The do it yourself resource for homeowners from home improvement professionals.

How to Build a Shower Bench

A shower bench is the perfect way to upgrade your bathroom, especially for people with mobility or balance challenges. Handy individuals possess the skills to successfully learn how to build a shower bench. Completely waterproofing all of the seams and joints is the primary challenge. Other than that, the project requires only basic carpentry and a bit of mortaring and tile setting.

How to Build a Shower Bench

  1. Decide on the placement, shape, and size of your shower bench.
  2. When designing the frame, cut pieces so that the front of the bench is slightly lower than the back. You need the slight angle so that water can drain off the horizontal surface. A downward slope that drops 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot will be sufficient.
  3. Measure and cut 2 x 4 lumber to build the bench frame.
  4. Nail the box frame for the bench to the walls of the roughed in shower space.
  5. Cut the plywood to create the bench seat.
  6. Screw the plywood seat in place.
  7. Attach shower pan liner across the bench surfaces. Start on the shower floor and work upward over the bench wall, seat, and 6 inches up the shower wall.
  8. Install tile backer board with galvanized screws. Once again, start at the bottom and work upward so that the upper pieces overlap the lower pieces.
  9. Spread thin-set mortar across bench seat and surfaces with trowel.
  10. Install tile and give it 48 to 72 hours to set.

Tools & Materials

You probably won't have room in the bathroom to cut lumber into pieces. Set up your sawing area where you have space to work with the lumber.
  • 2 x 4 pressure treated lumber
  • 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood
  • Measuring tape
  • Nail gun
  • Circular saw
  • Level
  • Power drill
  • Waterproof shower pan liner membrane
  • Tile backer board
  • Tile trowel
  • Thin-set tile mortar
  • Ceramic or stone tile

Hire Shower Remodeling Experts

Don’t rush yourself the first time that you learn how to build a shower bench. You need to ensure that everything is watertight. If the project sounds too time consuming, just ask the PJ Fitzpatrick shower experts to do the work for you! We have been replacing baths and showers in the Delaware Valley for decades. Request an estimate today.

Need help with this project?

We have trained professionals that can help. Contact us today. 1-877-246-4354

Get Free Estimate