Creating a custom bath panel - how to secure it in place?

[CC07 PEU]

I want to create a custom bath panel for my newly installed bath. So far the plan is as follows:

- Create the timber frame underneath the bath at the side where the panel will go.
- Create the panel with 12mm cement backer board. It's rigid, resistant to water, and tile adhesive sticks to it easily. Affix the tiles to the cement backer board and grout.

The only question I have is: how can I secure the bath panel in place without having to drill and screw it to the timber frame? The screws will look ugly. Keep in mind that I want to be able to remove the panel easily should any leaks develop/any plumbing work need doing.

I was thinking about using magnets but I'm not sure where to get them, how strong they'd be, and how much they'd cost.

Anybody done this type of job before who has some clever ideas for securing the panel in place?

[hedgefinder]

a couple of mirror screws with chrome covers are usually used, or white cver caps , one at either end of the bath, but there are many different sprung clips that could potentially be used to hide all fixings if required.

[fuzzypicture]

I have done similar using rare earth magnets

http://www.first4magnets.com/rectangular-magnets-c...

Be careful how many you use if you go this route, you may find you need a tile lifter to pull the panel away.

[x 7usc]

Timber frame as proposed then make two slits in the tile backer board mid way up in line with the bath legs and poke these through so the back is on the tile side and the hoop is bath side (you won't need the hinged bit)


Then from the eyes to the bath legs secure with these


If you get the length right they will hold the panel in place but allow you to pull the top away enough to slide your arm in and unhook them, you can silicone round the panel for neatness as you will probably never need to get behind but if you do you can simply run a knife round the panel.

[Griff Boy]

Keku clips?

[HootersGsy]

The last bath panel I made was simply held in by friction and a little lip that hooked just up under the roll of the bath to stop it falling forward.

Unintentional design mind you, started off meaning to screw it to the frame but as it didn't move when put in place it has stayed that way.

[Gingerbread Man]

Often designed as a 70/30 split. 70% rigid, fixed. 30% removable. Cut board, tile as normal, silicone the join line, grout the rest. If you ever need to remove, you cut the silicone.

[wolfracesonic]

If you can fit the top of the panel in between the timber frame and the lip of the bath that hangs down, I think it should hold itself in place, 12mm cement board covered in tiles is going to be pretty heavy. Failing that I'd use mirror screws as previously suggested, though the bungee cord and hasp and staple option looks interesting!

[Renovation]

I tried using sticky backed Velcro and it would have worked but the bath was warped so to force the ply to the same shape I just used 3 screws - un-noticeable with my tiles.

[twin40s]

When I built something similar a while ago I got some small disc shaped magnets from ebay.

I used a router to make recesses for them and glued them in pairs to the wooden frame and the panel.

They hold the panel in place fine (if anything they're too strong its a pain to get the panel off)

[Little Lofty]

Some bath panels now come with Velcro and it works ok for light weight panels, tiles may be a different matter. I'd probably try something like these if you want hidden fixings, but would use plywood backing as screws won't get a good hold to 12mm cement board.Its very rare that you need access to bath plumbing so you could just seal it in and keep spare tiles should it need removed.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hardware/Kitchen+H...

[Fishtigua]

Velco.

A couple of quid and some stainless staples in the staple gun.

Simple and it works.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/niceeshop-Utility-Double-s...

[CC07 PEU]

Ok, there's a few good ideas here. I think I'll go with the easiest option of velcro but design the panel with a little lip at the top so that it slots underneath the bath and then silicone it all in. I'll need to be mindful of weight though as the 12mm board with adhesive, tiles, and grout could get quite heavy.

[Renovation]

Bear in mind the velcro isn't holding it up - just stopping it falling forward.

I found 6 No. 2" x 4" strips was more than enough - in fact it was quite hard to pull open.

[megaphone]

Gingerbread Man said:

Often designed as a 70/30 split. 70% rigid, fixed. 30% removable. Cut board, tile as normal, silicone the join line, grout the rest. If you ever need to remove, you cut the silicone.

This is how I did mine. The lager panel was screwed to the frame, then tiled afterwards, the smaller access panel is siliconed in, I've had to remove it once in 12 years.