Andrew Arena

A custom tile shower is one of the best ways to add style and class to your bathroom. One of the most common questions when building a shower is how to tile a shower niche without bullnose. Some manufacturers make bullnose pieces to accompany their most popular tiles, but many styles lack this accompaniment. Luckily, there are several ways to solve this problem.

What is a Shower Niche?

A shower niche is a shelf or cubby built inside your shower wall. It is generally used for holding soap, shampoo, and other shower products. 

What is Bullnose?

Bullnose is a construction term for a rounded exterior angle. Some tile styles have accompanying bullnose pieces that you use when the edge of the tile is exposed.

Why Do You Need Bullnose on a Tile Shower Niche?

When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. Most ceramic and porcelain tiles have glazing that gives the face of the tile a different sheen and sometimes a different color than the rest of the tile. This can cause problems on the outside corner where the wall and niche meet by exposing the un-glazed edge of the tile. Leaving exposed, un-glazed edges of tiles give your shower an unfinished look and are generally considered to be installed incorrectly.

How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose?

The two best solutions for how to tile a shower niche without bullnose are;

1. Using tile edge trim.
2. Mitering your tile corners.

How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose- Tile Edge Trim

Tile edge trim is a product that creates a clean, finished edge where an unfinished tile edge would otherwise be. These tile edge trims come in various shapes, colors, and finishes. Schluter is the most well-known brand for its tile edge trim; you can find their products at most big box home improvement stores.

Step-by-Step

1. Tile the inside of the niche.
2. Slowly and carefully cut a forty-five-degree angle at one end of your tile edge trim on a miter saw.
3. Measure the height of the left side of your niche. Treat the inside of the tile as your niche.
4. Mark the measurement on your tile edge trim from the short end of the forty-five-degree angle you cut in step one.
5. Cut a forty-five-degree angle at the mark you made on the tile edge trim, with the short point of the angle being at the mark.
6. Trowel thin-set outside the left side of the niche, where the tile edge trim will go. Use the same notched trowel you have been using for your tile.
7. Press your tile edge trim into the thin-set, so it is flush with the tile, and the short points of your forty-five-degree angles are even with the top and bottom tile.
8. Clean off excess thin-set with a lightly dampened sponge and trowel.

Repeat this process for the other three sides, leaving a small gap between the miters. This small gap will get grouted the same way the tiles do. 

How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose- Mitered Corners

Another solution for how to tile a shower niche without bullnose is by mitering the outside corners of your tile. The best way to miter your outside corners accurately and consistently is by using a wet saw with a miter adjustment.

Special Tools Required

• Wet saw that has a forty-five-degree bevel or miter adjustment.
  • This saw allows you to cut perfectly straight forty-five-degree miters or bevels consistently.
• (Optional) Grinder with a diamond blade.
  • If necessary, you can use a grinder to clean up cuts or cut angles beyond forty-five degrees.

How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose- Mitered Corners

1. Cut your tiles for the inside of the shower niche, but leave them long to extend past the outside corner. 
2. Holding the tiles in place, mark the outside corner on the back side of the tiles so that it is flush with the shower wall.
3. Cut your tiles at a forty-five-degree angle, with the mark you made being the short point of the angle.
4. Set your tiles inside the niche. Ensure that the short points of your miters are flush with the outside of the wall.
5. For your tiles outside the niche, measure from the previous tile laid to the long edge of the miter cut on the tile inside the nice. Subtract the size of your grout joint (space between tiles) twice. Once for the grout joint between the previous tile and once for the grout joint between the miters. 
6. Mark the measurement found in step five to your tile and cut it so that the long edge of your miter is on the mark.
7. Set your tile.

How to Tile a Shower Niche Without Bullnose- In Conclusion

So, the tile you have chosen for your dream shower does not have corresponding bullnose pieces—no big deal. Using the information provided in this article, you now know how to tile a shower niche without a bullnose. Problem solved.

New cabinets are a great way to give new life to your old kitchen. But, before installing your fancy new cabinets, you must remove the old ones. At this point, you may find yourself wondering exactly how to remove kitchen cabinets. It may seem daunting, but you can easily accomplish it with a few tools and a bit of muscle. Read on for a comprehensive guide to success.

How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets- Wall Cabinets

What You Will Need

• Impact driver or drill with a variety of driver bits.
• At least one person to help.
• (Optional) Drop cloths/ Cardboard.

Prep

Begin by clearing out all items inside the cabinets you will be removing. Be sure to check the top of the cabinets as well. If you aren’t planning on replacing your existing countertop, then it is a good idea to cover it with drop cloths or cardboard, just in case. 

How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets- Step by Step

1. Remove the cabinet doors by removing the hinge from the cabinet.
2. Cabinets that are directly next to one another will have screws connecting them. You will find these screws at the front of the cabinet, close to where the hinges used to be. Remove these screws.
3. Look at the back panel of the cabinet. There will be screws, usually four, holding the cabinet to the wall. If your cabinets are painted, the screws may be harder to find, but, for most, they should be pretty obvious. Have a helper (or two) hold the cabinet while you remove the screws.
   1. Warning: As soon as you remove the screws, the cabinet will be free from the wall! Good communication with your partner is critical during this step to avoid mishaps. 
4. Carefully move the cabinet away from the wall. Voila! That is how to remove kitchen cabinets!

How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets- Base Cabinets

What You Will Need

• Impact driver or drill with a variety of drill bits.
• At least one person to help.
• (Optional) Drop Cloths
• Hammer
• Pry Bar
• Razor Knife
• Caps for water lines
• Teflon Tape

Prep

Clean all items out of the cabinets. Cover the floor with drop cloths if desired. 

Removing the Kitchen Sink From the Cabinet

1. Turn the water off to the sink inside the base cabinet.
2. Disconnect the water lines and the drain. 
3. Remove the faucet by loosening the nut(s) that hold it tight underneath. You remove the sprayer the same way.
4. There will be clips holding the sink to the countertop for an undermount sink. While somebody holds the sink, remove these clips. The sink will still be lightly held in place by silicone; use some force to free it completely.
   1. For an over-mount sink, cut around the edge of the sink with a razor blade. Free it as much as possible from its silicone bond. Use force to remove the sink from the countertop. 

The Remaining Water Lines and Valves in Your Cabinet

Although you already shut the water off inside the cabinet and disconnected the water lines, the valves themselves will still be inside the cabinet. These valves were installed after the cabinet and are larger than the hole drilled for the copper pipe coming up into them. These valves will prevent you from removing this cabinet. 

Warning: If you do not feel comfortable or confident dealing with plumbing, call a plumber. Water damage can be severe and expensive.

1. Shut your house’s water off at the main.
2. Turn on all of the showers and sinks in your home. This will help drain as much water out of the lines as possible.
3. Open the valves on your water lines in the cabinet and drain the remaining water.
4. If your valves are screwed on, unscrew them and securely screw on a threaded cap with Teflon Tape.
5. If your valves are sweated on, then cut the valves off and securely attach a push-to-connect cap.
6. Turn your water back on at the main and thoroughly inspect your newly installed caps to ensure there are no leaks.

Removing the Countertop

Before you can remove the base cabinets, you must remove the countertop.

1. Start by removing any backsplash; this has to come off before your countertop.
2. Look underneath the countertop, inside of the cabinets. Remove any screws or brackets that could be holding the countertop in place. 
3. If your countertop is now free, then, with a helper if required, simply remove the countertop.
4. If the countertop is still firmly in place, then use force with a hammer and prybar to separate the countertop from the cabinets.

Removing the Toe Cap

Most base cabinets will have a toe cap, or baseboard, that runs along the bottom of the cabinets. Remove this with a hammer and prybar.

How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets- Step by Step

1. Remove the cabinet doors by removing the hinge from the cabinet.
2. Cabinets that are directly next to one another will have screws connecting them. You will find these screws at the front of the cabinet, close to where the hinges used to be. Remove these screws.
3. Look at the back panel of the cabinet. There will be screws, usually four, holding the cabinet to the wall. The screws may be harder to find if your cabinets are painted, but they should be pretty obvious for most.
4. Your cabinets are now free and can be removed.

How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets- In Conclusion

With a little hard work and elbow grease, you can solve the question of how to remove kitchen cabinets. Your new kitchen awaits!