary products market and make models that are suitable for installation under bathtubs of different brands.
They offer many design options, over 30 shades of colors. Materials are varied, including semi-soft non-woven panels.
A big plus of domestic bathroom screens is an affordable price. They are much cheaper than imported analogues of the same quality, but may be inferior in design and decoration.
Among foreign manufacturers are the Italian brands Jacuzzi, Albatros, the Finnish brand IDO and the German Kaldewei.
All of these companies produce high quality products, but often screens are only suitable for specific bath models.
Sliding models of the "Professional" collection of the Vann Bock trademark are made in black and white. There are organic glass screens. They come with beautiful chromed metal handles.
Stages of installation of finished models
Ready-made bath screens are completed with frames, fittings and fasteners. All this should be indicated in the technical documentation for each specific model.
Installation instructions should also be included. Please make sure everything you need is included before purchasing.
If the dimensions are chosen correctly, then for installation you will need a minimum of tools: a tape measure, a building level and a screwdriver. Before starting work, it is recommended to fill the bath with water.
If the bath and the screen are installed at the same time, this is not necessary.
Screens may vary in shape and design, but their installation scheme is always approximately the same:
- Measurements and markings. Before installing the frame, you need to once again measure the niche under the bathroom and mark the frame attachment points. If the panels are slightly out of size due to the curvature of the walls or floor, they are cut with a grinder.
- Frame installation. The frame is mounted under the bath and fixed in accordance with the instructions, they also install and align the guide W-shaped profile for sliding models.
- Leg adjustment. If the model is on adjustable legs, they are unscrewed so as to achieve maximum fixation of the frame between the floor and the edge of the bath. To keep the supports more firmly, and the screen does not tremble when water is poured into the bath, you can apply a little sealant under each leg and press it to the floor.
- Frame fastening under the edge of the bathtub. When the frame is firmly fixed, the space between the edge of the frame and the side of the bathtub is blown with mounting foam. This will give additional rigidity to the structure.
- Panel installation. Decorative panels are installed on the frame. If the doors are hinged, they are hung on hinges, sliding doors are inserted into the guide profile. Handles are attached to the doors.
- Seam processing. Joints should preferably be treated with sealant. This will help protect the niche under the bathroom from moisture.
Installing screens for acrylic baths has its own characteristics. Most often, these bathtubs are pre-equipped with screens that are suitable in shape and size. Models are usually made of plastic. The kit includes frame, panels, handles, brackets, dowels, screws.
The pictures show the whole process of mounting the screen under an acrylic bath. Installation of screens under bathtubs made of other materials has some differences. For example, in cast iron models, you cannot drill holes at home, as there is a risk of splitting the cast iron.
If the bathtub is not equipped with a screen, then it can be made independently from a wooden block and ready-made plastic panels. The frame is attached to the side of the bath with liquid nails, the joints are additionally strengthened by cold welding.
To fix the bottom brackets, drill holes in the floor and install dowels. After installing and adjusting the frame, the screen panels are inserted into the guides.
A sign that they have fallen into place is a characteristic click.
With the installation of decorative panels for a corner bath, some difficulties may arise. The sequence for the correct installation of a corner acrylic bathtub with a screen is shown in the video:
Do-it-yourself screen manufacturing and installation
Many of our compatriots are used to doing everything in the house on their own. This can be considered a peculiar feature of the national mentality, since the desire to personally participate in home improvement is associated with masculinity.
Such craftsmen can mount a screen under the bath with their own hands.
The video details how you can make a blank screen with a technical niche. Gypsum board was chosen as the material of the panel, finishing - facing tiles.
The range of screens for bathtubs is huge. In such a variety it is very easy to get lost. If you have difficulty choosing and installing the correct model, seek the advice of an experienced technician.
This is much more reliable than learning from your own mistakes.
The space under the bathroom is not very attractive from an aesthetic point of view: pipes are located there, and sometimes there is a mini-pantry for household chemicals and detergents. To improve the interior, a sliding screen is installed under the bath - a simple structure made of a frame and moving doors.
Do you want to assemble such a screen with your own hands, but have never done it? We will help you deal with the main points - this material discusses in detail the stages of assembly and installation of the screen. We also provided the advantages of this design and useful information about which models are the most acceptable in terms of cost and reliability.
There are several types of screens that are mounted under the bathroom. Solid products without doors are distinguished by simple installation. Their main plus is the ability to use any building and finishing material, from bricks and drywall to plastic.
Screens with drawers, sliding or hinged doors allow you to use the hidden area as a storage system. Thanks to this, space in cabinets is significantly saved, and all tubes, bottles, packs of detergents can be collected and placed in one place. More about the device of sliding and solid types of screens we.
Thus, several questions are solved at once:
- the usable space of the bathroom or bathroom increases;
- there is a convenient and accessible place for storing household chemicals;
- the appearance of the room becomes more attractive.
Minus sliding structures in a limited choice of material. The sashes should be light and thin so that they can easily move along the guides, therefore, we exclude tiles or plasterboard. Plywood is not suitable, as it quickly deforms in a humid microclimate.
Plastic panels are the most suitable for all characteristics. They keep their shape well, are easy to process, have a small weight and low cost.
Slightly heavier laminated chipboard, MDF, but they are also used for the manufacture of sliding structures.
Owners have a choice: buy a ready-made model or assemble a screen from scratch with their own hands. Given the low cost of factory products, we recommend purchasing a screen that is fully prepared for installation. It is equipped with fasteners and instructions, so you can fix it under the bathtub quickly and easily.
For self-assembly, calculations, the choice of a suitable material, and additional processing of parts will be required. It will take a lot of time, and the result may not be the most impressive.
Factory assembly instructions
Before installation, it is necessary to buy / order a screen or a set of individual parts from which the frame and sashes will be formed. Before buying, you should consider the design of the product - it must be in harmony with the wall and floor cladding, match in color and texture.
A few successful examples of installing a "bathroom":
Image Gallery
The interiors of bathrooms are diverse, but everyone is unanimous in one thing - the space under the bathroom should be hidden from view. To do this, use drywall, make panels from hardboard or chipboard.
Today, the construction market offers ready-made screens, characterized by quick assembly and aesthetic appearance. Installing a screen under the bath will help make the plumbing fixture look neater. Behind the sliding doors there will be a place for household items. There is nothing complicated in the installation of this device - a non-specialist will also cope with the work.
Screen model selection
Before installing the finished screen under the bath, it must be selected.
Today in building markets there is a wide selection of models that differ not only in size and color.
Main features of screens
Shutters and frames of screens can be made of different materials
- frames made of different materials - steel, plastic, aluminum;
- sliding sashes or a fixed panel that closes the lower part of the bathtub and the space under it tightly, an option is a fixed panel with a viewing window;
- leaf or panel material - plastic, MDF, organic mirror glass, metal;
- fasteners
Choose the model that suits your needs. You should not stop at cheap options with a fragile plastic frame or neglect the choice of color - the screen will become a prominent element of the decor, its breakage or the wrong color scheme will cause inconvenience.
Useful advice: If the installation of a screen under the bath is planned even before the finishing work is completed, for example, laying tiles on the floor is postponed for a sufficiently long period, you can choose a design with adjustable legs. In this case, the height can be changed up to 10 cm in accordance with the rise of the floor level.
The legs of the screens are adjustable in height up to 10 cm
Acrylic is a capricious material, bathtubs from it are usually equipped with a ready-made screen. If you install the wrong fixture, you can damage the plumbing.
Helpful Hint: Before installing the screen or blank panel, fill the tub with water. So the plumbing fixture will take its working position, and the screen will not be deformed during the use of the bath for its intended purpose.
Models of screens for bathtubs have a wide range of sizes. There are standard options designed for the dimensions we are used to, but if necessary, there are also non-standard ones. If possible, choose exactly the appropriate size, but if you can’t find a suitable one on sale, some materials (plastic, metals) can be cut with an angle grinder (“grinder”). Therefore, it is worth stopping at a larger, and not a smaller size.
Useful advice: if you can’t choose the screen size, you can use the service and order a screen according to individual sizes.
How to install a screen under the bath - instructions
The procedure will depend on the type of screen - sliding or solid without the possibility of access to communications without removing the panel. But both options will not cause problems if there is a ready-made screen with mounts included.
From the tools you will need the necessary minimum - a tape measure, a screwdriver, a building level. For models with height-adjustable legs, the parts of the adjustment mechanism can be fastened with nuts, then a wrench of the appropriate size is required.
First of all, make sure that the product is selected correctly - take measurements. Then follow the simple instructions:
Take the screen components out of the box
Screw on the supplied nuts and screen feet
Install the leg into the holes of the plugs
Place the screen under the bathtub in the opening between the bathtub rim and the floor, turn the nuts to set the product upright.
Adjust the legs to the desired height.
How to fix the screen if it does not have viewing windows and sliding panels?
The installation procedure for such a product is even simpler - you do not need to insert moving parts into the grooves. It is enough to install the finished screen and fix it by placing it by surprise.
How is the screen attached to the acrylic bath?
To install and fix the screen in the bathroom with an acrylic product, the tool kit will be replenished with a drill.
Unlike cast iron, the acrylic bathtub itself serves as the basis for fixing the decorative panel. How to install a screen on an acrylic bath without damaging it?
In many cases, an ordinary bathroom after renovation looks sloppy and not very beautiful without any decoration. There are a lot of options with which you can hide the space under the bathroom, but to find the best way, you should start from the existing conditions. Therefore, in order to figure out how to install a screen under the bath, you need to choose the type of screen, agree on the amount you are counting on and determine what other functionality you need from the structure, in addition to the aesthetic appearance.
Factors affecting the choice of a screen for a bath
In many cases, to hide the space under the bathroom, simple brickwork is used, after which tiles are laid on it, exactly the same as the bathroom is finished. Mirrors are also often used to clad this section of the bathroom, with the help of which the room visually increases in size, especially in cases where the room is tiny.
If such a screen installation is used under the bath, then it will be used only for decorative purposes; it will not work to make free space in the form of a small pantry.
Important! You also need to consider a place to install a revision hatch, which provides access to the drain siphon and directly to the pipes leading to the bath.
But in certain cases, the specifics of the bathroom in a particular apartment limits the choice of the desired type.
What are screen design options?
More often, non-monolithic screens are installed with the ability to store the necessary things under it, in which there are holes for easy access to communications. Such screens differ from each other in several ways:
- sliding screens for a bath with shelves and without;
- stationary screens;
- removable panels on legs or spacers.
When choosing a design, you need to take into account some points, such as: the parameters of the bath, the quadrature of the bathroom. And only after that you can understand which screen will be the best option, and whether you can make it yourself or have to buy ready-made.
It should be noted that installing a screen on a bath with a simple design is much easier than one with doors, but in the first case you will not be able to use the space under the bath and use the free space to store all kinds of items.
Tip: Even if you do not need storage space, installing a screen under a bathtub with sliding canvases will be much more practical, for example, in the event of a sudden repair of pipes, especially compared to brickwork.
One of the practical and fashionable ways is to finish the bath screen with ceramic tiles, but subsequently it may be difficult to remove the screen from the bath, this point will need to be thought out in advance.
What material to use?
During the production of a bath screen, there are certain requirements that you need to pay attention to when choosing a construction material. If you have not yet decided on the material, then you need to know that it must have certain properties such as:
- have good strength;
- be sufficiently rigid and moisture resistant.
Based on this, bath screens can be made of plastic, moisture-resistant MDF, drywall or metal painted with special paint.
You need to know that if you choose a material such as drywall or brick to make the screen, then you still have to do finishing work, but despite this, such a finish provides a wide range of design choices. But installing a plastic screen under the bath, as well as metal or MDF panels, will be much cheaper, because they do not need additional finishing.
Before you install a bath screen, you need to understand that a lot depends on the shape and type of product. For example, for acrylic baths, the choice of screen designs is much wider than for cast iron ones; for a standard rectangular font, it will not be difficult to choose a screen, and for a bath of a complex shape, most likely, you will have to make or order individually.
Screen installation sequence
So how to fix the screen under the bath with different functionality? Regardless of which type of screen you choose for a bathtub, the process of its manufacture and installation will almost always be similar and it consists of the following actions:
- Installing a screen under the bathroom at the initial stage involves measuring and marking;
- At the next stage, installing the screen on an acrylic bathtub or its cast-iron counterpart implies the creation of a structure frame. Metal profiles are the best option, but wooden beams can also be used. Only before assembling the frame, the wood needs to be carefully treated with protective compounds;
- For reliable fixation, the guides for the screen under the bathtub are twisted with self-tapping screws or using special corners if it is a wooden structure.
Important! Before putting the screen under the bath, the finishing material is adjusted to the size of the frame.
- Installing a screen under a corner bath does not require the installation of side walls. Otherwise, it is the side sections that are mounted first, and then the front front part. Sometimes the best option is to install a screen under an acrylic or cast iron bathtub with complete space closure from one wall to another around the perimeter of the plumbing fixture. In such cases, the free space near the bathtub is used as a shelf. This point must be considered at the beginning of the installation in order to create an appropriate frame.
- After all the details are mounted, the screen is decorated. Fittings are attached to the doors, facing material is placed, etc.
Sliding door installation
The question of how to fix the screen under a bathtub with sliding doors is a little more complicated, because this design involves the installation of more complex elements.
First of all, installing a screen on a corner bathtub with sliding doors requires the use of a W-shaped profile, in which screen sheets will be laid and move freely along them. During installation, the sliding panels must be slightly overlapped. If the screen is attached to the acrylic bath correctly, there should be no gaps between the panels, but at the same time ease of movement on the sled is ensured.
A prerequisite for such structures are handles for moving panels.
Important! If there are small children in the house, you should consider locking the doors. This is especially true when household chemicals and other harmful substances are stored under the bathroom.
If the size of the room allows the use of hinged doors, then before placing the screen under the bath, you need to build special racks in the frame that will match the size of the doors. Hinges will be attached to these racks. You can also install a furniture lock that prevents spontaneous opening.
Conclusion
Installing a screen under an acrylic bathtub or another is quite simple, the main thing is to follow the sequence described above and do not forget the proverb “measure seven times and cut once”. But if it is difficult for you to make or install a purchased screen on your own, or perhaps you don’t have the right tool, you can always turn to professionals for help.
If installing an MDF screen under a bathtub is not difficult, but there are questions about how to close the bathtub with a screen or what material is better, then you can always view a detailed video instruction.
Even the most stylish bathroom interior will look ridiculous if you do not close the space under the plumbing fixture. You can decorate it in different ways, but the screen installation is considered the best and most reliable. With it, you can not only ennoble the room, but also create a comfortable working area, hiding from prying eyes. Under such panels in free space, you can place household chemicals, small buckets and other things.
What are there?
Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of products for every taste.
There are different types of protective panels:
- deaf;
- with sliding doors;
- with doors - accordion;
- with hinged doors;
- with shelves.
- with fabric curtain.
Which option to choose, each person decides for himself. If you want to save free space, you should choose the option with accordion doors, which fit best into small spaces. For a comfortable arrangement of household chemicals under the bathroom, it is better to choose a product with shelves. But the deaf panels are aesthetically pleasing. They are very simply attached to the frame, but with their installation, access to the plumbing supply is limited, since not all models can be easily and quickly removed.
For a complete overview of all screens, see our dedicated article.The most popular options among acrylic bath users are:
- front panel.
- solid screen of ceramic tiles;
- sliding.
In our article, we will dwell on the installation of an acrylic panel in more detail, because consumers most often prefer this method of decorating the space under the bathroom.
Detailed information about tile screen installation and sliding panels see related articles
A photo
The photo below shows various interesting options for decorating the space under the bathroom.
How to choose the right size?
Any panel for the bath is selected for a specific size. It is very important to check if it fits your plumbing model. The length of acrylic panels varies from 120 to 180 cm for standard fonts. And the height is 55-60 cm, but it can change if there are legs.
Most often, acrylic panels come with plumbing and have the same tone as the bathroom, which allows you to look organically to the overall design. They are made of plastic coated with an acrylic layer.
The advantages of the panels purchased with the font include the fact that they fit as tightly as possible to the sides of the bath, saving you from unaesthetic gaps. Experts do not recommend purchasing such screens separately, as they do not always fit exactly in size.
If the screen is purchased separately from the bathroom, then in order not to make a mistake with the choice of size, you should carefully measure the plumbing from all sides.Front panel mounting
With the choice we have decided, now you can proceed with the installation.
It should be noted right away that regular screens are sold complete with all fasteners, frames and fittings. They also come with detailed step-by-step installation instructions.
To mount the protective screen, you will need the following tools and materials:
- roulette;
- marker or pencil;
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- wrench;
- silicone sealant.
How to assemble and fix the screen? Consider the step-by-step installation instructions for bathtubs of the Triton brand:
STEP 1. Adjusting the height of the bath. In order to avoid a wide gap near the floor, you need to match the height of the font and the front panel. We measure it with a tape measure and, using a wrench, twist the legs.
STEP 2. markup. Now you need to find plastic plugs on the frame or legs to which the screen will be attached, and mark on it with a marker the places for screwing in the screws, according to the location of the plugs.
STEP 3. Fastening. We apply the screen and, using a screwdriver, fasten it with self-tapping screws to the frame. Then we install special plugs on the screws.
How to install on corner models?
For corner baths, most often, fastening is provided not with self-tapping screws, but with special magnets and metal plates. Such magnets are initially attached to the legs of the font.
STEP 1. Height adjustment. Just as in the case of a rectangular model, we adjust the height of the legs based on the screen parameters.
STEP 2. How to fix the plates? On the reverse side of the panel, in places where the magnets will abut, we glue the metal plates from the kit onto double-sided tape or silicone sealant. During drying, you can fix them with ordinary tape.
STEP 3. Mounting. We attach the front panel and check that the magnets grab the metal plates.
This mounting option is convenient in that the question: how to remove the screen and then put it back on does not arise. Everything is extremely simple, you need to make a little effort, pulling the panel towards you, you can just as easily return it to its place. The previous method is not so simple, there you will first need to unscrew the screws.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that installing a screen on an acrylic bathtub has a lot of advantages. With it, you will transform the interior of the room and create additional space for storing household chemicals. To make the bathroom more functional and aesthetic, you should take a responsible approach to choosing a screen and carefully figure out how best to attach it.
