How to Build a Recessed Shower Niche With a Glass Shelf

Prepare the space for the niche. Cut out a space between two wall studs. Use a utility knife to cut and remove a section of backerboard. If the niche is being installed in a wall that is tiled or otherwise finished, break up the surfacing and any underlying mortar with a cold chisel and hammer.

Construct the frame for the recessed niche. Measure and cut sections of 2-by-4 boards to fit horizontally and snugly between the wall studs. Use a hammer to pound them into place to form the top and bottom of the frame. If they do not fit tightly, use screws to secure them to the wall studs. If the space between the wall studs is wider than the planned niche, cut lengths of 2-by-4 and fit them vertically in the space to act as sidewalls.

Measure and cut sections of cement backerboard to fit the back, sides and top and bottom of the niche. To cut backerboard, score through the mesh layer on one side with a utility knife and snap off the backerboard section.

Install the cement backerboard into the niche. Place the section for the back wall first, then follow with the sidewalls, ceiling and floor. Use screws and a drill to attach the backerboard panels. For additional security, dab a small amount of thinset mortar on the back of each piece of backerboard before pressing it into place.

Measure and cut a section of waterproofing membrane to fit within the niche and extend slightly onto the surrounding wall.

Glue the waterproofing membrane into the niche. Work from the center of the back wall outwards, using an adhesive suited for use with the specific membrane material or thinset mortar, and press the membrane tightly against the niche walls.

Tile or otherwise install trim around the niche. Use specially designed trip or bullnose cap tiles, placing them so that the lip slightly overhangs into the niche. When positioning the bullnose cap tiles or trim pieces, take into account the thickness of the tiles that will be installed on the interior walls of the niche. Spread a thin layer of thinset mortar on the wall around the niche using a notched trowel and press the bullnose cap tiles in place. Use spacers between tiles to maintain uniform spaces and cut tiles as necessary to accommodate the design using tile cutters. Use a level to check the tiles for evenness.

Prepare the tiles for the back of the niche. Determine the desired design and lay out the tiles for a dry run. Typically, tiles for the back of a shower niche are placed so that they align with tiles on the surrounding wall or they are set diagonally and centered in the niche. Cut tiles as needed to fit the design.

Place the prepared tiles on the back wall. Spread a thin layer of thinset mortar on the back wall using a notched trowel. Press the tiles into the mortar, again using spacers to maintain uniformity, and check for evenness with a level.

Spread mortar and place tiles on the side walls up to the point where the shelf will be placed.

Set the shelf in the niche so that it rests on top of the tiles on either side wall. Do not affix it permanently with mortar yet.

Tile the remainder of the sidewalls and the ceiling of the niche using the same tiling techniques as for the back wall and lower part of the side walls.

Tile the bottom of the niche. This surface must be sloped slightly to encourage water to run off toward the shower drain. Build up the thinset mortar to a slightly greater height at the rear of the niche before pressing the tile in. Use the level to make sure that the surface slopes slightly and correct the slope if needed.

Prop up the rear of the shelf slightly to force it to slope. Use a small spacer or piece of paper or wood. Jam the object under the shelf at the rear. Check for a slight slope with the level.

Grout the niche. Fill in the spaces between tiles and the gaps around the shelf. Embed the small object at the rear of the shelf in grout.

Run a bead of silicone caulk around all corners or joints in the niche.