How to Install a Custom Tile Shower Bench

Build the shower pan up to the point that at least the pan liner has been installed, so that any water that penetrates the bench drains onto the pan liner and into the drain. The walls should be completed at least to the point that the thinset mortar and tiling is ready to be placed.

Plan the general bench form and break up bricks or blocks as needed to obtain sections of suitable sizes for the face of the seat. The bench can be built along one wall or made to fit in the corner. Break blocks to accommodate the desired bench design. The face or faces of the bench should be solid, with small gaps between sections of block filled with mortar.

Prepare the mortar for the bench. The same mortar that was used for the shower walls or pan is suitable.

Spread 1 inch of mortar on the shower pan where the bench will be built using a trowel.

Set the first block or brick in the mortar, wiggling it as it is placed to force out air bubbles in the mortar. Use a level to check for evenness and adjust the position of the block as needed.

Dampen the walls where you will apply mortar. This will allow the mortar to cure more slowly, rather than allowing the backerboard or wall mortar to absorb the moisture.

Place any other complete blocks or pieces necessary to complete the first row. Spread mortar on the end of each piece before setting it in place and joining it with the adjacent block. Use a level to ensure that the face or faces of the bench are as even as possible and the blocks are level. Make any adjustments as needed.

Lay a second course, or row, and any subsequent courses on top of the first course. Spread a layer of mortar atop the first row of blocks and set blocks and segments with mortared ends on top of the first row.

Fill in any space that may remain between the mortared blocks that make up the face or faces of the bench and the wall. Use a mixture of rubble from breaking blocks and mortar. Build it up to the level of the top of the blocks and make the mortared top slope slightly toward the shower drain. Run a straightedge over the mortared top of the bench to check for any low or high spots and to ensure that the top drops about 1/2 inch in elevation across the surface. Add or remove mortar as needed.

Create a smooth surface on the front of the bench. Add mortar to the face of the blocks and run a straightedge and level over the mortar to remove excess mortar and identify low spots. Add any mortar necessary and again smooth the surface. Let this mortar cure adequately before proceeding with any tiling.

Complete construction of the shower pan. Build it up to the point that thinset mortar and tile can be placed or already have been installed on the floor.

Tile the bench surfaces. Spread a thin layer of thinset mortar over a small section of the bench at a time using a notched trowel. Press tiles into the mortar, using tile spacers between each tile to maintain uniform spacing. If necessary, cut tiles to fit the design using tile cutters or other tile cutting tool.

Finish the surfaces of the bench once you've tiled the rest of the shower surfaces. Apply grout to the bench and other tiled surfaces to fill in the spaces between tiles, and fill in any corners with a bead of silicone caulk.