The Extension Panel: What Ships With Your Tub, Where It Installs, and When to Set It Aside
Updated September 2026
Walk-in tubs shorter than 60 inches ship with one extension panel so the tub can fill the standard 60-inch alcove left behind by the bathtub it replaces. The panel is optional. It installs at either end of the tub, and if your tub already fits the space, or your installer closes the gap another way, the panel can simply be set aside. Nothing inside the tub depends on it, and the pumps and plumbing stay reachable through the tub's own access panels, never through the extension.
What the Extension Panel Is
The extension panel is a separate finished panel that ships with the tub and is one of the parts most often mistaken for something missing or misplaced. If you are sorting crate contents and cannot place a part, the guide to extra parts in the crate helps identify what you are looking at. The panel is intended for the gap between your tub's actual length and a standard 60-inch opening, so the size of that gap depends on the model. Confirm your tub's actual length from its spec sheet, which you can find through the manual and spec sheet finder by model, and ask the team for the panel dimensions for your model if you are planning the finished edge.
Where the Panel Installs
The panel goes on either end of the tub, the head end or the foot end, wherever the gap falls in your alcove. The door, faucet and drain positions do not change, so choose the end based on the room, not the tub. Because the pumps, heater and plumbing are reached through the access panels built into the tub, the extension end is never an access point, and the tub does not need to be pulled out to service anything behind the panel.
- Measure the alcove and compare it with the tub's actual length on the spec sheet to confirm the size of the gap.
- Decide which end will carry the panel. Either end works.
- Have your installer position the panel before the tub is set in its final position so the finished edge lands where you want it.
- If the placement is still unclear, open a ticket with your model and a photo of the alcove and the team will advise.
Centering the Tub with Two Panels
Some installers prefer to center a shorter tub in a 60-inch alcove rather than push it to one wall. A second extension panel can be ordered for that purpose. The panels can be cut down to size, so each end receives a trimmed panel and the tub sits centered. The single panel supplied with the tub is included whether you use one, two or none.
Ordering a Panel Later
If you need a second panel, or the original was misplaced, have your model, serial number, tub length and where you purchased ready. Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850, and the team will confirm what applies to your order.
When the Panel Is Not Needed
If the tub fills the opening, sits in a wider space, or stands with a side exposed, leave the panel in the crate. See whether a walk-in tub can sit freestanding with sides exposed for those layouts. Installers who prefer to close the gap with a framed and tiled wall, or with a custom filler of their own, can do so, because the panel is a finishing piece and not part of the tub's structure or plumbing.
Related Guides
- Will it fit my alcove? Extension panels, end panels, and 60 inch spaces
- End Panels, Extension Panels, and Aprons: Getting the Right Replacement Panel
- Why Doesn't the Extension Panel Attach on the Faucet Side?
Related Videos
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Reversible End Panel Included Every Ella walk-in tub includes one reversible end panel that can be placed on either side of the tub.
- 0:36 Extension Panel for Tubs Ella walk-in tubs under 60 inches long come with an extension panel to fit a standard 60-inch alcove.
- 1:08 Removable Front Apron Ella walk-in tubs feature a removable front apron with access panels for plumbing and component service.
- 1:30 Removing Panels Before Moving All removable panels must be taken off before the walk-in tub is moved into the house and bathroom.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Reversible End Panel Placement The video explains how to position the reversible end panel on either side of the tub to cover plumbing and the frame.
- 0:33 Extension Panel For Shorter Tubs Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs under 60 inches long include an extension panel to fit standard 60-inch alcoves.
- 1:06 Removable Front Apron Panels Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs feature a removable front apron with access panels for servicing plumbing and components.
- 1:28 Removing Panels Before Moving Tub All removable panels, including the front apron, end panel, and extension panels, must be removed before moving the walk-in tub.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 What Are Extension Panels? Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs use extension panels to create the best fit for your new tub in your home.
- 0:14 Trimming Panels For Fit Extension panels can be trimmed to ensure your tub fits seamlessly and beautifully, even if your alcove is out of square.
- 0:29 Panel Storage Space The extension panels provide a convenient place for towels, shampoos, soaps, and other bathing items.
Common Questions
Is the extension panel required for the installation?
Can the extension panel go on the head end of the tub?
Can I reach the pumps through the extension panel?
Can I order a second extension panel to center the tub?
How wide is the extension panel for my tub?
Still Need Help?
Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.
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