You are correct to be concerned about installing your shower niche in an outside wall unless there is at least 3 of insulation space behind the niche. Marble can discolor quite easily if not sealed, but you should always keep it clean because sealers are not perfect (nor permanent). Fill the entire wall if possible (or at least the stud cavity) and place the niche into the wet foam). However, even the smallest cracks allow moisture to seep in and penetrate through the seams of the backer board, reaching the underlying framing and damaging the entire shower wall. wedi. 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. Carefully! 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. 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. The 5 BIG Mistakes: Don't Skip the Waterproofing Don't Install a Retrofit Niche Make Sure It Integrates with the Waterproofing Membrane Don't Compromise the Wall Structure Don't Install in an Outside Wall Bonus Tip: Installing the Wrong Shower Niche Shelf Don't Skip the Waterproofing This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. Niches ought to not be against exterior walls if possible in cold climates. Because of the poor workmanship that you have noticed with the tiling and niche installation, there is a pretty good chance that your shower niche has been compromised and moisture has already been leaking into the stud wall. Your email address will not be published. Hey there What Liquids Can You Use To Unclog A Toilet? He is now suggesting to just put tiles in the open space if I dont like the box I linked below.Is there anything to keep in mind? Vinegar is a natural, tile shower niche friendly cleaner that removes grime, dirt, and soap scum from tiles. 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. If there is a membrane, you will likely destroy it and this would be worse than leaving as is. 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. Im doing a shower at the moment. 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. 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. Hi Steve, Great advice to everyone. As for the tile/ tub margin the best way is always to silicon this margin. 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. 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. How do I choose the right size and style for my shower niche? Unless there are large areas without any grout, silicon caulking would probably be your best option because its very difficult to get new grout to adhere to existing grout, First you should remove the remaining spacers and clean out these areas (and all other voids) as best as you can. 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. 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. One of the biggest decisions youll face is choosing between a tub or shower. 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. The shower wall tiles would then be installed. Sometimes this is a bearing wall that the structural integrity of your home depends on, and sometimes its not. The first niche shown is a finished shower niche. Assuming this is correct, I would suggest that you install the shelf before the tile. Obviously, you are going to cut out where the shelf and niche go in the wall tile (unless you are using these new metal shelves from Schluter ). 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. Yes, but also no, Shower Water Pressure Low? And please let me know if you have anymore questions. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. Thank you for your comment! Will that look ugly? In our new shower, we built a knee wall in front of an exterior wall to put a shelf on. After a shower wall is tiled, its too risky to attempt to repair or re-build a shower niche at this point. Sounds like it was a fun project. Ive attached photos. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. This just introduces a condensation surface into the wall and you dont want that. We are upgrading a bathroom on a bungalow we both. Sorry for all my rambling but this is important stuff. 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. If the only barrier to water getting behind the tiles is a strip of caulking, then eventually, you could have problems. One piece, leak proof, tileable, easy-to-install. Depending on the degree of moisture, I may not insulate the existing wall so air can circulate between the shower wall and foundation wall. 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. Repair options: If your shower niche has already become warped, there are several repair options available. So you saved us potential issues down the road. ALFI brand. Although they are less durable than some other materials such as ceramic or stone, they can provide a long-lasting and attractive option for your shower niche if properly maintained and cared for. Any advice would be appreciated. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. If you have a standard 3 1/2 stud framing in this outside wall, its very likely that theres a condensation/mold problem behind the niche, regardless how well they waterproofed it. Wow! 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. Any suggestions would help me! To be sure, you really should consult a local contractor familiar with the insulation and vapour control requirements in your area. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. To patch the drywall is pretty easy if you look it up online. Follow the directions to make sure it dries thoroughly. Also, being a full 5.5 away from the shower head, it is basically the driest part of your shower. I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. 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? 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? Thank you for the advice! The contractor brought up some of the issues with this in various projects. 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. If the shower wall is brick, it is likely an outside wall. The bathroom wall is 5 long, and once you get past that, you are in an unfinished space next door. 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. More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. If this happens, you will make things a lot worse than they already are. The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. This would allow you to add a bit more insulation behind the niche, but either way you should use spray foam because it has a greater R-value per inch of thickness. Prevention tips: To prevent mold growth in your shower niche, it is important to take a proactive approach. I live in Northern California (near Sacramento) where temps are 40-102 degrees. 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. Thank you for your comment, and Im sorry to hear about your troubles with your niche install. Therefore they hold water. Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? 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. Dont leave any air spaces around the niche or in that particular stud cavity (to eliminate air circulation). 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). Some materials, such as stone and metal, are naturally more resistant to water than others. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) They used hardie to build it out, but the corners arent aligned, and one part of the niche doesnt have hardie on it. Its always great to hear from a fellow contractor. This can cause mold to grow here which is not disastrous but it doesnt look very nice. This is the shower niche that we used in this bathroom. Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. 3 Major shower niche problems 1. In some cases, the shower niche may not be compatible with the materials used in the shower, leading to water infiltration and leaks. Just make sure there are no voids at all. Well yes the shower shelves should be slightly sloped to let soapy water drain away. Can You Let It Sit? It may seem like a slightly easier way of installing a shower niche, but its not really much easier than the membrane bonding finished shower niche products out there, and it violates the industries recommended best practices. ALFI brand 8 x 36 Brushed Stainless Steel Vertical Triple Shelf Bath Shower Niche. That goes for shower floor and wall tile but also stone shelves and ledges. Cut and glue/caulk the Palisade/Dumawall tile to cover the sides of the shower niche. Hi we're Denise and Tony! Its accomplished with framing protocols to comply with your local codes. But even the smallest cracks will allow moisture to penetrate, moving easily through the backer board seams, to the framing beneath. So now Im contemplating what to do. That means that between the brick wall and the tiled shower wall, there needs to be an adequate amount of space filled with insulation, to prevent moisture from condensing in the wall. 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. 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? To begin, it is important to clean and prepare the surface of the niche thoroughly. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. Thank you for your comment! Although this niche should be totally waterproof, I would also suggest that you apply a good quality waterproofing membrane to the interior of the niche when youre waterproofing the shower wall, just to be safe. As for the niche itself it sounds like your contractor is planning to install a retrofit niche. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. You can place them beside each other horizontally or vertically on the back wall. Depth of a Shower Niche. Hi Steve! Of course, none of this will necessarily occur if the shower wall and niche are properly waterproofed, and there is enough space behind the shower niche for adequate insulation. 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. Whether youre looking to increase accessibility, save space, or simply, Having the right shower head can make all the difference when it comes to taking a shower. 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. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. Shulter has two niches that are longer, both of which have an adjustable 2" dividing shelf to customize your required size. We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? 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. 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. Slow Flushing Toilet? Please leave a comment below if youd like to ask any specific questions about shower niche installation. And some moisture will pretty much always make it behind your niche. Not the other way around. Hello Steve, I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. Install shower niche. Good luck with your niche install, and let me know if you need anymore info! If I understood your guidelines correctly, the niche should be installed first, made 100% waterproof (using membrane) and the ceramic tiles should come after. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. The standard depth of a shower niche is 3.5 inches, the width of a wood stud. SIMPLE INSTALLATION - Pre-fabricated shower niche that is fully sealed, hassle-free, quick and easy installation; makes traditional tedious shower niche installation effortless! You can then insulate this wall and install your shower niche into it. We were wanting the most storage possible for our items we use for our son as well as for our guests to put their items in there as well. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? If foam is best what kind of foam? One possibility is that the grout or caulking around the niche isn't properly sealed. Model # US3000007. Additionally, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to water and wear, such as acrylic or fiberglass. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. The easiest option would be simply to install your shower niche below 3 feet. I usually discourage the layering of waterproofing products but in this case you need to do all you can to limit moisture transmission. Thank you for your comment and Congrats on your new home! Congrats! 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. 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. This would be relatively safe but not ideal. Stucco exterior. What about horizontal placement in the long wall?Vertical placement on the long wall? This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. When a custom niche is built well, it can look very sturdy, solid and deceptively waterproof. I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. Just kind of soak of residue water and let it dry. Unfortunately, attempting to remove tiles in the niche or anywhere on the shower wall is a difficult and risky procedure. My builders have just installed a Schluter prefabricated niche but have forgotten to slope the tile so water is pooling. During a complete shower wall reconstruction, the retrofit niche hole is cut out of the the tile backer board after its attached to the shower wall framing. Beautiful bathrooms begin here! 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. Im sorry that I couldnt provide you with more reassurance. Framed vs Frameless: The Great Shower Door Debate. In severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the affected materials and replace them with new, mold-resistant materials. With this moisture penetration problem in mind you can probably see why its risky to install your shower niche into an outside wall. You are correct that it is designed to be a tile ready niche, not a finished niche. 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. The problem is that most trims have a flange or anchoring leg thats designed to be placed into the mortar beneath the edge tile. 1) You mention that its NOT recommended to install it on an outside wall. 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. Super solid, super rigid, and super safe, because the original wall structure remains completely intact. 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. Its really not worth the risk. Its time to take control of the situation and restore your shower to its former glory. Then tile and grout! For a shower remodeling project in Northeast Ohio call Cleveland Design and Remodeling at 216-658-1270 or The Bath Doctor in Columbus at 614-252-3242. The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. Find My Store. Thanks Jay. Hence 42-60 inches (elbow to the eye) is the preferred shower niche height for homeowners. 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. 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. Run a 28 or 210 header, king stud jack stud, ledger and cripples. Our contractor installed a shower niche and tiled the wall and niche however my husband doesnt like the finished product as there is.