The screen under the bath is a sliding panel, the task of which is to create additional storage spaces and decorate the space under the bath. In addition, its presence allows at any time to provide access to the water drainage system. The design device is simple, so it makes sense to get acquainted with the question of how to install the screen on an acrylic bath yourself.
Advantages of the system
Before you install the screen on a corner acrylic bathtub or other container, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of this device.
Firstly, a person who is far from construction and design can mount it - it is very simple. Secondly, the variety of materials suitable for creating a screen significantly expands the range of its cost. Each owner can easily choose the best value for money. Thirdly, to dismantle the structure quickly and easily, when it is required, for example, when repairing pipes. Fourth, using a special device, you can create additional compartments in the bathroom for storing, for example, detergents. In addition, the sliding door device saves space in the room.
disadvantages
Installation of the screen on an acrylic bath is carried out by means of plastic guides, because metal, even chrome-plated, undergoes corrosion. But even any plastic can become deformed in 2-3 years, which will not allow the doors to close and open easily and effortlessly. This is the main drawback, there are no others in principle.
Types of designs
Before you install the screen on an acrylic bath, you must familiarize yourself with all types of these products. Not only width and height are important, but also the material of manufacture, the presence of doors and other functions. There are several types of devices:
- Simple design - no doors. It is a panel in the frame of the required size.
- Length adjustable frame. Typically, this product is made of aluminum and is suitable for any size bathtub.
- The screen can be single only for the side wall, and is bundled with end parts. Such a product covers the perimeter of the bath.
- A panel may just be for the end of the bath - this is rare, but it is also possible.
Frame
You can install the screen under an acrylic bathtub or under an ordinary one on the frame. So it will be easier to strengthen it, and it will be more reliable to stay. Especially if the screen is made of thin plastic.
A frame is made of a wooden bar or metal profile used for the installation of drywall partitions.
A long beam is installed under the side of the bathtub and is supported from the edges by supports in the floor. They do not fasten in any way, it is enough just to choose their length so that they stand in their place in the strut. To strengthen the structure, you need to add two more stops along the long part of the bathroom and two at its end - at the corners.
After making the frame, the guides for the screen, which can be made of any material - plastic, plywood, plexiglass, can be glued or screwed to the upper and lower parts of the frame. The frame and guides will hold the shield firmly. For ease of operation, the design may consist of two parts installed with a small overlap on each other in the closed state. This will allow one or both sides to be moved as needed.
MDF panels
You can install a screen for an acrylic bath without a frame, while the materials for the shield must be dense and moisture resistant. Such are MDF boards. In fact, this is a familiar chipboard, distinguished from chipboard by smaller fractions of wood and resistance to moisture due to modern glue.
MDF is almost twice as thin as chipboard, cuts well, so it is great for building a screen for an acrylic or ordinary bath.
The main difference between a MDF screen and a thin plastic one is the way it is opened. Due to the thickness of the plates, they cannot be made sliding - the storage places under the bathroom open, as in an ordinary cabinet (through a hinged door). However, this feature gives the design a monumental and expensive look. At the same time, installing a screen under an acrylic bathtub differs little in time from a simple device. MDF constructions are sold ready-made with standard sizes. They can be made on site using a jigsaw and door hardware - hinges, handles, edging.
MDF is not afraid of moisture, so it will work for many years without deformation and destruction. This screen is easy to clean with ordinary detergents. This device has only one drawback - it is much more expensive than a thin plastic screen.
Acrylic screen
There is a certain type intended only for plastic structures. Sellers can tell how to install a screen on an acrylic bathtub, since such products are sold as a set. That is, the design emphasizes color, creating a single composition.
Such a screen is made of thin plastic coated with colored acrylic. Due to its flexibility, the material easily takes the desired shape and bends, so it can be installed on bathtubs of any shape and size.
Buying a modern bathing tank, a person rarely raises the question of how to properly install the screen under an acrylic bath. After all, it is included in the kit, and professionals are engaged in the installation of equipment.
DIY installation
If an acrylic screen was purchased after buying a bath, then you need to install it yourself. No need to be afraid. It is mounted easily, although it differs from installation under a conventional bath.
How to install a screen under an acrylic bath? This can be done in several stages:
- To begin with, it is important to make the correct markup and transfer it to the bath. For this, the middle of the structure is mathematically calculated - its length is divided into two. Next, the found value is postponed along the line and marked with a marker on the side of the bathtub.
- Using a special mount, a hairpin with a corner is installed.
- The panel is pushed under the edge of the side of the bathtub and fastened with self-tapping screws screwed into a previously installed mounting bracket.
- The heads of the screws are closed with special decorative caps.
Mirror and transparent constructions
Transparent and translucent glass screens or mirrors are quite expensive and rare. Undoubtedly, a bathtub with such a design looks extravagant and expensive, but it is very difficult to find a finished mirror or glass product. It is possible to make it, but it is better to entrust this business to a professional, since cutting and fitting of thin material will be required.
This type of screen is not susceptible to moisture, but it is very fragile and requires constant care. Indeed, on glass surfaces smudges of water and accumulation of salt are especially noticeable. When installing such structures, it is necessary to ensure that the surface is covered with a film that does not allow small fragments to fly apart.
Despite the complexity of installation and operation, such designs are finding more and more buyers. After all, with the help of mirrors you can visually change the geometry of the premises, it is enough to just slightly change the angle of reflection.
Photo Screens
Having understood how to install a screen on an acrylic bathtub, it is human nature to seek new design solutions. One of them is covering panels with drawings. And it doesn’t matter what material the screen is made of - from MDF, plastic, glass or acrylic. Stickers with 2D or 3D drawings are equally suitable for any plane. It also does not matter whether the screen is sliding or not, there are doors on it or they are missing. The film with a picture in the case of doors is simply cut at the junction of the panels.
Alternative ways to decorate the bath
Installing a screen on an acrylic bathtub as an element of design is not the only way to decorate. A lot of people like the look of the capacity on the legs. This reminds them of the Middle Ages, when the bathtub was in a large room and already it itself was a decoration of the room.
To enhance the effect of antiquity, you can decorate the legs themselves, giving them the shape of animal legs or hooves. Such linings can be found in hardware stores. But more often they come across specialized sites.
In addition, acrylic bathtubs are currently being made in almost any shape and color, so nothing prevents a person with a delicate taste from ordering it without any legs at all. It will look from the side to a strange vase standing on the floor.
How to choose the right screen
When choosing a screen for your bath, you need to pay attention to several aspects.
First, you need to consider the area of the room. Indeed, if the bathtub in a small room has a screen with tear-off doors, then they will complicate its use. In a tiny room, sliding panels are best. You also need to understand that fragile glass and mirror screens are not the best choice for an apartment in which young children live.
Before going to the store for a finished screen or material for its manufacture, you need to carefully measure the dimensions of the bath itself: its length, height, width. If a side panel is required, then you should also know its estimated dimensions.
When buying a finished design, you need to check whether the rollers on the guides are serviceable, whether the screen legs are adjustable in height. How joints are made on plastic panels. All this is important, because a pleasant appearance is what man strives for.
You need to understand that if the bathroom does not have a good hood, then the wooden frame under the screen from chipboard and MDF will sooner or later become deformed and collapse due to moisture accumulated over the years of operation. Therefore, the hood must be attended to in advance or use moisture resistant materials.
Before assembling with your own hands, you should carefully consider the design - its functionality and appearance. Only after this should one get to work. In this case, the result will please the owner for many years.