Bath panels

IvanDobskey · 28 May 2018 at 15:44

Ok, so I need to replace the rubbish flimsy panels that came with my bath when I had it fitted a couple of years ago.

Any suggestions or recommendations what to buy? Want something white and pretty solid. Bath is 1700 X 700.

Downsy · 28 May 2018 at 18:50

made one myself out of MDF, fitted some hinges to the bottom and now I have loads of out of the way storage space for cleaning products.

IvanDobskey · 28 May 2018 at 19:17

I did wonder about making my own. Such is the poor quality of so many products these days.

Pho · 28 May 2018 at 19:24

I need to do the same and was also thinking about making my own. Lots of the commercial ones I found via Google seemed to say they were poor quality or warped etc.

Presumably ply would be better than MDF so it doesn't get wet and swell up?

I was thinking of doing the hinge thing like @Downsy mentioned, something like this.. I think!-

IvanDobskey · 29 May 2018 at 09:28

I'm certainly leaning towards making my own at the moment. Looks pretty simple to do. Put some wooden framework under the bath, put some plywood on, then tiles.

bloodiedathame · 29 May 2018 at 09:46

Don't forget to go marine ply rather than ordinary.

IvanDobskey · 29 May 2018 at 10:44

Just thinking, I have pipes to contend with, including the toilet waste pipe, so tiles may be very awkward to cut. So I'm leaning towards some cladding.

R3X · 29 May 2018 at 12:13

I would 100% avoid the cheapo bathroom panels from B&Q, I bought 2 of them roughly 30-40 quid each, only used one panel luckerly for both top and side but even after 2 years its warped already.

Have been placing silicon and making it water tight also but its no good and not helped, will need replacing when it gets worse looking in a few years for sure.

Marine ply sounds the business

IvanDobskey · 29 May 2018 at 13:29

Just about all bath panels I have looked at look poorly made cheap junk. Flimsy and wobbly. The ones I bought with the bath are laughably bad, especially after cutting the bits out for the pipes.

I'm pretty certain I'll be making my own. Easy enough to build a wooden frame under the bath and then fit whatever you like to it.

Reckon I will design it to be removable in case a plumber needs access.

DXP55 · 29 May 2018 at 14:48

I held mine on with magnetic clips

Downsy · 29 May 2018 at 17:23

Yes, did something similar to the picture but just screwed the hinges to the floor so the whole thing opens. The MDF has bowed a little but not excessively, may put a length of wood behind to support and straighten it.

BigBoy · 29 May 2018 at 20:58

I have just fitted a new bathroom suite and have used acrylic pressed MDF bath panels, they are water resistant and sealed, fitted them using button clips so no visible screw heads.

Picked the panels up from eBay cost around £60 for 1700x700