Yes, if the end panel is longer than the opening between the finished wall and the front apron, trim it. Take the material off the edge that will sit against the wall or tile, and remove only enough for the panel to slide into place. The end panel is a cosmetic cover with no structural role. It is held by two screws at the bottom that fasten it to the mounting brackets, so trimming a fraction of an inch does not weaken the tub or leave the panel loose.

Why the Panel Can Be Too Long

End panels are molded to cover the full end of the tub with a little overlap. When the tub sits in a corner with one end open and the wall is finished with tile or backer board, the opening between the wall and the front apron can end up narrower than the panel by a small amount, sometimes only a fraction of an inch. That is enough to keep the panel from dropping in. Pulling the tub away from the wall to make room is the wrong fix, because it leaves a gap between the wall and the end of the tub. Trimming the panel is the fix support recommends.

Measure Before You Cut

1. With the tub in its final, leveled position and the front apron installed, measure the opening from the finished wall surface to the edge of the apron where the end panel seats. Measure at the top and at the bottom, since walls are rarely plumb.
2. Measure the end panel along the same edge and note the difference.
3. Mark the cut line on the wall-side edge of the panel using the larger of the two differences, and add nothing extra. You can always take a little more off.

Trimming the Panel

1. Run painter's tape along both faces of the panel over the cut line to protect the finish as the blade passes through.
2. Cut with a fine-toothed blade, supporting the panel on a flat surface so it does not flex or vibrate.
3. Smooth the cut edge with a sanding block so it sits cleanly against the wall.
4. Test fit the panel and drive the two bottom screws into the brackets. Trim a little more if it still binds.
5. Cover the screws with the trim caps and caulk the wall joint as described in will it fit my alcove.

About the Return Lip on the Wall Side

The end panel runs across the end of the tub and then bends over with a short return, about an inch, on the side that goes against the wall. Trimming the panel to fit usually means taking some or all of that lip off. Installers sometimes worry that this removes the panel's support on the wall side. Support confirms it does not matter: the panel has no structural components, and it is held by the two screws at the bottom into the mounting brackets. It will not flap or rattle when the pumps run.

When the Gap Is at the Wall Instead

If the panel fits the opening but leaves a gap at the wall, the fix is the extension or filler panel supplied for the model, not a longer end panel. See extension panels and filler kits by model for what ships with each tub. If you need the white trim caps that cover the bottom screws, where to get the white screw caps explains how to request them.

Related Guides

• End Panels, Extension Panels, and Aprons: Getting the Right Replacement Panel
• What Is an End Panel on a Walk-In Tub?
• Gap Between the Apron and the Floor, or the Apron Will Not Sit Flush: Leveling Legs and Bracket Adjustment

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.