.webp)
Splitting firewood with a splitting axe? Learn which axe to choose, how to set up a stable chopping block, where to aim,...
Building and tiling a shower niche: how a professional does it
No more bottles on the floor or in a rack that rusts: a niche in the shower wall is practical and looks calm. Yet a shower niche is one of the trickiest parts of a bathroom. You make an opening in the wall, exactly where most of the water lands. In this blog you will read how a professional approaches it.
👷 Calling in a professional is never unnecessary, and for a shower niche we strongly recommend it. Pipes or cables may run in the wall, the wall must stay strong and the waterproofing must be perfect. Always leave pipework and electrics to a certified installer.
Step 1: planning
A good niche starts on paper.
- Position: not directly under the shower head, but within reach. Preferably in a wall without pipes. The professional checks this with a multifunction wall detector.
- Size: the niche is matched to the tile size, so no thin slivers of tile are needed. Measuring with a tape measure with auto-lock and marking out with a 60 cm spirit level really is half the work. Also read our blog on tape measures and measuring tools.
- Wall type: in a solid wall the niche is cut or routed out; in a stud wall it is built in.
Step 2: waterproofing
A niche has four extra corners and a bottom where water can collect. It therefore gets the same treatment as the rest of the shower: sealing tape such as Kerakoll Aquastop 120 sealing tape in all corners and a membrane such as Kerakoll Aquastop Nanoflex over the whole surface, continuing into the surrounding wall.
💡 Let the bottom of the niche slope very slightly forward. Water then runs off by itself and no puddle stays behind the bottles.
Step 3: tiling and finishing
The professional first tiles the back wall, then the sides, bottom and top. Pieces are cut to size with a Raimondi Kompass tile cutter, Kerakoll H40 tile adhesive in white is applied with the right Raimondi notched trowel and adjustable 4 mm tile spacers keep the joints even. The edges are often finished with a profile; read more about trim profiles in our blog on Progress Profiles tile profiles. If drilling through tile is needed, it is done with diamond; see our blog on diamond drilling in tile and concrete.
Then the joints are grouted with a grout spreader and a good grout such as Kerakoll Fugalite Color grout, and the corners are sealed with sanitary silicone sealant. Read more about tiling a wall in our blog on tiling a wall and our blog on tiling a bathroom.
Working safely
Cutting and routing in a wall creates a lot of fine dust and noise. A professional therefore wears an FFP2 dust mask, safety goggles and earmuffs, and work gloves with nitrile coating when working with adhesive and grout. If you help with cleaning up, wear a dust mask yourself too. Read more about working safely in our blog on safe working on the construction site.
Can a niche also go into a plasterboard wall?
Yes, provided the wall is designed for it and properly supported. Have a professional assess whether that is possible for your wall.
How deep is a shower niche usually?
Deep enough for a bottle to stand stably, and always matched to the build-up of the wall. The professional decides on site.
Where can you find everything for this job?
At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.
- Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
- Create a customer account and order easily.
- Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
- Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
- Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.
In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.
Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.
Share:
Want to hang heavy items on the wall? Learn how to recognise the wall type, choose the right plug, drill safely and hang...
Which socket set suits your work? Learn the difference between 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive, why the number of ratchet te...
Natural stone and porous tiles absorb moisture, grease and dirt. With a Fila impregnator you give them invisible protect...