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. So now Im contemplating what to do. Importance of regular cleaning: Regular cleaning helps to keep the shower niche looking its best, as well as prevent the buildup of mold, mildew, and other potentially harmful substances. The most important part of this project will be your undertile waterproofing. Then tile and grout! 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. 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 wife had an idea of keeping the longer side wall niche-free for aesthetics. I was wondering two things: Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. All brick wall. We will be using Laticrete Hydroban board to waterproof the shower including the niche cavity. 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. 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. Our contractor installed a shower niche and tiled the wall and niche however my husband doesnt like the finished product as there is. 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. This would be a VERY difficult procedure even for the most skilled tile installer, and it would really only be possible with ceramic tile. Any suggestions would help me! Therefore they hold water. These horizontal niches are the epitome of opulence, sometimes spanning the entire shower wall and offering a huge area for storage. One possibility is that the grout or caulking around the niche isn't properly sealed. Windows go in exterior walls so you treat your niche framing as you would a window going in. 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. You should keep in mind that the niche must be attached to the shower wall before the acrylic/glass/stone panel is installed so that it can overlap the mounting flange (M-block flange) and bond to it via a sealant. Thanks Jay. As such its very convenient to install the niche in this area because its in easy reach. How do I choose the right size and style for my shower niche? Another huge benefit of this parallel wall design is that it basically gives you the green light to install your niche into an outside shower wall (see below for more details). Acrylic is also super soft. It will be on an inside wall. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. The niche is placed into this hole, and the outer flange on the niche is pressed against the tile. Great article. The contractor brought up some of the issues with this in various projects. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) Straight, flush screws are needed to keep the hinge from torquing the tile and screws. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. The standard depth of a shower niche is 3.5 inches, the width of a wood stud. My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. Let us know! 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. If this happens, you will make things a lot worse than they already are. If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. Steve, I originally planned to put two of the N1014 stainless niches stacked vertically a few inches apart on the rear wall of a tub shower combo (opposite the shower head). We made this blog to help others like ourselves get all the useful information needed to build a better bathroom all in one place! Importance of sealing: Sealing the shower niche is an important step in preventing water damage, warping, and other problems associated with shower niches. I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. Im assuming from your description that your contractor did not do this, but if he installed the back framing I described above, the niche could still be attached, the gap sealed, and a strip of waterproofing membrane applied. Beyond that, you must do everything you can to limit water vapor transmission through the shower wall. Otherwise, you can place your shower niches wherever you want. 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. We live in San Diego so very mild climate and the wall is a north facing wall that is in eternal shade and because its on the side of the house closest to the neighboring house it doesnt even ever get wet. 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. The Secret to a Spa-Like Experience. The membrane would cover the niche mounting flange so no screws were visible. The trim is called Quadec by Schluter Systems. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. 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. Have I got this right? This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . That would be a lot worse than pooling water. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? Find My Store. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. 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. Instead, I recommend going for a shower niche that is almost invisible to the eye. I am not too concerned about cutting out 1 wall stud to accommodate your shower niche, as long as the appropriate structure was installed to reinforce the wall and support the niche. Its a rock solid installation with hydroban vapor and waterproofing barriers. It is possible to find a trim with no anchoring leg but that would mean that the tile would have to be cut away at the corner to make room for this trim piece. Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? I was even thining if it was perhaps we could use small steel beams to support the weight. We live in Missouri so we have hot summers and fairly cold winters. Nothing is safer that the parallel wall design I mentioned above. I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. . Dont leave any air spaces around the niche or in that particular stud cavity (to eliminate air circulation). I like the Redblock corner shelf design; especially the fact that it doesnt interfere with the waterproofing membrane and its a bit more transitional design than the Schluter option. 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. Also, in the other bathroom, there was no caulk placed between the tub and the tile wall it was only grouted. Hello again. 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)? Make Sure It Integrates with the Waterproofing Membrane, Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide, waterproofing membrane has been installed, a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry, Installing porcelain tile on the shower wall instead of ceramic, https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/media/59976485/mbp_ss129_114.pdf. Their angled screws into marble caused the front edge of the hinge to pull away (walk back from the tile face). No matter how well sealed, every foundation wall will be relatively moist. 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. ALFI brand 8 x 36 Brushed Stainless Steel Vertical Triple Shelf Bath Shower Niche. We dont mind these. However, to get the most out of the steam shower experience, its important to select the, Are you tired of dealing with a dirty and dingy walk-in shower? Does that sound sensible to you? 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. 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. I think its great that you use rigid foam to insulate behind the niche because of its high R value. If youve not yet committed to a shower niche, check out my Complete Shower Niche Guide. Now some of that grout has broken. 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. Is there anything that you can tell me that might ease my concerns about the HOA wanting to inspect our unit for any potential damage to shared walls which they said they have the right to do from time to time as written in the CC&R? 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. 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. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. One piece, leak proof, tileable, easy-to-install. How can we tell if there is a problem behind this niche? 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. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. 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 its not possible, have you considered installing wall mounted shelves? Using construction adhesive in the joints around the header and installing blocking between the remaining stud bays, will also significantly increase the walls rigidity. This just introduces a condensation surface into the wall and you dont want that. The last step is to seal grout lines. The cracks often start as fine lines at the corners, which may not be immediately noticeable. Make sure the new membrane overlaps the old one by at least 2 inches. 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. The integrity of a tiled assembly requires significant rigidity in this wall to reduce the chance of grout cracking, tile delamination, and failure of the waterproofing membrane. slope over 3 in. We are having a shower head with diverted valve for a separate shower wand installed which is limiting the location of the niche on the wall with the shower head and I am not a fan of placing the niche along the back wall in direct line of the shower spray. Can I get away with installing a shluter niche? This can cause mold to grow here which is not disastrous but it doesnt look very nice. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. Maintenance schedule: The frequency of cleaning and maintenance required for your shower niche will depend on several factors, including the size and location of the niche, the type of materials used in the shower, and the level of use of the shower itself. If your wife is absolutely against the idea of a shower niche on one of the inside walls, have you considered installing surface mounted shower shelves instead? Its great to hear that you were not deterred by the sometimes intimidating prospect of tackling your own bathroom remodel project. Unfortunately, attempting to remove tiles in the niche or anywhere on the shower wall is a difficult and risky procedure. The more accurately the new header, jack, king and cripple studs are cut and attached, the less flexible this wall will be. Baking soda is a gentle, abrasive cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and soap scum buildup from shower niche tile. 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. 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. The box he bought is usually made to tile over (based on research I just did) afterwards. The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. I am currently working with a contractor on my shower remodel. Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). Frame it like a window! If we leave 1/4 spacing (1/8 around) to thinset around the niche cavity to install over the waterproofing membrane, do you feel that will be sufficient? With this moisture penetration problem in mind you can probably see why its risky to install your shower niche into an outside wall. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). This may not be considered a BIG shower niche install mistake but as a shower remodel contractor I hear a lot of people express regret about choosing the wrong shelf option for their tiled niche. Do you tile directly on these? No gaps, no cracks. 1-piece shower niche with recessed shelf Perfect for storing soaps, shampoos, razors, and other shower supplies Install either horizontally or vertically to best suit your shower Ready to tile: install tile directly on niche surface Customize shelf with the tile of your choice to fit the look and feel of your shower (tile not included) If foam is best what kind of foam? It is important to address warping in shower niches as soon as possible, as it can not only be unsightly but also pose a risk to the overall structural integrity of the shower walls. The issue is really all about the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. There are some great corner shelves available. If you plan to install a custom shower niche into your shower wall, and you want to avoid making one of the biggest shower niche install mistakes, you must make sure that you or your contractor doesnt forget the waterproofing step. Slant the bottom of the niche just enough so that water flows out of it, but not so much that bars of soap and bottles of shampoo slide out. But when shower niche problems arise, it can be frustrating and even damaging to your bathroom. A standard 8 wood header would do the job as long as its assembled and installed properly. Model # ABN0836-BSS. Most horizontal niches are built into the back shower wall; usually the longest, and therefore, the most flexible wall in your shower surround. Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. This will help us get appropriate repairs. Cleaning and remediation options: If mold and mildew have already begun to grow in your shower niche, there are several cleaning and remediation options available. 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. Thoughts? We already completed a shower wall niche in our HOA-controlled townhouse in a shared wall. We are in Chicago which of course gets very cold in winter. The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. Leakage/Water damage There are a few things that can cause leakage and water damage in shower niches. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. When you know the issues with shower niches, you can make sure to avoid them when installing your shower. What a wealth of information! Depth of a Shower Niche. Even if it is not, I would still suggest the same solution (below). I would suggest that you apply a VERY GOOD sheet waterproofing membrane, not a liquid membrane. The fact that you live in Florida does make the outside wall problem a little less of a problem than if you were living in an area that experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations seasonally. The SN-2412 rectangular 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. Can these Niche shower boxs be finished with shower boards as oppose to tilling? It will be a single 30 square niche. 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. After vacuuming out all the dust, you should let the wall dry for a couple of days (a heater blower unit would be great to speed things up) to make sure any moisture trapped behind the tiles dries out. Thank you for so many informative articles, your website is very helpful! I would also suggest installing an extremely good sheet waterproofing membrane. #1. 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. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Can You Let It Sit? 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). This includes ensuring proper ventilation in the bathroom, using waterproof materials, and cleaning the shower niche tile regularly. 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. 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. Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items. You should also check your local tile store. 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. 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. Do you see any problem doing this? So, Im thinking about installing my niche on an exterior wall- 24 studs. If this happens, it could eventually cause mold growth or tile delamination even if water doesnt get into the wall cavity. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For. We are doing a shower remodel where the niche will have to go on an external wall, no choice. Then apply silicon caulking (only 100% silicon) to fill the voids. 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. However, many people complain that glass shelves are hard to keep clean and soap slips off too easily. Maybe I am not understanding your situation correctly, but if you wanted a finished niche and you want it to be completely waterproof, Im just wondering why you didnt purchase one thats designed to integrate with the waterproofing membrane. If my above assumptions above are incorrect, Im sorry to say there may be no good solutions to this problem other than starting over and doing it correctly. The causes of this issue can range from improper installation, poor waterproofing, or wear and tear over time. Thanks for your article. It becomes a much bigger problem when the wall studs are 24. Framed vs Frameless: The Great Shower Door Debate. 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). And please let me know if you have anymore questions. Steam showers have been praised for their many benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved circulation, and respiratory health. The tile company that did the work used Kerdi-board backing and appropriately waterproofed everything prior to tile-setting. Both if we wanted to keep the niche? It would be great if you could fur out that wall to make it a bit thicker. This is what I am assuming. The safest solution would be a sheet of plate steel behind the entire niche. Thoughts? The bottom tiles of the niche slope back towards the wall resulting in a lot of water building up to almost 3mm in depth against the back of the niche. No Doors, No Problem: The Doorless Shower Pros and Cons, Shower Curtain vs Door Showdown: A Complete Guide. The miscalculated using measurement for a walk in shower I believe, rather than glass on tub. Model # US3000007. Im assuming that the edges of the tile are exposed around the perimeter of the shower niche. Any ideas on how this might work best? In our new shower, we built a knee wall in front of an exterior wall to put a shelf on. Wow! There are more cuts and outside edges on a shower niche. wedi. Your email address will not be published. I would suggest that you get rid of the niche if its already causing problems. The extra 2 cantilever shouldnt be a problem as long as its supported fully underneath. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche.
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