There are gaps in the corner that would clearly lead to water leaking into the walls or at the least have moisture exposure. Even in a relatively mild climate, the colder months can result in a vast difference in temperature from inside to outside. And if we wanted to block it up, what materials ways should this been done to ensure the integrity is restored? This of course assumes that you will be adequately fortifying the structure in this wall. Choosing the shower niche height in the freestanding shower unit depends on the people who will use the bathroom regularly. The shower niche may be a bit off-center, but it's purpose is simply to hold shampoo, soap or other bath needs. What about horizontal placement in the long wall?Vertical placement on the long wall? This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. 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. So you saved us potential issues down the road. Causes of warping: Warping in shower niches can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper shower niche installation, backer board exposure to moisture and water, and fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels. Hi! One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. Besides this problem, the angle is terrible and things often slide off the shelf. The best type of sealant to use will depend on the specific needs and conditions of your bathroom and shower niche, as well as the materials used in the niche itself. Thank you for your comment. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Do you have any suggestions? Many clients tell me that they like the asymmetrical look and its very convenient to access. In other words, there is a good chance that it may be possible. Thank you for the advice! It's hard to look away, for better or for worse. Another BIG one among shower niche install mistakes, is the construction of a custom horizontal tiled niche that compromises the structural integrity of the shower wall. 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. We had a niche installed (3-1/4 inches, 4 with the listello) in an outside wall of a shower. However, problems can arise if not properly installed, maintained, and protected. Find My Store. I speak english and french so translating it directly I believe he said an L-angle edging trim ? The easiest option would be simply to install your shower niche below 3 feet. Is it okay (or preferable) to install the shelf itself last, or should we install the shelf prior to tiling the surrounding walls? I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. A Complete Guide to Smart Shower Pros and Cons, Essential Oils in the Shower: 5 Simple Hacks to Revitalize Your Shower Routine, Goodbye Boring Shower: How to Use Shower Steamers. These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall.Shower caddies and baskets can be hung from the showerhead or shower rod, while shower shelves can be installed on the wall using brackets or adhesive. What do you suggest? The other niche shown is a tilable foam shower niche that has a 1/2 thick foam perimeter flange that also serves as a mounting flange and a membrane bonding flange similar to the stainless steel niche. The problem is that these measures mostly address structural stresses applied from above, but do not often address the increased flexibility (reduction in rigidity) caused by cutting out the vertical framing. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. Their angled screws into marble caused the front edge of the hinge to pull away (walk back from the tile face). 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. ALFI brand 8 x 36 Brushed Stainless Steel Vertical Triple Shelf Bath Shower Niche. . This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. Behind the niche you waterproof the exterior wall board with red gard, then a thin later of insulation. We are in Chicago which of course gets very cold in winter. In most older homes, the stud cavity is only 3 1/2 thick and the comfort of your home often depends on this space being filled with insulation. The shower will be 4 6 x 6, with the 6 wall being the exterior wall. Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? Im not really sure what to say about this one. What a wealth of information! Thirdly, I would insulate with spray foam if possible. Yes, you can put a shower niche under the shower head. The inside of the niche measurements are 12" x 20" (305 mm x 508 mm) and 12" x 28" (305 mm x 711 mm). 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. Just a thought. Cleaning and remediation options: If mold and mildew have already begun to grow in your shower niche, there are several cleaning and remediation options available. I was even thining if it was perhaps we could use small steel beams to support the weight. 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 For most shower niches, a regular cleaning every 1-2 months is recommended, with more frequent cleaning as needed. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. Instead, I would check to see if there is any signs of water infiltration by cutting a hole in the drywall on the other side of the wall that the niche is mounted into. You should be able to easily find a large format natural stone or quartz composite tile, 3/8 to 1/2 thick. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For. 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. 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. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. Its really not worth the risk. In addition, regular cleaning can help to extend the lifespan of the niche, as it prevents water damage and other problems that can result from accumulated dirt and debris. 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) 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. This is what I am assuming. And please let me know if you need more help, and good luck with your project! I think its great that you use rigid foam to insulate behind the niche because of its high R value. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa73259bdde6e6e1cf75feb3586d0df2" );document.getElementById("dc5b5fc75d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Join our Mailing list for blog and product updates, Click the Ad link below to leave the Redblock site and continue to Amazon.com, Schluter Kerdi Board 12"x20" Shower Niche, How to Install a Corner Shelf in an Already Tiled Shower, 7 Best Corner Shower Shelf Options for New AND Existing Showers, How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. Shower niches are an essential component of any modern bathroom design, offering a convenient and functional storage solution. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. Its was a perfect job except when the frameless glass was installed, the installers drilled the glass for the towel bar and handle at a whopping 56 above the ground. If Im understanding you correctly, it is a very typical alcove style shower with a 6 back wall (outside wall) and two 46 side walls, one of which is the valve wall. Causes of leaking: Leaking shower niches or ledges are a common problem in bathroom design. something you can easily avoid. 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 ). Without a waterproofing membrane, this movement almost always causes grout line cracking in your shower niche. The long shower wall backs a walk in closet. wedi Shower Niche 16 in. 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? Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. 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. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). It seems like youre being quite forgiving of the mistake that they made (I agree with your evaluation, btw). A properly installed niche will be less prone to water damage, warping, and other problems, and will provide a long-lasting and functional addition to your bathroom. See more info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. The temperature variation between inside and outside is large enough to cause condensation behind your niche if any moisture makes it behind your 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. 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). Great article and through responses to questions. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? Will Your Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself? 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. 2023 Bathroomaholic - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Otherwise, you can place your shower niches wherever you want. 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 encouraging thing about prefab foam niches is that it should never leak even if water pools at the base (unless its been damaged). I am remodeling my master bath down to the studs. Some of the most common materials used in shower niches include tile, stone, glass, and metal. As far as I am aware, the Redblock niche and the Easy Drain niche are the only stainless steel niches designed to bond with the shower wall waterproofing membrane. You can place them beside each other horizontally or vertically on the back wall. Model # US3000007. 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. The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. Hello again. In addition to moisture buildup, improper ventilation, poor ventilation and drainage, and using non-waterproof materials can also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in shower niches. 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. I ended up putting in additional studs in all the walls because the walls in this closet turned shower had the most impractical stud spacing, nothing below 18 on center, some as high as 26. I would suggest that you get rid of the niche if its already causing problems. Follow the directions to make sure it dries thoroughly. They used hardie to build it out, but the corners arent aligned, and one part of the niche doesnt have hardie on it. We are worried someone might decide to drill through it to hang something on the wall behind. 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. Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). Thank you for commenting! what about a niche the full length of a 5 foot shower. 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. I cant find anything online about it being necessary but the man at the tile store that sold me the niche suggested it. Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). There were so many things done that we now realize were probably not done well/correctly. We dont mind these. 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. The shower niche inserts generally come 16" wide so they fit directly between your wall studs, which are spaced out 16 on center. A steel beam would be great, but its not really necessary. Install shower niche. Hello again. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Why not just mount them directly adjacent to where you were planning to mount them (vertical mounting on the back wall, a few inches from the corner)? A bit more expensive for the material but its usually the go to shelf alternative for most tiled shower niches. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. Needless to say, there is a complex series of factors to consider like stud wall thickness, local climate, waterproof integrity of your shower, and the quality and thickness of the wall insulation. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. The wall behind is subway tile, and another accent tile to the left. The amount of moisture in this wall will determine your best move so you should really get a local expert to advise you. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! They had framed one out but not structurally so after reading this and showing this to my contractor we are re-doing a small niche within existing framing to be safe. Run a 28 or 210 header, king stud jack stud, ledger and cripples. Thank you for your comment! A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Thanks for your article. 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. 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. Consider the height and location of the niche within the shower, as well as the items you will be storing in the niche. 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). 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. Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? 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. If you need help with shower niche placement and design feel free to check out my Shower Niche Planning, and 9 Great New Shower Shelf Options posts. Steps for cleaning include removing any soap scum, dirt, or other debris from the surface of the niche, as well as wiping down the tiles and grout. Remember your niche may require bullnose tile, particularly when using ceramic tile that don't have color through the clay body. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. 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. 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. I would suggest that you not use the foil wrap. Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. 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. Now some of that grout has broken. 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. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. 2) for the niche, he will set up later after he start installing the tile from the bottom, so he can know where the niche goes and make it looks better with the tile. The sealer is super important to ensure you get a good bond between the old grout and the new caulking. Im assuming from your description that your contractor did not do this, but if he installed the back framing I described above, the niche could still be attached, the gap sealed, and a strip of waterproofing membrane applied. 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). But it really has to do with the thickness of your outside wall. I would suggest that you pack loose insulation around the niche and behind it. 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. Causes of mold and mildew: Mold and mildew are common problems in shower niches, especially in areas with high humidity levels. This would be relatively safe but not ideal. 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? The removal of studs in a non bearing wall really just increases the flexibility of the wall. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. By understanding the, Are you looking for a luxurious way to unwind after a long day? Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. We are doing an accessible shower for my son but the bathroom will also be used by guests who come to visit. 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. Tile shower pan, tile shower base, tile ready shower pan. The constant buildup of mildew and mold can not only be unsightly but also pose a health hazard. 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. Shower head and three niches. 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. A bead of silicon around its perimeter completes the installation. SIMPLE INSTALLATION - Pre-fabricated shower niche that is fully sealed, hassle-free, quick and easy installation; makes traditional tedious shower niche installation effortless! This would be a VERY difficult procedure even for the most skilled tile installer, and it would really only be possible with ceramic tile.
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