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Tom M

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm going to use a premade Noble niche on my next job.

I have not installed one of these yet. I usually prep and waterproof showers for my tile setters.

My question is it best to wait and cut it out when it works out best with the tile pattern or should I just do it in advance. I would still plan on compensating for joints so we didn't end up with small pieces close to it.

If I were tiling it I probably just wait and do it when I'm in front of it but that's not the case here.
 
#2 · (Edited)
No easy answer and it's a crapshoot whether they use your set-up or not. Besides, you need studs, so might as well install it. What's the tile size and layout?

My custom "trick" is to make them larger/wider, then fur in a side with hardi or whatever. Not going to work for subs, though.

Side note: I have a problem with pre-fab niches because the finished opening seems to be too short for some bottles.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Its a 5x16 tile and the Niche is a #304 Noble which is 14.5 x 22.5

We're stacking the tile with a 1/8" joint so I will use those numbers then drop 1/2" to be safe for the first course to contour tub. Im also going to have BN and pencil on hand for the best option.

I was just asking
 
#8 ·
Wedi, cut it in as I went. Not a pre built niche though. Made it custom to fit the grout lines. Niche is ready for tile after about 20 minutes of dry time but I usually leave it for an hour or two as I work on something else or eat lunch...
Image


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#10 ·
CPMKW said:
Wedi, cut it in as I went. Not a pre built niche though. Made it custom to fit the grout lines. Niche is ready for tile after about 20 minutes of dry time but I usually leave it for an hour or two as I work on something else or eat lunch...
Image


Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Great lines. I was about to call b.s. on "20 minutes" until I realized it was just the dry time part. Still fast though. No liquid membrane on the joints?
 
#11 ·
MarkJames said:
Great lines. I was about to call b.s. on "20 minutes" until I realized it was just the dry time part. Still fast though. No liquid membrane on the joints?
Click to expand...
Thanks Mark.


No liquid membrane. Just wedi sealant. It is a pretty quick process. Once I start cutting it is probably only 45 minutes.

I will if I have an in progress picture.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
Tom M said:
I'm going to use a premade Noble niche on my next job.

I have not installed one of these yet. I usually prep and waterproof showers for my tile setters.

My question is it best to wait and cut it out when it works out best with the tile pattern or should I just do it in advance. I would still plan on compensating for joints so we didn't end up with small pieces close to it.

If I were tiling it I probably just wait and do it when I'm in front of it but that's not the case here.
Click to expand...
Should have answered this question directly. When I used a tile setter in the past but I was the one doing the waterproofing I would:

1. Plan to be there to cut in the niche for them. Easy to do if the project is big enough that I can be working on something else at the house.
2. Leave them the niche/materials and clear directions on where.

Plan 1 was when either I wasn't confident in the tile setter, or the tile setter wasn't confident. Not too many people around here are using wedi.

Plan 2 is when I have used the tile setter a few times and he has used wedi before.

I don't like to guess at the tile layout and install the niche if I can avoid it.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
That of course is the goal. Aim for the grout joints. I will look at the size of the pre-made niche and the size of the tiles to see if it works out to a full tile or half tile portions.
Like I said earlier it's all about the starting course. That's going to get cut so the outside curves are not little pieces.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Yes we cut in our Niches when we are 6" to 10" below or a course or two. When I used to do all the calc's of tile and grout joint and put the niche in at the beginning there was always an issue maybe an 1/8th out or so, nothing the grout wouldn't hide.
Now we do it this way getting up close to where it will be and then cutting , there is no difference at all in the grout line around the niche.
We have been setting a lot of big tile vertically which means the height is no problem but we still cut it in when we are close to make sure it looks as symmetrical as possible
 

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