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Shower niche material?

last month

Our new construction was finished in 2019. The bull nose tile in the niches of our master shower is peeling. (Yes. I thought there was soap scum so I used my fingernail and the glaze scratched right off.) I am disgusted that these tiles didn't even last 3 years when there are 50 and 100 year old houses that still have original materials.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for what to replace it with? The walls/niche are white with an accent wall that has light blue, glass tile. The natural marble on our countertop has been a nightmare, scratching and absorbing every single stain so that's already ruled out.

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Comments (5)

millworkman
last month
last modified: last month
Pictures? I do not think you can replace the "bullnose" without demo work that will compromise the waterproofing system (which may or may not exist anyway, builder dependent).
lgerard
Original Author
last month
I think you’re right about demo. I think it has the kerdi board underneath. The tile crew did a horrible job in here so I don’t want them back.
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It's bad only because it's alot of added expense for very little value. Yes, the cork will add insulation. However, it's overkill, as is (I believe), epoxy grout in residential installations. The worst is that both products are very expensive, especially the epoxy, which will cost about 6-8 times the amount as conventional grout. (3 units of epoxy, covering about 50 feet of 12x12 w/1/4" joints a piece will cost about 35.00, while a bag of grout, covering 125 feet of the same tile and grout joints, will cost about 15.00) dlm99-- you could cut the bullnose into 2" pieces, use them on the inside of the niche to cap the wall's tile which would be cut to come flush to the edge of the niche's return.
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Tundra, can you describe the silicone method? Is the product the same as 100% silicone caulk, or something else? It seems like silicone caulk might be too flexible to hold a heavy quartz shelf? For epoxy, would we need to cut grooves, or can we simply epoxy the quartz shelf to the raw tile surface since it won't really be load bearing? The biscuit-type method sounds great, but might be over the heads of our quartz and tile guys, who seem to like simple solutions... any advice on what type of contractor we could call who might have the experience and tools for the biscuit job (or for cutting a groove if that is necessary? Thanks everyone for your input!
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Comments (22)
I would put the niche on the right wall, even un-centered, rather than under the window. The size you need might depend on just how much soap / shampoo your family uses. I love niches when properly waterproofed, but I wouldn't want them to be the focal point of a shower. Instead let your window be the centerpiece and tuck the functional niche on the side like you'd planned. Glass shelves in a shower, especially one used by children, seems like a bad idea. You don't want someone accidentally breaking or even slipping and grabbing a glass shelf. A niche is awesome because it's tucked out of the way but still provides ample storage.
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Material for bottom of shower niche?
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Comments (3)
Waterproofing: Your tile person’s comments worry me because your shower should already be waterproofed before the first tile is put on. Post here what waterproofing materials and method he is using and hopefully the pros, which I am not, on here will weigh in. Meanwhile, ask your tile person what they’ve done so far and why it’s not already waterproof? The tile and grout are just the pretty parts on tbe outside. Bottom of niche: use the counters material for bottom of niche, curb, top of pony wall, windowsills, etc (horizontal surfaces)
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Fori
last month
Scrape it off and have a brown niche? Also, what the heck? Is the tan a nice enamel finish and it just was topcoated with something so as to not have to order the correct color bullnose?
lgerard
Original Author
last month
“Manufacturing defect”
Seller said it was probably made in Turkey or Italy. Obviously neither of those places have any experience with building things that last 1000 years. 🙄
Fori
last month
Riiiight. They totally accidentally used paint instead of a fired ceramic glaze. Could happen to anyone.

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