Frames for the bath

Throughout history, bathtubs have been made of stone, wood, copper and even silver and gold. But the most popular today are still more prosaic materials: steel and cast iron coated with enamel, and acrylic, which is gaining in popularity. For the bathroom interior to comply with a certain style, and to use it comfortably, you need such an important for operation, though often invisible, element as a frame - the structure that holds the bowl and the rims. If it is strong, suitable for the chosen model, the bath will be fixed firmly and reliably.

It is absolutely necessary to have a frame when choosing a font of unusual shape:

• Multifaceted;
• Round;
• Oval.

Usually, products of complex shape cannot be securely fastened to the walls, and requires a framework in the form of a platform. Wide sides of such baths are also supported on a special frame, which gives them an even more stable position.

The principles of bath installation are about the same for the most common types:

• Cast iron;
• Steel;
• Acrylic.

To install a tub of steel or cast iron is enough to use the legs, or to attach to the walls with an iron corner. A more solid support will be made of bricks, which is then masked by ready-made or homemade screen. Products made of acrylic, pleasing to the most graceful and creative forms, require a stable support, protecting them from stress and deformation. For all the beauty and sophistication of the elastic bottom, but inferior in strength to other acrylic materials can sag, and even at all can not withstand too much weight. In addition, if the sides will be constantly deformed, it will eventually lead to the penetration of moisture in the joints between the tub and walls and the formation of mold and other troubles. That is why if for a solid steel bath or a reliable cast iron bath the frame is desirable, but for longevity of an acrylic bath it is a must. Especially for not too expensive products that have thickness not more than 0.5 mm.

Usually plumbing stores offer frames only for certain types of bathtubs that are on sale. Unfortunately, not all support structures can bear the weight of a bathtub filled with water with people washing in it, especially if it's not a compact bowl for one person, but a luxurious font with solid dimensions and shapes. In this case, the choice of solid support and the proper installation should be taken seriously to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Series frames offered by sellers can be:

• Prefabricated;
• Whole-welded.

If you can not buy the right model in the store, it seems unreliable or do not like its design (universal models are rare to find on sale), the frame can be made with your own hands from wood, galvanized profiles or iron profile pipe.

You should pay attention to the dependence of the strength and quality of the purchased bath on the number of support points of the frame: the thinner the bath, the more support it needs.Fully welded construction also indicates insufficient strength. It is great if only four points are used for support. If the baptismal font has an unusual configuration, it requires a special platform to support it, because the usual frame will be unreliable.

Frames-frames, offered with the bathtub, are made of metal-profile square section and protected against corrosion by a special coating.

The main elements of the frame, regardless of configuration:

• Supports, in the corners that hold the bowl itself;
• The main legs, the height of which is adjustable;
• Rigidity ribs, without which the acrylic baptismal font cannot do without.

If the proposed prefabricated products do not inspire confidence, do not fit the configuration, there is a desire to save money and apply the skills of home masters, you can make the frame yourself.

For the construction of the frame you need to choose a material strong enough and affordable. The most common types of homemade structures:

1. From a wooden bar, the positive sides of which are low cost, ease of processing and durability, and the obvious disadvantage - susceptibility to rotting in a humid environment of the bathroom. Therefore requires quality protective antiseptic surface treatment or the use of wood that is resistant to moisture: cedar, oak, alder, larch and others;
2. From galvanized profiles used for plasterboard structures. It does not withstand a heavy load, so it is advisable to transfer all the weight of the tub on the legs and wooden bar, and use the profile for additional supporting and decorative frame;
3. Iron profile pipe - the best option for the framework, holding a font of any material. Pipe is capable of becoming a support even for a non-standard bathtub of cast iron, but manipulation with the pipe requires a welding machine and some skills in handling it. Problems with rust are easily solved with a primer.
4. Brickwork, fully repeating the contours of the bath, a rather difficult task, which can only be performed by a professional builder, and home master, who has no skills, it will be difficult to cope, especially if the bath has an asymmetric or oval shape.

The most accessible to the handyman to make a frame of wood and moisture-resistant plywood or chipboard. The procedure is as follows:

• Construct a base around the perimeter of the bathtub from beams;
• Attach vertical struts to it;
• On them to lay boards or beams - they will be the top of the frame.

For a rectangular bowl is enough, but if it is, for example, oval, then the frame is covered with a sheet of chipboard or plywood, which then cut out a hole of the desired shape.

Before you begin assembling the wooden structure, you should decide on the height of the posts, which directly depends on the preferred height of the frame. It should be as small as possible, so that to use the bath later was convenient for all members of the family. It is also easy to calculate the number of uprights: they should be in all corners and additionally be fastened every half meter along the ribs.

The installation algorithm is as follows:

1. Using self-tapping screws with corrosion-resistant coating, fasten the wooden base to the concrete floor;
2. Fasten the uprights to the base with metal corners or wooden bars;
3. If the stand is adjacent to the wall, fix it to the wall as well;
4. Lay the timber on top of the uprights and screw them to the walls and uprights;
5. Fix a sheet of 15mm plywood or 25mm chipboard on top all around the perimeter;
6. Using the template provided, or with the help of a template, saw a hole with a special saw or electric jigsaw;
7. Close the frame on the sides with shields.

It is more convenient to install an acrylic bath after the completion of surface decoration with different materials:

• Gypsum board;
• Plastic;
• Tile.

The choice depends on the financial possibilities and taste preferences of the owner. In this case, at the bottom of the frame pour cement cushion and immediately put the bathtub on it. Slightly more complicated installation, made before tiling:

1. It is necessary to put pads of pieces of plywood, wood, corresponding in height to the thickness of the future tiles and the layer of glue under it under the rims;
2. Spread the pads evenly along the entire perimeter;
3. Carefully lower the tub into the hole on the cement base.

Once the mortar finally hardens, you can proceed to further plumbing work: connect to the water supply and sewerage.