How to build a wall in a shower to create a ledge?

[Lambie1971]

Hi There I am about to renovate our ensuite and I have to build a ledge for the shower.

I have a single brick internal wall and wish to add a wall in the shower to create a ledge. How do I build the wall so that it is tied in with the existing bricks and make it sturdy prior to water proofing and tiling of the shower?

Thanks in advance

[EricL]

Hello @Lambie1971 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a ledge in your shower. 

Can you please tell us, what are the dimensions of the ledge. Once we have an idea of its size, we can then make recommendations on how to possibly build it. Generally. I would suggest creating a timber frame if it is not too big and anchoring it to the brick wall. It would then be covered with tile sheeting and would be heavily waterproofed before being tiled over. But if it is very large and needs to originate from the floor, then it would have to be bricks so that it can withstand being stood on or used as a footrest. But we'll be able to tell you more once we get the size details of the shelf.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Lambie1971]

Hi There EricL

The dimensions are roughly 1500 wide x 1100 high x 11cm or one brick deep.

As I live in WA I thought it would use bricks to make the ledge as it is the same as the existing wall and would not have to worry about rot of the wood etc.

Lambie

[EricL]

Hello @Lambie1971 

Thank you for providing that extra information about your proposed ledge. You're absolutely correct, at that size bricks will be my number one recommendation. My best advice is to make sure that the brick wall is totally dry and free of moisture before adding that extra layer of bricks and mortar. Please remember to give the new brick ledge enough curing time so that all the moisture from the mortar has dissipated. If it is sealed too early moisture will get trapped in the brick wall and negatively affect the structure. For extra support, I suggest adding rebar if you are using hollow bricks. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @Lambie1971 

I really cant think of much more to add then what @EricL has suggested. The only thing and its not really a thing I could suggest is make sure there is no gap between the new ledge wall and the existing wall (Mortar wise). But really I think you would be doing that anyway in the natural way the wall would be built

Dave

[Lambie1971]

Thanks Dave for the extra information

[Lambie1971]

When you say add rebar do you mean like drill a hole in the floor put rebar in and then brick over the rebar. I didn't think of that even though I used it outside.

Thanks

Lambie

[EricL]

Hello @Lambie1971 

Yes, rebar will help with the brick wall's structure. If you have a concrete floor, then drilling into the floor will be way to go.

Eric

[Lambie1971]

Thanks for your help it was awesome to get this information.

Lambie

[Nailbag]

Hi @Lambie1971 

Personally I would attached Hardie Villa board semi-directly to the brick wall as there is no need to shrink the bathroom smaller by adding a frame in front of it.

You will need to install furring channels to the brickwork which will also enable you to set the levels correctly before attaching the sheets. Page 10 of this document has all the information.

With regards to the niche. Bunnings have a wide range of pre-made ones that you would remove bricks to insert and position flush with the face of the Villboard which you cut an opening for. Then this all becomes part of the waterproofing process.

Nailbag