Are you designing a bathroom or planning a renovation? In a modern and functional interior, there should be no shortage of space for a stylish and comfortable bath, which will ensure long moments of relaxation for the household members after a hard day. When choosing the perfect model that matches the decor of the entire room, remember the additional elements that will be useful during the installation - baths are most often sold without a surround, allowing you to make your own decision about the final style. However, before we decide on a specific solution, it's worth learning how to install everything in the bathroom and whether the conditions are suitable. This way, we will avoid choosing a non-functional enclosure method and save a lot of time and money.
Simple and quick bath enclosure
Looking for a simple, quick, and cheap solution to enclose a bath, ready-made panels are the best option. This not only saves time but also costs associated with materials or the work of specialists. Bathroom equipment stores offer special panels to cover baths. They are most often made of plastic or acrylic, which perfectly fit the specific model and shape of the bath, and are practical as they help maintain a warm temperature inside. This type of installation is extremely simple and quick. Just attach the panel to the bath and wall or, in the case of a freestanding bath, to the frame using special clips. First, the frame should be fixed to the bottom of the bath, and then the feet. It is crucial that the sanitary device is well-leveled. The next step is to install the brackets that will make the bath adhere to the walls. Only then should we deal with the installation of the drain-overflow system. Once the bath is standing stably, the enclosure can be mounted by screwing the fixing brackets into the factory-prepared sockets. The top edge of the enclosure should be inserted into the brackets. To have easy access to the space under the bath, its lower part should be mounted on appropriate velcro fasteners. When deciding on an enclosure, it is worth planning a recess for feet so that it is easy to lean over the bath, and an inspection opening for access to the plumbing installation.
Non-standard bath enclosure
Ready-made bath enclosures do not always fit the desired interior arrangement. For this reason, many people give up on standard options and decide to make one themselves or hire the right specialist. Designers come up with increasingly interesting ideas that give the bath a unique look while perfectly matching the rest of the bathroom decor. One of them is a sophisticated enclosure shape that can extend beyond the bath's outline, creating functional shelves and niches or simply additional decorative elements. Currently, foot niches are the most popular, which can be enhanced with LED lighting, as well as inspection openings that provide access to the faucet, siphon, and hydro-massage devices. It can be done in several ways. However, the most common method is to cover the inspection hole with a tile and grout it with silicone or mount it with magnets. More experienced specialists can use cabinet hinges and create a tile that opens like a door. Another practical solution in bath enclosures is to ventilate the space under the bath, especially if you have a model with hydro-massage. This way, we maintain better hygiene of the sanitary device.
What material to use for a bath enclosure
There is no definitive answer to what material is best for a bath enclosure. Not only the shape of the bath matters, but also its installation location. In small bathrooms with rectangular baths, wall-to-wall drywall enclosures are most commonly used. However, this is not the most functional solution for this type of construction, as the material is not fully resistant to water effect. Cellular concrete proves to be much better, as even the most complex enclosures can be made from it, and it does not lose its properties during prolonged exposure to moisture - this material not only features lightness and smooth surface but also easy handling. Due to the possibility of cutting blocks appropriately, they can be adapted to practically any shape. Adhesive mortar is used to install this material. It is necessary to remember to protect the enclosure wall with under-tile waterproofing. With monolithic or divided polystyrene supports, not only can the bath be supported instead of relying on feet, but also an enclosure can be created to which tiles are directly glued. When using this solution, one should match the construction element to the appropriate bath model or select a universal enclosure that can be tailored to their needs. Installation is done using mounting foam, which allows for the disassembly of the enclosure at any time.