How to Create an Inexpensive Shower Enclosure for a Vintage Bathtub

A vintage bathtub adds charm and a touch of class to any home. With the right materials and a little patience, you can inexpensively convert your tub into an enclosed shower.

Things You'll Need

• Circular shower curtain rail
• Step stool
• Long handled push pin
• Tubing
• Wire cutters
• Bonding adhesive
• Two eye hook screws
• Chain
• Shower curtain

Instructions

1. Purchase a ceiling only or ceiling and side mountable circular shower curtain rail new or at an antique store. Install your purchased rail using the instructions provided with the rail. Skip this step if you are making your own rail.

2. Cut a piece of string longer than your arm. Tie one end of the string to the top of a push pin.

3. Step into your tub and stand under the shower head as if you were taking a shower. Imagine your "dream" size for the curtain rail in relation to where you are standing, and sight find the exact middle of the imagined rail oval or circle. Push your push pin into the ceiling at that middle spot.

4. Draw the string out from the push pin to the point closest to the inside wall of your tub where you want your curtain to stop, and mark the string with you marker at that point. Remove the string from the push pin, and cut your string at the mark point. Now cut another piece of string that is exactly twice that length. This is the length of brass or plastic tubing that you need to construct your rail. Hold onto the first half length of string for Step 6.

5. Buy your rail material to length, and bend it into an oval or circle shape. If you can not buy to length, use your metal or plastic cutters. Bond the ends together with metal or plastic bonding adhesive. Dry per the instructions on the bonding adhesive.

6. Reattach the Step 4 string to the push pin, and reinsert the pin into the same ceiling spot as before. Sight line the end of your tub, and measure outward with the string in line with that end. Mark the ceiling with a small dot at that point. Repeat in the opposite horizontal direction. Screw in eye hooks at each dot.

7. Attach a length of chain to one hook, and measure downward from the ceiling to the point that you want the rail to hang from. Mark that link with a dot, and remove the chain from the hook. Wrap another small amount of chain from below the dotted link around the rail until it meets the dotted link on the other side. Cut or break a link from the chain at that length, and then measure and cut a second length of chain to match the first.

8. Wrap the bottom of one chain around the rail and tie the links together with a black plastic cable tie. Cut off the tie remainder with your plastic cutter. Repeat with the other chain. Affix your chains to each of the hooks so that the rail hangs from the ceiling. Hook your shower curtain to the rail to complete your enclosure.

Tips & Warnings

• Painting your hooks, chains and new rail with metal colored mold and moisture resistant paint adds an additional touch of class to your bathroom that can compliment your vintage tub style.

• Never hold onto a ceiling or ceiling and side mounted circular shower curtain for support when entering or exiting your shower, as the hooks or fixtures can pull from the wall causing a fall hazard.