When installing a shower niche on an exterior wall, it is important to consider the layout and access to the wall structure. Wall boards should not be fastened to the backside of the niche, as it can take away space that should be used for storage. Adding a shower niche to an outdoor-facing wall in your bathroom can provide stylish storage but requires special planning.
In this video, an experienced DIYer demonstrates how to frame a shower niche in a load-bearing wall. Building a custom recessed shower niche from scratch can be the best way to add much-needed storage in your shower. However, not every shower works out perfectly to be able to put in a standard niche.
There are several methods for niche installation depending on your shower layout and access to the wall structure. A custom, long, vertical shower niche finished in attractive marble tile with stainless steel shelves is recommended. It is not advisable to do a niche on an exterior wall unless you have a tile that is rated for outside. Instead, build out a simple niche.
To install a recessed shampoo niche in an exterior wall of a tile shower without removing all of the home’s insulation, it is best to remove some tile around the niche, open the wall, remove the niche, install new bracing between the studs, and insert insulation to re-fill the space.
In conclusion, it is not recommended to install a niche on an exterior wall due to the depth of the niche taking away from space that should be used for storage.
📹 Custom Niche on EXTERIOR WALL— How to Do It
There are important considerations to make when installing a niche on an exterior wall. First of all, there is not a good way to …
At what height should a shower niche be installed?
The ideal height for a shower niche is around 5 feet or 60 inches from the floor, with the top edge at eye level. Place the niche at eye level to ensure practicality over aesthetics. Spacing is crucial for the niche to fit and balance well, and if using a prefab niche, ensure it has enough space for shampoo bottles.
Installing a shower niche should not be done on an outside wall, as moisture can condense behind it. Beware of utilities and splash zones. To avoid costly mistakes, always seek expert help.
Waterproofing is essential for all niches in the bathroom, preventing mold growth inside and behind the niche. It is essential to avoid leakage through the niche sill into the wall and work with an expert to avoid issues.
It is important to avoid shower niche installation mistakes, as they can cause inconvenience or even cost your neighbor a lot of money. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a successful and functional shower niche installation.
How to insulate an exterior wall behind a shower?
The Energy Star Single-Family New Homes, Version 3/3. 1 (Rev. 11), emphasizes the importance of insulation behind tubs and showers. The insulation should be the same as the rest of the exterior walls and covered with an air barrier made of cement backer board, rigid foam insulation, or non-paper-faced drywall. The air barrier should be sealed at the edges and seams to provide a continuous air seal.
The Compliance tab contains program and code information, and links may have changed since posting. The thermal enclosure system provides fully-aligned air barriers at each insulated location, including walls behind showers, tubs, staircases, and fireplaces.
How do you waterproof the inside of an exterior wall?
Waterproofing exterior walls is crucial for maintaining property integrity and preventing structural damage. To effectively waterproof your walls, follow these simple steps:
Inspect your walls for cracks, gaps, or signs of damage. This can be done visually or using a moisture meter. If any damage is found, repair it before proceeding with the waterproofing process. This ensures proper adhesion of the waterproofing material and long-lasting protection.
Clean your walls thoroughly. Dirt, dust, and debris can hinder the adhesion of the waterproofing material. Use a power washer or hose to wash the walls, removing dirt, grime, or mold. Allow the walls to dry completely before proceeding with the next step.
In summary, waterproofing exterior walls is a crucial step in maintaining property integrity and preventing structural damage. By following these simple steps, homeowners can effectively waterproof their walls and protect their property from the elements.
Can you put a shower niche on the opposite wall of the shower head?
The splash zone near the shower head is crucial for preventing soap from dilution down the drain. The wall opposite the shower head is the most popular spot for shower niches. For a stand-up shower, a niche height above the waist is most convenient for reach, while for tub/shower niches, a waist height or lower is more common to accommodate bathers. This ensures a clean and organized shower area.
What is an alternative to a shower niche?
A shower shelf is a half wall built in front of a structural shower wall to create a shower ledge or shelf. It differs from a niche in showers as it lacks a top section or canopy above the storage shelf. A tiled shower shelf is best when it spans the full length or width of the shower, while a shower niche is more flexible and can be any size or shape. A shower shelf requires more space than a niche as it sits inside the shower footprint.
The cost of a shower niche or shelf depends on factors such as its size, trades like carpentry, waterproofing, and bathroom tiling, and if it is integrated into a load-bearing or structural wall, which may require a beam or lintel to support the wall above the niche opening.
What are the disadvantages of shower niches?
The installation of custom-built tiled horizontal shower niches can provide a luxurious and spacious storage solution. However, such solutions may be associated with an increased risk of water leaks and are often more expensive than alternative options. The construction of these shower niches requires a significant investment of time and resources, and there is a risk of structural damage during the modification of walls. Furthermore, these units possess a sole recessed shelf for storage.
Do you tile a niche or wall first?
Remodeler Joshua Oduin explains the process of building a shower niche that blends with the surrounding tile and adds a cohesive look to a bathroom. He emphasizes the importance of location, the differences between premade and custom niche boxes, and the steps involved in installing the niche. The process includes installing the box, setting the wall tile and mitering the edges, setting the tile in the niche, installing the shelf and upper tile, and completing the installation.
Oduin provides detailed photographs and illustrations to demonstrate the process. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail in building niches, as they can often be overlooked due to poor placement, awkward wall tile-niches, or rough edges. Oduin’s techniques ensure the niche blends cleanly with the surrounding wall tile and acts as an accent, adaptable to any tile style by varying finishing techniques.
Can I put a shower niche on an outside wall?
The parallel wall design is a great option for installing niches into exterior walls, as it ensures proper insulation and prevents water condensation. This method also eliminates the need to move plumbing or utilities that run through the exterior wall. However, it may reduce shower floor space, but extending the shower into the bathroom by 3 1/2 inches can be a viable solution. A typical structural header and jack stud assembly can be acceptable in non-structural walls, but it must be built flawlessly.
The parallel wall design is safer than a typical structural header and jack stud assembly, as it ensures proper insulation and prevents water condensation. Ultimately, the parallel wall design offers numerous benefits for homeowners looking to improve their home’s insulation and functionality.
Which wall should a shower niche be placed on?
Shower niches can be placed on the wall next to your shower or in an alcove or corner for a more modern look. Multiple niches can be chosen to maximize storage capacity. Ensure the niche is easily accessible and not too high or low for comfortable use. Double-check measurements before purchasing materials to ensure a perfect fit. Shower niches are generally easy to clean, with mild, non-abrasive cleaners being suitable for mild stains. For tougher stains, use harsher cleaners based on the niche’s material. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions before using any cleaning products in your niche.
Can you put a shower on an exterior wall?
Water-related plumbing should be placed in interior walls and not in exterior walls or unheated attics. If plumbing is in exterior walls, pipes should be well-insulated and air-sealed to protect them from heat loss. Cavity insulation should be installed behind pipes and between them and the exterior wall. Common places for exterior wall plumbing include basement bathrooms, attics, shower heads in ceilings, laundry hook-ups, and kitchen sinks.
To keep pipes warm and prevent freezing, any necessary measures should be taken. Exterior plumbing is commonly found in areas where there is no other place for the plumbing to go, such as basement bathrooms, attics, shower heads in ceilings, laundry hook-ups, and kitchen sinks.
How do you install a shower niche on the wall?
Installing a shower niche is a crucial step in bathroom remodeling. It allows for increased storage and maximizes bathroom space. The process involves measuring and marking the niche location, framing it, adding waterproofing materials, installing cement backerboard, mounting a prefabricated shower niche insert, tape and mud it, and tile it. The estimated cost for this project is $300 and takes 2 days. The niche not only provides a place for bathers to store their essentials but also enhances the bathroom’s aesthetics, making it more attractive to guests, residents, or potential buyers.
📹 Is A Shower Niche In an Exterior Wall a GOOD Idea? Maybe If…
Are you debating on putting a shower niche in an exterior wall? Or is your contractor telling you no? There may be a few good …
WOW! I am going to do this on all my jobs from here on out! What a tip, and thank you for sharing such cool tips to spread the savings to our customers as well. I have been laying tile for 17 years now, and custom showers is what I has made my name. The tricks/Tips you show are things I have not even thought about just always on the grind from one to the next. Thank you for thinking outside the box! Benjamin’s Flooring ” When being square is cool”.
You posted a article a while back where you discovered that Schluter Kerdi-Fix was NOT waterproof. You could not use it to seal out water in the corners of shower pans. You didn’t use Kerdi-Fix in this article but you said to could use it if you had it. Did Schluter change the formula of Kerdi-Fix to make it waterproof?
IF spacing allows, easiest thing is to furr out the entire wall by 1-2 inches and frame in a niche floor and header running horizontally. Then toenail or screw two or so false studs (of same thickness as your furring) running from the niche floor to header, right up against the exterior wall sheathing. You can fill in the extra space between those false studs with rigid insulation foam of the same thickness as your furring bump out. You can then fasten your niche back wall to those false studs, right up against the foam insulation. Add some liquid nails there while you’re at it. Then build out the sides, top, and bottom of the niche backer board. This way, you at least have some insulation behind the niche AND have something to fasten the niche back wall to AND have a framed floor and header to screw the niche top and bottom into. Much more secure than just the backer board hanging in the air without any support.
Good article. Also using these pre niches in my opinion suck ass. It’s plastic and dosnt like thin sets. They are bulky and not as friendly as one might think. You will see when and if you decide to build your own shower and less exsperienced. Build them and you can have many different options with custom builds. Have fun😁
Literally just made mine! Couldn’t find any vids on it so I improvised. I used 1/2″ aerogel blanket (R-27 insulation, $60 for 1×4’ sheet) and glued it to the back of the kerdiboard. I only have 2×4 studs to work with, so normal insulation was too thick. 90 degrees F outside and cool to the touch! Then I used brackets on the reinforced studs to wedge the kerdiboard against and now it’s solid as a rock… (my osb wall was a little bowed out). Sealed with AquaDefense and reinforcing fabric. To finish it off, I used your LED light upgrade from your article!! ^_^
Thx for vid. Really enjoy using the FloFX “drains” now, & really like the diff parts get in the box when order, along w/ all the options. Really a great thought out product. Definitely like the “squareness” of it when setting shower pan tile along w/ hex, mosaic, etc….as helps not making all those circle cuts, imo, speeds up that part of job. Had another installer visiting & he asked what I was using, as he’d never seen FloFX products before, was using the pvc bonding flange on a remodel and went smoothly installing the FloFX along w/ dry pack (deck mud, etc). He was impressed and we ordered 1 for him to try out. Thx again for “helping” out w/ “stuff”👍🏻 ✌🏻
Love your articles. Very educational. I use Kerdi almost exclusively. I have actually built niches in this method in your article. I stopped and went back to just cutting and fitting Kerdi board, then using band and preformed corners. I also apply red gaurd over everything. What benefit do you see using the method in your article over what I described? There is cost of the Kerdi band and preformed corners but I always end up with extras of both. I feel like the labor difference is a wash. Also, I usually use 2cm quartz as a border trim on my niches when designers allow me and seal all my voids with silicone.
I find it less expensive to buy a premade niche. The time to build it plus worrying about it being waterproof isn’t worth the money i might save by building a niche. I also find that the true 3 coat stucco gets pushed into the stud bays and there isn’t room to push the premade niche in flush with the walls. So firing out the walls or building a niche that isn’t 3.5 deep is the fix. I have also had the stucco guy’s poke holes in the niche while they are repairing the stucco from the window replacement in the shower.
How was the pre-slope of 1/4″ per feet applied to the “floor” of the niche? Usually prefab niches have the pre-slope built in. I’d imagine you do not want to slope the entire box as it wouldn’t be flush anymore. Should the side walls have some extra materials on the towards front to force the front of the floor downward?
I have watched a few articles on niches and like your method of cutting 45 degree miter folds but i think it is much easier to buy a 90 degree v router bit and using a trim Brouwer set the bit just short of cutting full depth and after removing the corners you are left with miters that glue up perfectly square without the worry of cutting through the waterproof backing