Long bath panel ? Or something else ?

[didireallysaythat]

We're boxing in a bath so the boxing will be about 2.4m. We'll tile around the bath but not sure about tiling the side - plus we'll want to retain access to taps from beneath.

Does anyone sell mega long bath panels ? I've found 1700mm with inset panels you can remove for access but nothing long enough.

We could just hardboard it and paint to match the walls I guess. Or tile it. But we're using off white porcelain tiles which are heavy...

What do you do instead of a plastic panel (which I really don't want to be honest..)

you could use marine ply, and paint it.
Or, create 2 shallow storage shelves, that are moveable for access.
Or, use T&G.
Or, safety glass mirror panels.
Or use faux tile panes like mermaid boards etc

Ply.

It is absolutely essential that the panel can easily be lifted away after undoing a few screws, without disrupting tiles, cutting sealant, or damaging decoration.

No need for marine ply, WBP is fine.

We used IKEA kitchen cabinet doors - the 50cm-wide ones I think. It looks great.

Primal that's a smart idea. I guess you had several in a row but hinged some/all of them for access ?

I'm coming around to ply - just need to see what size the merchants has I guess.

Thank you all

2400x1200mm and 18mm thick (or 15mm if you see it)

but 2400x600mm will suit you better if you can find it. It is sometimes sold as flooring ply and has quite a rough surface as intended to be covered.

DIY sheds will charge more and should cut to size.

We have a short bath (160), so have 2 panels at 50 x 70 and the other 10cm is where it meets the loo cabinet thingy. We have screws with a chrome cover holding it on.

My maths is rubbish - 20cm for the toilet cabinet.

The idea came from here:

www.ikeafans.com/forums/bathroom/38795-bathroom-remodel-completed-adel-birch-cabinets.html

Primal thanks for the info.

Alas we need span 2.5m so I think the IKEA idea may be expensive. And the ply strategy requires more than 2.4m ideally but I suspect that's probably impossible. We might be able to work around this though.

We boxed in and then used tongue and groove. It was a bit of a fag to remove for access but not the end of the world, especially if you use floorboards rather than cladding (sturdier and puts up with screws better). Or use cladding but make a door in it for access/storing plungers etc

Alas we need span 2.5m so I think the IKEA idea may be expensive.

They used to do a 125 door I think. Try the bargain corner

We boxed in and then used tongue and groove.

We have done this in the past too.

I don't know about Ikea in particular, but kitchen unit doors are usually available in widths of 300, 400, 500 and 600mm

(they are about 3mm less than nominal width to allow space for opening)

so if you decided on a frame to fix doors to, you have quite a variety to choose from

As for ply coming in max length of 2400mm, there is no need to make the panel out of a single piece. It would actually I think be more convenient to have 1m piece at the tap end so you could get your head and shoulders in to work on the plumbing. A 2400mm piece of ply is very heavy.

I do like the idea of removable hatches or doors so you can store stuff there. My bath has the cans of matching bathroom paint and spare tiles under it. Some people keep the spare loo rolls there.