The dream of every person is a spacious and original bathroom. It is no secret that a camouflage element is often mounted in this room - a bathroom screen. An interesting part of the decor is used to preserve hygiene items, household products, equipment and communication pipes. In addition, it is a complete decorative element that creates a unique atmosphere in the room.
Next, we will deal with the main features, species diversity, the intricacies of installation and the stages of self-manufacturing a structure for a bath.
Types of bathroom screens
If the renovation is completed in the room, the furniture and equipment are already installed, the decorative elements are perfectly matched, then the main question remains open - what to do with the space formed under the bathroom. Unpresentable legs and the side of the bath, communication pipes must be covered. A bathtub screen will do the job perfectly. It should be multifunctional, visually attractive, and fully match the chosen interior style. When you enter the room, this is the first thing that opens before your eyes. The design itself is simple - the basis isframe, and panels are attached to it. Bath screens are divided into types:
- Deaf partitions. Solid and durable construction. Despite this, it has one drawback - repairs, replacement of equipment without dismantling the structure are impossible. Facing a blind structure involves the use of tiles.
- With hinged doors. Having a screen under the bathroom with hinged doors makes it easy to carry out repairs. Getting to the breakdown is easier, and there is no need to break the integrity of the screen. To save space, hinged doors are equipped with shelves, and this is additional storage space for various items. The functional design takes up a lot of space, so it is not suitable for a small bathroom.
- Sliding. The most practical and small-sized are sliding screens for the bath. They take up little space, are convenient to use, and have a long service life.
What are bath screens: materials
When choosing designs, it is better not to forget that in the bathroom there are frequent temperature changes and high humidity. These nuances are taken into account when creating a device. Therefore, manufacturers use fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, durable materials:
- metal;
- brick;
- plastic;
- drywall;
- acrylic;
- MDF panels;
- glass;
- mirrors.
Corrosion-resistant raw materials make the bath screen safe and reliable. It is important to familiarize yourself with the features and propertiesitems:
- A brick wall is a simple and durable option. She is not afraid of external influences and mechanical damage. So that during the repair work it is not necessary to dismantle the partition, the masters recommend leaving a window. Tiles are used to finish a brick wall.
- Gypsum boards. The installation of such a screen involves the formation of a metal or wooden frame. To prevent liquid from entering, the seams are treated with a sealant. The plasterboard surface is covered with wallpaper, plastered and tiled.
- MDF board (fibreboard). Even after contact with water, the plate does not deteriorate or swell. This is the merit of a special protective coating, with which the plate becomes durable.
- The plastic screen under the bath will last up to twenty years with proper and careful handling. A variety of shades and textures, ease of operation and installation, ease of maintenance - these are the main advantages of plastic screens.
- Glass. Screens made of glass and mirrors look elegant and original. Speci alty stores offer a wide range of glass screens. The advantage of the design is effectiveness.
Everyone has the right to decide which screen to choose and how to mount it.
Features of aluminum screens
Aluminum under-bathtub screens have been dominating the global market for decades. And all thanks to the low price and quality. Long service life, simple and convenientinstallation make such a plate popular. Despite the high humidity and sudden changes in temperature, the above screen does not lose its attractiveness and retains its original appearance.
To prevent limescale deposits, wipe the screen well after each use of the bathroom. When choosing a product, consider the following characteristics:
- structure dimensions;
- look;
- external indicators.
Outwardly, it must match the interior of the room, and the dimensions of the product - the footage of the room. The size of the frame is selected individually based on the need.
Mirror designs
Decorating a bathroom is an important and crucial moment. To give the room more solidity, many install a mirror screen under the bath. Despite the high cost, the mirror construction is fragile. In addition, it is difficult to mount, difficult to care for, and the surface must be wiped regularly.
Mirror structures are used as decoration and in order to visually expand the space. A huge plus is moisture resistance, under the influence of temperature, the product is not prone to deformation. A decorative element will fit into almost any interior, expand the boundaries, fill the room with light. The mirror screen under the bath (sliding) consists of panels on rollers and is made of a real mirror. You can choose from a range of matte, transparent, colored or patterned surfaces.
Acrylicmodels
Acrylic bathroom screens are very specific. They go on sale complete with acrylic bathtubs, but are also found separately. The shape of the screens is developed for each bath individually. Designs have many advantages:
- durability;
- strength;
- design;
- practicality;
- safety.
The product is based on plastic panels and covered with acrylic. Buying an acrylic bath with a screen, you can save a lot, and all problems are solved automatically. The screen does not differ at all from the bathtub in color and shape. It fits snugly against the side wall. The standard size of an acrylic screen for a bathtub is 170 centimeters in length. It can be movable or deaf. The convenience of the screen and its appearance depend on the choice of bath. Special fasteners are hidden under the side of the bathtub.
Corner screen for small bathtub
Corner screen is a non-standard element of the bathroom. There is a corner screen under the bath sliding and static. The structure is made of aluminum and organic glass, there are also wooden models. It is a panel with guides.
The static screen for a corner bath is made of drywall, it best forms curved contours. For the manufacture of a sliding structure, plastic is used. To close the space under the corner bath, curtains or ordinary, traditional screens are suitable. The installation process of this type of screen is no different from other models.
Main screen features
The design of the bath screen is simple, but has distinctive features that must be considered when choosing:
- Cast iron bath screens are rarely used these days. Available in end and semi-circular versions.
- There are universal models. Adjustment of curtains in aluminum frames allows you to choose the most suitable size for your bath. Thanks to this feature, a screen is installed under the bath of a suitable configuration, and it serves to hide communications.
- Aluminum framed screens are not adjustable - they are stationary designs.
- The end side of the bathtub is usually covered with frameless screens, which bend well and take the necessary shape.
- Acrylic constructions are adjustable to fit each tub.
To choose the right screen, consider the size of the structure and the material from which it is made. The standard screen size for a bathtub is 150 centimeters, such screens are sold in every specialized hardware store. There are screens of non-standard sizes for ends on sale.
How to choose the right design
Before you go shopping, measure the bath, clearly define your desires and possibilities. The range of screens is diverse: they differ in shapes, colors, style and properties. The buyer has the right to decide organizational issues, select raw materials and fastening methodbased on technical and material considerations. Each person has different ideas about practicality, comfort and style, so it will be rational to make a design to order.
Bath screen without doors is cheaper than with doors. A significant part of the design is fittings, so you need to pay special attention to it. The handle that opens the bath screen doors must be made of durable material. Frequent contact with liquid reduces the service life and spoils the appearance of the product. Plastic fittings are unreliable, subject to mechanical stress, it is better to give preference to steel parts.
Screens with legs should be adjustable to the height of the bath, so it will be easier to mount the structure, and the master will spend less energy and time to install it.
Sliding bath screen (150 centimeters) is in great demand. Its principle of operation resembles an accordion, which greatly saves space.
Homemade screen: work steps
If the store did not find a suitable one, you should try to make a screen with your own hands. This saves a lot of time and money. To get started, choose the right raw material for the screen. It must meet the following requirements:
- moisture resistance;
- indestructible;
- does not deform;
- heat resistance;
- matches the overall style of the bathroom.
To install the plastic structure you will need:
- aluminum profile;
- plastic sheets;
- screws;
- liquid nails;
- dowels.
Installation of the plastic screen consists of several steps:
- Make markings on surfaces. In the future, it will help to smoothly attach the aluminum frame. The lines are applied below the edges of the tub.
- We cut the main and transverse parts with an electric jigsaw according to size. Finished parts are pre-folded and inspected, defects are corrected and irregularities are corrected.
- We fasten finished aluminum profiles to the floor and walls with dowels and screws. All parts of the structure (vertical and horizontal) are connected with small screws. The upper part of the frame is attached with liquid nails to the edges of the bath. All joints are treated with sealant to prevent water ingress and for greater reliability.
- In the places where the sliding doors are installed, we fix two guides with self-tapping screws.
- With a mounting knife we adjust the plastic panels according to the previously applied markings. It is desirable to attach handles to the doors, so it will be more convenient to use them.
- Carefully insert the plastic panels into the guides.
- The plastic bath structure is ready and can be successfully used.
Features of installation design
Installation of finished bath screens is different from homemade designs. When choosing a specific model, it is necessary to consider the technical documentation and make sure that all components are available. The finished screen is sold with frames, fittings and elements for fixing the structure. Along with the product you will find installation instructions, and thismakes the task much easier. If all the details are in place and fit in size, proceed to mount the screen.
- Installation. First, we install the frame under the bath and fasten it. If the design is sliding, we will install a profile for the doors.
- Adjustment. The screen on the legs is easily adjusted, to achieve maximum fixation, the legs are unscrewed.
- The joints between the edges of the frame and the board on the bath are blown with foam for installation. To give the structure durability, we apply sealant under each leg.
- Then we install the finished panels, hang the doors on the hinges and fasten the handles.
- Handmade bath screen ready.
Properly and accurately done work is the key to long-term operation and presentable appearance. Be guided by the above rules, study the features, advantages and disadvantages of designs in order to choose a high-quality and reliable model that can withstand all conditions and difficulties of operation and does not require replacement for at least ten years.
A wide range of screens gives you the opportunity to experiment and make the bathroom beautiful, practical and aesthetic. If the budget does not allow you to purchase a ready-made structure, with the help of special skills and imagination it is easy to build a screen for a bathroom structure with your own hands. The main thing is to do everything carefully and carefully, then the end result will please.
