Most Common Shower Niche Sizes and Dimensions

This post will show you how I found the perfect size shower niche for your remodel project.

I will go over the dimensions and details of the most popular prefabricated/preformed niche products for showers, and then tell you everything you need to make an informed choice.

Here's a list of the most in-demand Prefab Tile Ready and Prefab Finish shower niches from the largest manufacturers.

You don't have to create a niche. However, this post may be of value to you. This will help you save big on niche construction and waterproofing.

I hope you enjoy it!.

Determining Shower Niche Dimensions

Standard Shower Niche Size

If you're considering installing a prefab tile-ready foam board shower niche, it is important to know that the most common standard size for a shower niche is 12'" wide x 28", and 3-1/2'' deep. This number is based upon the sales volume of the largest brand of prefab foam niches. Their 12'' x12'' niche is the second most popular.

Stud Bay Width

Once you have chosen the location of your niche in the shower, you should first check if the space between the two studs is sufficient to accommodate the size niche you have chosen.

Each shower niche, no matter if it is a prefabricated Tile Shower Niche, must be installed in the standard 14-1/2" gap between the two structural studs of your shower wall.

The problem is, your chosen stud bay might not be the standard 14 1/2'' you or your contractor were expecting.

How much space do you need?

This is the most important question you should ask. You don't want to regret your bathroom remodel.

Consider all liquids and soaps you will use in your shower. Also, consider personal grooming tools such as razors, shaving tubs, and even your wash puff.

Shelves in Your Niche?

Vertical is the best option if you feel you require more space than a 12'' x12'' shower niche.

This means that you will need to purchase a taller niche for your shower so that you can install a shelf or two.

You will see an increase in the size of your shower niche if you have more shelves. Higher shelves allow you to install more shelves and can hold more stuff.

If you use bulk-sized bottles in the shower, it is worth considering. This will dictate how high at least one niche shelf should be.

Are you looking for a place to store your razor and bar soap? To create 3'' space for narrow items, you should consider placing a shelf at the top of your niche.

You should also consider installing a narrow shelf. The majority of tile ready foam board niches include a thick shelf. This shelf can be tiled to reduce the interior dimensions of your niche.

To recover some interior niche space, you might consider installing a glass shelf or stainless steel shelf. A glass shelf can be slippery so it is not the best option for soap storage.

Horizontal Shower Niche

A horizontal niche is a better option than a vertical one. It will horizontally span the back wall of your shower and have two or more stud bays.

It's possible to feel you only need the massive storage space of a horizontal niche or you might just love its bold design.

Or both, if you raise the dimensions of your shower niche horizontally, it can cause serious problems if it is not properly installed.

Prefabs Most Popular Compared

Below are all sizes available for the most popular prefab Shower niches.

Before I get into that, let me tell you a little bit about the various prefab niche classifications.

These niches can be referred to in four ways: prefabricated, prefabricated and preformed. These terms all refer to the same thing.

There are two types of prefab niches. Each one has a few sub-types.

1. Tile Ready Shower Niches:

• Plastic (ABS) shower niches

• Foam Board shower niches

2. Finished Shower Niches:

• Membrane Bonding shower niches

• Retrofit (Non-Membrane Bonding) shower niches

You now have the scoop? Here's the complete list:

Tile Ready Shower Niches

Foam Board Tile Ready Shower Niches:

Schluter Kerdi SN – These niches can be fitted with tile ready foam shelves, or you can purchase the separate.

12'' x 38'' x 3 1/2''

12'' x20'' x 3 1/2''

12'’ x 12’’ x 3-1/2’'

12'' x 6-'' x 3'1/2''

Wedi Niche is a niche that has a thin cementitious coating. This helps to bond the tiles and improves surface rigidity. You can also mount most models with their tile-ready foam shelves.

12'' x 15'' x3''

12'' x9'' x3''

12'' x13'' x3''

12'' x13'' x3''

12'' x 13'' x 2''

12'' x 38 '' x3''

Noble Niches – Some niches have integrated shelves while others have arches and peaked top profiles.

13-1/4's x 48's x 3-7/8’'

13-1/4's x 30-1/2 x 3-7/8"

13-1/4's x 26-3/4 '' x3-7/8''

13-1/4'’ x 21-1/2’' x 3-7/8'’ (Options: square, peaked or arched top, shelf, or square)

13-1/4's x 13-1/2 x 3-7/8"

7-1/4'’ x 21-1/2’' x 3-7/8'’ (Options: Shelf or square, peaked top, arched top).

7-1/4" x 7-1/4 "x 3-7/8"

( Hydro Ban ) Preformed Niche - Some models contain fixed shelves. The interior is coated in a material that allows secure mortar bonding.

12'’ x 12’’ x 3-1/2’'

12'' x20'' x 3 1/2''

8'x8'x31/2''

Combo Units:

12'' x 12'' & 12'' x 6'' (x 3-1/2'' deep)

12'' x 12'' & 8'' x 6'' (x 3-1/2'' deep)

Prefabricated Shower Niches (ABS):

Prefab Shower Niches – Interior is coated in a nonwoven fleece membrane for better tile adhesion to standard thin set mortars.

13-3/4'’ x 22'’ x 3-5/8’'

13-3/4"'' x13-3/4'’ x 3-5/8’'

EZ-Niche has no tile bonding fleece, unlike the Durock niche. According to the manufacturer, tiles can be attached to its surface using modified thin set mortar. This is something I'm skeptical about. Polymer modified thin mortar sticks poorly to plastics. Has no shelf options.

7'' x8'' x 3-5/8''

8''x14''x 3-5/8"''

11'' x16'' x 3-5/8''

14'’ x 14’’ x 3-5/8’’ (with or without an arch)

14''x22''x 3-5/8"' (with or with arch)

14'' x 36'' x 3-5/8'' ( Horizontal niche )

Finished Shower Niches

Membrane Bonding Shower Niches:

For enhanced corrosion resistance, bonds to waterproofing membranes, integrated tile borderflange, non slip perforated shelves and 316 stainless steel. Currently available in brushed SS.

10'' x14''x4'' (One shelf).

10'' x 28 x 4's (2 shelves).

Easy Drain Stainless steel Shower Niche - This includes a plastic inner piece that bonds to a waterproofing membrane. This plastic inner piece can be inserted into a finished stainless steel niche. There are no shelves in these models. Avail. Available in brushed SS and 3 other powder-coated colors

es.

6'' x12'' x4''

12'’ x 12’’ x 4’'

24'' x 12'' x 4'' ( Horizontal niche )

36'' x 12'' x 4'' ( Horizontal niche )

48'' x 12'' x 4'' ( Horizontal niche )

(Non-Membrane Bonding) shower niches:

Generic Stainless-Steel Shower Niche – Does not bond to waterproofing shower membranes

12'’ x 12'’ x 3-1/4’’

24'' x12'' x 3-1/4" (Horizontal).

Ceramic Shower Niches- Will not bond to shower waterproofing membranes. Many have integrated shelves or soap holders.

11-3/4" x 11-3/4" x 3-5/8’'

11-3/4" x 11-3/4" x 3-5/8", (with 3 compartments).

Acrylic Shower Niches These models are made from a formed acrylic plastic and can be used with the custom-made wall panel system. You can choose from a variety of colors, and they all come with integrated shelves.

17'' x 6'' x 3'1/2''

14'' x64'' x 3 1/2''

9''x64''x31/2''

6'' x 31/2'' x 60''

Wrap up

This post should have provided you with valuable information about the various sizes of prefab shower niches. While size is an important aspect of shower niches, there are other important considerations.

Leave a comment below if you found this post helpful or if there are any improvements I can make.

This information is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as professional advice. Before you begin any remodeling work in your home, it is a good idea to consult a licensed contractor.