Fix up an Old Bath Panel on a Budget, by if i can you can on YouTube. 27 min 59 s.
- Video length
- 27 min 59 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Take off the old bath panel and clear the space under the bath. Check the bath rim and the floor line are sound before you measure.
Measure the length and height of the opening at several points. Bath rims and floors are rarely square, so note the smallest height and use that.
Cut timber battens to run along the floor and along the bath rim. Fix them with screws into solid wood or wall plugs, not just plasterboard.
Add vertical battens at both ends and one in the middle. Check each with a spirit level so the panel face will sit flat.
Cut the tongue-and-groove boards to length with a hand saw or mitre saw. Test-fit the first board against the frame before fixing anything.
Fix the boards to the battens with wood glue and screws, working from one end. Slot each tongue into the groove of the board before it.
Check the panel sits flush with the bath edge and the floor. Trim the last board if needed so it fits the gap without forcing.
Run a bead of sealant along the top edge where the panel meets the bath. Wipe it smooth with a damp finger before it skins over.
Prime and paint the cladding if you want a painted finish. Let each coat dry fully before adding the next.
Tips and common mistakes
Measure the opening in several places because bath rims and floors are often out of level.
Use screws long enough to grip the battens but short enough not to pierce the bath or pipes behind.
Leave the boards a couple of millimetres off the floor so they do not soak up splashes.
Seal the top edge properly or water will run behind the panel and rot the frame.
Questions
Can I fit a wooden bath panel over the old plastic one?
No, remove the old panel first. The new frame needs to fix to the bath rim and floor, and the old panel would get in the way.
Do I need to seal the bottom of the panel?
A bead of sealant along the floor line helps keep splashes out. Leave a small gap so the wood can move slightly.
What boards should I use?
Tongue-and-groove cladding works well because the boards lock together. Choose a moisture-resistant or primed type for a bathroom.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
