Screen under the bath: types and choice of material (24 photos)

Plumbing completed, bathtub installed. The finishing touch will be the installation of a suitable screen, if, of course, you are not the proud owner of a bowl in retro style, which is not accepted to be framed with decorative panels. The screen for the bath is not only aesthetic, but also practical. It hides and protects plumbing communications from moisture.

Gone are the days when the screen could only be homemade or only white. What are the screens for the bath today, we will consider in this article.

Mounting screens for the bath

Today, there are two main ways of installing decorative screens: stationary and removable. The frame for a stationary screen is usually made of drywall or brick and covered with tiles, mosaics, even marble. This decor is beautiful, very durable and easy to care for. It is resistant to moisture and shock. The screen for a bathtub from a tile organically merges with the interior of the bathroom and will be a continuation of the patterns of walls or floors.

However, significant disadvantages include the fact that during leakage, you may have to break the entire structure, because even leaving the hatches for inspection, there is no guarantee that this access is enough.

In addition, the space under the bathroom, hidden by a stationary screen, will be lost for storage of household supplies. In small bathrooms, this is an important moment.

The removable version is devoid of such disadvantages. Installing a screen under the bath will not take much time and will make it possible to use the space useful. It will only be necessary to assemble the frame, strengthen the legs and install decorative panels or doors.

Types of screens

Screen designs are:

• solid;
• with hinged doors;
• coupe.

Solid partitions are very aesthetic and allow you to realize various fantasies in the decor. For example, a mirror screen for a bathtub will visually expand the space, and screens for a bathtub with photo printing can be completely unique: from marble patterns to photographs.

A screen with doors will allow full access to the space under the bathroom. Behind it, you can organize a spacious cabinet for household chemicals and care products, but it should be borne in mind that in a small room for opening the sashes an additional area is needed, therefore this option is preferable to use in spacious bathrooms.

The most convenient to use is a coupe screen for a bath. Behind its panels you can also hide a lot of useful household items. Moving to the side, the doors do not take up space. Such screens are usually made for standard fonts 1.5-1.7 m. However, there are universal models, the length of which can decrease or increase. In addition, height-adjustable legs make it possible to mount the structure even on uneven floors.

Material selection

The standard design is very simple: supports, decorative panels and storage systems are built into the frame. Having decided on the design features, you can choose the material from which the screen will be made. Manufacturers offer products for every taste and budget. There is an option for a luxurious bathroom and a close combined bathroom of Khrushchev.

The frame for the removable screen is made of aluminum, duralumin, stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride (pvc).

The most common materials for decorative panels can be considered plastic, aluminum, MDF, plexiglass or mirror, acrylic.

Advantages and disadvantages

A plastic screen for a bath is the most common and budget option. In production, plastic is attached to any color and texture. You can repeat the stone, wood, marble, apply any pattern, photograph or emboss. The panel may also consist of a plastic lining as the usual white, or any other color.

This screen has excellent performance: it is resistant to moisture, easy to clean. There are models where shelves for household equipment are hidden behind sliding sashes. If necessary, they are easily dismantled for access to plumbing communications.

The aluminum protective screen for the bath has a good price-quality ratio. It is a little more expensive, but stronger and more durable than its plastic counterparts. Aluminum does not rust, has a presentable and effective appearance. As a rule, sliding models are made from this material. The shutters can be either silver or painted, so choosing a suitable bathroom style will not be difficult.

A screen for a bathtub made of MDF is an expensive option, but its solid appearance and ease of use will delight the owners. Doors for such a screen are made both oar and sliding. They are made of moisture resistant MDF or OSB boards.

A wooden screen under the bathtub will fit perfectly into the interior if it is made of the same material as the rest of the furniture, so manufacturers offer popular brown, black, white models. Customers also often choose the laconic color of wenge. The disadvantages include only a short service life of wood screens, because even moisture-resistant MDF gradually absorbs moisture and deforms.

Plexiglass is also often used to produce screens. It is practically eternal with careful handling, does not contribute to the reproduction of microorganisms and is not afraid of moisture. But, nevertheless, it can not withstand a very serious blow. Models with various types of door opening are available. Plexiglass is left transparent, matted, applied.

The mirror screen is also a plexiglass with a silver coating. A glass or mirror screen under the bathtub will add chic even to a small bathtub.

An acrylic bath screen is often sold with it in the kit. These products are available for specific models, so they are ideally suited for size and shape, fit tightly to the sides. They are made of plastic with acrylic spraying. Acrylic screens make all kinds of shapes, which gives the interior a special charm, and perfectly white does not turn yellow over time. In operation, this material is practical and durable. The disadvantages include only the price and the fact that the models are usually only solid.

Installing the screen under the bath

Installation of stationary screens for the bathroom is carried out by the master individually. To do this, he first builds a solid wooden frame, which is then sheathed with drywall. When arranging a frame made of drywall sheets, attention should be paid to its resistance to moisture. The desired material has a greenish tint. Each end of the sheet should be well covered with a special water-repellent. If these measures are not followed, even moisture-resistant drywall will absorb moisture, begin to swell and deform.

Removable screens are usually purchased at the store. In the kit they have everything you need for installation. It remains only to measure the dimensions of the bath and go shopping. It is best to purchase a screen with a length-adjustable design to avoid unpleasant moments during installation. Also pay attention to the height of the legs. If it is not enough, you will have to fix the screen to the wall with the help of screws.

Some bathrooms include a bathtub that is not flush between the walls. In this case, it is open to the side. Manufacturers have taken care of such options. On sale you can find not only the front, but also the end screen for the bath. The side part is no different from the front, it is securely mounted in the frame and solves the problem of aesthetics.

Important subtleties

• When choosing a screen, pay attention to how the pipes go. If they go along the wall to the sink, the sliding panels will have to be cut under them. Or fix a small non-movable part to the wall.
• Provide also a legroom so that you can get close to the bath.

MDF screens cannot be adjusted if your bathtub differs from the standard sizes or if the pipes pass in the place of attachment of the frame.

• Wooden screens are recommended only in well-ventilated bathrooms. The panels will absorb less moisture and last much longer, therefore this option is preferable for spacious rooms with good ventilation.
• Accessories for screens is very important. Make sure that the handles are made of quality material and will not corrode.

If a screen with hinged doors is selected, inspect the hinges. Do not buy plastic fittings - it is not very durable. Pay attention to the quality of mounting hardware to the frame. In the sliding screens, check the roller mechanism in action. It should not be seized or acted upon with force.

A little effort when choosing, and your bathroom will look cozy and stylish with a new screen under the bathtub.