Wooden side panel for bath tub

tallac

I have a bath tub that is installed between two walls so just the long side is exposed. However, it doesn't fit exactly between the two walls and thus there is a little bit of exposed end on one side. This picture shows better than I can describe:


I'd like to get a nice coloured wooden bath panel (e.g. https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/wooden-bath-panels-19598-0000) but they only come in the sizes to cover the standard bath tub sides and ends. The bath tub is 1700mm long x 700mm wide. Is there a website where I can order side panels for exactly the size I want along with the exact size for the small horizontal piece? Or is it a case of me ordering a side panel for 1800mm and an end panel for 800mm and then cutting what I need from that?

I'm not sure exactly what the gap is on the end of the tub to the wall, but I think it's around 8 to 10cm.

Any suggestions?

ccluedo

Had similar issue in a previous house and tiled it instead of a panel.

grumbler

Horizontal piece is definitely worth tiling. The vertical bit can be tiled too.

EssexExile

I made my own out of T&G timber on a frame then lots of varnish.

Jeepers_Creepers

Your options would appear to be to either tile that 'return' until you get to the bath end (ie fit additional timbers running vertically down that gap, and tile on to them to match the wall) and then fit a 1700mm panel which won't require cutting, or else buy an 1800mm panel and cut it to fit.

For the latter option, you need to work out what you'll then cover that exposed end of the timber battens with. I presume the top area will be tiled? In which case that end batten probably will be too? In which which case why not tile all the way down that gap and then go for the sensible option of a 1700mm panel straight on?

If you instead decide to go 1800mm panel cut to size, then you may need to choose a design of panel that won't need too much 'customising'. For example, some of these 'wooden' panel designs have 2 or 3 framed sections, and also a 'frame' all the way around. If you then cut 30mm off one end to make it fit (the battens look to be around 70mm thick), then the frame at that end will look literally half-cut. To make that panel look a neat custom fit would require the 'frame' at that end to be removed, the 30-odd mm cut off, and then that removed frame refitted - doable, but a giant pain. You might therefore find a V-grooved 'slatted' design easier to work with as you should be able to trim that without affecting its appearance.

If the top area is going to be 'wall' tiled, then I think I'd do the same all the way down to cover that gap, and then fit a 1700mm panel to match the bath.

neilmcl

EssexExile said:

I made my own out of T&G timber on a frame then lots of varnish.

Same here, T&G and painted, almost has a seaside, nautical feel to it.

Slinky

neilmcl said:

EssexExile said:

I made my own out of T&G timber on a frame then lots of varnish.

Same here, T&G and painted, almost has a seaside, nautical feel to it.

We had a carpenter do a T&G one for us, got him to make a hinged door with a piece of piano hinge which meant we had a bit of storage under the end of the bath,

Definitely have the horizontal bit tiled, it would look very odd with wooden panelling IMO

Hasbeen

OP: Had the same. Built it up flush and glossed white to suite bath and panel cover.

Could have also went for thin white PVC strips cut to suit. Handy for shampoo bottles etc.

Rosa_Damascena

Slinky said:

neilmcl said:

EssexExile said:

I made my own out of T&G timber on a frame then lots of varnish.

Same here, T&G and painted, almost has a seaside, nautical feel to it.

We had a carpenter do a T&G one for us, got him to make a hinged door with a piece of piano hinge which meant we had a bit of storage under the end of the bath,

Definitely have the horizontal bit tiled, it would look very odd with wooden panelling IMO

And its going to get wet frequently, wood is no good for this purpose.

Tippytoes

Rosa_Damascena said:

Slinky said:

neilmcl said:

EssexExile said:

I made my own out of T&G timber on a frame then lots of varnish.

Same here, T&G and painted, almost has a seaside, nautical feel to it.

We had a carpenter do a T&G one for us, got him to make a hinged door with a piece of piano hinge which meant we had a bit of storage under the end of the bath,

Definitely have the horizontal bit tiled, it would look very odd with wooden panelling IMO

And its going to get wet frequently, wood is no good for this purpose.

We bought "plastic" t&g, placed vertically, and made our own panel.  Has lasted decades.

tallac

Rosa_Damascena said:
And its going to get wet frequently, wood is no good for this purpose.

I don't think it's just normal wood, it's specifically designed for bath tub side panel (e.g. https://www.drench.co.uk/p/harbour-bardolino-driftwood-oak-bath-end-panel-800).
Okay, I'll see if I can get the horizontal bit and the equivalent vertical bit done in tile. And then I can just get a standard 1700mm side panel. Thanks for the help everyone