Tiled Shower Recess for holding shampoo etc, etc

basaad · Oct 02, 2007 7:06 pm

Hi all,
Just out of a matter of interest are any of you familiar with the tiled recesses some builders are putting in showers that hold shampoo, conditioner etc etc?

We have seen them and asked one of the builders we are considering using if they would put one in for us in both showers, and they came back with a catagorical 'No' apparently due to the possibility of not being waterproof, hence no warranty!!?? The other builder we asked said 'no probs' and gave us a quote. Hmmm - most confused.

I mean, it's a shower - isn't a shower supposed to be waterproofed?

Maybe we are wrong and they are a problem when they are built into the shower wall.

So, does anyone know what I'm talking about? Does anyone have a shower recess? And are they a potential 'leakage' problem?

Thanks guys.

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 7:15 pm

Ha!!! Don’t even go with the builder that said NO…..he’s lazy and just wants things straight forward for himself building wise…..silly man!

ALL of your wet area is waterproofed! His problem is he doesn’t want to do the extra work involved in making the niche.

Most homes I colour now have the niches in the shower…..no problems!

Like I said…..he’s not interested in the extra effort!

basaad · Oct 02, 2007 8:03 pm

Michelle

Ha!!! Don’t even go with the builder that said NO…..he’s lazy and just wants things straight forward for himself building wise…..silly man!

ALL of your wet area is waterproofed! His problem is he doesn’t want to do the extra work involved in making the niche.

Most homes I colour now have the niches in the shower…..no problems!

Like I said…..he’s not interested in the extra effort!

Thanks Michelle, that's exactly what we thought. So, now the question is, how do we get around this little 'glitch'. Is it worth arguing over - we do like the house. And I have seen other shower's with these niches. We honestly don't understand what the big issue is.

They have to tile the shower and waterproof it anyway.

How would you suggest we nudge them onto putting them in?

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 8:13 pm

Tell him if wants the job of building your home he has to do the niches. PLEASE.

Otherwise you’ll go else where…I’m sure that will help him make his mind up! He won’t want to loose the job over a little niche in the wall.

basaad · Oct 02, 2007 8:21 pm

Yes, you would think so. But after talking to so many builders, architects etc, I'm stunned at what they will and won't do.

In one house we looked at, we saw a shower in the masterbedroom - literally in the centre of the room :shock:

I've heard of open plan but I thought that was taking it a bit too far.

We certainly haven't given this building company the impression that we are stupid, we realise the shower is already waterproofed - maybe they just dont want to set a precedent.

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 9:22 pm

Sorry had to do back ups strange noises going on.

Don’t give up, I guess it might mean compromise from you if your really want the house.

I’m constantly surprised from what I hear on this forum!!!!
Let us know how you get on.

penjay · Oct 02, 2007 10:22 pm

I'd really push for it if I was you. We have one in each bathroom - they are a great idea. No more ******* plastic or wire baskets hanging from the showerhead or suction cups pinging off the walls.
Which builder is saying no?
The only question was the wall it was intended for - some are not suitable.

Casa2 · Oct 02, 2007 10:41 pm

The shower recesses look great and they are functional. My only concern is, are they a mould issue?

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 10:44 pm

As like any wet area, you will get mould….

Demestos is great for that!

VJ · Oct 02, 2007 11:24 pm

We almost forgot to include the niche in our house. Good thing we were able to add it during contract signing. Unfortunately though, we could only add it to the ensuite because of the wall in the bathroom.

We had experience with another builder that doesn't do this. They said they will let you go away if you insist to add it, as it will create problems in the future. And so we backed out.. :lol:

MaylandsManor · Oct 02, 2007 11:34 pm

I love the niches. does anyone know which walls are suitable for a niche and which ones aren't? why the difference?
Helen

Michelle · Oct 02, 2007 11:44 pm

You can’t put a niche anywhere where there is not enough space between the studs of the wall, or where there is plumbing!

It needs to be built back into the wall, so there needs to be space on that wall. Preferably a large wall!

matt walker · Oct 03, 2007 9:48 am

Helen,

You can only build them on internal walls too i think!

Matt

vanderlay · Oct 03, 2007 10:29 am

Audio Visual Dreams

Helen,

You can only build them on internal walls too i think!

Matt

Correct! Well, our builder would only do them on internal walls anyway!! The other thing they do apart from water proofing behind the tiles is put a really tiny slope on the bottom tiles, so water wont sit in the niche.

One of our niches in progress:

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Amber · Oct 03, 2007 10:56 am

Porter Davis do them all throughout the bathrooms if you want them.

Don't take no for an answer!!

penjay · Oct 03, 2007 11:25 am

Yes PD will only do them on internal walls.

Your niche looks fantastic Vanderlay. Ours are both square because that is what we saw in the display home. It never occurred to us to make it a long rectangle - much less wasted space.

vanderlay · Oct 03, 2007 11:36 am

YEah, we did the square one in the bathroom cause its the square normal shower, but love the long one in the ensuite

We have also found a few PD options that we never knew about and would have wanted in our place had we known they were possible!! Maybe they need a big list to possible inclusions to give to customers!!

penjay · Oct 03, 2007 11:41 am

Yes, I'll never understand why they don't have a list of options and/or inclusions. They must make money on them so it would make sense. Otherwise it's just luck whether you hear about things from other people.

penjay · Oct 03, 2007 11:44 am

For example, I added ducted vacuuming at the last moment and fortunately I was trawling around the internet and discovered the dutpan thing you can have added in the kitchen. PD never mentioned that it was an option with the ducted vacuuming. There must be millions of examples like that.

vanderlay · Oct 03, 2007 11:49 am

Yep, I think our house comes with standard ceiling height of 2400, we got 2700 high with 3000 high in the entry. Recently we saw a new display with 3000 high ceilings through the whole living area as a $2500 option

Would have loved that in our place!! Didnt know they could do it and didnt think to ask....