Bath Panel

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A Guide to Bath Panels

The following is intended as a guide only as your bathroom and the bath panel you select are individual to you. The manufacturers instructions, when available, must be followed, and the installer should be qualified with bath panels and have an amount of experience and competence. Bath panels are available in different materials, and the installation must be fully considered in the selection of a bath panel.

Acrylic screens – Most important benefit is that they are waterproof.

The cast sheets produced for the bath tub reflect tight profit margins. The dimensions are limited and will have little or no adjustment, it is therefore imperative that they are supplied for installation at the same time as the bath and are accurate. The installer must ensure that the height restriction will not affect the sanitary requirements, and that the floor is relatively flat. Compensation for the thickness of the flooring should also be considered. Some acrylic panels are supplied with clips to match the floor or the bath rim, but it is recommended that a sub-frame is constructed with the bath panel in place to help maintain and strengthen this. Front panel and end combinations are relatively easy, since most panels have molded acrylic finishes for this reason. Use Velcro to maintain the panel in place allowing easy access to the plumbing. Cut with a saw with fine teeth if necessary.

Aftercare thoughts – Clean with soap and water. Minor scratches can be polished with rubbing compound. Remember veneered or packaged panels are often available with separate adjustable plinths possible.

The usual thickness of the bath panels is between 16 and 22mm, which means that some bad fitting structures like the support legs will lead to swaying in the bath panel. An initial check is recommended, remember to take into account the separate base that is attached to the back of the main bath panel (in fact a doubling of the thickness at this point is recommended). A flush finish is recommended. Although it is not wrong if the bath panel protrudes above the rim, this will result in the collection of water on the ledge, and in time, penetrating the bath panel. Although these bath panels are relatively large, a sub-frame of at least floor and wall slats to be used. The advantage of a loose plinth can not be underestimated. With the proper order of installation as below you will be ok:

1. The bath
2. The plumbing.
3. The carpet
4. The bath panel

If the bath panel is left until last, it must fit properly.

Adjusting the height of the panel with a single plinth.

Meet the bath panel and plinth height and allow the plinth to mount behind the central panel with an appropriate overlap (usually a minimum of 40mm). To determine which gives the maximum height measure the height of the bath from the floor below the rim on both ends, if these show differences the level of the floor is probably not true. If the floor is not level, it is best not to fit the bath panel on your own.

Cutting the bath panel.

Where possible cutting should be avoided. It compromises the water resistance of the finish, and will lead to water behind the finish, which will lift and will allow water in the sub-structure of the bath panel. Take special care when installing a detailed panelwhen you need to to cut both sides simultaneously. Where width savings are needed make a deep score line in the area to be cut to prevent splintering. Use a saw with fine teeth.

Seal all cuts with a waterproof paint or void the warranty. Put silicone along these cuts as the bath panel is mounted, as it is inevitable that they will be splashed. If the bath or the frame prevents the panel being completely stuck under the edge, the panel can be notched or use a blunt tool.

Always remove splash water after use. Use only a soft cloth. Polyurethane or other man-made finishes , soap and a soft cloth. If your bath panel is wood check the cleaners are suitable. Never use bleach, bathroom cleaners or household disinfectant.

Bathroom Wear and Tear More Ideas

4) Protect The Walls

I do not know about you, but I have been always against theuse of the swinging light pulls – the bigger the deal with pulling the cord seems to produce more action! As you can imagine, over time this will produce damage to the stone wall.

Also, people can not always find the string in the dark, so eventually they touch the paint on the wall or as the Pull String is too close to the wall (as it is here) – off chipps some paint and some plaster under my nails!

As you can imagine, it will not take long for the paint to be patchy or the wall to get a little dirty – so why not to protect the wall with a tile. If you have a large tile or four smaller ones in the area where most contact and thus the most damage will occur, you can avoid repainting the entire wall for just that dirty patch!

Consider a few tiles or a whole bucket full of paint?

5) More Hanging Space

There are only two of us, but the hanging space in the bathroom is almost non-existent – so what do we do with the wet towels?

Well, you have to hang them somewhere else that will inevitably wet the backs of wooden chairs or other furniture, such as the stairrail on the staircase. Remember that we are in a small independent unit far from home without a garden – a clothesline or drying horse is simply not an option, unless the lease can be changed.

Needless to say, the moisture from the towel is now absorbed by the furniture and the room is damp, a result of this can reduce the lifetime of the furniture. And since this building is designed to be used almost continuously by family after family, it is going to go through a lot of furniture.

The Answer:

Well, theres not much I can do taking into account what is already is installed by the owners, but it is certainly worth considering these things when you are refurbishing or upgrading your own bathroom.

The future plan is looking for durability and longevity of our resources – so why not help by reducing the amount of repair and replacement your bathroom needs!

PS – it is not property damage to the bathroom itself, but the accessories like the bath panel. Follow my tips and lead a more eco friendly life style.

All so simple if you know how.

Tips on How to Make Your Own Beautiful Bathroom part 2

At the other end of the scale, think big with great texture tiles in marble or slate. Bring in traditional ceramics and crosshead taps for a modern look, For easy maintenance, porcelain tiles are easy to care for and will not scratch with use.

Glass panels (as in a kitchen splashback) will bounce light around. Smoked glass is elegant. Use as a shower screen or even as a room divider. Patterned tiles are big again, taking their cue from wallpapers. Also consider long porcelain tiles instead of just on the floor and sparkling composites for finishing walls.

Bathroom Storage

Creating a quiet room is sometimes as much about what you can not see as what you can not . The bathroom is usually a plethora of lotions and potions, a series of aesthetic products. Well-planned storage is key to maintaining a heavenly harmonious space. Bathroom cabinets can be quite shallow, as a rule, the contents are relatively small and narrow. A 100mm deep cabinet uses very little space, but allows a tremendous amount of toiletries. Remember to incorpoprate storage in the bath panels.

Install a towel holder and keep your towels warm.

A combination of open and closed storage makes your luxurious pampering products easy to display, while less attractive items are stored out of sight, be sure to create space for cleaning products and toilet rolls which are needed.

Sub-divide drawers for toiletries, so that smaller components are readily at hand.

Lighting

Lighting is important when it comes to bathrooms. The perfect light comes from lamps that simulate daylight and I would suggest installing a dimmer. That way you can put them on full for applying make-up, or soften the lighting for a spa-like atmosphere. Ensuring a perfectly lit room with bath layers of light on different tracks, letting you raise or lower the levels. For the true Hollywood glamor, surround a mirror with lighting, starlet style, essential side-to- Face lighting. Use Mini Capsule lamps as a modern alternative to traditional bulbs, which can be connected to a dimmer.

Bounce light from walls and washbasins, or compensate them next to a tiled surface with colors and textures to emphasize. A low-level light source adds real glamor. Install lighting that washes the floor with a soft glow or mount lights under a floating vanity unit or basin.

For total glamore, you can not beat a beautiful chandelier. Unfortunately, the building regulations mean that in most bathrooms is impossible to install a working model as they are not water resistant. A good way to prevent this is a small cheat by installing downlights above the chandelier to make the crystals sparkle.

Finishing is not all about aesthetics. Underfloor heating is a real treat and new technology can make this the luxury factor. Watching your favorite soap as you lather is one of few luxury living treats left.

Upholstered furniture is a wonderful addition, but good drainage is important in the textiles.

Think beyond the functional and decorative furnishings. Keep clutter at bay with well-designed storage, but keep your best bottles in the display.