Other than that, it has been a fun project? It sounds like you put a lot of time and effort into your shower remodel project, especially your niche. You should keep in mind that the factors that create moisture and mold growth in the shower wall are water vapor, a temperature differential between the outside and inside walls, the amount of insulation, AND a condensation surface (like a plastic vapor barrier, or foil wrap). 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. Hi, Steve! Hi Steve, Great advice to everyone. 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? Should I be concerned of this as well? Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. One piece, leak proof, tileable, easy-to-install. If youre interested in this shower niche shelf or all kinds of other shower shelves, you can check out my shower niche shelf post. The only safe way to do this is to build a new wall adjacent to the brick wall. Its great to hear that you were not deterred by the sometimes intimidating prospect of tackling your own bathroom remodel project. 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. 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. slope over 3 in. We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? OUR GURANTEE - 100% waterproof and leak-proof guaranteed. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. Im sorry to say that it would be extremely difficult to add tile edge trim around the niche perimeter after the shower wall and niche are already tiled. The long shower wall backs a walk in closet. What are some alternatives to a shower niche? Without a waterproofing membrane, this movement almost always causes grout line cracking in your shower niche. 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. Best materials for shower niches: The best material for your shower niche will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget, the style and design of your bathroom, and your personal preferences. 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. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. I would even buy a can of spray foam so you can spay around it and use it to set the niche into. I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. I would only try this if you DO NOT have a waterproofing membrane beneath your tile. If this gap is any smaller, you should surround the niche body with spray foam. A fair bit of water deflects onto the shower walls in this area, so a bar of soap can become a sloppy mess and dissolve down the drain, if stored within this zone. So the water they catch is from the back spray from shower use. Not the other way around. Some contractors do not even install the minimal surrounding structure required, which profoundly compromises the walls structural rigidity. In some cases, the problem may be as simple as replacing a damaged gasket or adding caulk around the edges of the niche. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. 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. Acrylic is also super soft. The encouraging thing about prefab foam niches is that it should never leak even if water pools at the base (unless its been damaged). Even in a relatively mild climate, the colder months can result in a vast difference in temperature from inside to outside. 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. Two Heads Better Than One: Are His and Hers Showers Worth It? 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). something you can easily avoid. 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. Then tile and grout! Depending on the degree of moisture, I may not insulate the existing wall so air can circulate between the shower wall and foundation wall. You should also make sure the shelf is sloped slightly outwards. Steps for cleaning: Regular cleaning is an important part of maintaining the appearance and functionality of your shower niche. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. As such its very convenient to install the niche in this area because its in easy reach. I am remodeling my master bath down to the studs. This includes ensuring proper ventilation in the bathroom, using waterproof materials, and cleaning the shower niche tile regularly. I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. Thanks for your comment! Corner shelves are easier to tile. It becomes a much bigger problem when the wall studs are 24. If you cant do spray foam, a 2 thick insulating foam sheet can be placed behind it. And if we wanted to block it up, what materials ways should this been done to ensure the integrity is restored? 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. We live in the Seattle area and so now Im thinking this is not our best option. In other words, there is a good chance that it may be possible. 1) You mention that its NOT recommended to install it on an outside wall. Residential and Commercial; Professional Sewage and Drain Cleaning Its always great to hear from a fellow contractor. The chance of anybody screwing something into the wall below 3 feet are very low. The cracks often start as fine lines at the corners, which may not be immediately noticeable. 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. Types of materials: When it comes to choosing materials for your shower niche, there are several options to consider. Is Drano Ok? 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. 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 inside of the niche measurements are 12" x 20" (305 mm x 508 mm) and 12" x 28" (305 mm x 711 mm). The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). Modern construction at its best. 3) he recommend us a 1/32 grout size for a 12*24 rectified tile for easy to clean it although the manufacturer recommends 1/8. If the sealant is compromised here, water could recede into gaps with nowhere to drain. Im sorry that I couldnt provide you with more reassurance. If your outside wall studs are 2x6 construction, I believe it may be possible, especially if the wall was sprayed with polyurethane foam insulation (best R-value per inch and awesome vapour control). Congrats! 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 is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . If there is no moisture issues behind the niche, you could consider applying new tile over the old tile at the back of the niche. In my opinion, a typical structural header and jack stud assembly can still be acceptable in some circumstances if the wall is non-structural, but this assembly must be built flawlessly. We use hydro ban and laticrete sealant and water proofing. Dont leave any air spaces around the niche or in that particular stud cavity (to eliminate air circulation). Find My Store. Thank you for your comment! Some materials, such as stone and metal, are naturally more resistant to water than others. Recently my bathroom was remodeled with a niche installed. Fill the entire wall if possible (or at least the stud cavity) and place the niche into the wet foam). This size is often sufficient for most bottles. Just kind of soak of residue water and let it dry. Prevention tips: To prevent mold growth in your shower niche, it is important to take a proactive approach. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. This is what I am assuming. It depends a lot on how cold it gets in the garage but even if it doesnt reach freezing temperature, moisture could still easily condense in the stud cavity. Best to get rid of it. 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. The 5 Signs of a Bad Toilet: How Long Do They Last? 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. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! . 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. The Guide To Your Bidet Shower, Reviewed: 6 Best Electric Portable Bidets For Travel, The Best 5 Bidet Sprayers aka Bum Guns For Your Butt, Top 4 Toilet Bidet Combos for a Spa-Like Bathroom Oasis, What to Do When Toilet Flushes but Poop Stays. Some stone fabricators may help you out with a couple of easy cuts, but as soon as its perceived as a job, they will want to be paid well for it. Thanks for your article. Can I add a shower niche after my shower has been installed? The miscalculated using measurement for a walk in shower I believe, rather than glass on tub. Second, you have a shelf and a bottom of the niche. 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. Cut and glue/caulk the Palisade/Dumawall tile to cover the sides of the shower niche. If youre considering building / installing a niche in your new shower remodel project, you have likely seen many examples of this type of niche. The rest you can imagine; moisture in the walls, which leads to mold, dry rot, etc.. Importance of sealing: Sealing the shower niche is an important step in preventing water damage, warping, and other problems associated with shower niches. Installing a waterproof membrane behind the niche and using high-quality grout and sealants can help to prevent water damage and reduce the risk of warping. We want to use a single-piece of marble for the shelf. Then, the sealant can be applied using a caulking gun or another appropriate application tool. Step 2. Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. 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? Provided you placed and cut everything correctly the inside edges of your niche should be about 1/8 outside your grout lines. 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. Sorry for all my rambling but this is important stuff. Then apply silicon caulking (only 100% silicon) to fill the voids. Your best bet it to remove some tile around the niche, open the wall, remove the niche, install some new bracing between the studs, insert insulation to re-fill the niche cavity, then patch the hole with a new piece of backer board (attached to the new bracing). Shower Ledges vs Niches: Which Option is Right for You? Color: Brushed Stainless Steel. Beautiful bathrooms begin here! That would make things a lot easier. 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. 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). Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. 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. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. So, Im thinking about installing my niche on an exterior wall- 24 studs. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. Your bar soap will probably slip off the shelf, but you dont want water pooling at the base of the wall tiles regardless of how well youve sealed this margin. Also a number of the hinge screws were not flush but angled and they claimed it was to give it strength. 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. 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 shower niche inserts generally come 16" wide so they fit directly between your wall studs, which are spaced out 16 on center. These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. I find it looks really cheap and asked him if we can find another solution. 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 was wondering two things: Really good article. Thank you! A properly sealed niche will prevent water from penetrating the walls and causing damage to the bathroom structure, as well as reduce the risk of mold, rot, and other forms of damage. You can absolutely do this as the writer mentions if done correctly. 4. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. No Doors, No Problem: The Doorless Shower Pros and Cons, Shower Curtain vs Door Showdown: A Complete Guide. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. All of our cavities we use 3 inches of foamular rigid foam board giving an r value of r15 before tiling. 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. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another RedblockRead More How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. 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. These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall. 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! Wipe away the excess grout with a clean, wet sponge. What do you suggest? In this comprehensive guide, well dive into the most common shower niche problems, and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to overcome them. 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. You could still use the wall tile or an accent tile for the back wall of the niche. 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. Wish we would have known some of this 5 years ago when we had our bathrooms professionally remodeled. I speak english and french so translating it directly I believe he said an L-angle edging trim ? Installing a ventilation fan or opening a window during and after showers can help to reduce humidity levels and prevent mold growth. I have installed this niche a few times and it seems like a solid product. Let grout cure according to manufacturer's directions. Good luck with your niche install, and let me know if you need anymore info! 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? Your email address will not be published. We are currently in a remodel and was thinking of this horizontal niche with a light in the top corner. This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. With the right cleaning supplies and a simple 7-step, Are you tired of your outdated bathroom and ready for a bathroom remodel? Im doing a shower at the moment. 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. Most decent contractors will say that applying the correct structural framing around the niche will adequately fortify the structure. Really appreciate the info on the structural issues with long niches. To begin, it is important to clean and prepare the surface of the niche thoroughly. 3 Major shower niche problems 1. It would work better to reduce moisture behind the niche. you guessed right.at this point the niche is useless unless we re-do everything. Wipe off any excess sealant. Understanding the most common problems, such as warping, poor installation, and mold and mildew buildup, is the first step in avoiding them. This makes it a much safer install. An outside facing shower wall no matter how its constructed, needs to be insulated adequately. Also, being a full 5.5 away from the shower head, it is basically the driest part of your shower. Your email address will not be published. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. Can I get away with installing a shluter niche? You should also take into account the overall style and design of your bathroom when choosing the size and style of your shower niche. As for the tile/ tub margin the best way is always to silicon this margin. Learn how your comment data is processed. But if it's too late, not a big deal. The bathroom wall is 5 long, and once you get past that, you are in an unfinished space next door. Upvotes: 1,655. Do you have any suggestions? I would guess that using Kerdi Board in this situation compromises the firewall. TIA! Can these Niche shower boxs be finished with shower boards as oppose to tilling? The size and style of your shower niche should be based on the size and design of your shower, as well as your storage needs. Its a rock solid installation with hydroban vapor and waterproofing barriers. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. 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. If there is a membrane, you will likely destroy it and this would be worse than leaving as is. Will it help with moisture behind the niche? 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. The back of the niche tile is what we would like to remove, the sides and border tiles are fine. As far as I can tell, your part of Florida experiences temps from the 40s (F) to the 90s (F) so there is enough of a temp variation to create a condensation problem behind the niche (if it was mounted in an outside wall with inadequate insulation behind it). The 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. 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. I cant find anything online about it being necessary but the man at the tile store that sold me the niche suggested it. 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. 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. Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items.
