The Ins and Outs of Shower Niches: Learn What Your Options Are

If you want to increase the beauty and functionality of your shower with one addition, a shower niche may be the best option. At Mission Tile West we offer many choices in bathroom tiles that would like incredible. Stop by or give us a call at 626-799-4595 to learn more about the available options. You can also read on to learn the basics of shower niches.

Shower Niches

You may not even be sure exactly what a shower niche is. Put simply, it is a term used to describe a storage space that is installed within the wall of your bath or shower. It’s generally used to hold things like soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc. It can be a recessed rack or it can be finished and waterproof. Essentially, this niche in the wall allows you more storage space without making a serious change to your bathroom.

There are other terms that people sometimes use for shower niche, such as built-in shower racks, shower shelf inserts, and recessed shower racks. If you see these phrases used when looking for the best tile, it is important to know that they are just other phrases for shower niche.

There Are Two Main Types of Shower Niches

There are two main types of shower niches: Tiled and finished. Within the tiled option, there are two variations:

1. Custom-tiled niches. This requires making a framed box between wall studs. This niche box would then be attached with tile backer board. It is then waterproofed and finally tiled. This is the most expensive and time-consuming option, and it also allows for errors in many ways. That said, it is the easiest option if customization is important to you.
2. Prefab shower niches. As the name implies, this option comes ready to install and waterproof. You will generally find that it has plastic, stainless steel, and foam board. The downside is that there are only a few sizes you will likely find.

Finished shower niches are also available in two different variations:

1. Membrane bonding niche. This option comes with an external spine that bonds to waterproofing layers and then attaches to the framing. The materials used here can be porcelain or stainless steel. These are much more difficult to install than a tiled shower niche.
2. Retrofit niche. These mount into a gap between the finished tile and secure to the tile surface using a strong adhesive. The material here can vary from plastic to porcelain to stainless steel. This is the easiest to install but it does not bond with waterproofing membrane, making it less secure.

If you are interested in installing a shower niche then your first choice should be to decide what type of tiles to use. Mission Tile West is proud to offer a long list of options. Stop by today or give us a call at 626-799-4595.