Shower niche

A niche is a shallow opening in the shower wall, lined with the same tile as the rest of the wall. Bottles sit inside the wall instead of hanging on shelves or baskets. In a bathroom with grey tiles, the niche was lined with the same tile as the walls and the shower.

A niche is planned before the renderRender (plaster)A layer of mortar (sand, cement or lime, and water) spread over brick or concrete to give a wall a straight, sound surface ready for paint or tiles. goes on. It needs a wall thick enough, or boxing in front of it, and it isn't cut into structural elements or over pipes and cables.

Because it sits in the area that gets wet, a niche needs the same waterproofingWaterproofingThe work and materials that stop water getting through on flat roofs, balconies, bathrooms, basements, planters and tanks. as the rest of the shower wall, carefully finished corners and a slight slopeFalls (drainage slope)The gentle slope built into flat roofs, balconies and bathroom floors so water runs to the drain or gutter instead of pooling. on its base so water doesn't stay inside. Its corners are among the places where the groutGrout jointThe gap between tiles, slabs or stones, and the material that fills it. Grouting means filling these joints, which locks the surface together and keeps out water and dirt. and silicone need checking more often.