HOW TO FIT A BATH SHOWER SCREEN
Expert Guide
Bath screens are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, as well as hinged and folding designs. Designed for use with straight baths, they prevent the water from splashing onto the bathroom floor when taking a shower. They also provide an alternative to shower curtains, which can look dated, and are considered to be unhygienic compared to bath screens. In this step-by-step guide we explain how to fit a bath shower screen.
FITTING A BATH SHOWER SCREEN
Tools required:
- Electric drill
- Hammer
- Masking tape
- Pencil
- Sealant gun
- Spirit level
- Screwdrivers
- Tape measure
1. Check for pipework
Turn off the water at the mains before starting any DIY work in the bathroom. Check to see if the wall you are fitting the bath screen to is solid or plasterboard. Use a multi-purpose detector to find out if there’s any pipes near to where you will be drilling.
2. Position the u-channel
Take the bath screen u-channel and position it against the wall at a depth of 40mm from the edge of the bath. You may need to cut away any beading or silicone to ensure the u-channel sits flush with the bath. Use a spirit level to check it’s level.
3. Mark the position of the screw holes
Mark the position of the screw holes once the u-channel is level.
4. Drill the holes
Drill the holes into the tiles where you’ve made the marks, and then insert plugs. To prevent the drill from slipping when drilling use masking tape to cover the marks.
5. Hold the u-channel in place with sealant
Place a strip of silicone sealant along the back of the u-channel and hold in position.
6. Secure the u-channel with screws
The u-channel can now be secured with screws and fixings, and the bottom of the channel can then be sealed to the bath with sealant.
7. Insert the bath screen into the u-channel
Place the rubber seal along the bottom of the glass screen and insert the screen into the u-channel.
8. Secure the bath screen
Position the glass shower screen so it rests on the bath. Drill pilot holes into the frame using the guide holes in the u-channel. Secure the screen in place using screws and then fit the cover caps to finish it off. To ensure the seal at the bottom of the screen lightly brushes the edge of the bath, simply adjust the top and bottom screws.
9. Seal the outer edges of the bath screen
Use silicone sealant to seal the outer edges of the bath screen around the base of the wall channel where it meets the bath and about 50mm up the wall channel where it meets the wall.