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. Built with the exact same tile as the rest of the shower surround, so it almost disappears when empty. The only safe way to do this is to build a new wall adjacent to the brick wall. Preventive measures: To prevent warping in your shower niche, it is important to use high-quality materials and take steps to reduce exposure to moisture and water. You can find more details in my Shower Niche Install Mistakes post. I am in the midwest (St. Louis) and planning a shower niche in a basement bathroom on an outside wall that is completely underground as well as having a 6 deep front porch beyond that so there will be no outside air hitting that wall at all. A good grout sealer will help reduce this problem (Sealers Choice Gold by Custom Building Products). For assistance with a shower wall panels installation or factory-direct DIY shower wall panel supply contact Innovate Building Solutions at 877-668-5888. An outside facing shower wall no matter how its constructed, needs to be insulated adequately. Hi Steve! If there is a membrane, you will likely destroy it and this would be worse than leaving as is. Even if water does end up in the niche, you shouldnt be concerned as long as you trust your contractor to construct and waterproof it correctly. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. Hi I have a new build ( 2 years old). Great article. Concerns? Thoughts? It could certainly cause a problem in the long run even if you have a waterproofing membrane beneath the tile. It becomes a much bigger problem when the wall studs are 24. The perfect shower niche for your bathroom: an insight | homify I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. Shower niches are a great addition to any bathroom, offering a convenient place to store body wash and organize your shower essentials freeing up the floor space. They say it is not a problem but I disagree. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. In addition, the quality of the material and its ability to resist wear and tear over time should also be taken into account. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. Thank you for the advice! Grouting this margin seems like a better idea to the average homeowner (and the novice pro) but this is always a bad idea because the tub and the shower wall assembly expand and contract at different rates so the grout will always crack and break away over time. Im assuming that the edges of the tile are exposed around the perimeter of the shower niche. Sounds like it was a fun project. Shower Niche Alfie | Wayfair One of the vertical 24 studs was cut and framed into a horizontal rectangle to the two adjacent studs, and it did not seem to be load bearing wall, and the framing was properly reinforced. The shower niche may be a bit off-center, but it's purpose is simply to hold shampoo, soap or other bath needs. 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. 8 Reasons Why Corner Shelves are Better than Shower Niches In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Doors: Worth It? Our contractor installed a shower niche and tiled the wall and niche however my husband doesnt like the finished product as there is. In fact, this is a common shower niche placement as it is easily accessible and provides ample storage space for items like shampoo, conditioner, and shower steamers. This extra flexibility can be limited by installing a structural header over top of the niche opening. Let me know if you need more clarification or if youd like to give me more details for further assessment. Installing porcelain tile on the shower wall instead of ceramic with a sealed grout like Mapei Flexcolor CQ, will also greatly reduce vapor transmission into the wall. I find it looks really cheap and asked him if we can find another solution. I think it would be reasonable for you to ask them to replace the frameless glass panel and door if it bothers you. Additionally, there are commercial mold and mildew cleaners available that are specifically designed for this purpose. Additionally, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to water and wear, such as acrylic or fiberglass. Let us know! I am remodeling my master bath down to the studs. Im a tile contractor. Provided you placed and cut everything correctly the inside edges of your niche should be about 1/8 outside your grout lines. For Freestanding/Overhead Showers. However, you should pay attention to any cracks that may have occurred within the vertical grout lines above the H tub/tile margin. 11.5 X 3 Shower Niche Glass Shelves | Wayfair document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For example, ensuring that the niche is properly waterproofed with a high-quality waterproofing membrane, and that the niche backer board is compatible with the materials used in the shower. I might also suggest that you get another contractor in for a second opinion about the work. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). I was even thining if it was perhaps we could use small steel beams to support the weight. my contractor just bought a shower niche (link below) and wanted to leave it as is. The niche that my contractor purchased is a retrofit model. Thank you for your comment! This is an assumption made far too often when shower niches are framed into the shower wall. In wall directly under the shower head. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. It's hard to look away, for better or for worse. Yes, but also no, Shower Water Pressure Low? Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? Without these options, youre probably better off installing a regular tiled niche using something like Schluter Kerdi SN. Straight, flush screws are needed to keep the hinge from torquing the tile and screws. No tiler we asked will put in a niche into the shower. I saved and reglazed the tub and it looks (performs) wonderful. And if the niche is mounted in an outside wall, this is a whole other ball game. 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. Shower Niche Maximum storage, minimal space Features: 3 moveable shelves Removable shelves for easy cleaning Designed to prevent water pooling 32"L x 17"W x 4"D Options: White Biscuit Dune Details The smaller Shower Niche maximizes your space within the shower through three moveable shelves and four placement options for customized storage. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. Second, you have a shelf and a bottom of the niche. Prevention tips: To prevent mold growth in your shower niche, it is important to take a proactive approach. The bathroom wall is 5 long, and once you get past that, you are in an unfinished space next door. The standard depth of a shower niche is 3.5 inches, the width of a wood stud. A square or rectangular niche design has corners and crevices that can make it difficult to remove. Knowledge Center 1/2 thick) acrylic solid surfacing materials? We made this blog to help others like ourselves get all the useful information needed to build a better bathroom all in one place! The niche is placed into this hole, and the outer flange on the niche is pressed against the tile. ANSWERED: What Is a High-Pressure Shower Head? The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. In general its always the best idea to mount / build your tiled or finished shower niche in a wall that is not an outside facing wall. Dont leave any air spaces around the niche or in that particular stud cavity (to eliminate air circulation). Bathroomaholic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Regularly inspecting and resealing the niche as needed can help to ensure that it remains properly sealed and protected against water damage and other problems. Will it help with moisture behind the niche? A Complete Guide to Smart Shower Pros and Cons, Essential Oils in the Shower: 5 Simple Hacks to Revitalize Your Shower Routine, Goodbye Boring Shower: How to Use Shower Steamers. 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. 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. I was wondering two things: It could be quite disastrous if he does not do this correctly. Regardless, its difficult to predict what will happen if its installed over the membrane before the wall is tiled. And if we wanted to block it up, what materials ways should this been done to ensure the integrity is restored? This would also assume that the wall tile could still be continued seamlessly around the niche and into its interior. So you saved us potential issues down the road. 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 first niche shown is a finished shower niche. If this happens, it could eventually cause mold growth or tile delamination even if water doesnt get into the wall cavity. More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. I looked at the niche in the link you provided. Are you tired of constantly replacing your old shower curtain or cleaning your shower door? Here are some ideas on how to make sure that you get the most out of your shower niche so it doesnt become a source of frustration. Wow! There are more cuts and outside edges on a shower niche. So the water they catch is from the back spray from shower use. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with a few tips you must know to avoid the 5 BIG shower niche install mistakes during your next shower remodel. Is it okay (or preferable) to install the shelf itself last, or should we install the shelf prior to tiling the surrounding walls? For shower design advice and wholesale direct wall panel or shower base pricing call 877-668-5888. This will improve the R-value behind the niche and reduce the chance of moisture reaching the niche. Thank you for so many informative articles, your website is very helpful! At least with this type of install, you can waterproof the wall recess properly. Some of the most common materials used in shower niches include tile, stone, glass, and metal. The problem is that the hole is there ready for the niche but all the tiles have been put down already around it. The Great Debate: Dual Shower Heads vs Single. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Or keep the background of the shelf super neutral. Remember your niche may require bullnose tile, particularly when using ceramic tile that don't have color through the clay body. These environmental stresses cause all parts of the shower assembly to move slightly, mostly through expansion and contraction. I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. Tile Redi Redi Niche 16 in. W x 20 in. H x 4 in. D Shampoo - Soap You would have to check with your local building authority about this. Types of sealants: There are several different types of sealants available for use in shower niches, including silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane. Shower Shelving | Shower Storage Solutions | KOHLER LuxStone Showers Corner shelves are easier to tile. Hello again. If its not possible, have you considered installing wall mounted shelves? My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. The shower will be 4 6 x 6, with the 6 wall being the exterior wall. This just introduces a condensation surface into the wall and you dont want that. 6 Tile Shower Niche Questions Answered by Experts - Tile Club 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. Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items. As for the tile/ tub margin the best way is always to silicon this margin. Just make sure there are no voids at all. I just did a 52 linear niche in an exterior 24 stud wall cavity. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Im super happy that I could provide you with some helpful advice! 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. If youre interested in this shower niche shelf or all kinds of other shower shelves, you can check out my shower niche shelf post. Stucco exterior. Whether you or your contractor uses a liquid or sheet style waterproofing membrane, it does not matter, as long as you dont skip this important step during your next shower remodel! Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. I am hoping that there is at least a framed box in the stud cavity behind the wall so theres a solid surface to apply this tile. First time dealing with contractors, we really need . Cleaning Difficulties Deep and dark surface recesses can make it difficult to see when cleaning. Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. Some stone fabricators may help you out with a couple of easy cuts, but as soon as its perceived as a job, they will want to be paid well for it. The easiest option would be simply to install your shower niche below 3 feet. Types of materials: When it comes to choosing materials for your shower niche, there are several options to consider. Maybe this isnt such a good idea? We are currently in a remodel and was thinking of this horizontal niche with a light in the top corner. If your new horizontal niche will span more than a couple of wall studs, the safest way to build your shower niche into this wall is to construct a new wall adjacent to it, to contain the niche. In conclusion..it would really be best if you installed your niche in an interior wall instead. I would recommend that the entire perimeter mounting flange of the niche be supported by backing, and that the niche be attached to the backing on all 4 sides. Color: Brushed Stainless Steel. I am an engineer and have never heard such a thing. There are gaps in the corner that would clearly lead to water leaking into the walls or at the least have moisture exposure. Causes of poor installation can include using substandard materials, insufficient preparation of the shower wall, and failure to follow proper waterproofing membrane installation procedures. Can you shower when the power is out? Am I right? The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. Simply use a paint brush and dip it in the grout sealant, then apply it to the lines. I usually discourage the layering of waterproofing products but in this case you need to do all you can to limit moisture transmission. 1) You mention that its NOT recommended to install it on an outside wall. 2) Our contractor told us he plans to prep the hole for the niche, install the ceramic tiles, then as a last step, apply the niche on top and finish with a bead of silicon to waterproof it. Both if we wanted to keep the niche? Then apply silicon caulking (only 100% silicon) to fill the voids. OUR GURANTEE - 100% waterproof and leak-proof guaranteed. 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. what about a niche the full length of a 5 foot shower. Repair options: If the grout line cracking is already leaking, there are several repair options available. Does a shower niche have to be sloped? - DoItYourself.com https://www.rona.ca/en/double-shower-niche-16-x-20-white-65595330?viewStore=41450&cm_mmc=-_-1697454409-_-65797565026-_-pla-789828216667&gclid=CjwKCAjw4NrpBRBsEiwAUcLcDAruYjqrXkjrAeHtFSlvPDKOxDTXp7kFtnt49WGO_GIerPjBFBflfxoCYe0QAvD_BwE. Its time to take control of the situation and restore your shower to its former glory. Wow! Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. A fair bit of water deflects onto the shower walls in this area, so a bar of soap can become a sloppy mess and dissolve down the drain, if stored within this zone. They also left some of the spacers in and grouted over them. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. Its a non-load bearing wall but there is a floor above, I found your article great as it talked about considering other issues, not just weight from above. 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. Installing a Kerdi-board niche Im not really sure what to say about this one. Nothing is safer that the parallel wall design I mentioned above. I speak english and french so translating it directly I believe he said an L-angle edging trim ? We are upgrading a bathroom on a bungalow we both. x 22 in., Includes Adjustable Shelf. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! You can then insulate this wall and install your shower niche into it. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Bathroomaholic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. My contractor is suggesting that we simply put the tiles in the hole that has already been made (with enough slant to make the water run down but also not too slanted so my bottles cant stay on it) and add a sort of aluminum transition trim (not sure that is the correct word but what we would see on the floor usually but a thicker one around the tiles). Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. 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. Congrats! The difference is that this niche must be mounted on the framing instead of the backer board surface, so that its 1/2 flange can be flush with the 1/2 thick tile backer board that surrounds it. I would guess that using Kerdi Board in this situation compromises the firewall. If this gap is any smaller, you should surround the niche body with spray foam. The use of a bleach solution can be effective in removing mildew and mold, while vinegar can be used as a more natural and less harsh alternative. The safest solution would be a sheet of plate steel behind the entire niche. I aim for a 18-in. Therefore they hold water. Does this design sound OK? This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall. 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 Im understanding you correctly, it is a very typical alcove style shower with a 6 back wall (outside wall) and two 46 side walls, one of which is the valve wall. Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply ! With a shower niche taking up most of the space in a 3 1/2 stud cavity, moisture condensation in the wall cavity is virtually guaranteed if the temperature drops a few degrees outside compared to inside. When you already have a shower niche and want to avoid problems, you need to follow a plan to keep it in great shape. This may be problematic with porcelain but is rarely an issue with stone. As far as I can tell, your part of Florida experiences temps from the 40s (F) to the 90s (F) so there is enough of a temp variation to create a condensation problem behind the niche (if it was mounted in an outside wall with inadequate insulation behind it). If youve not yet committed to a shower niche, check out my Complete Shower Niche Guide. All these foam and plastic niches can distort if not fully supported. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. 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. Great article and through responses to questions. If there are hairline cracks here (there often are after the grout has broken away beneath) moisture can infiltrate and pool over the silicon bead. The wall is framed with metal studs and reinforced with wood and there will probably be some air circulation at the tops of the walls above the drywall ceiling into the joist area because the metal studs are not very air tight. Steps for cleaning include removing any soap scum, dirt, or other debris from the surface of the niche, as well as wiping down the tiles and grout. There were so many things done that we now realize were probably not done well/correctly. Then, the sealant can be applied using a caulking gun or another appropriate application tool. Do you tile directly on these? One of the biggest decisions youll face is choosing between a tub or shower. 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. Now I have to sort of find a box that can be inserted inside and have a bit if a lip all round or do as mentioned before, cover in ceramic. Repair options: If your shower niche has already become warped, there are several repair options available. How can we tell if there is a problem behind this niche? All of our cavities we use 3 inches of foamular rigid foam board giving an r value of r15 before tiling. If everything looks good behind the niche (no moisture or mold), then I would leave the niche alone until you do a full shower remodel. The general rule is to install the horizontal finished surfaces in the shower before the vertical. I think you know what Im going to say.. You should not be installing your niche on a 3-1/2 outside stud wall not even in northern California. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. Proper ventilation and climate control, such as using a dehumidifier or ensuring that the bathroom has adequate ventilation, can also help to reduce the risk of warping. last year. Here is a link to my shower waterproofing post if you would like to read more on the topic. Shower-niche-shelf | Wayfair Yes, it is possible to add a shower niche to an existing shower. To patch the drywall is pretty easy if you look it up online. Any advice would be appreciated. Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. We had a niche installed (3-1/4 inches, 4 with the listello) in an outside wall of a shower. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. Although your outside wall may not be subject to the same temperature changes as an exposed outside wall, foundation walls like this can be troublesome because of moisture. In our case, there would be a good 6 inches distance between the shower wall and the rest of the bathroom wall that is facing outside. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber.Be aware that there are potential problems that can come up when you retrofit a shower niche. Shower niche Bathroom at Lowes.com We wish we would have gone with an Onyx shower surround. And some moisture will pretty much always make it behind your niche. When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. The company that we are considering for the repairs plans to just caulk over the grout, including the space where the grout has broken out. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? Yes, our stainless steel recessed shower niches can be finished with any type of shower panel or shower board. ALFI brand 8 x 36 Brushed Stainless Steel Vertical Triple Shelf Bath Shower Niche. Sorry I couldnt come up with an easier solution. The only difference is that if you install a thinner panel like the acrylic type, the perimeter flange will protrude a little from the finished acrylic wall surface. The encouraging thing about prefab foam niches is that it should never leak even if water pools at the base (unless its been damaged). By understanding the, Are you looking for a luxurious way to unwind after a long day? Ideally, extending the stud greater than 4 would have been best, but it is a really small powder room with a closet being converted to a shower and every inch counts.

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