Stud frame on wall around bath and sink for recessed alcove

[jacko555]

Wife wants tiles around bath and sink (2 walls) with a recessed shelf running the length of the bath, and, a few alcoves at the foot..

Am I right in thinking timber screwed on the wall, tile backer board fixed to timber, tank the board and affix tiles on the backer board?

She wants a floating sink unit etc so i can hide services in the cavity, build the recessed shelf etc.

That simple?

 

[dilalio]

How deep does she want the niches?
You'll lose room space to create what is in effect a negative cabinet... Is useful if you're building a box to house pipes etc as you just build the whole wall out but to get them deeper you'll want to build a stud frame away from the wall, freestanding as such. You can also buy ready made niches that only need front fixing to a framed opening.

 

[jacko555]

How deep does she want the niches?

Apparently, deep enough to "hold shampoo bottles". I translate this to 10cm maybe 15cm.

You can also buy ready made niches that only need front fixing to a framed opening.

That makes things easier. I guess it depends how much they cost vs making one and the hassle of tiling it internally and adding trim. Do you have any suggestions for a cheapish supplier?

So the plan is sound? Stud frame, board and tile?

 

[jacko555]

My main question is can I use backer board (https://www.wickes.co.uk/STS-Professional-Tile-Backer-Board-1200-x-600-x-10mm/p/101131) attached directly to studs, and tile over that?

Or wil it need something between the backer boad and studs?

 

[chris_o]

Not a problem doing what you suggest. When I build stud walls for niches and services I usually use 4x2 which gives a nice depth to the niche. Have used 3x2cls in the past but sometimes they can be a bit shallow.

That backer board is fine to use, however at 10mm you want fairly close stud centres at around 300mm. I usually use 12mm jackoboard, and studs set at around 300/350mm. If you use that you only need to tank internal/ external corners and over the washers where it’s fixed