Paul's kerdi board niche method

[Houston Remodeler]

Using the thinnest kerdi board I could get my hands on, 3/8" thick, I use this method to do my niches, Its much quicker and there are no buildup issues. I have combined it with my variable size niche technique which allows me to change the size and location of the niche after the wallboard, kerdi and some tile are already installed. The niche can be precisely located once I know where my grout joints wind up, both horizontally and vertically. This makes me look like some measuring genius since the niche can be surrounded in whole tiles every time.

Step 1 - Measure the framing locations before you install the drywall CBU. Write that down. Take picture. You'll be happy you did.

Step 2- Install the drywall / CBU as normal. Draw the approximate location of the niche on the wall so that you don't get into a tiling frenzy and tile right past it. BTDT.

Step 3- Start tiling up close to the niche, staying one row away from the bottom. Use the already installed tile as a story board. From the already installed tiles you can transfer those grout joint measurements to the exact location

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 4- Transfer those measurements to the niche area. Remember to account for the thickness of the kerdi board, thinset and tile.

*Ignore the red lines. I was trying something new which, upon second thought was a really stupid idea.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 5- Cut the drywall / CBU for the niche to slide in. I prefer my niches to have the rear wall tiles be the side jamb of the niche. That way I avoid any skinny tiles on one side of the niche. In this example the rear wall is to the left.

Add framing to the inside cavity as needed to support the niche.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 6- Transfer the measurements of the niche opening to the Kerdi board. Allow for the thickness of the kerdi board.

The outer square is the overall size, the inner square is the rear wall of the niche. The rectangles are the sides, top and bottom of the niche.

The X areas are removed.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 7- Cut the kerdi board to size.

Cut the outer edges all the way through.
Cut the X parts out, they are scrap
For the inner lines, they are scored only and folded over, thus retaining the waterproofness of the board, and then we don't have to use any kerdi band there.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 8 - I like to use my kerdi fix to goop up the outside corners. Add some strong tape for ease of installation.

[gueuzeman]

Step 1- get a local supplier to actually have it in stock.

Here I am closer to the factory than probably any other forum member and can't get it here. Genius.

.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 9 - Slide kerdi board niche into place.

If you want you can kerdi fix the edges around the outside of the niche.
Do kerdi fix the inside corners where the sides, top and bottom meet each other.

Step 9B - kerdi band the edges of the niche to make it water tight.

[Houston Remodeler]

Step 10 - Install your tile.

This shows how the niche came out in whole tiles, without interrupting the running bond / subway pattern.

You can also see there are no skinnies around the niche. Having pushed the niche all the way to the left eliminated those tiles. The brown board is a leg holding the tiles above the niche into place while they set.

[Scottish Tile and Stone]

cool tip

[Houston Remodeler]

Its a lot faster for me, much neater and no build up. As I do more of these I'll get better. I have been thinking about this method for months until I could actually get some kerdi-board.

[gueuzeman]

Originally Posted by Paul

I have been thinking about this method for months until I could actually get some kerdi-board.

Sounds like something I would do.

.

[Square pusher]

Nice one Paul.

I think this one should go in the Liberry.

[silvercitytile]

cool tip paul!!!! your just tring to get into JB's new book arnt ya


so how you gonna do a rounded top niche?

[Houston Remodeler]

My lawyer will be contacting him about royalties

I would think a rounded top niche would be the same thing, but with a second piece which is kerfed for the arch. If I had a handy supply of kerdi board to play with, I am sure I could come up with lots of ideas.

HINT HINT