Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. Im sorry that I couldnt provide you with more reassurance. slope over 3 in. From warping and poor installation to mold and mildew, these issues can quickly turn your once beautiful and functional shower niche into a source of frustration. Hi Steve! I was even thining if it was perhaps we could use small steel beams to support the weight. With this moisture penetration problem in mind you can probably see why its risky to install your shower niche into an outside wall. 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 In this article, well take a look at the various types of shower heads and discuss the, Your email address will not be published. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa73259bdde6e6e1cf75feb3586d0df2" );document.getElementById("dc5b5fc75d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Join our Mailing list for blog and product updates, Click the Ad link below to leave the Redblock site and continue to Amazon.com, Schluter Kerdi Board 12"x20" Shower Niche, How to Install a Corner Shelf in an Already Tiled Shower, 7 Best Corner Shower Shelf Options for New AND Existing Showers, How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. Good luck with your new shower remodel project, AND enjoy your new shower niche! The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. All of our cavities we use 3 inches of foamular rigid foam board giving an r value of r15 before tiling. 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. Great article. 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. 3 Major shower niche problems 1. In regards to the insulation question we dont have the option of building a secondary wall so were thinking of lining the area where the niche will go with the thin foil bubble wrap type insulation (Reflectix). 4. The issue is really all about the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. Thank you for your comment! Although not a great solution, your only other choice might be to install a retrofit niche with and overlap flange (as long as the whole is exactly the right size, that is). I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). Model # ABN0836-BSS. 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. It will scratch and get foggy over time, and I would guess that harsh cleaners like bleach would accelerated this process. Most electrical & plumbing codes accept 16 gauge steel (1/16) for protection plates, so thats what I would suggest. In conclusion..it would really be best if you installed your niche in an interior wall instead. Firstly As you can see by the screw holes around its perimeter, this niche is designed to be screwed into framing members that your contractor should have installed prior to installing the tile backer board (the board that the tiles are attached to). When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. We want to use a single-piece of marble for the shelf. Complete Steam Shower Pros and Cons, Goodbye Grime: 7 Steps on How to Clean a Walk-In Shower, Walk-in Shower Pros and Cons: A Complete Guide, Walk-in Shower vs. Tub: The Ultimate Showdown, What Is a Walk-In Shower and Why You Should Have One, Everything you need to know about using a bidet for enema, How Do You Use A Bum Gun? Im super happy that I could provide you with some helpful advice! In conclusion, shower niches are a great addition to any bathroom, providing a convenient and attractive place to store and organize your shower essentials. If the shower wall is brick, it is likely an outside wall. The bids that we have are from companies that specialize in grout repair. Is there a protector you can buy to install on the back of the niche? If installing a shower niche on in interior wall, what do you suggest putting behind it to prevent someone from puncturing it from the other side? This makes it a much safer install. The safest way to get a good deal on scraps is to buy them as is, and get your tile installer to cut it. I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We wish we would have gone with an Onyx shower surround. It's hard to look away, for better or for worse. In addition to moisture buildup, improper ventilation, poor ventilation and drainage, and using non-waterproof materials can also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in shower niches. I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. Marble can discolor quite easily if not sealed, but you should always keep it clean because sealers are not perfect (nor permanent). The only way I would install the EZ Niche or the Redi Niche is if a liquid waterproofing membrane (like RedGard) was first applied to its surface. Or, can I go my original route (diy niche with permabase) and install a longer (depth) niche shelf so my wifes bigger shampoo bottles will fit BUT also have a 2 cavity behind the niche to apply foam or insulation? This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . You can read about how I install tile into the niche here: Building a niche for your shower Part 4. 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. A properly installed niche will be less prone to water damage, warping, and other problems, and will provide a long-lasting and functional addition to your bathroom. Your best bet it to remove some tile around the niche, open the wall, remove the niche, install some new bracing between the studs, insert insulation to re-fill the niche cavity, then patch the hole with a new piece of backer board (attached to the new bracing). Am I right? This extra flexibility can be limited by installing a structural header over top of the niche opening. #1. Thank you for your comment and Congrats on your new home! 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. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. Residential and Commercial; Professional Sewage and Drain Cleaning Both if we wanted to keep the niche? This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. Looking for opinions on whether y'all think this is a shower pan problem or possibly slow drip from the niche, which is what I'm thinking as it seems to be . 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). 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)? 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. Ive attached photos. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. The problem is that the shower environment is a very moist one, and some of this moisture will always make it into the stud cavity through the wall tile, your tile backer board, and often through your tiled shower niche. ANSWERED: What Is a High-Pressure Shower Head? This is an assumption made far too often when shower niches are framed into the shower wall. Shower niches are an essential component of any modern bathroom design, offering a convenient and functional storage solution. 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. 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. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. The causes of this issue can range from improper installation, poor waterproofing, or wear and tear over time. These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. When you already have a shower niche and want to avoid problems, you need to follow a plan to keep it in great shape. 5 BIG Shower Niche Install Mistakes to Avoid in your Shower Remodel The temperature variation between inside and outside is large enough to cause condensation behind your niche if any moisture makes it behind your niche. I find it looks really cheap and asked him if we can find another solution. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. Really appreciate the info on the structural issues with long niches. Shower wall panel installation problems solved with custom trim It will also be difficult to get these tiles off without breaking them so you need some spares that you can use as replacements. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Sorry for all my rambling but this is important stuff. I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). The box he bought is usually made to tile over (based on research I just did) afterwards. What are some alternatives to a shower niche? That would be a lot worse than pooling water. 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. I ended up putting in additional studs in all the walls because the walls in this closet turned shower had the most impractical stud spacing, nothing below 18 on center, some as high as 26. I looked at the niche in the link you provided. Its really not worth the risk. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. I have a niche install on an outside wall and now is bad condensation, I have the builders coming back to rectify. I have consulted experts (Underwriters Laboratories Architectural Division) who say that thinset mortar and porcelain tile is naturally fireproof anyways, so that should meet or exceed the walls fire rating. Another alternative is the glass shelf. 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. It seems like you also felt some pride and satisfaction from your accomplishment as you should. Im not sure I understand your situation exactly, but what matters most is the distance between the back of the niche and the outside wall sheeting. With 26 exterior wall framing, theres always a bit of room for some insulation behind a typical shower niche install. If there is a membrane, you will likely destroy it and this would be worse than leaving as is. Good luck with your shower project! 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. Recently my bathroom was remodeled with a niche installed. We are currently in a remodel and was thinking of this horizontal niche with a light in the top corner. If this gap is any smaller, you should surround the niche body with spray foam. A bit more expensive for the material but its usually the go to shelf alternative for most tiled shower niches. This will help us get appropriate repairs. 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). The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. They had framed one out but not structurally so after reading this and showing this to my contractor we are re-doing a small niche within existing framing to be safe. Will Your Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself? Do you see any problem doing this? They say it is not a problem but I disagree. This would also assume that the wall tile could still be continued seamlessly around the niche and into its interior. 8 Reasons Why Corner Shelves are Better than Shower Niches The smooth surface of acrylic tiles makes them easy to clean, as they do not absorb moisture and are resistant to the buildup of soap scum and other types of dirt and debris an ideal material for a preformed niche. Also, the door has a quartz lip where the quartz meets the tile and between the tile and quartz there is a hole and can see the water dripping off the bottom. These shelves are so popular because theyre subtle, modern looking, and considered attractive by most. Hi! Thanks for your help! This may be problematic with porcelain but is rarely an issue with stone. Frame it like a window! If I understand you correctly, you have furred out the wall to create a ledge upon which you will affix a marble shelf. You would have to check with your local building authority about this. Shower Niche Installation Tips and Tricks - Making Manzanita Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. 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. Im doing a shower at the moment. One of the biggest decisions youll face is choosing between a tub or shower. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can enjoy a beautiful and worry-free shower niche for years to come. There also needs to be an adequate waterproofing membrane beneath the tile layer to limit moisture transmission into this wall. My wife had an idea of keeping the longer side wall niche-free for aesthetics. The Durock Shower Niche is the only plastic niche that I would ever recommend because it has a coating applied to its surface to facilitate mortar bonding. It will be a single 30 square niche. Does this design sound OK? Thank you for your comment, and Im sorry to hear about your troubles with your niche install. We live in the Seattle area and so now Im thinking this is not our best option. We are worried someone might decide to drill through it to hang something on the wall behind. Its was a perfect job except when the frameless glass was installed, the installers drilled the glass for the towel bar and handle at a whopping 56 above the ground. Otherwise, you can place your shower niches wherever you want. You could still use the wall tile or an accent tile for the back wall of the niche. The only safe way to do this is to build a new wall adjacent to the brick wall. Where to Place the Shower Niche? In-depth Guide for Homeowners Please leave a comment below if youd like to ask any specific questions about shower niche installation. A good grout sealer will help reduce this problem (Sealers Choice Gold by Custom Building Products). The membrane would cover the niche mounting flange so no screws were visible. Without these options, youre probably better off installing a regular tiled niche using something like Schluter Kerdi SN. If there is a problem behind the niche (or the niche is mounted in an outside wall), I would only recommend that you fully remodel your shower so that a waterproofing membrane can be installed with a properly sealed niche box. Importance of proper installation: Proper installation is critical for ensuring that your shower niche functions properly and provides a safe and attractive space for bathing and showering. All these foam and plastic niches can distort if not fully supported. The tile is then applied on the shower wall as usual, but the hole is left exposed so the retrofit shower niche can later be inserted into it. The EZ niche is PVC plastic so it has a relatively low permeability but the niche and rest of the wall assembly, will always transmit some moisture into the shower wall. Let us know! A standard 8 wood header would do the job as long as its assembled and installed properly. 1/2 thick) acrylic solid surfacing materials? Additionally, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to water and wear, such as acrylic or fiberglass. Is Drano Ok? Its accomplished with framing protocols to comply with your local codes. With the high volume of users in this particular shower, practicality should really be your highest priority in my opinion. If there is no membrane, it could already be a problem. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. Installing a Kerdi-board niche There is a way to install these shower niches correctly and safely, but unfortunately many contractors fail to accomplish this. 6 Tips to Increase the Pressure, 4 Steam Shower Deep Cleaning and Maintenance Tips, A Clear Guide to Steam Shower Costs: What to Know, Choosing Steam Shower Accessories: A Complete Guide, Hot vs Steamy: Simple Guide to Steam Shower vs Sauna, Sweat it Out: The 7 Healthy Benefits of Steam Showers, The Ultimate Guide to Convert Shower to Steam Shower, Use This Easy Steam Shower Generator Sizing Calculator, Worth Buying? Maximizing Your Space: Where to Place a Shower Niche Shulter has two niches that are longer, both of which have an adjustable 2" dividing shelf to customize your required size. I trim around it Is it too late to add some type of trim now ? Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. I would suggest that you get rid of the niche if its already causing problems. My builders have just installed a Schluter prefabricated niche but have forgotten to slope the tile so water is pooling. This sheet will only provide a condensation surface for moisture. 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. Types of materials: When it comes to choosing materials for your shower niche, there are several options to consider. This would be a VERY difficult procedure even for the most skilled tile installer, and it would really only be possible with ceramic tile. Just make sure there are no voids at all. Click here for my full Personal / Professional Disclosure. Unfortunately, Im not really qualified to say what your HOA may do in this situation. To begin, it is important to clean and prepare the surface of the niche thoroughly. Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. Sounds like it was a fun project. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For If you absolutely need to install on the outside wall, you should certainly install a foam niche but I would go one step further and install a SUPER GOOD sheet waterproofing membrane on the entire wall and in the niche as well. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. No matter how tight the joints may look in a newly constructed niche, they will not keep water from penetrating and running into the stud cavity if it is not properly waterproofed. My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. Because this niche is designed to be installed after tiling, the silicon bead become the only thing keeping moisture out of the stud wall. The SN-1212 square shower niche available in polished stainless steel brushed stainless steel and matte black stainless steel is made from premium 304-grade stainless steel, the ultimate material for enduring rust, stains, scratches, and corrosion. Shower Not Working: 4 Common Reasons and How to Fix Them - Plumb One 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. Understanding the most common problems, such as warping, poor installation, and mold and mildew buildup, is the first step in avoiding them. And please let me know if you need more help, and good luck with your project! Checking the grout lines regularly and addressing any issues promptly can also help to maintain the integrity and functionality of the shower niche over time. Stucco exterior. Poor shower niche installation can be caused by inexperienced or unqualified installers who need to become more familiar with the proper techniques and materials needed for a successful installation. It seems like youre being quite forgiving of the mistake that they made (I agree with your evaluation, btw). If you cant do spray foam, a 2 thick insulating foam sheet can be placed behind it. The miscalculated using measurement for a walk in shower I believe, rather than glass on tub. not a great look. When designing a niche; however, there are some important details to consider. 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. nothing. What about horizontal placement in the long wall?Vertical placement on the long wall? 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. The inside of the niche measurements are 12" x 20" (305 mm x 508 mm) and 12" x 28" (305 mm x 711 mm). Shower Niche Ideas | Sebring Design Build 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. The problem is that these measures mostly address structural stresses applied from above, but do not often address the increased flexibility (reduction in rigidity) caused by cutting out the vertical framing. It usually starts out as very fine cracks at the corners that cant easily be seen. Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Doors: Worth It? Follow the directions to make sure it dries thoroughly. You can find more details in my Shower Niche Install Mistakes post. All brick wall. 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. Causes of leaking: Leaking shower niches or ledges are a common problem in bathroom design.

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