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Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Fit a Bath Panel Step by Step

When fit a bath panel leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Measuring and Trimming the Bath Panel

Remove the old bath panel if yours has one.

In most cases, it will just pull out. Use a flat head screwdriver or a crowbar to get under the edge pf the panel at the bottom or on one side. Leverage one edge of the bath panel out until you can get your fingers under it, and then keep pulling on it with your hands until it comes away from the tub. [1] X Research source

In most cases, it will just pull out.
Use a flat head screwdriver or a crowbar to get under the edge pf the panel at the bottom or on one side.
Leverage one edge of the bath panel out until you can get your fingers under it, and then keep pulling on it with your hands until it comes away from the tub.
[1] X Research source
In most cases, it will just pull out.

Choose a bendable acrylic type for a single side or rounded corner.

This type is the easiest to install, and it works around curves if you have an awkwardly shaped tub. It's not as durable or sturdy as other types of panels, but it will fit most bath tubs. [3] X Research source

This type is the easiest to install, and it works around curves if you have an awkwardly shaped tub.
It's not as durable or sturdy as other types of panels, but it will fit most bath tubs.
[3] X Research source
This type is the easiest to install, and it works around curves if you have an awkwardly shaped tub.
It's not as durable or sturdy as other types of panels, but it will fit most bath tubs.

Pick a rigid panel for more durability.

These panels come in either wood or acrylic, based on your visual preference. Acrylic tends to be more waterproof, if that's a concern for you. These will only work on straight edges, but you can install them on 2 sides if you need to cover more than one edge. [4] X Research source

These panels come in either wood or acrylic, based on your visual preference.
Acrylic tends to be more waterproof, if that's a concern for you.
These will only work on straight edges, but you can install them on 2 sides if you need to cover more than one edge.
[4] X Research source
These panels come in either wood or acrylic, based on your visual preference.

Adjust the height of the plinth if your panel has one.

Some bath panels, typically wooden ones, come with a "plinth," which is a plank that screws in along the bottom of the panel. It overlaps the main panel so you can move it up and down to adjust the height. Lay the plinth on the floor and then place the edge of the panel on top so they're overlapping. Move the panel up and down on the plinth until the height reaches the measurement you took for your opening. [5] X Research source

Some bath panels, typically wooden ones, come with a "plinth," which is a plank that screws in along the bottom of the panel.
It overlaps the main panel so you can move it up and down to adjust the height.
Lay the plinth on the floor and then place the edge of the panel on top so they're overlapping.
Move the panel up and down on the plinth until the height reaches the measurement you took for your opening.
[5] X Research source

Cut the panel if you need it to be shorter or not as wide.

You can use a hacksaw for this purpose. Make sure to put it in place first to see if it fits, and then measure twice to ensure you've got the right size. Mark a line along the panel on the back side and gently saw back and forth down the line to cut the piece off. [6] X Research source

You can use a hacksaw for this purpose.
Make sure to put it in place first to see if it fits, and then measure twice to ensure you've got the right size.
Mark a line along the panel on the back side and gently saw back and forth down the line to cut the piece off.
[6] X Research source
You can use a hacksaw for this purpose.

Part 2

Installing Bendable Acrylic Panels with Clips

Screw the clips into place underneath the top edge of the tub.

Find the clips that came with your paneling. Place a clip underneath the tub's upper edge with the opening of the clip facing out, putting the flat side of the clip up against the underside of the tub edge. Hold the clip in place, and then drill a screw into the clip's hole to attach it to the tub. [8] X Research source

Find the clips that came with your paneling.
Place a clip underneath the tub's upper edge with the opening of the clip facing out, putting the flat side of the clip up against the underside of the tub edge.
Hold the clip in place, and then drill a screw into the clip's hole to attach it to the tub.
[8] X Research source
Find the clips that came with your paneling.

Push the panel into place using the clips.

Slide the panel toward the tub, making sure you've got it even on both ends. The top of the panel will slide just under the edge of the tub. These panels have a lip at the top thin enough to go into the clips. Push along the top of the panel so the lip slides into the clips. [10] X Research source

Slide the panel toward the tub, making sure you've got it even on both ends.
The top of the panel will slide just under the edge of the tub.
These panels have a lip at the top thin enough to go into the clips.
Push along the top of the panel so the lip slides into the clips.
[10] X Research source

Part 3

Making a Frame for Stiff Panels

Cut a piece of rebated timber for each side.

If you just have one side to add a panel to, cut it to fit that side using a hacksaw. If you're fitting 2 panels, one on each open side of a corner tub, trim a piece for each side. You can purchase this type of timber already cut this way. [11] X Research source

If you just have one side to add a panel to, cut it to fit that side using a hacksaw.
If you're fitting 2 panels, one on each open side of a corner tub, trim a piece for each side.
You can purchase this type of timber already cut this way.
[11] X Research source
If you just have one side to add a panel to, cut it to fit that side using a hacksaw.

Draw lines where the panel sits on the floor.

Tip the panel underneath the top edge of the tub and slide the bottom in place. Place a level against the side of the tub to make sure it's sitting upright. With a pencil, mark where each edge of the panel hits the floor. [12] X Research source

Tip the panel underneath the top edge of the tub and slide the bottom in place.
Place a level against the side of the tub to make sure it's sitting upright.
With a pencil, mark where each edge of the panel hits the floor.
[12] X Research source
Tip the panel underneath the top edge of the tub and slide the bottom in place.

Check the placement of the wood footing and mark it on the floor.

Set the wood on the back side of the panel on the floor. Position the rebated portion so it's facing the floor and pointed toward the panel. Slide the panel underneath the lip of the wood. [13] X Research source

Set the wood on the back side of the panel on the floor.
Position the rebated portion so it's facing the floor and pointed toward the panel.
Slide the panel underneath the lip of the wood.
[13] X Research source
Set the wood on the back side of the panel on the floor.

Move the panel out of the way and screw the timber in place.

Mark holes to go through just the wood side of the brace with 1 near each end of the wood and at least 2 in between the ends. Drill holes through the wood into the tile or wood floor below using a drill bit. You may need to move the wood to continue the pilot hole into the floor. These holes should be the same size as your screws. Set the wood where it needs to go on top of these holes, then drill screws through the holes and into the floor to hold the footing in place. [14] X Research source

Mark holes to go through just the wood side of the brace with 1 near each end of the wood and at least 2 in between the ends.
Drill holes through the wood into the tile or wood floor below using a drill bit.
You may need to move the wood to continue the pilot hole into the floor.
These holes should be the same size as your screws.
Set the wood where it needs to go on top of these holes, then drill screws through the holes and into the floor to hold the footing in place.

Add a vertical brace for heavier panels.

Some panels, such as those made of wood, may need a bit more bracing because they are so heavy. In that case, a single piece of wood is likely all you need. Use a 3 in (7.6 cm) wide piece of wood. Measure from underneath the edge of the tub to the floor and cut the wood to size with a hacksaw. Hold the piece in place, making sure it's flush with the other pieces of wood at the front. [15] X Research source

Some panels, such as those made of wood, may need a bit more bracing because they are so heavy.
In that case, a single piece of wood is likely all you need.
Use a 3 in (7.6 cm) wide piece of wood.
Measure from underneath the edge of the tub to the floor and cut the wood to size with a hacksaw.
Hold the piece in place, making sure it's flush with the other pieces of wood at the front.

Fit the panel into place.

Tip the top of the panel down so the lip goes underneath the edge of the tub on the outside. Push the bottom edge in so the panel straightens up, and then keep pressing until it hits the wood that you've screwed into the floor. [17] X Research source

Tip the top of the panel down so the lip goes underneath the edge of the tub on the outside.
Push the bottom edge in so the panel straightens up, and then keep pressing until it hits the wood that you've screwed into the floor.
[17] X Research source
Tip the top of the panel down so the lip goes underneath the edge of the tub on the outside.
Push the bottom edge in so the panel straightens up, and then keep pressing until it hits the wood that you've screwed into the floor.

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