What is a partition in the bathroom, how is it used, what materials are used for the manufacture of structures, the technology of self-installing partitions. The partition in the bathroom is an original solution that allows you to zone a small room, divide a shared bathroom, without resorting to a major overhaul. Partitions are functional and aesthetically pleasing and can be made from a variety of materials.
The main functions of the partition in the bathroom
The importance of erecting a partition in the bathroom is due to the fact that in this room several functional areas are often combined, such as a toilet, a shower, a sink. In addition, in many bathrooms there is a need to allocate an area where various things are stored, washing, and so on. The purpose of installing partitions in the bathroom can only be determined by the owner, based on his needs and desires. Partitions can perform a number of functions in the interior of a bathroom:
- Decorative … A person strives not only for comfort, but also for aesthetics, decorating his home. Therefore, the installation of a partition in the bathroom is sometimes necessary to emphasize the style orientation. So, if you want to create a Japanese-style bathtub, then a bamboo or plastic partition in the bathroom with a special pattern will be an excellent addition to the original decorated walls, ceiling and floor.
- Zoning … Rooms of large and small sizes can be zoned using partitions. It is recommended to install a shower stall, bidet, toilet away from the entrance and fenced off with a partition. Moreover, it is enough to fence off the bidet or toilet area with a decorative wall, but it is recommended to separate the shower with a more durable partition from the rest of the room in order to create reliable protection against splashes and water leaks.
- Disguise communications … If strongly protruding pipes or other technical structures cannot be hidden by a false wall or screen, then a partition can be used. You can install a lighting fixture or shelves on it.
It is also worth noting the advantages of bathrooms that have partitions:
- The room with partitions is divided into zones. The "wet" area is separated from the place where you can change clothes or store things.
- If you install a partition in the bathroom, then you can solve the issue of lack of free space, since you can install shelves on it for storing various cosmetics, perfumes, household chemicals, and towels.
The choice of materials for installing a partition in the bathroom
Having thought about dividing a room into zones, you will certainly ask yourself the question of what to make a partition in the bathroom. There are many materials for its manufacture. However, before you decide on one or another, you should study the specifics of the room and the economic feasibility of erecting a partition from one or another material. The increased humidity that prevails in the bathroom determines the recommended materials that will be used for installing the partition. They must be moisture resistant. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following materials:
- Brick, reinforced concrete, building blocks (gypsum, foam concrete, aerated concrete);
- Drywall that is resistant to moisture (green);
- Glass blocks, tempered glass, which have high strength;
- Plastic.
If you want to divide a small room into several zones, then there is no point in using solid brick or concrete structures. But if you plan to install on a partition, for example, a washbasin, then fragile glass or drywall will not cope with this task.
Partitions made of glass, plasterboard and plastic are more decorative than practical. They also perfectly zone a small room. It should be remembered that most of the above materials (with the exception of glass) have a porous structure. It allows moisture to penetrate through the partition, therefore it is important to use waterproofing materials when installing the structure. It can be penetrating, plastering, coating agents for waterproofing, which are based on bitumen and polymers. They are fairly easy to apply and can be decoratively finished.
Installation technology for partitions in the bathroom
Consider the features of installing partitions in the bathroom, depending on the type of material from which they are made.
How to make a brick partition in the bathroom
The optimal material for a capital partition in a bathroom is brick, concrete, stone. It is most convenient to work with bricks and various building blocks - aerated concrete, foam block. Of these, you can build a partition or a more solid partition using different types of masonry. So you can adjust the width of the structure depending on its purpose and the size of the room. A partition made of blocks or bricks can become a bright detail in the interior if it is finished with stone or tiles. In this case, a brick can be a base or a support for lighter materials such as glass or plastic.
You can highlight the disadvantages of a brick partition:
- It cannot be made mobile.
- It is wide and will reduce the size of the room.
- Quite high cost of materials and work (if it is planned to attract a master).
- It will not work to give the partition its original shape, since the material is durable and poorly processed.
In addition, if you install a solid brick parting in the bathroom, then it will need to be transferred to the apartment plan, since this is considered a redevelopment of the room. If you nevertheless decide to build such a partition, then in the process of work you will need: brick, cement and sand, wire rod (diameter 6 mm), polyurethane foam, perforator, grinder, building level.
You can simply lay the brick on the floor, without installing the base. However, every 3-4 rows in the adjacent wall, you need to drill a hole and drive a piece of wire rod into it. It should be laid on the entire row of masonry. The upper gap under the ceiling must be filled with polyurethane foam.
The finished partition, as in the case of ordinary walls made of bricks or blocks, must be plastered and putty. After that, you can start finishing work.
Installation of a glass partition in the bathroom
Despite the strength of the capital partitions, in bathrooms, more often than not, preference is given to lighter and more decorative materials for creating zoning structures. Glass is very popular among them. The glass partition in the bathroom can become a bright element of the interior, visually expand the area of the room. In addition, it also performs practical functions: it protects against moisture and creates a sense of privacy. Glass partitions can be produced in different modifications. In this case, such types of material as glass blocks and tempered glass are used.
Tempered glass is available in different sheet sizes. If you are a non-professional builder, it may be difficult to install an oversized piece of glass. The practicality of solid glass partitions is significantly less than that of more durable partitions. Often, such structures are used as a decorative centerpiece of a room or shower partition.
A wide range of glass blocks is presented on the market today. They can be of different colors. Often, in order to give originality to the material, various decorative elements are placed in it: shells, beads, artificial flowers, etc. Blocks can have different levels of light transmission and transparency. It is quite easy to install glass blocks, moreover, in various configurations. To make a partition of glass blocks, they can be laid like bricks according to the following instructions:
- We mark the walls and the floor: from the corner between them we draw two lines in opposite directions, we check the evenness with the building level. Please note that the walls and floor must be perfectly aligned, otherwise the glass blocks cannot be laid evenly.
- We glue PVC tape between the marking lines on the wall and floor. This will help the structure maintain stability in the event of a house collapse.
- We start laying from the bottom row from the wall. We apply tile adhesive on two sides of a glass block with a thickness of about 3 cm. There is no need to remove the protective film from the block.
- We tap on the sides of the glass block so that it tightly connects with the PVC tape. We check the level of its evenness.
- Thus, we lay the bottom row. Insert crosses between the blocks.
- Having laid 3-4 rows of blocks, you need to take a break of 24 hours. This is done so that the adhesive has time to harden. Otherwise, heavy blocks will begin to squeeze glue from the lower rows as the partition grows up.
- Before the glue hardens, we clean the seams with a spatula or spatula, take out the crosses.
- After laying, we wait another day until the glue is completely dry. After that, you can start grouting. The optimum grout color is white.
- Remove excess sealant with a sponge soaked in water.
At the end of all work, remove the protective film from the blocks.
DIY plasterboard partitions in the bathroom
Plasterboard partitions in the bathroom are the most popular and demanded. This is due to the advantages of the material:
- A perfectly smooth surface can be achieved without additional leveling.
- GKL have a high level of air permeability.
- Ease of construction and ease of installation.
- Low cost of material and installation work.
It should be borne in mind that plasterboard partitions should not be installed in rooms with a humidity level above 90%. Drywall is a material from which you can easily make any form of construction. Moreover, in such a partition, you can install additional lighting, make shelves on it. Before starting installation work, you should stock up on the necessary materials and tools: gypsum plasterboard (sheets that are resistant to moisture), metal profiles, fasteners (screws, dowel-nails), primer, reinforcing tape, putty, screwdriver, putty knife, building level. We carry out the work on the installation of a GKL partition in the following sequence:
- We mark the floor, ceiling and walls using a level.
- We cut the guide profiles, taking into account the length of the partition.
- We fix the profiles to the ceiling using dowel nails. We carry out the same operation on the floor. The spacing of the fasteners must be at least 50 cm.
- We cut the rack profiles. They should be the same length - about 20 cm less than the height of the room. This will make them easier to secure.
- We fix them vertically. We fasten those profiles that are near the wall with dowel-nails. The rest - on self-tapping screws with press washers.
- Please note that if the height of the finished structure is more than 2.6 meters, then you need to strengthen it by means of additional guides between the profiles.
- Having installed the metal frame, we proceed to its sheathing. To do this, we cut the plasterboard sheets with a knife and fix on one side, joining at the seams as tightly as possible. We use countersunk screws for this.
- We sheathe the second wall, as well as the end of the partition.
- We putty the finished structure: we mask the seams in the gypsum board and the caps of the screws. Apply a reinforcing tape to the seams. The front decorative finish can be done as desired.
How to fix a plastic partition in a bathroom
Partitions in a plastic bathroom are often called hard curtains. As a rule, they look like a sliding shower system. For the manufacture of such partitions, monolithic polycarbonate (plexiglass) is used. This type of partitions is distinguished by such positive qualities as lightness of construction, mobility, good light transmission, the ability to create an original design, ease of maintenance and a long service life. But among the shortcomings it is worth highlighting the instability in front of mechanical damage. Scratches on plexiglass will not keep you waiting even with careful use. Installing a plastic partition is not difficult even for a beginner. Typically, these "curtains" are three-leaf, sliding. For installation you will need: a pair of side mounting profiles, three plexiglass sashes, two frame vertical and horizontal frames, fasteners. We carry out installation work in the following order:
- We attach the horizontal lower and upper ones to the vertical frame with self-tapping screws.
- We insert the doors one by one, starting with the smaller missing part of the frame from the side. We fix the latter in place after the doors are in the frame.
- We make the markup: mark and drill holes in the wall and on the floor (two at the top and bottom). We do the same from the opposite side.
- We attach the installation profile to the partition frame.
- The places where the partition adjoins the wall and floor are treated with silicone sealant.
- We put the finished rigid curtain on the floor and fasten it with self-tapping screws through the installation profile.
- We fix the handles on the partition, if they are provided.
Such partitions are often installed on the edge of a shower stall or bath in a similar pattern. Watch a video about installing a partition in the bathroom:
It is possible to make a partition in the bathroom with your own hands without much effort, if you choose the right material for this design and clearly follow the instructions. A properly installed partition will become not only a functional element of the bathroom, but also an original aesthetic addition to the room.
