Can you tile right on the concrete wall, use the waterproofing membrane all around and have good results? ALFI brand. you guessed right.at this point the niche is useless unless we re-do everything. 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. 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. Hello again. You can refer to our mounting directions to get more details if you like, or you can email me at [emailprotected]. But even if you are planning to go the much safer route and install a pre-manufactured tiling niche or finished niche, you still must adhere to a few rules and procedures. If its not possible, have you considered installing wall mounted shelves? Do Shower Filters Work? 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. There are many commercial tile cleaners available on the market that are specifically designed to clean different types of tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. This will help us get appropriate repairs. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. What Liquids Can You Use To Unclog A Toilet? I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. The shower is tiled in plain white subway tiles and this is what is bordering the niche. Really good article. Thanks for your comment! When you know the issues with shower niches, you can make sure to avoid them when installing your shower. And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. 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. 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. I live in Northern California (near Sacramento) where temps are 40-102 degrees. 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. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the 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). Is it okay (or preferable) to install the shelf itself last, or should we install the shelf prior to tiling the surrounding walls? The moisture permeability of your niche will vary greatly, depending on the type of shower niche you decide to build / install, and the waterproofing strategy, of course. I find it looks really cheap and asked him if we can find another solution. See my waterproofing membrane post for more info. This can cause mold to grow here which is not disastrous but it doesnt look very nice. This sheet will only provide a condensation surface for moisture. Tile Ready brand products by Tile Redi: shower pans and shower bases, recessed niches, shower benches, shaving ledges, and decorative shelf kits. 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). The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. 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. This niche is made from sheet stainless steel with a brushed finish so it does not require tiling. The sealer is super important to ensure you get a good bond between the old grout and the new caulking. In addition to cleaning, it is important to inspect the shower niche regularly for any signs of damage or other issues, and address them promptly to maintain the functionality and appearance of the niche over time. To avoid this BIG shower niche install mistake, you must choose a shower niche with an integrated waterproofing membrane bonding flange as seen in the two examples above. Also a number of the hinge screws were not flush but angled and they claimed it was to give it strength. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the damaged material and replace it with new, warp-resistant materials and a waterproofing membrane. Let us know! In other wordswhen the people at UL gave you their opinion, they may have assumed that the tile substrate was fire rated drywall, not foam backer board. 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. What is a Shower Filter and Should You Get One? Carefully! I looked at the niche in the link you provided. 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? In other words, there is a good chance that it may be possible. 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. Yes, but also no, Shower Water Pressure Low? Either way, cutting a horizontal swath out the structural members of this wall to make room for a niche is a problem. Just kind of soak of residue water and let it dry. 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. Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. 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. Great article. Have a really great DIY project or tutorial that you want to share with others? wedi Shower Niche 16 in. Consider the height and location of the niche within the shower, as well as the items you will be storing in the niche. 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. There also needs to be an adequate waterproofing membrane beneath the tile layer to limit moisture transmission into this wall. Follow the directions to make sure it dries thoroughly. And please let me know if you have anymore questions. Shower Niches | Shower Organizer | Bathroom Organizer | Bathroom The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . How can we tell if there is a problem behind this niche? Theres nothing like the satisfaction of doing a job correctly! We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? The more accurately the new header, jack, king and cripple studs are cut and attached, the less flexible this wall will be. 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. Many clients tell me that they like the asymmetrical look and its very convenient to access. All of our cavities we use 3 inches of foamular rigid foam board giving an r value of r15 before tiling. Although it is a growing trend, there, Read More The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out ForContinue, Are you renovating your bathroom and wondering whether to install a shower curtain or a shower door? In a tall rise building, the steel studs maybe 2.5 inches deep and you should consider this. 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. Check out ourPrivacy Policyfor more info. It doesnt take a waterproofing expert to see that this tiny silicon bead is the only defence against water running into the wall cavity. A single porcelain/ ceramic soap dish may not have been considered a significant breach in the original shower wall but a shower niche may be a different story. When it comes to tiling substrates, it is always better to take this approach because you do not want this assembly to flex or your grout lines will eventually crack. I think we will eventually be replacing all the tile because of this, but right now my biggest concern is the tile niche in our guest bathroom. 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. 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. It could certainly cause a problem in the long run even if you have a waterproofing membrane beneath the tile. This installation is often a BIG shower niche install mistake because moisture can easily condense behind your niche if you dont do this install correctly. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. It would work better to reduce moisture behind the niche. I would have to agree with you. 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. Your email address will not be published. If you have yet to install your shower niche, make sure that there is a slight slope toward the shower so the water doesnt collect on the bottom. I have never seen any fire rating on any foam backer board. Here is a link to my shower waterproofing post if you would like to read more on the topic. 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). Because standard wood and metal framing materials are not great to use in niche construction, might I suggest that you instead construct it out of Kerdi Board or some other brand of foam board? 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. If I understood your guidelines correctly, the niche should be installed first, made 100% waterproof (using membrane) and the ceramic tiles should come after. This is the shower niche that we used in this bathroom. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). 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. Shower Niche Installation Tips and Tricks - Making Manzanita 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? Can I add a shower niche after my shower has been installed? Model # US3000007. We use hydro ban and laticrete sealant and water proofing. They claim 56 height is industry standard. If youve not yet committed to a shower niche, check out my Complete Shower Niche Guide. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. Is attempting to pull the tile and replace it the best idea? I would suggest that you not use the foil wrap. The problem is that the hole is there ready for the niche but all the tiles have been put down already around it. Color: Brushed Stainless Steel. This would be a VERY difficult procedure even for the most skilled tile installer, and it would really only be possible with ceramic tile. . 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. This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. Hi, Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? No matter how well sealed, every foundation wall will be relatively moist. Call Us: (205) 640-2848 About; Services. We recently bought our first home and most of the tiling appears to have not been done well. 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. The shower will be 4 6 x 6, with the 6 wall being the exterior wall. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. In our new shower, we built a knee wall in front of an exterior wall to put a shelf on. 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. 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. 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. Most decent contractors will say that applying the correct structural framing around the niche will adequately fortify the structure. 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. Is Drano Ok? Additionally, cleaning the niche with a mildew-resistant cleaner can help to keep it free of mold and mildew. I would even buy a can of spray foam so you can spay around it and use it to set the niche into. So the water they catch is from the back spray from shower use. Hi Steve Shower wall panel installation problems solved with custom trim That would be a lot worse than pooling water. I am not sure I understand exactly what you are describing, but it sounds like your contractor is creating a waterproof recess out of hydroban board to accommodate the niche. If there is a membrane, you will likely destroy it and this would be worse than leaving as is. Shower Niche Ideas | Sebring Design Build Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. Importance of sealing: Sealing the shower niche is an important step in preventing water damage, warping, and other problems associated with shower niches. 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. Because the Schluter prefabricated shower niche is made of foam board, I would not recommend pulling the tile. 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. The 5 Signs of a Bad Toilet: How Long Do They Last? 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. You need a membrane with a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry. Shower-niche-shelf | Wayfair I would recommend at least 3 1/2 of space behind the niche if youre insulating the wall with fiberglass. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. You want to install the shower niche before you install your backer board for your shower if possible. I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. The problem is that most trims have a flange or anchoring leg thats designed to be placed into the mortar beneath the edge tile. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. How to apply sealant: Applying sealant to the shower niche is a straightforward process that can be done by most homeowners. Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. Its always great to hear from a fellow contractor. This size is often sufficient for most bottles. The constant buildup of mildew and mold can not only be unsightly but also pose a health hazard. Additionally, there are commercial mold and mildew cleaners available that are specifically designed for this purpose. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. 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. 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. Find My Store. Getting back to your question Yes, installing a Schluter foam niche will be better than installing the diy niche you described. But, here, the con for the Wedi shower system is that it is a bit expensive. Tile Redi Redi Niche 16 in. W x 20 in. H x 4 in. D Shampoo - Soap Thank you for the advice! I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). Step 2. 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 bead of silicon around its perimeter completes the installation. It would also be important for you to remove the vapor retarder plastic sheet in this wall. Shower niches are an essential component of any modern bathroom design, offering a convenient and functional storage solution. 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. Frame it like a window! No gaps, no cracks. I would guess that using Kerdi Board in this situation compromises the firewall. Also, being a full 5.5 away from the shower head, it is basically the driest part of your shower. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. Hey there 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. It usually starts out as very fine cracks at the corners that cant easily be seen. Built-in shower niches are a stylish and stable way to handle bathroom storage issues and create a relaxing environment all at once! You can read about how I install tile into the niche here: Building a niche for your shower Part 4. 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. 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. The work doesnt seem to compromise the structural integrity of the wall (the work all remained on our side of the shared wall), and it seems appropriately fireproofed and waterproofed. nothing. I think it would be reasonable for you to ask them to replace the frameless glass panel and door if it bothers you. The beginning of your comment is a bit cryptic but I think I understand what you are asking. The causes of this issue can range from improper installation, poor waterproofing, or wear and tear over time. It isnt going to be quite as stain and scratch-resistant as quartz, but I think it would be safe, waterproof, durable, and easy to clean (potentially even bleach-cleanable). Really appreciate the info on the structural issues with long niches. Durability and resistance to water: When choosing materials for your shower niche, it is important to consider their durability and resistance to water. The niche is placed into this hole, and the outer flange on the niche is pressed against the tile. 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. 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. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. To patch the drywall is pretty easy if you look it up online. I usually discourage the layering of waterproofing products but in this case you need to do all you can to limit moisture transmission. 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 find more details in my Shower Niche Install Mistakes post. Do you have any suggestions? 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. The Great Debate: Dual Shower Heads vs Single. In conclusion, shower niches are a great addition to any bathroom, providing a convenient and attractive place to store and organize your shower essentials. The shower niche may be a bit off-center, but it's purpose is simply to hold shampoo, soap or other bath needs. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? Thanks for your help! 7 Common Shower Problems (And How to Fix Them) - Home Repair Ninja You still must allow enough wall thickness to be able to insulate behind the shower niche as well, especially if its a tiled shower niche. This is an assumption made far too often when shower niches are framed into the shower wall. Plainly, it looks really bad and we would like to remove and retile the back of the niche. I am happy to help! Does a shower niche have to be sloped? - DoItYourself.com 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 just did a 52 linear niche in an exterior 24 stud wall cavity. 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. Baking soda is a gentle, abrasive cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and soap scum buildup from shower niche tile. We cut into the firewall, which were nervous that the HOA will make us tear out and redo, but every unit has a cheap soapdish insert that penetrates their firewalls anyways. 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. 9 Reasons You Shouldn't Build a Tile Shower Any ideas on how this might work best? If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. They used hardie to build it out, but the corners arent aligned, and one part of the niche doesnt have hardie on it. My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. It is a rental property and we could just warn tenants not to hang anything there, but in our experience that usually never ends well. 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. If youre interested in this shower niche shelf or all kinds of other shower shelves, you can check out my shower niche shelf post. 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). 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? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Congrats! Also, in the other bathroom, there was no caulk placed between the tub and the tile wall it was only grouted. And some moisture will pretty much always make it behind your niche. 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. 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. To test this, you can let the shower dry out for a few days and test that back of the niche with a good quality moisture meter. 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. 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?