Bathrooms today are decorated with a variety of interior styles, including the most daring design solutions. But no matter what option you choose to finish this room, the space under the bathing bowl is decorated as standard - with bath screens.
They can have the most modest and discreet look, can be complemented by lighting and various niches. The materials and functionality of the screens are also very diverse.
What are the advantages of using such structures? What types are they? How to choose the most suitable option for yourself? We will talk about all this in our article.
Are screens needed?
Bath screens are not the main element of the room, you can do without them. However, their use has its advantages. These include the following:
- panel completely hides the space from the floor to the top edge of the bowl;
- in the resulting niche, you can store household chemicals and other householdaccessories (this minimizes the number of wall shelves);
- bottom of the bowl is protected from moisture (which prevents the appearance of corrosive processes);
- no need to install flooring under the bath (which saves money).
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, differ significantly from each other. And it's not just about their looks.
All designs are divided into three main groups:
- stationary (fixed);
- 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 disadvantage of such screens is 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.
Removable type screens when assembled represent a whole panel. However, if necessary, structural elements can be easily removed. Most often, the lining is attached to special latches. It is advisable to use such varietiesin cases where permanent access to a closed space is not needed.
Sliding bath screens are considered the most popular. They are a pair of doors that can be easily opened if necessary. Such designs allow you to equip shelves for storing the necessary things under the bathroom.
Screens also differ in the material of manufacture. Today, options are available 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
Plastic panel screens are the most popular. You can purchase them at any hardware store, transport them yourself, and even install them yourself.
In addition, plastic options have several other advantages. These include:
- moisture resistant;
- no mold and corrosion processes;
- attractive appearance;
- wide variety of colors;
- light design;
- possibility of removal and installation at any stage of repair;
- functionality;
- long service life;
- easy care.
The main advantage of plastic panels is low cost. Anyone can afford such an element of the interior. At the same time, the appearance of the structure will be very attractive.
The plastic bath screen is veryeasy to install. It just needs to be placed under the edge of the bowl and clamped between the floor and the bath. Fixation 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 of 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 a 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;
- lightweight;
- resistant to moisture, mildew;
- durability.
An aluminum screen-compartment installed under the bathroom can last about 30-40 years. The probability of its failure is extremely small, it is more likely that the owners will simply get tired of it.
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.
MDF products and their differences
Lovers of natural materials will love wooden bathroom panels. Most often, such structures are assembled from MDF sheets. They can be solid, hinged and sliding.
Bath screens made of MDF panels are not used very often, as their base material is not resistant to moisture. However, they also have positive features:
- great variety of colors;
- easy care;
- affordable price;
- functionality;
- various shield designs.
Most often wood panels are made to order. This allows you to get a product that best meets the wishes of the buyer. The standard length of a bathroom screen 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. Production of screens and from mirror glass is possible. Most often, these options have hinged doors.
The disadvantages of such structures include excessive soiling and fragility. The panel is very easy to break, water splashes and fingerprints on it are quite visible.
When manufacturing glass panels, standard screen sizes are observed. Under a non-standard type bathroom, such products are extremely rarely mounted.
What you need to know when going shopping behind the screen
If you decide to purchase a panel-screen, bath (bowlfor bathing) 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 resulting indicators should be fully consistent with the design you have chosen.
Choose the screen configuration according to your preferences. 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 fittings used in the product. Handles and fasteners must be resistant to corrosion. 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 brickwork and finish the resulting wall with any finishing material.
Important! If you are making a brick screen, be sure to leave a window for access to the siphon and pipes. It can be equipped with special plastic doors (used for revisions).
Creating a drywall panel is considered a more acceptable option. The work is done simply and quickly. A plastic window can be installed in the resulting wall of sheet material, and the surface itself can be overlaidceramic tiles.
How to make a screen under the bathtub from GKL? For this you will need the following materials:
- metal profile;
- self-tapping screws;
- drywall (preferably a moisture resistant variety);
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- tile;
- tile adhesive;
- trout.
First you will need to create a frame from a metal profile. For this, guide strips are used (UD-profile, 27 x 28). To equip the stiffeners, purchase wall products (CD profile, 27 x 60). If you want to create a sliding screen under the bath (170 cm in length or less), purchase plastic "rails". Doors will ride on them.
Technology for creating a screen frame with your own hands
When all the materials are purchased, start assembling the screen. If you are doing such work for the first time, check all your actions with the following instructions:
- Cut the guide profile to the length of the top edge of the bowl. Place it on the floor and secure with screws.
- If the tub has two open sides, install rails on each edge.
- Cut several wall profiles along the height of the screen. Insert them into the guide bar and secure with fasteners with a press washer. If the side vertical strips will touch the walls, they must be well fixed with dowels.
- Install the upper guide rail on the wall planks. It should go as tightly as possible over the edge of the bowl. Fasten all metal elements together with self-tapping screws.
- Forstability of the structure, fill the space between the bathtub and the top profile with mounting foam.
The frame for the screen is ready. At this stage, check the correct installation of all its elements. If no errors are found, proceed with plasterboard lining.
How to sheathe the frame
Pre-cut the sheet into elements of the required size. Fix the GKL on the frame with self-tapping screws. Glue the joints of the sheets with sickle tape. If you plan to have a revision, make a window according to its size.
Cover the resulting seams with starting putty. After the composition has dried, treat the structure with a primer. You can now tile your screen.
Use quick dry 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 inspection window. Insert a plastic door into the opening and press it against the base. The screen from the GKL is ready.
Summing up
You can decorate the space under the bathroom using different designs. The main thing is that they match the dimensions of your bathing bowl. Otherwise, everything depends only on your wishes.
Please note that the acrylic bath screen most often comes with the bowl itself. However, it is presented in the form of flimsy and thin plastic panels. Use these constructsyou can, but they have a short lifespan. If you want to install a more secure partition, use other options.
