When installing the bathtub close to the wall, a small gap will inevitably form. You can quickly and reliably close it with a plastic or ceramic corner (border). This will help prevent water from entering the floor, high humidity in the room and the formation of mold. This is a relatively inexpensive way to solve the problem, since it is not difficult to install a corner on the bathtub without the help of specialists. A well-chosen decorative border will serve as a stylish addition to the interior.
The range of bath corners on the modern construction market is impressive. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the features of wall decoration and the style of the interior. By material, the following types of bathroom borders are distinguished:
- plastic;
- acrylic;
- polyethylene;
- ceramic.
Curbs protect against leaks
Plastic and acrylic corners
Rigid and expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products are easy to install and practical. Thanks to the flexible rubberized edge, plastic bath curbs adhere tightly to surfaces and reliably seal the gaps. The plastic is water-repellent and resistant to acid and alkaline cleaning agents.
PVC corners fit both cast iron and steel bathrooms. With acrylic plumbing, curbs from the same material look most successful. Acrylic skirting boards can also be installed on other types of bathtubs. When choosing a color, you should give preference to a border to match the bath or wall decoration.
The disadvantages of plastic products include the fact that over time, their surface loses its original appearance - it is covered with scratches and may turn yellow. However, such corners are inexpensive. If necessary, they can be easily dismantled and replaced with new ones. With proper care, plastic and acrylic skirting boards can last up to 5 years.
By the method of fastening, you can choose:
- corners for installation on sealant and glue;
- self-adhesive skirting tapes.
Plastic self-adhesive bathroom border
According to the configuration, several types of plastic skirting boards are distinguished:
- cast moldings;
- swallow designs;
- integral corners.
PVC corner molding
Plastic plinth "swallow"
Split corner for bathroom
All of the listed types of corners are suitable for mounting on tiles or other wall finishes. For installation under the tiles, it is advisable to choose a plastic PVC bath border with a perforated inner part. This will ensure reliable adhesion of materials during subsequent wall cladding.
Ceramic bath skirting boards
The main advantages of corners made of glossy and matt ceramics are durability, as well as an attractive and varied design. Thanks to the protective coating, they are resistant to humid environments and do not absorb dirt. However, the material is rather fragile, therefore, when installing and using ceramic skirting boards, you need to protect them from impacts.
Ceramic curbs are harmoniously combined with tiles. They are universally suitable for all types of baths. On request, you can choose between ordinary or decorative ceramic corners. Depending on the configuration of the bath, kits can be purchased with left-side and right-side cuts, or with a rounded corner insert.
Ceramic skirting board with corner insert
Corner cut ceramic curb
According to the shape, the following types of ceramic borders are distinguished:
- angular;
- "pencil";
- frieze.
The corner skirting board is flat on the outside. "Pencil" - rounded. A frieze is a narrow curb tile - flat, convex, concave, with a smooth or embossed surface.
Decorative tile skirting board
Installation of plastic and ceramic borders
Before installing the plinth on the bathtub, so that water does not flow, you should take careful measurements and prepare the materials. You also need to select suitable sealing and adhesives.
Required tools and materials
To install plastic and acrylic skirting boards for the bathroom, you will need:
- tape measure or measuring tape;
- miter box for oblique cuts;
- rubber or plastic spatula;
- masking tape;
- construction knife;
- acetone or solvent;
- sanitary or aquarium sealant;
- waterproof glue or "liquid nails";
- construction gun.
Miter box for corner cuts
Construction gun for silicone
When installing ceramic corners, tiled glue is used instead of waterproof glue. To make cuts, a grinder with a diamond disc is used. The best choice for white skirting boards is glue and sealant of the same color. Transparent compounds are suitable for attaching colored ceramic and plastic bathroom corners to tiles.
Sequence of work with PVC corners + video
Installation of plastic curbs is performed in several stages:
- Measure the length and width of the bath. On the plinth profile, markings are made and with a construction knife they cut it into parts of the required dimensions. In places of angular joining with a miter box, the curbs are cut at an angle of 45 °. You can also use special corner inserts.
- The bath rim and the tile adjacent to the gap are cleaned of contamination and degreased with acetone or solvent. Dry the surface with an ordinary hair dryer.
- Before gluing the plastic corner in the bathroom, cover the edges of the gap with masking tape. This will help to apply the silicone sealant and adhesive as carefully as possible and prevent them from getting on the surface.
Surface preparation for work
- The gap along the length and width of the bath is filled with silicone using a construction gun. This must be done carefully, avoiding the formation of sags and voids. The composition is leveled with a spatula and left to harden. You can continue working in 24 hours.
Application of silicone sealant
- After the silicone has hardened, remove the excess with a construction knife. A layer of waterproof glue is applied to the area of the gap and the surface of the corner. Lay the curb and press it tightly. The sides are closed with plugs.
- Before installing the "swallow" corners and molding, it is necessary to check the accuracy of their joining in the corners. It is better to start gluing from these areas. Installation of split skirting boards begins with fixing the lower part. The top is attached only after drying.
- At the end of the work, the masking tape is removed. If necessary, the excess glue and silicone are carefully removed using a construction knife.
Bathtub with PVC corner
With small gaps (up to 1.5 cm), you can do without glue and attach the skirting board directly to the silicone. They will help you figure out how to apply the sealant correctly, and how to glue the corner on the bathtub correctly, video with expert advice.
Video: Sealant Application Technique
Video: how to glue the border on the bath
Features of fastening self-adhesive tape
One side of the polyethylene curb tape is covered with butyl adhesive, so no liquid nails are needed to fix it.
- After cleaning, degreasing and drying the bath and wall surfaces, the gap between them is filled with silicone. After waiting a day for the sealant to harden, you can start attaching the corner.
- The sides of the bathtub adjacent to the wall are measured in length. Elements of the desired size are cut from a roll of self-adhesive tape with a margin of 1-2 cm.To do this, you will need scissors or a construction knife. In places of corner joints, oblique cuts (45 °) are made.
- Fastening the curb start from the corner of the bath. The protective film is gradually removed from the prepared parts of the tape, they are placed in the gap and pressed tightly against the side of the bath and the wall for 15-20 seconds.
This stage of work is best done together. It is convenient to use a soft cloth to smooth out irregularities. In places of insufficient adhesion, you can additionally fix the corner with a sealant.
Fastening a self-adhesive border
Stages of installing ceramic skirting boards
Working with ceramics borders is rather difficult, so it is better to entrust it to professionals. However, having experience in laying tiles, the installation of the corner on the bathtub can be done independently.
The fixing of the ceramic plinth is performed in the following sequence:
- The cleaned and degreased boundaries of the gap between the bathroom and the wall are thoroughly dried with a hairdryer and pasted over with masking tape.
- A bottle of silicone sealant is placed in a construction gun and carefully fills the gap around the entire perimeter with the mixture.
- The sealant layer is leveled with a spatula and left for a day. At this time, you can start preparing the curb for installation. If there are no 45 ° oblique cuts on the corner elements, they are made with a grinder with a diamond disc. Places of cuts are carefully sanded with an emery bar.
- After the sealant has hardened, it is carefully leveled with a construction knife. Parts of the plinth are sequentially laid on the prepared surface. An even layer of tile glue is applied to the inner and side parts of the corners with a spatula and pressed tightly to the edges of the bath and wall. Remove excess glue.
- You should start attaching the plinth from the corners. If there are rounded corner inserts, install them first. Then they are joined with these elements in two parts of the border with right-side and left-side cuts. This must be done with the most tight abutment. In the same way, the rest of the corner is attached.
Butt-fitting ceramic skirting boards
- After the glue dries (after about a day), the protective tape is removed and the plinth is abundantly moistened for a stronger adhesion.
- The next day, the final finishing is performed - the seams between the elements of the plinth are filled with tiled grout and sanded.
Bathtub with ceramic corner
The bath curb will keep its attractive appearance for a long time if it is properly and regularly looked after. It is better to remove dirt and soap deposits with non-abrasive cleaning agents using a soft brush or sponge.