If youre considering building / installing a niche in your new shower remodel project, you have likely seen many examples of this type of niche. Some of the most common materials used in shower niches include tile, stone, glass, and metal. Although it is a growing trend, there, Read More The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out ForContinue, Are you renovating your bathroom and wondering whether to install a shower curtain or a shower door? You can also check out my Shower Niche Guide if youd like to see an example of a tiled niche and the tile edge trim that your contractor was likely referring to. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. Depending on the cause of the leak, the repair may involve replacing the niche, applying a new coat of waterproofing sealant for a waterproof shower niche, or re-tiling the niche. The niche was on the outside wall but I built a second wall against it to give me the depth of the niche without disturbing the existing outer wall insulation, except for where I added another 24 for the rear wall of the niche for added support. In wall directly under the shower head. The Truth About Shower Water, Our Guide to the 14 Types of Shower Heads: How To Choose, Shower Tech Showdown: Smart Showers vs Digital Showers, The 8 Surprising Shower Filter Benefits for Skin Hair & Health. As long as the water spray doesn't go directly at it, it doesn't really matter where it is if the tile job was properly done. The Secret to a Spa-Like Experience. Do you tile directly on these? slope over 3 in. This new wall allows you to build / install your custom shower niche with only minimal support above the new niche opening because the entire wall is anchored to the stud wall behind it. Really appreciate the info on the structural issues with long niches. I think it would be a good idea to get some kind of written assurance from your tiling contractor that your shower was rebuilt by qualified installers following the industry best practices. If a smaller sheet (perhaps remnant) could be purchased of 1/2 thick solid surfacing material in a color very similar to the shower wall tile, wouldnt a good tile setter be able to cut that to create the niche box (sides, bottom, top, shelf)? In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. If you said no, you would be correct. I suggest that you please re-read that section of my 5BSNIM post so you are aware of the risks, and the additional structure required for this type of installation. What are some alternatives to a shower niche? The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. I would suggest that you apply a VERY GOOD sheet waterproofing membrane, not a liquid membrane. Is Drano Ok? At least with this type of install, you can waterproof the wall recess properly. Straight, flush screws are needed to keep the hinge from torquing the tile and screws. When designing a niche; however, there are some important details to consider. If the mortar contains enough polymer adhesive, I guess it could stick reliably to the plastic surface, but as an installer I would never take this risk. The tile company that did the work used Kerdi-board backing and appropriately waterproofed everything prior to tile-setting. The overall cost would depend on the location you are living in, the time of purchase, and the seller you have picked to purchase from. Whether you are bathroom remodeling, building a new home, or simply upgrading your current shower, there are many reasons why it is a perfect solution. Any suggestions would help me! for pricing and availability. Because the Schluter prefabricated shower niche is made of foam board, I would not recommend pulling the tile. You can get a piece of galvanized steel cut at any sheet steel supplier or fabricator in your area. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. Maximizing Your Space: Where to Place a Shower Niche Ive attached photos. Stucco exterior. Hi, As for the niche itself it sounds like your contractor is planning to install a retrofit niche. There are gaps in the corner that would clearly lead to water leaking into the walls or at the least have moisture exposure. It is important to make sure that any cleaning products used in the shower niche are tile-friendly, as some cleaners can damage the surface of the tiles or cause discoloration. The beginning of your comment is a bit cryptic but I think I understand what you are asking. Cleaning Difficulties Deep and dark surface recesses can make it difficult to see when cleaning. Its truly frightening how many shower niche install mistakes that can happen in a typical shower remodel, especially if your contractor is building you a custom shower niche. For Freestanding/Overhead Showers. I have a niche install on an outside wall and now is bad condensation, I have the builders coming back to rectify. Thank you for the advice! While curtains and doors have advantages and disadvantages, each option may be better suited for different bathroom types and lifestyles. The tiling flange that surrounds the niche, is designed to extend out from the mounting surface a full 1/2 so that you can surround the niche with tile as thick as 3/8, but you can also surround the niche with an acrylic, stone, or glass shower panel if you like. I know that this is probably not what you wanted to hear (sorry about that), but I wanted you to know what youre getting into when you mess with an old shower wall. If the sealant is compromised here, water could recede into gaps with nowhere to drain. The other niche shown is a tilable foam shower niche that has a 1/2 thick foam perimeter flange that also serves as a mounting flange and a membrane bonding flange similar to the stainless steel niche. The removal of studs in a non bearing wall really just increases the flexibility of the wall. How much water vapor will move into the stud wall is entirely dependent on whether or not a waterproofing membrane has been installed on the shower wall and how well your shower niche resists moisture penetration. Good luck with your new shower remodel project, AND enjoy your new shower niche! Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. ALFI brand 8 x 36 Brushed Stainless Steel Vertical Triple Shelf Bath Shower Niche. If there is no exposed framing that you can see to attach the niche on 3 sides, it will be impossible to install this niche correctly at this stage. Shower Shelving | Shower Storage Solutions | KOHLER LuxStone Showers This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the damaged material and replace it with new, warp-resistant materials and a waterproofing membrane. It will be on an inside wall. Shower niche Bathroom at Lowes.com I am an engineer and have never heard such a thing. The Great Debate: Dual Shower Heads vs Single. Wedi Shower System Problems: Is It Worth The Price? As such its very convenient to install the niche in this area because its in easy reach. Additionally, cleaning the niche with a mildew-resistant cleaner can help to keep it free of mold and mildew. The buildup of moisture in the niche can create an ideal perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, leading to unsightly stains and unpleasant odors. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? 4. I cant find anything online about it being necessary but the man at the tile store that sold me the niche suggested it. The constant water exposure and regular temperature changes makes the shower environment quite unforgiving. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? A Shower Niche Is an Absolute Must-Have in Your New Bathroom Acrylic is a type of plastic material that is known for its resistance to water, mold, and mildew, making it an ideal choice for use in wet environments such as bathrooms. You would have to check with your local building authority about this. Now some of that grout has broken. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. 246 Posts . The problem is that most trims have a flange or anchoring leg thats designed to be placed into the mortar beneath the edge tile. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. I cant seem to find any information about removing and replacing tiles in a shower niche though, so Im just not sure how to go about this. In other words, its very difficult to say for certain if it will work out well in the end, but there are ways to dramatically reduce the risk if you really want to build this niche. Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. I am assuming that at least one of your shower walls is a brick wall, and this is the wall where your want your shower niche to be installed. I would only try this if you DO NOT have a waterproofing membrane beneath your tile. There also needs to be an adequate waterproofing membrane beneath the tile layer to limit moisture transmission into this wall. To begin, it is important to clean and prepare the surface of the niche thoroughly. The best type of sealant to use will depend on the specific needs and conditions of your bathroom and shower niche, as well as the materials used in the niche itself. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can enjoy a beautiful and worry-free shower niche for years to come. That goes for shower floor and wall tile but also stone shelves and ledges. nothing. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. Also, being a full 5.5 away from the shower head, it is basically the driest part of your shower. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. I dont see any problem with this other than the fact that you must construct your own custom niche box to acheive the unique height and depth (rather than using a preformed niche). How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose 101- A Comprehensive Guide 3) he recommend us a 1/32 grout size for a 12*24 rectified tile for easy to clean it although the manufacturer recommends 1/8. In addition, regular cleaning can help to extend the lifespan of the niche, as it prevents water damage and other problems that can result from accumulated dirt and debris. Is attempting to pull the tile and replace it the best idea? You know that this box should also be waterproofed correctly to prevent water from getting into your wall. Great article and through responses to questions. The outcropping will be cantilevered from the studs so I will take extra care supporting it. Is there a protector you can buy to install on the back of the niche? The safest way to get a good deal on scraps is to buy them as is, and get your tile installer to cut it. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. felizlady. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. Why not just mount them directly adjacent to where you were planning to mount them (vertical mounting on the back wall, a few inches from the corner)? We use hydro ban and laticrete sealant and water proofing. You may be thinking that a leak like this seems unlikely if the niche is properly tiled & grouted after construction, and you would be right for awhile. These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall. A retrofit niche is a product that is installed in the process of a new shower remodel project after the shower wall tile has already been installed and grouted. 5 BIG Shower Niche Install Mistakes to Avoid in your Shower Remodel Generally speaking, its not good to install the vertical tile (or stone) first because water that runs off the vertical tile surfaces could settle at the gap between the floor and wall tile. question about shower niche and placement of handshower/corner shelves Find My Store. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. Should I be concerned of this as well? We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. September 13, 2017 Raise your hand if your morning routine involves navigating around shampoo bottles perched precariously on the tub ledge, body wash and conditioner piled in a corner, or the sad. They say it is not a problem but I disagree. Good luck with your niche install, and let me know if you need anymore info! Hi we're Denise and Tony! This will improve the R-value behind the niche and reduce the chance of moisture reaching the niche. It is poorly installed, crooked, the tile is ugly, and the caulking/grouting is very messy. How To Increase Your Toilet Flush Performance And Power. Shower Niche Ideas | Sebring Design Build The membrane bonding flange mounts on the backer board surface with screws, and the waterproofing membrane is attached to the top surface of this flange (as seen in the above image). This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another RedblockRead More How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! Even without a shower niche, this can easily occur within a 3 1/2 stud wall in the colder months, especially if theres no waterproofing membrane on the shower wall. We will be using a prefab EZ-niche, thank you for the suggestion above of coating it with red guard for substrate adhesion, we wouldnt have thought about using that since the niche is water proof by design. For more shower niche ideas, click here. We are worried someone might decide to drill through it to hang something on the wall behind. Acrylic is also super soft. If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. Required fields are marked *. In my opinion, a typical structural header and jack stud assembly can still be acceptable in some circumstances if the wall is non-structural, but this assembly must be built flawlessly. The sealer is super important to ensure you get a good bond between the old grout and the new caulking. 2) for the niche, he will set up later after he start installing the tile from the bottom, so he can know where the niche goes and make it looks better with the tile. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. This would be relatively safe but not ideal. Just make sure that you use 1/2 foam board for the perimeter mounting flange since it needs to be mounted flush with your 1/2 shower tile backer board. The only thing you can do to fix it is to try to gently pry off the base tiles and re-attach them with a proper slope. In other words, you should definitely ask a trusted local contractor before you decide to build a shower niche into an outside wall to avoid this potential shower niche install mistake. layer of mortar in the bot-tom of the niche, and use a level to make sure it has a slight pitch. Thanks Jay. It is an exterior wall to a garage that is insulated. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. I would have to agree with you. Its great to hear that people like yourself are getting some useful info from my posts. I would recommend at least 3 1/2 of space behind the niche if youre insulating the wall with fiberglass. Where to Place the Shower Niche? In-depth Guide for Homeowners Can you tile right on the concrete wall, use the waterproofing membrane all around and have good results? We want to use a single-piece of marble for the shelf. In most older homes, the stud cavity is only 3 1/2 thick and the comfort of your home often depends on this space being filled with insulation. The seven most common shower problems are: Clogging and Inefficient Draining Low Water Pressure Noisy Shower Rattling Shower Pipes Leaky Shower Head or Faucet Bad Smells Inconsistent Temperature Let's discuss them in more detail along with how you can fix them 1 - Clogging and Inefficient Draining Installing a ventilation fan or opening a window during and after showers can help to reduce humidity levels and prevent mold growth. Maybe you should read over my Shower waterproofing post to find out more about waterproofing a shower niche. The general rule is to install the horizontal finished surfaces in the shower before the vertical. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another Redblock budget bathroom remodel post. Talk to your contractor about it, because its extremely important that you avoid this huge shower niche install mistake. There is a lot more I could say on this, but I think you get the picture . Will it help with moisture behind the niche? Planning Shower Niches- Eight Essentials to Keep in Mind In this comprehensive guide, well dive into the most common shower niche problems, and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to overcome them. Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? This is often a the most regrettable shelf option because its difficult to clean (especially the corners), and the grout lines stain and get moldy. I have never seen any fire rating on any foam backer board. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head.