How about just the bench and getting a great basket or tray (that drains) and putting your products in it? That way you can get both. This might work especially if the bench is at least partly shielded from view from outside, if you care about your products being out in the open. The niches are useful but they do take some extra cleaning and I have to say that I don't love them. (there have been threads on the value of niches--people have definite views!) The bench is a really nice look. I am not sure how much anyone really uses it to sit (maybe as I age, I will sing a different tune) but it is nice to prop up the leg when washing or shaving.

Yes, it is on the tub deck that extends into the shower. We spoke with the marble guy today and although he says that they noticed it was not sloping as expected (ie towards the shower floor), it is the responsibility of the carpenter to buld the tub surround with the slope. What I think really stinks is that they did not even mention the slope issue to me during installation and that it's not even level! Shouldn't they be responsible to at least ensure that the slab is installed completely level? The contractor says the marble installers are to blame since the tub surround is built level and the installers can manipulate the pitch by the way they install the slabs. The marble installers are telling me it will cost $900 to fix since they will most likely ruin the slab when they remove it (it's in 4 pieces). What to do?

So you are now looking at the full length receptors, like I am, then. I can't use the Kohler Salient that so many have used because of the oval raised pattern on it. It is a silly design as it makes placement of a large bench very difficult. So I saw the Kohler Bellwether in real life and it looks promising. It has a slope from left to right or right to left, depending on the side you choose for your drain. I like that the front of the pan is finished, unlike the Katherine or Purist, which have to be tiled in the front. It is a little taller in height at 4.5 inches, though. That is not good for me, but I would consider some creative installation techniques, if approved by the guys at this forum. I prefer to stick with cast iron or something equally heavy duty. A very heavy family member may be using it. I originally was going to use the Swanstone ADA roll-in shower base with a trench drain at the entry, but I just am not sure about that set-up. Which receptor are you looking at now that you are going for a full length one?

The difference between SG & HydroShield is that SG is a permanent product applied by the manufacturer. They use a ceramic based zirconium to "sputter coat" the glass which means the zirconium is atomized and fills in all the pores of the glass making the glass smooth so there is nowhere for water to get in and leave minerals which ultimately stains your glass. HydroShield is a wipe on coating that is hydrophobic which means it repels water. It's great until it wears off which is usually 1-2 years. If you are diligent and have the hydroshield reapplied regularly it will continue to do its job. If you are like most people that's not going to happen and when it wears off you will risk stained glass. HydroShield has a warranty, but it's only for the coating so if your glass is stained, hydroshield can be reapplied, but you will still have foggy glass. SG has a lifetime warranty which guarantees you will never have stained glass. It's about cleanability. There is no such thing as self cleaning glass so you will have to do the work, but SG will always come clean. Lemon SoftScrub and the aggressive side of a Scotchbrite sponge is what the company recommends and it works brilliantly. There are also a lot of other cleaners that are options for cleaning. Hope this helps clear up the differences.