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). But it really has to do with the thickness of your outside wall. But even the smallest cracks will allow moisture to penetrate, moving easily through the backer board seams, to the framing beneath. Knowledge Center 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. Using construction adhesive in the joints around the header and installing blocking between the remaining stud bays, will also significantly increase the walls rigidity. There are gaps in the corner that would clearly lead to water leaking into the walls or at the least have moisture exposure. Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. Will that look ugly? You should also take into account the overall style and design of your bathroom when choosing the size and style of your shower niche. Causes of poor installation: Poor installation of a custom shower niche is a common problem that can lead to a range of issues, including leakage, water damage, and warping. That goes for shower floor and wall tile but also stone shelves and ledges. With 26 exterior wall framing, theres always a bit of room for some insulation behind a typical shower niche install. 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. The sealant should be applied in a continuous, even bead, and allowed to cure for the recommended time before using the shower. The only thing I would suggest is that you keep them out of the splash zone just because its more convenient to access when you are showering. You should also check your local tile store. One solution is to frame the niche. 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. We dont mind these. It's hard to look away, for better or for worse. Regardless of the results, I would install another stud wall adjacent to your existing wall and insulate this wall. Are you tired of constantly replacing your old shower curtain or cleaning your shower door? Yes, it is possible to add a shower niche to an existing shower. I live in Northern California (near Sacramento) where temps are 40-102 degrees. In wall directly under the shower head. Wow! Im a tile contractor. You can place them beside each other horizontally or vertically on the back wall. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. not a great look. Some of the most common materials used in shower niches include tile, stone, glass, and metal. Wedi has a niche with the inside measurement of 13 X . Following this advice could save you the nightmare and expense of moisture and mold growth in your walls, and tearing out your dream shower to do the job correctly a second time. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. The problem with one niche is that when we examined it it wasn't properly built. 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. With the right cleaning supplies and a simple 7-step, Are you tired of your outdated bathroom and ready for a bathroom remodel? 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). 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. 6 Shower Niche Problems And Solutions - bestplumbersclub.com 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. In other words, there is a good chance that it may be possible. Steam showers have been praised for their many benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved circulation, and respiratory health. If horizontal tiles are installed first, the water would have to move upslope under the wall tile in order to make it to the wall, which is much less likely. My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. The niche is placed into this hole, and the outer flange on the niche is pressed against the tile. 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. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. When designing a niche; however, there are some important details to consider. Super helpful post! Rethinking the Shower Niche (& Why I Think The Ledge Is "Next") Just a thought. It becomes a much bigger problem when the wall studs are 24. 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. 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 spent 3 months doing the project, three different kinds of marble two fans (to exhaust better as she like it hot and uses lots of product). Leakage/Water damage There are a few things that can cause leakage and water damage in shower niches. Shower wall panel installation problems solved with custom trim something you can easily avoid. 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. A bit more expensive for the material but its usually the go to shelf alternative for most tiled shower niches. What is a Shower Filter and Should You Get One? A Shower Niche Is an Absolute Must-Have in Your New Bathroom Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. ANSWERED: What Is a High-Pressure Shower Head? We were initially looking at doing a horizontal niche but it is an exterior wall. 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. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. This is an assumption made far too often when shower niches are framed into the shower wall. Causes of poor installation can include using substandard materials, insufficient preparation of the shower wall, and failure to follow proper waterproofing membrane installation procedures. Your email address will not be published. Frame it like a window! In conclusion..it would really be best if you installed your niche in an interior wall instead. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? No tiler we asked will put in a niche into the shower. Usually the cheapest shelf option is a tiled shelf constructed with wood framing (if a custom niche) or 2 inch thick foam board (see below). 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. Thank you for your comment and Congrats on your new home! 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. I would guess that using Kerdi Board in this situation compromises the firewall. You know that this box should also be waterproofed correctly to prevent water from getting into your wall. Its time to take control of the situation and restore your shower to its former glory. Im assuming that the edges of the tile are exposed around the perimeter of the shower niche. Carefully! The membrane would cover the niche mounting flange so no screws were visible. This makes it a much safer install. Will it help with moisture behind the niche? A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Im not really sure what to say about this one. An outside facing shower wall no matter how its constructed, needs to be insulated adequately. I dont really understand how you are going to get a 2 space behind your niche in a 3-1/2 stud wall but if your niche was super narrow and the shelf protrudes, I guess you could pull that off. There is a lot more I could say on this, but I think you get the picture . Hello again. 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. Planning Shower Niches- Eight Essentials to Keep in Mind . Tips for proper installation: To ensure proper installation of your shower niche, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced tile installer who is familiar with the tile shower niche materials and techniques required for a successful installation. You didnt mention how much of your 64 wall will be occupied by the proposed horizontal niche, but as long as there is room for a narrow stud bay on each side of the header (around 6- 10 each side), you should be OK. This will help us get appropriate repairs. The removal of studs in a non bearing wall really just increases the flexibility of the wall. If a smaller sheet (perhaps remnant) could be purchased of 1/2 thick solid surfacing material in a color very similar to the shower wall tile, wouldnt a good tile setter be able to cut that to create the niche box (sides, bottom, top, shelf)? The price of the Wedi shower system ranges between $800-$1300. In this article, well take a look at the various types of shower heads and discuss the, Your email address will not be published. Good luck with your niche install, and let me know if you need anymore info! nothing. This size is often sufficient for most bottles. Installing a Shower Niche - Fine Homebuilding What are some alternatives to a shower niche? Specify all sides and back of your niche. It is difficult to install a waterproof membrane after the fact. Understanding the most common problems, such as warping, poor installation, and mold and mildew buildup, is the first step in avoiding them. Maybe you should read over my Shower waterproofing post to find out more about waterproofing a shower niche. for pricing and availability. 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. I might also suggest that you get another contractor in for a second opinion about the work. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. Durability and resistance to water: When choosing materials for your shower niche, it is important to consider their durability and resistance to water. Shulter has two niches that are longer, both of which have an adjustable 2" dividing shelf to customize your required size. 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. Am I right? Hey there TIA! 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. Is attempting to pull the tile and replace it the best idea? 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. Consider the height and location of the niche within the shower, as well as the items you will be storing in the niche. In severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the affected materials and replace them with new, mold-resistant materials. One question regarding niche box and shelf components: what about the use of thinner (e.g. Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). Just make sure you seal the grout well so you can more easily clean off any mold and soap scum that may collect. A mild soap and water solution is typically all that is needed for cleaning, although more specialized cleaners may be necessary for removing tough stains or buildup. Thank you for your comment! Contractor screw up - off center shower niche The work was done by a licensed tile company who does impeccable work. 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 ). 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) These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall. The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. The contractor brought up some of the issues with this in various projects. 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! Thank you for the advice! Thanks for your help! But if it's too late, not a big deal. Run a 28 or 210 header, king stud jack stud, ledger and cripples. Other than tearing everything out, this is fairly reliable way to find out whether theres condensation behind the niche. A good grout sealer will help reduce this problem (Sealers Choice Gold by Custom Building Products). I would use the 5/8 or 3/4 thickness for extra structural stability, cut to size and glued together with a polyurethane sealant like Dap polyurethane sealant. 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. The bids that we have are from companies that specialize in grout repair. We live in the Seattle area and so now Im thinking this is not our best option. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. Any ideas on how this might work best? You say that youre hesitant to do this, but it is the most common place to install a standard shower niche (other than horizontal). question about shower niche and placement of handshower/corner shelves However, many people complain that glass shelves are hard to keep clean and soap slips off too easily. Hi we're Denise and Tony! Causes of mold and mildew: Mold and mildew are common problems in shower niches, especially in areas with high humidity levels. Hi, I would suggest that you get rid of the niche if its already causing problems. 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 You can read about how I install tile into the niche here: Building a niche for your shower Part 4. Worth It? 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. Wow! Marble can discolor quite easily if not sealed, but you should always keep it clean because sealers are not perfect (nor permanent). 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? Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. 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? Installing a shower niche can be a deceptively complicated and risky endeavour, but it is possible to avoid the 5 big shower niche install mistakes. It seems like you also felt some pride and satisfaction from your accomplishment as you should. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. Also, in the other bathroom, there was no caulk placed between the tub and the tile wall it was only grouted. The Great Debate: Dual Shower Heads vs Single. Any suggestions would help me! You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. Both walk-in shower vs tub have their unique benefits and drawbacks, but which one is right for you? I would recommend at least 3 1/2 of space behind the niche if youre insulating the wall with fiberglass. It could be quite disastrous if he does not do this correctly. Built with the exact same tile as the rest of the shower surround, so it almost disappears when empty. You can find more details in my Shower Niche Install Mistakes post. Your acrylic idea is interesting and it may work, but it would be a bit risky to ask your tile installer to cut and install this material since he/she has probably never handled this kind of material. The general rule is to install the horizontal finished surfaces in the shower before the vertical. It is poorly installed, crooked, the tile is ugly, and the caulking/grouting is very messy. I saved and reglazed the tub and it looks (performs) wonderful. Let us know! 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. And if left for any length of time it might get moldy. Behind the niche you waterproof the exterior wall board with red gard, then a thin later of insulation. You should always consult a licensed local contractor before undertaking any remodelling work in your home. Thanks for your article. 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. Shower Shelving | Shower Storage Solutions | KOHLER LuxStone Showers Some materials, such as stone and metal, are naturally more resistant to water than others. 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. In our new shower, we built a knee wall in front of an exterior wall to put a shelf on.
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