mizjiff, what a bummer for you. Hopefully you caught it soon enough they will fix. I learn so much by reading on this board. Bill, since you have told us hte recommended height of a shower bench, what is the typical depth part? I'm considering a shower bench, but am curious how big it should be. Thank you.

lil geek, If you want a tiled pan and you want to do it DIY, look into the Kerdi System by Schluter. Schluter makes a pre-sloped pan base, which is of excellent quality, and it's very easy to install. The pan and walls are then covered with Kerdi membrane, then the tile is thinsetted to the Kerdi. A Kerdi shower is well within the realm of DIY, the quality, in terms of water-tightness, and avoidance of future water saturation problems, is second-to-none. With the Kerdi membrane being just beneath the tile, there is no deep wetting of the substructure of the tile. There are installation picsutes available here, and if you look in the right column on the webisite page there are installation videos as well. Do not confuse or compare Schluter's pre-formed shower pan with other premade trays that people on this forum are gripping about. Unsupported, thin flimsy trays are a failure waiting to happen. The Kerdi line is nothing like that. Just another idea...but only consider doing this DIY if you can follow simple instructions, if you have basic skills, and you have enough intelligence to be smart enough to map out the steps to success before you start mixing thinset. The ability to think through a project ahead of time, step-by-step, from start to finish, before starting seems to be a rare skill these days. If you anticipate problems, then remarkably, you'll likely have no problems. What a concept! Mongo

32 x 32 is a little small. 70" is pretty substantial and you may want to consider putting in 2 shower heads, etc. and make it a 2 person shower. 39 x 39 isn't huge but I thin 36 x 36 is about the minimum you would find comfortable.

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.