How easy to build an internal shower ledge?

[sbplanet]

Still finalising the details for our new bathroom and realise we really need a ledge in the new walk-in shower. It would 'replace' the side of the bath which we currently use as a showering/shaving aid!
I've been googling for images and found a few but wonder how they are made. We don't have much space to play with and the ledge would be about as wide as the current bath edge, at a similar height and tiled over. Here's a few pictures. The bathroom walls are concrete block. Any ideas?

Couldn't you add a row of double/triple layer tiles? Or just nail a length of two by two to the wall and tile over it.

Ours was cut into the framework before it was plasterboarded and tiled. I'm not sure it would be possible if your walls are concrete blocks.

I don't think it would be good to tunnel into the wall.

Holes cut through the waterproof shower enclosure have a tendency to cause leaks, even when fitted with a professional nook.

You might consider a shelf (above head height so you don't smash into it) or some hooks (in the corners for the same reason) or a rail (about waist height) where you can hang flannels, shampoo and stuff. There are chrome grab rails which you can disguise as towel rails, but are strong enough to hold you up if you slip over. Waist height means you will not bang your elbows on them.

You can put no end of shelves and towel rails at the far end of the bath. It will not take long to walk there.

What type of shower are you planning as all the showers in your pictures are concealed where the plumbing and fixings will be in the wall? If that’s the look you’re after then you’d be better off building a stud wall to hide the plumbing instead of chiseling out the block wall but build it further out at the bottom to create a ledge. That would then be tiled over. I don’t have a ledge but do have a couple of cubbyholes like in your first picture and that’s how we did it.

p.s.

some of the ledges in your pics look like you could perch on them. Will your enclosure be big enough to have a perching seat? It will be useful when you become aged and infirm. They are usually plastic or stainless, as wood rots, and mostly will fold up to the wall.

@PigletJohn It's going to be a walk in shower with shower tray, replacing the current bath (with shower over), sorry if I didn't make that clear. :)

I wanted something at a similar height (and width) as the side of the old bath as it's very convenient to rest your foot on when washing and shaving your legs. Didn't know if it would be a case of maybe adding a single row of blockwork (but it would be onto floorboards) or maybe some sort of floating shelf as per the last picture?

Fold down seats and similar 'perching aids' are so ugly, wanted something more aesthetically pleasing tbh. Not really much more space than the old bath width (700mm) plus maybe another 10cm or less really!

Don't really want to box in the short end of the shower as the pipework will be in the wall. So the long edge of the shower is the only area it would work.

It's a bathroom niche. It's very easy to do my dh is a tiler

It’s very simple. Your builder will need to build out a half height false wall using studwork, and then cover it with some kind of waterproof board eg wediboard. The top ledge of the half wall should slope down slightly so any pooled water runs off into the shower. Then tile over the whole thing. Ideally seal the grout, and put silicone in any corners.

Your shower will be smaller this way though. 700mm is pretty narrow for a shower so I would be inclined to give up the ledge idea and add the space to the shower instead.

You can get dedicated foot rests that attach to the wall - often like a little corner shelf. Or you could buy a little stool (something in teak/acacia or plastic would work) which you take in when shaving?

@WhoUsedMyName The first picture is more like what I'm hoping for - it's not really a niche, are ledges made in the same way and if so how? Ta.

OP you’d build a stud wall part way up which is then covered, tiled over And siliconed. However, you mentioned a shower tray. Assuming you are buying an off the shelf enclosure, the tray would butt up to the stud wall but the glass screens would need to attach to the actual walls behind. There’s always a bit of play when positioning the glass enclosure but not enough to create a usable ledge. Non of your pictures have a shower tray, they’re all tiled floors.

i have a plastic stool in my shower to get the same effect. And it is pretty easy to get a new one if it gets old & filthy.

@parietal

i have a plastic stool in my shower to get the same effect. And it is pretty easy to get a new one if it gets old & filthy.

@parietal stick it in the dishwasher to wash all the soap scum off... comes out luke new 😁

Yeah, that's a big 'no way' to plastic furniture in the shower!

All your pictures show a built out ledge, which would make your shower 600 or less depending how wide the ledge was. 600 which is pretty narrow. Could you build out just half the length so you have full width at the shower end?

This would only work if you're having a tiled floor though, but a shower tray.

@PettyLittleThings I think there's just enough room for a 1700x700 shower tray butting up to a 10cm ledge. But how to make it work? I'm starting to think @titchy had something with nailing a length of 4"x2" onto the wall and tiling over it! Or maybe some sort of floating 'shelf' like picture 2 with a 1700x760 tray might be easier.

I have one made of plywood then tiled and sealed

Oooh @User45 that looks good, thanks! A narrower version would be just perfect for me. :)

I always think this is a major design flaw with showers. I thought about a plastic step or a seat but yes, one really needs this ledge.

You can get shower stools that aren’t made of plastic! We have one from Lusso stone, made of stone resin (a bit like quartz). There are also nice wood ones (teak or acacia) or plenty of ceramic indoor/outdoor stools around that would work.

@sbplanet so dh says your right that's more of a ledge you need delta board (water proof board) then you need a tanking kit then you can tile it. This all need to be done before you fit shower tray x

@WhoUsedMyName thanks for finding that out for me. :) Lifting feet up is easier than bending down at my age! :D