How to close the bath below: screens for the bathroom

Standard bathrooms are often modest in size, so some interior details have several functions. So, screens for the bathroom help to close the unaesthetic appearance of the side walls of the bathtub, sewer communications and at the same time are an element of decor. We will find out what these structures are, what they are made of and how to install the screen under the bath yourself.

Types of screens for the bathroom

The screen is a design that allows you to close the sides of the bath, which are in sight, from the floor to the edge. It can be made of various materials and have a completely different look and configuration.

• Blind construction. It is a continuous canvas, makes the appearance of the bathroom more accurate. She has one drawback - the space under the bathroom cannot be used.
• With hinged or sliding doors. The most functional view of the bath screen, providing easy access to the space under the tank for bathing and allowing you to use it to store useful little things: cleaning products, towels, cosmetics.

• The design with shelves is a screen-cabinet. Usually has a back wall, which significantly limits the size of the shelves and makes it difficult to access the sewer. It is sometimes equipped with retractable pallets, which gives the device additional functionality.

• Curtain made of waterproof material. Budget option, which is also often used instead of the screen for a custom size bathtub. It is easy to make the curtain on your own from moisture resistant textiles suitable for the design of the bathroom.

In addition, the screens can be front and end, covering the bath front or side.

What type of screen is better to choose?

The advantages of a decorative panel with sliding doors for a standard rectangular bath are obvious:

• the availability of finished products in stores;
• affordable price;
• simple installation;
• providing quick access to communications.

When choosing a screen with sliding or swinging out doors, as well as curtains, special attention should be paid to the material from which the hardware is made. Since plastic parts can break quickly, it is desirable that the components are made of metal, moreover, resistant to corrosion.

Important! For all types of screens, it is necessary to have an opening (technological window) that provides access to sewage nodes.

A suitable screen for a bath is determined by its type, size and shape.

The common sizes of screens for rectangular acrylic bathtubs: length - from 1.5 to 1.7 m, height - 0.5–0.56 m.

Materials for screens: types, advantages and disadvantages, installation features

Bath screens can be made of different materials:

• brick (monolithic construction);
• moisture resistant drywall;
• plastic or polycarbonate;
• moisture resistant MDF and particleboard;
• acrylic;
• a tree;
• glass.

Brick construction

Brick, for which finishing is required, is laid out with masonry in a half brick, decorated with ceramic tiles, mosaics or other materials.

Installation Nuances:

• masonry rules apply - subsequent rows are shifted by half a brick;
• a window is formed near the water drain, which is closed with a special plastic door;
• under the edge of the bath, a slit with a height of 2 cm is stored, which is then closed with foam;
• in the middle of the structure, it is desirable to arrange a recess for the legs.

The advantage can be considered the availability of space for design finishes.

If the cladding is made of mirror panels, this will help to visually expand the space.

The minus of the construction is its fundamental nature - if necessary, a complex repair of sewer units will have to dismantle the brickwork. In addition, the construction process is laborious and requires professional tools and specific knowledge.

Moisture-resistant drywall

For this material, as well as for brick, final finishing with tiles, plaster is mandatory. Drywall sheets are sewn onto the frame of a metal profile or wooden beam.

Mounting Features:

• self-tapping screws are selected so long as not to damage the acrylic bath;
• in order to avoid direct contact of the sheet with water on the floor from the bottom, a gap of 1 cm is mandatory (between the floor covering and the lower border of the canvas);
• with the expectation of a possible swelling of the material leave a gap of 1 cm on top of the canvas;
• wooden timber should be treated with special compounds from the fungus, drywall - pre-primed;
• it is recommended that a foot cavity be provided in the center of the structure.

The main advantage is the ability to design a screen of any shape.

The disadvantage is multi-stage installation, sheathing, relatively short service life.

MDF screen

Such designs are made from special plates coated with a protective moisture-resistant film. The subtleties of the installation are the same as for drywall panels.

Advantages of MDF bath screens:

• affordable price;
• varied selection of shades and patterns;
• ease of maintenance - just wipe with a damp cloth or sponge;
• a wide selection of designs - a continuous canvas, with hinged and sliding doors.

Serious cons:

• short service life;
• susceptibility to deformation due to the constant wet environment in the bathroom;
• Do not use detergents with abrasive additives.

Plastic and polystyrene constructions

The panels of these materials are the most common and most popular version of the screen design for the bathroom.

Benefits:

• service life can be characterized by the expression "until you get bored";
• simplicity and convenience in the care of plastic surfaces - no special detergents are required, just wipe with a damp sponge with the addition of dishwashing liquid;
• scratch resistance;
• an incredibly vast palette of colors and patterns;
• a wealth of shapes, sizes, types;
• installation does not require special knowledge and tools;
• products are sold in almost all construction supermarkets and plumbing stores.

The installation sequence of such panels is very simple:

• the upper part of the screen is brought under the side of the bathroom;
• the panel is located vertically;
• the structure is tightly fixed with adjustable legs.

Acrylic Screens

Acrylic screens most often come with bathtubs made of this material, although they can also be sold separately. Typically, such screens are made of plastic coated with a layer of acrylic. They sometimes repeat the rather complicated shape of an acrylic bathtub, close the wires of plumbing products with hydromassage. Most often they have a recess for the legs, which allows you not to rest your feet on the panel, standing next to the bath.

Glass panels

Glass for structures that cover the side walls of the bath is tempered or shockproof. A bathroom with a glass screen looks expensive and exclusive, the product can be matte, transparent, mirrored, decorated with patterns and drawings.

Wood screens

A wooden screen will appeal to lovers of natural materials. The main condition when using wood for the manufacture of the screen is the processing of the material with special water-repellent impregnation.

Screen in the form of a curtain

It is made of different materials - PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyester, textiles with special impregnation.

Installation Features:

• fastening to a string is suitable when there is a side at the bathroom;
• the metal frame is highly recommended to be treated with an anti-corrosion compound;
• finished baguettes are completed with nuts.

Advantages:

• straightforward installation;
• acceptable price;
• a free approach to communications;
• ease of self-manufacturing;
• scope for design solutions.

Disadvantages:

• a small selection of options in stores;
• curtains from textiles require special care - washing, for which it is necessary to provide for a simple type of disassembly of the fastening system.

Screen Installation Steps

Most often, installation of a bathroom structure includes the following steps:

• Carrying out detailed measurements.
• Marking frame mounts.
• Assembly and installation of the frame.
• Panel mounting.
• Finishing work.

Please note: the bathtub should not rest on the screen.

As a rule, plumbing manufacturers apply the appropriate installation instructions for structures made of plastic panels and other materials.

If there is no possibility or desire to independently make and install a design for the bathroom, contact specialists for help.