Which end does the Ella Elite extension panel go on in a 60 inch alcove?

The Ella Elite's 7 inch extension panel goes on whichever end of the tub you specified when the order was placed, left or right, because the stainless steel shelf brackets that carry it are built into the frame at that end. The panel is not tied to the faucet end or the headrest end by design; on the Elite, brackets can be fitted to both ends only when that is requested before the tub is built, so a panel that fits one end only is behaving exactly as ordered. Why Doesn't the Extension Panel Attach on the Faucet Side? covers what to do if the panel and the brackets do not line up with what you expected.

Why the End Is Decided Before the Tub Is Built

The Elite is a 30 by 52 by 35 inch tub on a stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs, and its spec sheet lists one reversible end panel and one 7 inch extension panel among the included features. The two panels behave differently. The first video on this page shows that the reversible end panel can be placed on either side of the tub, covering the plumbing and frame on whichever end is open. The extension panel, by contrast, rests on adjustable shelf brackets that are part of the frame, and on the Elite those brackets are installed at the end named on your order. The panel side is chosen together with the door side and the drain side when the tub is configured, and each of those choices is built into the tub.

The practical difference is simple. If you order the panel for one end and later decide you want it on the other, the frame has no brackets there. A second set of brackets is a factory option, so the time to raise the question is before production, not on installation day.

Choosing the End in a Three-Wall Alcove

In a standard 60 inch alcove the Elite meets a wall at both ends, so the choice of side is about which wall the panel closes against and what sits behind it. What Is an Alcove Installation for a Walk-In Tub? explains the layout. Three things from Ella's guidance help you decide.

• Service access. Alcove placement puts the plumbing end of the tub against a wall. Ask your installer to add a wall access panel behind the plumbing end so pumps and drain connections can be reached without disturbing tile, and never let the space around the tub be packed with insulation.
• The faucet end. The second video on this page shows the Ella Standard, which is also a 30 by 52 inch tub with a 7 inch extension panel, set up with the end panel on the faucet side and the extension panel on the other side for a snug fit in a 60 inch alcove. It also shows the two workarounds for a tight opening: trim the corner piece off the main tub apron for a cleaner fit, or slide the tub in using the standard end piece and apron without an end panel.
• Accessories. A shower column installed on a tub with an extension panel uses the long 4 to 5 inch pipe connector to reach the wall, and the 4-fold glass screen converts to a 3-fold screen by removing one section so it fits a 52 inch tub in a 60 inch alcove with the panel. Mention the alcove and the panel side when you ask about either accessory.

Measure the Finished Opening First

Stud to stud is the rough opening before drywall or tile. Finished wall to finished wall, often called tile to tile, is what you can measure in a finished bathroom, and it is always smaller. In one common case, a bathroom framed for a standard tub measures only 58 1/4 inches tile to tile. Will a 60 Inch Tub Fit a 60 Inch Alcove? explains why that matters even for a 52 inch tub, because the extension panel is designed to take a 52 or 55 inch tub to a standard 60 inch opening and is trimmed on site if the alcove is out of square or slightly under 60 inches. If the gap is wider than the panel covers, your installer frames and finishes the remaining space. The panel never adds length to the tub itself; the interior dimensions are unchanged.

Measure the opening wall to wall at the back and at the front, note the Elite's actual size from the spec sheet, and share both with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before the panel side is locked in.

How the Installer Fits the Panel

What Is an Extension Panel (Filler Kit) on a Walk-In Tub? describes the method. The installer sets and levels the tub first and fits the extension panel last. The gap is measured at the top and the bottom because alcoves are rarely square, the panel is trimmed to the wall, and the brackets are adjusted so the panel sits level with the deck and doubles as a shelf. The kit hardware secures it and the seams are sealed with silicone.

1. Remove the extension panel, the end panel and the front apron before the tub is carried into the house, and lift the tub only by the frame.
2. Set the tub on its leveling legs and level it in the alcove.
3. Measure the gap at the bracketed end, top and bottom, and trim the panel to fit.
4. Adjust the shelf brackets, secure the panel with the kit hardware, and seal the seams.

Clean the panel with the same mild, non-abrasive cleaner you use on the shell. If you ever need a replacement, have your model, serial number and door side ready, because panels are cut for a specific tub. If the panel side on your paperwork does not match the brackets on your frame, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your model, serial number, door side, a photo of each end of the frame and a sketch of the alcove with measurements in inches.

Related Guides

• What Is an End Panel on a Walk-In Tub?
• How to Add a Second End Panel to Your Walk-In Tub Order or Buy One Later
• End Panels, Extension Panels, and Aprons: Getting the Right Replacement Panel

Common Questions