bath screen

[johnnyhamster]

Hi
I'm stripping my bathroom and pulling the tiles off the wall where I intend hanging a bath screen. It's a hundred year old terrace and the wall is a sturdy 3 x 2 partition wall with lath and plaster which I'm going to pull off.
Having ordered a hinged bath screen on-line however, I've now realised it weighs in at a mighty 36kg.

Q1; Does the wall take the entire weight of the screen, or is some supported by the rim of the bath ( see link for picture of the screen )

http://snipurl.com/43mm8

Q2: I intend to fix some extra 2x4 into the wall to screw into, but would it be better to use heavy plywood instead of plasterboard in order to spread the weight?

Does anyone have experience fitting a heavy (8mm thick) bath screen like this ?

 

[Blasphemous]

Yes the bath side takes some of the weight. That panel also has a narrow panel that is fixed to the wall and then sits on the bath side (as can be seen in the picture). Its still a canny old weight though. I'd want to get any fixings deep into the Stud. If you think you might miss the stud then insert another one while everything is stripped out and give that a good fixing to the other uprights/noggins. For added security you could use Marine Ply to fix to. In fact, it may be easier especially if you can get to it from the 'other side'. That way you could drill through and bolt the screen to the wall. Its difficult to give an accurate answer as i don't know your skill set and/or know/see the job.

 

[johnnyhamster]

Thanks for the reply. Since the ceiling's probably coming out as well, I may be able to add an extra upright and secure it to a ceiling joist.
Can I tile straight onto marine ply?

 

[Blasphemous]

Yeah you can johnny but you'll need a fix/adhesive for wood/timber/ply though. Bal are about the best. Get yourself down to a reputable tiling place near you and ask for an adhesive for tiling to timber/ply. The guys in the specialist shops are usually pretty helpful. You may get some down the sheds but make sure you definitely get adhesive for tiling to wood/timber/ply otherwise you'll regret it big time!

I'm off to bed now but I'll try and login tomorrow.

EDIT: By the way Johnny, if you're going to use Ply make sure you definitely use MARINE PLY. Its quite a bit more expensive than Normal Ply but Normal Ply will absorb any moisture in the bathroom and warp. Then the tiles will start dropping. Nightmare!

 

[foxhole]

Use aqua panel behind shower as it is designed for that purpose, cheaper than ply and will not move like ply can.

 

[Symptoms]

johnny - I agree with fox, use AquaPanel (it's a cement based board so won't rot) - a must for your type of situation. Also you have to use the correct fixings for the panel, not ordinary nails or screws as these may corrode and fail. This tackle is available in Wickes and others. Check online for a Wickes data sheet (Good Idea Sheet 54) for the panel & how to fix it.

 

[johnnyhamster]

Hmm - i've got a 8 x 4 sheet of marine ply coming tomorrow morning now. I'm having a venturi shower mixer fitted so there won't be particularly high pressure water flying about.
Received said screen this morning, pretty sturdy to say the least - held to the wall with just 4 x 1.5" size 8 screws according to the fitting instructions. I figured marine ply would be a sound base for screws - I intend using more than four and somewhat sturdier screws than that though. Would those coated screws used for decking be any good for this, i've got a tub full in the shed.

Interesting the different responses I've had from various trade folk. including "save youself a couple of hundred and just skim over the existing tiles" ( I actually pulled off most of the old tiles and plaster by getting my hand behind it).

There's a good tile place half a mile down the road so I'll ask their advice tomorrow too.

Another question - should I tile up to the bath screen, or tile behind where it attaches to the wall?

 

[Rico99]

That should be in the mIs that came with screen.

Rico

 

[Symptoms]

johnny - tile the wall first then fit the screen. Apply silicone behind the screen frame before you fix to wall ('dry' fix without silicone first to make sure screw hole line up), fix to wall. Doing it this way avoids you having to apply a silicon bead on the surface which can often appear messy. If the screen frame is white use white silicone, otherwise use clear.

 

[Blasphemous]

Yeah Aquapanel is great stuff and if he doesn't want to tile etc it is a good alternative BUT have you read the first post? He states that the Shower Panel is 36kg which is a hell of a weight. I wouldn't recommend hanging 36kg on Aquapanel!

As I pointed out, it may be fine to mount as long as he hits the studs but if that's not guaranteed then he needed to insert extra studs/noggins. He asked the question of whether 'heavy plywood' instead of plasterboard, would be better to spread the weight. I told him that Marine Ply was the ONLY Ply that should be used in his situation due to moisture levels.

Obviously Marine Ply will still need to be covered/tiled and Aquapanel can be used for that purpose but as I have said, I would be reluctant to mount a 36kg weight onto just an Aquapanel whether the bath takes some of that load or not as there could be a situation where the shower panel is fully opened and thus only having its anchor points to support it.

 

[johnnyhamster]

Managed to fix another upright 3 x 2 into the wall, I've got six uprights in all to screw into. The whole lot seems pretty sturdy now - I'll still double up on the paltry four screws they recommend for fixing though.
Suppose it's not a lot different from a hardwood door weight-wise.