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Gap Between the Front Apron and the Floor: The Two Inch Toe Kick Panel and When to Trim It

▶Glossary7
  1. What the Toe Kick Panel Is
  2. Why the Gap Can Be Smaller Than the Panel
  3. How to Trim the Panel to Fit
  4. If the Panel Is Missing or Was Thrown Out
  5. Related Guides
  6. Common Questions
  7. Still Need Help?

Yes, there is a trim piece for the space between the front panel of your Ella walk-in tub and the floor. Ella carries a toe kick panel, also called a trim piece filler, that is two inches wide and usually comes installed on the tub. If your tub was lowered during installation, the gap will be less than two inches and the panel has to be trimmed down to fit. If yours is missing, send support a photo so the warehouse can confirm what shipped with your unit before a replacement is arranged.

What the Toe Kick Panel Is

The toe kick panel is the strip that covers the gap between the bottom edge of the front panel and the floor. It is two inches wide. On most Ella walk-in tubs it comes installed on the tub, so many installers never handle it as a separate part. It is a different part from the extension panel that fills the length of an alcove, which is explained in what an extension panel is, and from the end panel covered in trimming an end panel that is too long.

Why the Gap Can Be Smaller Than the Panel

The panel is sized for a tub sitting at its standard height. Some installations leave the tub sitting lower than that, and when it happens the space between the front panel and the floor drops below two inches, so the standard panel no longer fits as shipped. Support can usually tell from a photo that a tub was lowered during installation, because the visible gap is narrower than the panel. That is not a defect. It simply means the panel needs to be trimmed to the actual opening.

How to Trim the Panel to Fit

  1. Measure the gap between the bottom of the front panel and the floor at both ends and in the middle, since floors are rarely perfectly level.
  2. Mark the panel to the smallest of those measurements, keeping the cut along the bottom edge so the finished top edge stays against the front panel.
  3. Cut with a fine-tooth blade and smooth the edge, using the same care described for trimming an end panel.
  4. Test fit before fastening, then secure the panel so it can still be removed if the underside of the tub ever needs attention.

If the Panel Is Missing or Was Thrown Out

Because the panel usually comes installed on the tub, a missing piece is often still in the packaging or was discarded with it, so check there first. Then send a photo of the front of the tub and your serial number through ellasbubbles.com/support, and the warehouse will confirm whether the panel shipped on your unit. If a replacement is needed, the team confirms the correct panel for your model and the address it should ship to, and you can also arrange it through your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. The full request process is covered in confirming a toe kick panel shipped and ordering a replacement.

Common Questions

How wide is the Ella toe kick panel?
The toe kick panel Ella carries is two inches wide. It is sized for a tub sitting at its standard height. If your opening is narrower than that, the panel will need to be trimmed down to fit.
Why does my gap measure less than two inches?
A gap under two inches usually means the tub was lowered during installation. That is a normal installer outcome rather than a defect. Trim the panel to the actual measurement and it will fill the space cleanly.
Does the toe kick panel come with the tub?
On most models it comes installed on the tub. If yours is not there, check the packaging first, then send support a photo and your serial number so the warehouse can confirm what shipped with your unit.
What should I send support to get the right toe kick panel?
Send a clear photo of the front of the tub showing the gap, along with your serial number. The photo lets the team confirm whether the tub was lowered and which panel fits your model. They will then ask for the address the panel should ship to.
How do I order a replacement toe kick panel?
Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with a photo of the front of the tub and your serial number, or contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. The team will confirm the correct panel for your model and arrange shipping to your address.

Still Need Help?

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

Related guides

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