How to Build a Bathtub Enclosure

Kits make adding an enclosure to your tub simple.

A bathtub enclosure is a good choice to replace a shower curtain that is old or getting moldy. An enclosure, just like a shower curtain, is designed to keep water in the tub when the shower is being used. A typical bathtub enclosure consists of panels or doors that slide on a track to open and close. You'll first need to assemble the track on the tub.

Things You'll Need

• Bathtub enclosure kit
• Tape
• Tape measure
• Paper
• Pencil
• Felt tip marker
• Hacksaw
• Power drill
• Wall anchor
• Screws
• Caulk

Instructions

1. Open the bathtub enclosure kit and take out the jambs. Hold the jambs against the walls on each side of the tub. Use tape to hold them in place.

2. Measure from the inside of one jamb to the inside of the other jamb with a tape measure. Write this number down on a piece of paper with a pencil.

3. Transfer the measurement to the track for the enclosure. Make a mark with a felt tip marker on the track, included in the bathtub enclosure kit, and cut it to the required length with a hacksaw.

4. Make a mark for the screws, on holes in the jambs, for the enclosure with a pencil. Remove the jambs from the walls and set them aside.

5. Drill a hole in the walls for the screws on each mark that you made. Insert a wall anchor into each hole.

6. Place the track guides that came with the enclosure into the track. The track guides hold the edges of the doors into place in the track. Secure the track guides to the track with screws, using the power drill.

7. Run two beads of caulk along the bottom of the track and then set the track into place on the edge of the tub. Press down on the track and then run your finger along the edge to smooth out the caulk. Wipe off the caulk with a paper towel.

8. Set the jambs into place against the walls and insert screws into the screw holes. Tighten the screws with the power drill to secure the jambs to the walls.

9. Measure the distance between the top of each jamb with the tape measure and subtract 1/32 inch. Transfer the measurement to the top track and cut it to length with the hacksaw. Set the top track over the top of the jambs.

10. Drill a hole into the side of the top track where it sits over the jamb. Do this on both sides of the track. Insert a screw into the hole and tighten it to secure the track.

11. Set the doors into the track.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove sharp edges on the tracks with a metal file.

• If the jambs are not secure, the door will not operate correctly.

References

• Corner Hardware: Installing a Tub-Shower Enclosure