Build out corner shower seat

[jtuggle]

Hi,

My builder was supposed to have installed an 18" x 18" x 25 1/2" corner seat, but he installed a 17" x 17" x 24" corner seat instead. For a corner seat, one inch at the front makes a big difference! The seat is tiled to match the shower tile. Is it possible for him to apply some more backerboard over the existing tile at the front, and tile over it to make the seat a little larger at the front?

[jondon]

Hi Julie

It could probably work, so the bench is all tile?

Better yet and I have personally done this for showers I worked on
but didn't install. Get a piece fabricated to your exact size and shape
like granite, and install it right over top of the existing bench. You
coud make it any size you want. I would do that before taking a risk of
compromising the existing waterproofing element.

So your contractor didn't make it the right size, well then he should glad to
pay for this. Pick out a remnant and no biggie. As for changing the
current bench keep in mind it might change the flow of the tile and joints
and not be favorable, in other words you might not like it.

Got a pic so we can see the bench in question?

[jtuggle]

Thanks - Yes, the bench is all tile. I'd really rather keep it all tile rather than adding yet another, different surface over it. I've got different tile on the floor and a quartz vanity top in a relatively small space. I've attached a photo.

[cx]

Welcome, Julie.

Is that a BetterBench by Inovis you have there?

[jtuggle]

Yes, I looked online, and it looks like the contractor used the BetterBench product.

[cx]

If that's the case, I'm wondering how y'all had the miscommunication that resulted in your not being happy with your bench.

They've got only three sizes of corner bench and the one you've got is closest to what you indicate you wanted, albeit a bit smaller. The only larger one is much larger than you requested.

[jtuggle]

Well, like I mentioned initially, the plans called for an 18" by 18" by 25 1/2 corner bench. I didn't supply the bench to the tilers, the contractor did. So if you mean, did I double-check the measurements of the bench the tilers brought with them before they installed it, no - I thought it was an 18" x 18" x 25 1/2" bench, like the plans called for. I didn't even realize it was smaller until I sat on it after they finished the tile work, and measured it.

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

I'm thinking maybe they could glue some Wedi board on the front and tile-over-tile the top of the bench?

[CountryBumkin]

Maybe he bought an 18" bench but 1" of it is buried in the wall tile for support.

Did the spec say "use an 18" X 18" X 25" bench" or "provide 18" X 18" X 25" of seat space"? Sometimes the wording makes all the difference.

Looks like he did a nice job.

[jtuggle]

Yes, it looks nice, but an inch in the front at the largest part of the seat would make it a lot more comfortable. The plans show 18"x 18" of seat space in the corner, but I think he used the BetterBench product, which is 17" x 17" corner bench seat. Wedi-board - is that like backer-board? So it wouldn't compromise the waterproofing to glue board over the front and tile over it? What kind of glue should he use?

[Kman]

The Better Benches are standard size and are mounted to the surface of the wall, then tiled over. He probably figured that the one inch less wouldn't be that noticeable.

Just a thought.....

Rather than spending a lot of time trying to locate a piece of Wedi Board, which is also expensive to boot, I'd probably use an inch of fat mud bonded to the existing tile with the appropriate thinset, then tile over that. The top of the bench wouldn't necessarily have to be mudded that thick, or at all. The front would probably have to have a little form placed underneath to support the mud until it dries, but that's easy enough to do.

[jtuggle]

Thanks, Kevin - yes, I think he thought one inch less wouldn't make much of a difference. The problem is with a triangle, most of the seating area is in the front. I'm a little concerned about the support with just an inch of fat mud - would it be ok to apply another sheet of regular backer-board to the front? Or will it hold? What is the best way to secure the backer-board to the front of the seat before tiling over it? Is it best to tile over the top of the seat again also?

[Kman]

I'm not sure how you'd attach the backer board to the tile. You can't really screw into it, so it would have to be some type of adhesive that would hold up inside a shower.

If you add to the front, you'll definitely have to add to the top. Whether it's just a layer of tile or you build it up for some more height is up to you, but you'll have to cover the buildup that was made on the front.

What you add to the top needs to be agreed on between you and the contractor. You know the problem you're having now with the front not sticking out far enough? Imagine have the same problem with the top being too high. There's no getting around an additional 1/2" or so for a layer of tile, but any additional height is optional.

[jondon]

HI Julie

Yes now I understand you don't want to add another element to the shower by say putting granite over top, that would add considerable height as well.

Yes the wording of the contract, it could have said 18" but they might have thought finished. I have not personally used this product so yes as mentioned it might be fastened to the studs, then cement board and tile so losing an inch in the process.

You just want to add to the front, not really the top but to add a piece of cement board like Wedi is certainly doable. As far as how to use to attach it to the front of the bench your contractor should know what product would hold it. You could use (2) 1/2" pieces to come out an inch. You would have to tile over it again to make the bullnose work. This way you wouldn't be compromising the waterproofing and just tiling over the tile on top so minimal height addition. So tile over tile on top.

With all the products they make these days adding to the front of this bench is doable. Just tell them in the contract you expected finished dimensions unless otherwise specified. For instance I would feel fine using 255 over the front to adhere the Wedi or cement board. Scarify or sand the tile first. Epoxy could be used as well for an even better bond.

You are the customer and I don't think you are being unreasonable at all, you are not asking them to rip it out. Just to add an inch to the front, shouldn't be a big deal at all if they have any experience. Looks like they did a good job, as long as they are gonna clean the excess grout off the tile.

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

I think you could add a piece of Wedi board, or similar foam board, and that would be the best option. I think a piece of cement board could be added to the front also but I would want it adhered with a waterproof urethane and screwed in. You could drill holes into the front tile pieces and screw it into the drypack mud. This isn't exactly in the instructions for any of the cement boards but I think it would be doable. Mesh tape the front seam of the cement board and tile over the top and front similar to what's there now.

I've never had to remove one of those types of benches but I can't imagine that it would be a pleasant experience. If you can have your contractor work with what's there that would probably be the lesser of two evils.