Way to fix this shower niche?

6 years ago

Building a custom house and somehow I missed the funky look of our master shower niches before they were tiled. Looking at the plans I figured out that it was done this way because the architect first drew the niches and then we later added in the window and the height of the niches was never adjusted so we ended up without a top to the niches. Completely my fault for not catching this before tile but now I'm wondering if anything can be done without a huge production.

Ideally I'd get rid of the post in the middle of the two niches but if that's not possible I wonder if there's anyway to create the top of the niche at this point?

I assume there's not really a practical way to fix this and we won't really notice it as much when we're moved in and there's shampoo, etc in the niches but this shower is GORGEOUS (pics don't do it justice) and would be completely perfect if it wasn't for the funky niche mishap.

It's a full mudset shower with proper waterproofing. The shower walls have liquid waterproofing over the mudset if that's relevant for determining our options.

This is the very first thing we haven't been completely thrilled with in our build (we know how lucky we are) and are completely fine to just live with it if that's the best solution.

Featured Answer

ILoveRed

6 years ago

If it is properly waterproofed and the shower looks well done I would call these niches his and hers and leave them alone. No way I would ask them to be compromised for such a tiny visual glitch.

No matter how well you plan your house will not be perfect. If you are really happy overall this far in you are doing well!

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Comments (19)

chispa
6 years ago
Put a potted plant on top of the "post" and it will look like it was designed with a purpose!

Removing the "post" would fix it, but then you have to patch that niche back wall and the tiles might not end up perfectly flat or spaced.

If you are going to change it, now would be the time to do it. I ripped out the tile on my master shower ceiling the day after it was installed. We were going for creative and ended up with too busy. Every day I shower I am glad I changed it out and it was expensive glass tile that I had to reorder in a different color.
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I think this is what you are saying. Your niches are not like the original image but they are lined up in the middle of a row of tiles. But within that row, one niche is 3/8" higher than the other, like this: It would bug the heck out of me that they didn't start on a full tile in the first place, but that's usually how it ends up most of the time, like A or B. On top of that there is the3/8" height difference. I would have to compensate for this at the very least but using grout that matched the tile so I wasn't visually measuring that all the time. However, I was trained to differentiate between 0.5 of a mm for my job at one point, so 3/8" is huge to me visually. Not so with many people. Why do you know about it? Did you notice it yourself? If you did I think you have to have him change it. But if not, use grout that minimizes it.
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I haven't read all the replies but I agree with Joe that the idea of contacting an attorney, if someone mentioned that above, is a poor one. The litigation results aside, you'll blow through more money going that route then simply ripping the niche out and doing a "do over". I disagree that "It's not bad". That said, in the past I've complied an annual quote list from the forum posters and one of them by a homeowner you might find of interest. He wrote: "During our first build, we noticed that one of the newly-installed master bathroom windows was both inoperable and off-center. Weary of the process and eager to get into the house, we didn't raise the ruckus we should have. That damn window has been driving me bonkers for fifteen years. Fifteen years, people. Fifteen years... age 36 to 51, every day, the window has been there...” Unless you get it fixed one way or the other, every time you take a shower that niche will be there.
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cpartist
6 years ago
I think it's kind of cool and different. LOL. I like chispa's idea of putting a plant or something on top and calling it artsy. Hey I could see a buddha statue on top. LOL.
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Mint tile Minneapolis
6 years ago
Id add a nice scribe fit solid surface shelf spanning the opening. Carefully and properly executed. It would cost you a few hundred bucks + materials..
my_four_sons
6 years ago
Wow, that looks like some beautiful tile work. I would ask your builder about Tundra’s suggestion.
lyfia
6 years ago
I was going to suggest the same thing as Tundra. I think that will make it look great.
Mrs Pete
6 years ago
Put a potted plant on top of the "post" and it will look like it was designed with a purpose!

I second this. It's not what I would've chosen, but it appears to be done well.

If you just can't get your head around it, how about putting a granite shelf across the top /under the window /leaning a bit so water won't pool towards your window?
Laura Hill
6 years ago
Lovely shower! I really don’t think you will notice the division once you have your toiletries in place.
remodeling1840
6 years ago
Don’t tell anyone it’s a mistake and soon everyone will want one! You have discovered the next new trend!
User
6 years ago
I would also leave it and move on.
User
6 years ago
An orchid would love that spot! I think it looks good.
One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
Dang, now I gotta put a plant in my shower... The only plant I'll never forget to water!!!
bpath
6 years ago
Looks just fine. I'm too practical for a plant there, I'd put a soap dish for DH's glycerine soap and my "gift" soap.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
I like the his and her niches. Right now I have a her and her niche.
cac546
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks all! Agree that ripping out tile doesn't make any sense as it's beautifully done. We'll move in and then if it still feels off look into the solid surface idea. Thanks!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree with Tundra, but I'd make it a solid color solid surface window sill that spanned wall to wall. It will look like you planned it that way.
Michael Lamb
6 years ago
I like it as is, because its not your standard cookie cutter niche, and it should function very well. You might even want to add a hook or suction cup in the area between the two niches, and you can hang a shower brush there.
One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
This is one of those rare times where an accident happens to look like a well thought out design element! :-D
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Designer Drains
6 years ago
personally, i think they look great. a his and hers niche. keep us in mind for your cherry on top :]

Way to fix this shower niche?

ILoveRed

Comments (19)

chispa

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cac546
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Way to fix this shower niche?

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