Bath screen: selection criteria and installation subtleties

The bath screen is a popular element in the bathroom interior. It solves the problem of using the space under the bathroom, turning it into a useful area for storing and placing various items.

The screen is a structure that covers the sides of the bathtub, as well as adjacent wall sections and plumbing communications and water pipes located near the floor. In addition to the decorative function, the screen can be used to store household chemicals and household utensils, as well as to restrict access under the bath for pets. Screens are made of modern and environmentally friendly materials that can withstand wet conditions in bathrooms and constant temperature drops. The frame is usually a steel or aluminum profile, which is resistant to rust and is durable.

The aluminum frame is lighter than the steel counterpart, but may be subject to deformation from excessive mechanical stress. On such a profile, you can safely attach light plastic doors, as well as elements from MDF and acrylic. Steel frames are intended for the formation of screens from natural wood, as well as for the manufacture of lattice models.

The shape of the models depends on the configuration of the bath and the preferences of the landlord. For greater comfort near the bath, some faceplates have foot recesses, and sloped structures are used to prevent water from entering the floor. The canvas of the models can be of solid and lattice design. The first looks more attractive and allows you to close pipes and communications, while the second prevents mold and promotes normal air exchange under the bathroom.

Standard factory screens for steel and cast iron baths have a length of 1.5 to 1.7 meters and a height of up to 60 cm. The legs are often adjustable, which allows you to independently set the model to the desired height and provides the convenience of placing a person close to the bathtub. A large number of screens for corner acrylic bathtubs, as well as for non-standard curved models, are presented on the modern market. This allows you to choose a product of any size and shape, to refine the appearance of the room.

The modern market offers a large number of various models made of various materials, and differing in cost, performance and appearance.

• Plastic screens. The models are characterized by hygiene and the ability to apply any pattern, relief or photo printing to the surface. The frame of plastic screens is made of aluminum, which gives the structure lightness, strength, corrosion resistance and durability. The service life of the models is up to 30 years, during which the material perfectly retains its operational properties and original appearance. The advantages of plastic screens also include low cost, ease of maintenance and ease of installation.
• Plexiglass screens. The material is hygienic and aesthetically pleasing. The wide range of glass screens is due to the wide variety of colors and reliefs.The constructions are made of thick organic glass with a transparent, matte or mirror surface. The models look harmoniously in combination with a glass sink and chrome plumbing elements, as well as visually increase the area of ​​the room and do not hide the space. The disadvantages of glass screens are the high cost of products, high weight, complexity of installation and the need for regular maintenance.

• Models from MDF. Inexpensive, beautiful and easy to maintain, the material is often used to make screens. It comes in the form of laminated panels with a wide variety of colors and textures. Models with imitation of a pattern of wood fibers, natural stone and tiles are very popular. The design can have sliding doors, a service hatch or swing doors. The disadvantages include the low moisture resistance of the models, due to which the elements absorb moisture, swell and deform. To prevent this from happening, the bathroom must be equipped with a working exhaust ventilation system. The service life of MDF screens does not exceed three years.
• Acrylic screens. Lightweight, hygienic and practical acrylic blends harmoniously with the bathtub and sink, is highly resistant to household chemicals and has high moisture and heat resistance.

• Aluminum models. The products are characterized by low cost, durability and corrosion resistance. The small weight of the screens contributes to quick transportation and easy installation of the structure, and a wide range of colors allows you to choose products for any color and style of room.
• Drywall. A popular material for the manufacture of screens, which allows you to independently form a curved structure for a non-standard bath. The front part can be faced with ceramic tiles or mosaics.
• Wood. Practical, environmentally friendly and durable material. Wooden screens are manufactured in monolithic, sliding or swinging construction. They are distinguished by their exquisite appearance and practicality. The disadvantages of these models include high weight and high cost of some products.

Bath screens are available in a large assortment and differ from each other in the door opening system, the presence of a technological hatch, shelves and the form of execution. For spacious bathrooms, retractable models on casters are provided that roll out forward and allow easy access to pipes and plumbing if they need to be replaced. Stationary screens are a fixed structure. They are used in small premises. In the event of a breakdown of plumbing, it is quite problematic to gain access to communications.

The door opening system determines the ease of use of the screen and the rationality of using the space under the bathroom. Doors are sliding, hinged, with a blind sash, with a pull-out block and removable. Deaf models are often used for self-production and perform an exclusively decorative function, closing pipes and plumbing communications from the eyes of the visitor.

Hinged doors are quite practical and allow you to easily find the necessary item stored on the shelves of the screen. Such doors can be closed using a lock with a magnet, hooks or latch. The disadvantage of this type is the need for free space in front of the bathroom, which ensures the unhindered opening of the doors to access the shelves. Sliding sliding doors are ideal for small bathrooms and do not require additional opening space.The disadvantage is the presence of a non-visible area, which can be accessed by alternately sliding the door to one side or the other.

The screen for the bath can either be made by yourself or you can purchase a ready-made model. Among the most famous domestic manufacturers are Vann Bock, Techno, Metakam, Domino, Triton, Professional, Drops and Breeze, which produce high-quality universal models of the middle price category. Russian specialists offer a large selection of models that have an adjustment function and are suitable for the size and shape of well-known brands of bathtubs. There is also a wide range of materials used, including glass and nonwovens. Among foreign brands, the most popular products are Jacob Delafon, Jacuzzi and Kaldewei.

Self-installation of the finished screen is carried out using a tape measure, a building level and a screwdriver. Factory models are already equipped with fasteners and fittings, so additional purchase of screws and self-tapping screws is not required. Before starting the installation, the bathtub must be filled with water. This applies to previously installed bathtubs. If the screen and the bath are installed simultaneously, then this is not necessary.

Initially, you need to measure the space under the bathroom and mark the places for fixing the frame. Then, exactly following the sequence of fastening the parts specified in the instructions, you should install the frame. Then you need to adjust the legs. To do this, they must be unscrewed so that the fixation of the frame between the side of the bathtub and the floor surface is maximum. To prevent the frame from dangling, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of sealant under the legs and press them firmly to the floor. After making sure that the frame is securely attached to the floor, the gap between the frame and the bath rim should be foamed. Thanks to this procedure, the structure will acquire additional rigidity and stability.

The next stage includes the installation of decorative panels, hanging the doors with the swing system, and installing them in the guide channel when sliding. Then you need to screw the handles to the doors and treat the seams with a sealant. If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made model, then you can assemble and install a protective screen with your own hands. The easiest way is to make a screen from sheets of plasterboard and an aluminum galvanized profile with a section of 75x40 and 60x27 mm. The structure is a sliding door that moves along the grooves of the W-shaped profile.

Mounting and installation is carried out using a building level, a ruler, metal screws, dowels, a drill and metal scissors. Initially, you should clear the space under the bathroom from construction debris and make sure that the communications are working properly. Next, you need to install the frame from the profile and fasten the W-shaped guides to it. The distance between the upper frame bar and the bathtub should be foamed.

Plasterboard door panels are cut in such a way that they overlap each other in length. Then the cut sheets are inserted into the frame of the frame, made to the size of the doors, and inserted into the gutter. Excess foam must be cut off with a Chancellor's knife. The last stage of installation is the decorative finishing of the drywall with tiles, screwing the handles.

So that the installation of the screen is not difficult, and the installed structure has served for many years, it is necessary to study the installation scheme indicated in the instructions and follow some recommendations.

• Before starting the installation, it is required to eliminate defects in the walls and floor in the space under the bathroom: remove peeling paint, cover up deep cracks and large chips. Otherwise, the damaged areas will serve as a favorable environment for the appearance of the fungus.First of all, this concerns screens of a blank design, when installed, normal air exchange is disrupted. This leads to stagnant air and unpleasant odors from mold.
• If you need to quickly and cheaply install the screen, then you can take wooden blocks, put together a frame from them and use liquid nails to glue it to the walls and side of the bathtub. The joints are usually cold-welded and plastic panels are used as cladding.

• In order to more reliably fix the plasterboard screen, you need to drill small holes in its upper part and blow in the mounting foam through them. After the foam has completely solidified, the screen will stop moving, which will give the structure good stability and additional rigidity.
• Before you start facing drywall with mosaics or ceramic tiles, the surface should be primed and wait until it dries completely. A properly prepared base will guarantee good adhesion of the finishing materials and speed up the finishing process.
• When installing screens under cast iron baths, remember that such bath models are not intended for drilling due to the fact that the cast iron can crack.

The bath screen is a simple and practical way to efficiently use space and is a worthy decoration for the interior of the bathroom.

For the intricacies of installing the screen under the bath, see the following video.