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Discussion Forum

Shower seat or corner shelves

Ken | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 2, 2004 08:05am

I’ve posted before on remodelling my bathroom. Slowly making my way through projects and this MBA is next. Thanks for all the previous advice, btw.

Here’s my question: The shower stall will be 36×48, with the door on the narrower edge. I’ve thought about adding a 10″ wide bench to the back wall for shaving legs, stashing shampoo, etc. Other option would be to put a niche in the wall and corner shelves for storage.

I’ve seen the FHB article on building a shower pan, updating a tub, and the JB article on adding a seat. So, I see the construction techniques.

But I’d appreciate opinions on which is the better way to go, shower seat or corner shelve/niche? Which do you think is more practical, easier on construction?

And a question about construction, do y’all ever construct pans out of cement board, or is that a no-no?

Appreciate the advice!

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  1. Ken | Feb 02, 2004 09:14am | #1

    Oh, and here's a drawing of the MBA

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Feb 02, 2004 05:44pm | #2

      I can't answer you question, but I saw the layout and have a suggestion.

      If the plumbin allows it what about moving the vanity to the 'top' of the room and putting the linen closet next to the shower. That way the door can open out into the room.

      And you can use a little of the space in that blind corner between the stool and the vanity by putting shelves or a door on it from one side or the other.

  2. Scooter1 | Feb 02, 2004 06:01pm | #3

    They aren't mutually exclusive. A shower seat is to sit on; Niches are to store toiletries. Do both if you want to. Unless you are fairly skilled, I would add the bench as an afterthough, screwing directly into the tile, the "the Better Bench". The only other practical way to do it is construct it out of block INSIDE the pan. Please don't do a wooden one.

    No, do not construct the setting bed on the floor out of CBU. There is nothing to nail to; unless of course, you want to nail through the pan membrane, which would be a disaster. You need to float a mud bed on the floor.

    Regards,

    Boris

    "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

    1. Ken | Feb 02, 2004 06:45pm | #4

      Bill, You lost me.  I'm having a tough time figuring out what you've got in mind.  I would like to have double sinks in the vanity, and minimize replumbing.  I'll have to reroute some supply lines (and the drain for the sinks), but moving the toilet or shower are more than I'd like to do.  Towel rack access from the shower will be poor, admittedly.

      Boris, Thanks for the comments on CBU.  That's sorta what I thought.  Just being lazy here.  As for the bench, my biggest hesitation about putting one in is that the shower is relatively small at 36x48.  Currently, it's a prefab fiberglass unit 36x36 and it feels cramped.  If I put a bench into a 36x48, floor area of course reduces down to what I've got now.  At the shoulders, it's bigger and it may not have the cramped feeling.  That's the basis of my question, does the "luxury" of having a bench in the shower outweigh having the added floor area?

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Feb 02, 2004 07:23pm | #5

        No moving the toliet.

        (direction based on drawing as posted)

        To the right of the toliet you have a linen closet with a door facing the vanity. And a small space (24-32"?) between that closet and the closet where one has to turn 90 degrees to get stuff out the closet.

        What I am suggesting is just moving the vanity up that 24-32". That closet will become "dead space" (almost).

        Then put a linen closet in the new space between the vanity (after is shifted up). And that closet will open out to the room and be easier to access.

        Where the linen closet is now you can make some use of that dead space by having a recessed cabinet or open shelves over the top of the vanity or the top of the toliet or both.

        Now you won't gain full uses of that space, but some.

        As I see it the current "turning space" betweent the closet and the vanity is wasted space and acess to the closet is less than gracefull.

        Edited 2/2/2004 11:26:39 AM ET by Bill Hartmann

        1. Ken | Feb 02, 2004 10:03pm | #6

          Bill, I got it now!  Interesting idea requiring a bit more construction, but it may be worth it.  That corner location of the linen closet has bothered me too, but either way, there will be lost/awkward space.  I'll work the layout on the computer and post it later this week for feedback.

          Thanks.

      2. Scooter1 | Feb 03, 2004 12:32am | #7

        I think they have fold down seats in showers, or at least I saw one once. I don't have a link or I would post it.

        Given your size, I would not put in a bench, and instead opt for niches and corner baskets. The niches can be constructed out of CBU put slope the lower portion so it sheds water and waterproof the niche with Custom's Red Guard or Laticrete 9235.

        Regards,

        Boris

        "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

        1. davidmeiland | Feb 03, 2004 04:33am | #8

          I installed a fold-down shower seat in a shower once. It was stainless tubing and teak slats, nicely made, and cost about $275 at a kitchen/bath supplier. They had a few different choices in catalogs. We blocked for it before the tile went up and used lag screws right through the tile into the blocking, with a bunch of sillycone in the holes. I remember being very happy that we talked the HO out of a built in bench, which is a real PITA to waterproof and needs to jibe precisely with the tile layout in order to look good. In a shower of your size I think you may appreciate the fact that it folds out of the way.

          1. Ken | Feb 03, 2004 08:31am | #9

            Thanks Boris.  That's kinda what I was thinking, just looking for some support and sanity check.  I hadn't even thought about sloping the niche!  Attention to details, right?  I was talking to a girl about the idea of seat vs 12x12 niche and she pretty quickly said that's not big enough.  Funny to hear the woman's perspective.  Ok, so maybe build in a bigger shelf.

            Bill, I had the time to work up the plan you suggested.  Not sure that it makes enough sense though.  As you walk into the bathroom, all you see is wall.  You can't stand back and use the mirror and there's no sense that it's a bathroom.  Practically, it makes some sense, but aesthetically, it seems awkward?  What do you think now that it's on paper?

          2. User avater
            BillHartmann | Feb 03, 2004 09:03am | #10

            That is what I was thinking.

            I assume that you are going to put a door on the area to the right of the vanity and make that a linen closet.

          3. Ken | Feb 03, 2004 09:09am | #11

            yep, it would have a door.  What do you think about the "challenges" or considerations I mentioned?  Is it really worth it?  Compromises either way, it's just a matter about which has fewer.

          4. User avater
            BillHartmann | Feb 03, 2004 09:38am | #12

            I don't know.

            I don't see any need of having to step back from the mirror.

            But then I hang a black sheet over mine anyway <G>.

          5. Scooter1 | Feb 03, 2004 08:39pm | #13

            Talk to the customer. Have him put in a box the materials that he/she will need in the shower. My last job had:

            Soap

            Shampoo

            Conditioner

            Shaving Creme

            Razors

            Body Wash

            Sponges

            Wash Cloths

            Body Scrubers

            Tooth Brush

            Toothpaste

            Mouthwash

            Essentially, I had to make two very large niches with a solid marble slab shelf.

            I would also look into corner baskets. They make some very nice ones in solid brass that take up no room in a corner; don't have to be constructed (they just install with a drill); and being a wire basket, are self draining. They come in a variety of sizes and I fit that whole list set forth above in four baskets.

            Regards,

            Boris

            "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

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