Fitting glass shower screen to a stud wall

WLM21

We are in the process of having a new bathroom suite fitted, tiling etc.

We used to have a wall mounted shower curtain track, which suited me just fine. Now my wife wants a glass screen.

The trouble is, the wall is a stud wall and there is no timber where the screen mounting bracket would need to go. The screen will be heavy, as she'll want glass rather than a Perspex type screen. Will a stud wall be able to support the screen.

Looking at youtube, it seems the shower bracket has only 3 screws in the whole length, probably about 1400mm in length.

Thanks

HappyMJ

They are heavy but not too heavy for a few well placed screws.

Avoriaz

HappyMJ wrote: »

They are heavy but not too heavy for a few well placed screws.

You are probably correct but I prefer to "over engineer" such things. The minor hassle of adding extra strength is nothing compared to the damage that might happen if the door collapses.

WLM, presumably the shower door is being attached to tiles on top of the stud wall. 3 screws with the correct type of wall plug may be sufficient but is there any reason why you cannot add a few more?

Presumably the bracket comes with 3 pre-drilled holes. You can probably easily drill a few more.

Another option would be to attach a batten securely to the wall and attach the shower bracket to that. A PVC or other plastic batten would be ideal if you can get hold of a suitably sized section. Wood would require careful priming and painting etc. Make sure that adding a batten does not adversely affect the fit or the use of the door.

phill99

I always use the Rawlplug 'Uno' plugs. Mainly the brown ones. They are a really good plug. Add 2 or 3 more holes to the aluminium carrier and use galvanised or stainless steel screws. I've fitted a few to stud walls and have had no comebacks yet.

southcoastrgi

The shower sits on the edge of the bath so all the downwards weight is taken by the bath, three fixings should be enough, run a bead of silicon along the channel before you screw it to the wall, this will stick it to the tiles & don't use it or move it for 24hrs & it should be fine, your bathroom fitter should be advising on this

Avoriaz

southcoastrgi wrote: »

The shower sits on the edge of the bath so all the downwards weight is taken by the bath, three fixings should be enough, run a bead of silicon along the channel before you screw it to the wall, this will stick it to the tiles & don't use it or move it for 24hrs & it should be fine, your bathroom fitter should be advising on this

I interpreted it as a glass screen that hinges so it can be moved for ease of access, cleaning etc and won't always be supported by the bath.

Regardless, as the manufacturer must expect many installations to be on a stud wall, presumably they have calculated the required number of support points.

Personally I would still add some more as I prefer to over engineer and err well on the side of caution. It won't take more than a few minutes to add a few extra screws.

southcoastrgi

wether it moves or not or wether it is in one piece or several folding pieces the channel that fixes to the wall will sit on the top of the bath & then in turn the moveable bits will fix to this channel so the weight is taken by the bath

Avoriaz

southcoastrgi wrote: »

wether it moves or not or wether it is in one piece or several folding pieces the channel that fixes to the wall will sit on the top of the bath & then in turn the moveable bits will fix to this channel so the weight is taken by the bath

I take your point but there will still be a shear force (maybe the wrong term) perpendicular to the wall when the shower door is hanging freely, especially if it is roughly handled or has a young child swinging on it.

Personally I would over engineer with extra screws but I think the OP now has sufficient information to make an informed decision for himself or herself.

Kiran

Hollow wall fixings (the ones which look like a grappling hook when they open up) will take 35kg/fixing (manufacturer dependant) They'll hold it fine.