6 Steps to Install a Shower Cubicle Yourself

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Klassisches Bad, Angelika Wenicker - Vollbad Angelika Wenicker - Vollbad Bathroom design ideas
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Are you remodelling your bathroom and are in two minds on whether or not to invest in that shower cubicle you had been dreaming about? And is this because you are afraid that you might not be able to install it on your own? Well worry not. This article will hold your hands and take you through the entire DIY shower cubicle installation project, and the end results will make you give a pat on your own back. A shower cubicle, without an iota of doubt, is an essential feature of any modern bathroom and this article intends to help you bring in one without any external help. So, without any further delay, read on and know how you can do it on your own.

Measure and check first

The first step before installing a shower cubicle on your own is to measure the shower tray, and check whether it would fit in the area you have decided upon. You would obviously have given careful thought to the material and the type of shower enclosure, but it is always better to double check. Now is also the time to check if you have all the tools necessary for putting together your shower enclosure. Some important tools that you will need to keep handy are, silicone sealant, drill, spirit level, screw driver, sealant gun and wall plugs and screws.

Install the wall mount and the shower enclosure

Once you have all the tools ready for your DIY shower cubicle project, it is time now for the actual work. Unpack your shower cubicle inside your bathroom and assemble the cubicle appropriately. Do not make the mistake of assembling it outside the bathroom and then bringing it inside, as this might damage the enclosure. Once you have assembled the shower enclosure according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it is time now to install the shower tray. This is one of the most important steps of your DIY shower enclosure project, and needs careful handling. Make use of that spirit level and take care that the shower tray is perfectly level. An unlevelled shower tray will cause problems later on, so it is better to take time and execute this first step perfectly. Once your shower enclosure is fixed and dry, you can install the wall mounts. This super stylish enclosure is by Carmenta Wellness, designers of pools and spas in London.

Install the bath screens

Once the wall mount and the shower enclosure is assembled and installed, you can move ahead to installing the bath screens. You can choose from hinged bath screen, static bath screen or even foldable bath screen.  After ensuring that the flap is towards the inside of the screen, fit the seal provided with the screen to the bottom of the screen. Now drill three equidistant holes in the wall channel, and bring the bath screen into position. Next, bring the wall channel into position and drill holes for wall screws.  Make use of the silicone sealant at the back of your wall channel. Using screws screw this to the walls. It is time now to insert the bath screen into the wall channel. Seal the outside edges of the bath screen using silicone sealant.

Check the position of the bath screen

Once the bath screen has been installed, carefully check if the position is apt. The screws shouldn’t be too tight and obviously not loose. Or leaks may occur. Also make sure that the seal at the screen bottom should gently brush the bath’s edge along its length.

Install the door of the shower cubicle

For all those of you who would prefer a sturdy shower door to a shower curtain in their shower cubicle, next in line is the installation of the door for the shower cubicle. This point will help you install a sliding shower door with minimum effort. The first step while installing a shower door is to measure the width of the shower cubicle while opening, and then cut off the top and bottom portion of the tracks so that they are slightly shorter than the width of the opening. Now smoothen off any rough edges using a fine file. Next, install the bottom track carefully on the top of the shower tray where you have the opening. Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and place the correct side of the track inside.

Once the bottom track is in place, you can move on to installing the wall jambs one by one after which you can install the top tracks over the wall jambs you had just finished installing. Now it’s time to install rollers for your sliding door. You would need to place the rollers on both panels of the door and then fix it by using machine screws and lock washers. And now is the grand finale of your DIY project – time to install the door panels. This article recommends installing the door panel from outside. First install the inside panel and then the outside panel.

Seal up

Your shower cubicle is almost ready. All you need to do is to seal the shower cubicle with the wall from the outside. You also need to check if the shower tray is fixed to the floor with a silicone sealant. Remember to never seal your shower enclosure from the inside though. Once you have done all the above, your shower cubicle is ready to use.

A major tip to remember when installing your shower cubicle is – always do the drilling before using any silicone. Also check for wires and cables under the floor before going for any drilling work there. Another important tip is to prevent the cracking of tiles during drilling, by putting some masking tape on the spot where the drilling is to be done.

Finally, installing a shower cubicle on your own is no rocket science. And with the market offering multiple types of shower enclosures which are easy to assemble, the task has been made even simpler. Armed with a shower cubicle of your choice and with the correct set of tools, you can also transform your bathroom without spending a bomb. All you need to do is follow the above tips and you will have your shower cubicle ready in practically half a day. Here’s another DIY project that might interest you - All you need to know about installing a false ceiling.

Which idea from here inspired you the most? Let us know in the comments!

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