Bathrooms today are decorated with a variety of interior styles, including the most daring design decisions. But no matter what decoration option you choose for this room, the space under the bathing bowl is designed as standard - bath screens.
They can have the most modest and restrained look, can be supplemented by lighting and various niches. The materials and functionality of the screens are also very diverse.
What are the benefits of using such designs? What types are they? How to choose the most suitable option for yourself? We will talk about all this in our article.
Do you need screens?
Screens for bathtubs are not the main element of the room, without them it is quite possible to do. However, their use has its advantages. These include the following:
- the panel completely hides the space from the floor to the upper edge of the bowl;
- in the resulting niche, you can store household chemicals and other household supplies (this allows you to minimize the number of wall shelves);
- the lower part of the bowl is protected from moisture (which prevents the appearance of corrosive processes);
- under the bath you can not lay the floor covering (which contributes to cost savings).
Modern screens have the most diverse design. Panels can be decorated with beautiful images, patterns, imitation of expensive materials. This allows you to further decorate the room and give the interior a finished look.
Functional Design Differences
Bath screens, which are most often found in stores, are significantly different from each other. And it is not only about their appearance.
All designs are divided into three main groups:
- stationary (motionless);
- sliding (or swinging open);
- removable.
The products of the first type include massive and non-removable options. They play a decorative role and do not carry any functionality. A significant drawback of such screens is the closed access to communications under the bowl. In case of repair, stationary screens have to be completely disassembled or dismantled. For this reason, they are the least popular.
The screens of the removable type in assembled form are a whole panel. However, if necessary, structural elements are easily removed. Most often, the lining is mounted on special latches. Such varieties are advisable to use in cases where constant access to enclosed space is not needed.
The most popular are sliding bath screens. They are a pair of doors that open easily if necessary. Such designs allow you to equip under the bathroom shelves for storing the right things.
Screens differ in the material of manufacture. Today, options are available for us from plastic, metal, glass and wood. Each species has its own characteristics. We will talk about them further.
Plastic varieties of screens and their characteristics
Screens made of plastic panels are the most popular. They can be purchased at any hardware store, transported by yourself, and even set up with your own hands.
In addition, plastic options have several more advantages. These include:
- resistance to moisture;
- lack of mold and corrosion processes;
- attractive appearance;
- a wide variety of colors;
- ease of construction;
- the ability to remove and install at any stage of repair;
- functionality;
- long period of operation;
- unpretentiousness in leaving.
The main advantage of plastic panels is low cost. Everyone can afford such an element of the interior. At the same time, the appearance of the structure will be very attractive.
The plastic screen for the bath is very easy to install. It just needs to be placed under the edge of the bowl and squeezed between the floor and the bath. Fixing is carried out by screw-shaped legs that adjust the height of the panel. The length of the product can vary from 150 to 170 cm.
Features metal options
Metal screens are a more solid and expensive variety. They are made of aluminum and can be presented in the form of a solid panel or product with sliding doors. Unlike plastic, metal screens can be installed under bowls of non-standard shapes. This is facilitated by the good flexibility of the material.
Their positive properties include:
- high strength;
- presentable appearance;
- a light weight;
- resistance to moisture, mold;
- durability.
Mounted under the bathroom screen-compartment made of aluminum is able to last about 30-40 years. The likelihood of his failure is extremely small, he probably just get tired of the owners.
The dimensions of the metal screen are fully consistent with the standard length of the bath. The minimum panel length is 130 cm, and the maximum is 180 cm. Such options cost an order of magnitude more expensive than the previous type.
Products from MDF and their differences
Lovers of natural materials will appreciate the wooden shields for the bathroom. Most often, such structures are assembled from MDF sheets. They can be continuous, oar and sliding.
Bath screens from MDF panels are not used very often, since their main material is unstable to moisture. However, they also have positive features:
- a wide variety of colors;
- simplicity in leaving;
- affordable cost;
- functionality;
- diverse design of shields.
Most often, wood panels are made to order. This allows you to get the product that best meets the wishes of the buyer. The standard length of the screen for the bathroom is 170 cm, however, if necessary, this figure can be reduced. The width of the panel most often varies from 50 to 56 cm.
Glass screens and their features
Glass constructions are characterized by a long service life and a high degree of hygiene. They are easy to wash, they are not afraid of moisture and have a very attractive appearance.
Glass panels are decorated with various patterns using matte spraying or decorative film. It is possible to manufacture screens and mirror glass. Most often, such options have swing doors.
The disadvantages of such designs include excessive soiling and fragility. The panel is very easy to break, splashes of water and fingerprints on it are quite visible.
In the manufacture of glass panels, standard screen sizes are respected. Under a non-standard type bathtub, such products are mounted extremely rarely.
What you need to know when going to the store behind the screen
If you decide to purchase a panel screen, a bathtub (bathing bowl) is the main item on the basis of which you should make a choice. Measure all of its sides that are outside of the walls. The obtained indicators should fully correspond to the design you have chosen.
Choose a screen configuration based on your preference. Decide how much you need shelves and opening doors. The presence of such elements significantly affects the cost of the structure.
Pay attention to the accessories used in the product. Handles and fasteners must be corrosion resistant. If you choose options with legs, pay attention to their maximum and minimum height: the width of the panel should not exceed the height of the opening between the floor and the bowl.
How to make a screen under the bathroom with your own hands?
You can make a screen with your own hands. In this case, you can use ordinary brick or drywall. In the first option, you just need to fill the free space with masonry and finish the resulting wall with any finishing material.
Important! If you are making a brick screen, be sure to leave a window to access the siphon and pipes. It can be equipped with special plastic doors (used to design revisions).
Creating a drywall panel is considered a more acceptable option. The work is simple and quick. In the resulting wall of sheet material, you can install a plastic window, and the surface itself is overlaid with ceramic tiles.
How to make a screen under the bathtub from GKL? To do this, you will need the following materials:
- metallic profile;
- self-tapping screws;
- drywall (preferably a moisture resistant variety);
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- tile;
- tile glue;
- grout mixture.
First you will need to create a frame from a metal profile. For this, guide rails are used (UD profile, 27 x 28). To equip stiffeners, purchase wall products (CD-profile, 27 x 60). If you want to create a sliding screen for a bathtub (170 cm in length or less), get plastic "rails". Doors will ride on them.
Do-it-yourself wireframe technology
When all the materials are purchased, proceed to assemble the screen. If this is your first time doing such work, check all your actions with the following instructions:
- Cut the guide profile along the length of the upper edge of the bowl. Place it on the floor and fix it with self-tapping screws.
- If the bath has two open sides, install guides on each edge.
- Cut several wall profiles to the height of the screen. Insert them into the guide bar and fix with fasteners with a press washer. If the side vertical strips will touch the walls, they must be well secured with dowels.
- Install the top rail on the wall planks. It should go as tightly as possible beyond the edge of the bowl. Fasten all metal elements together with self-tapping screws.
- For structural stability, fill the space between the bathtub and the top profile with foam.
The frame for the screen is ready. At this point, verify that all of its elements are installed correctly. If no errors are detected, proceed to drywall facing.
How to sheathe the frame
Pre-cut the sheet into elements of the required size. Fix the GCR on the frame with self-tapping screws. Glue the places of joining of sheets with a serpentine tape. If you plan to have a revision, make a window for its size.
Cover the resulting seams with starting putty. After the composition dries, treat the structure with a primer. Now you can tile the screen.
Use quick-drying glue for this. Install plastic crosses between the trim elements. They will help to maintain the same seam width throughout the cladding. When the glue dries, use a rubber spatula to fill the joints with grout.
Apply silicone sealant around the perimeter of the revision window. Insert the plastic door into the opening and press it to the base. GKL screen is ready.
To summarize
To design the space under the bathroom, you can use different designs. The main thing is that they correspond to the dimensions of your bathing bowl. Otherwise, it all depends on your wishes.
Please note that the screen for the acrylic bath most often comes with the bowl itself. However, it is presented in the form of flimsy and thin plastic panels. You can use such designs, but they have a short life. If you want to install a more reliable partition, use other options.