Wall Cut-Out niche installation
Wall Preporation
- Make a paper template. Lay niche on top of the craft paper, with the niche
right side up. The niche will lie on the paper like a bathtub (A). Trace
around the niche that touches the paper. Measure and adjust template line to
accommodate the curvature width of the niche. Cut the template out
- Most niches will not fit between 16” on center studs. When installing niche
it is best to install to one existing stud if possible. Tape the template to
the wall where niche is to be installed, trace template on wall and remove
pattern (B). Make sure template is plumb with studs
- Cut the opening with a drywall knife or keyhole saw and remove drywall, also
remove studs if needed
- Using 2x4"s frame out area with top and bottom cross braces and vertical
supports on both sides of the opening (C)
- Check the hole for level by placing the niche into the wall cutout. Level
niche left to right and front to back. It is critical that the niche shelf
is level from front to back, if it isn’t the niche will pull away from the
wall. You may need to cut the bottom edge of opening to level niche and/or
use shims on the backside of niche shelf. NOTE: back of niche will be rough
and not even
general recessed wall niche installation
- Measure the width of the side well on back of niche. Cut 5 – 7 pieces of
1x2, 1x3, or 1x4” lumber in 6” lengths. With construction adhesive, adhere
the lumber blocks into the niche well – spacing evenly around the niche (D).
- Make sure blocks are even with the side well edge
- Let the adhesive set completely. Most manufacturers recommend 24 hours
- Apply a generous amount of construction adhesive to lumber blocks
- As you place niche into wall opening, make sure niche is level again before
you press firmly into place. Smooth excess construction adhesive around
niche edge with your finger or putty knife, giving the niche the appearance
of being part of the wall: clean excess with mineral spirits
- Finish or touch-up niche using a high quality latex or oil-based paint
wall niche installation with screws (not recommended)
- It is not recommended that niches be installed with screws; however in some
applications it is necessary. Please follow General Instructions above and
the following steps when installation requires screw mounting
- Niche MUST be pre-drilled for screw installation. Failure to pre-drill will
result in damage to the niche surface
- Pre-drill holes into niche, two [2] on right and left framing edge near
shelf, one [1] at the center top of the niche, and if needed drill two [2]
on the right and left framing edges half way up the niche (F). Drill from
front to back with fine drill bit
- Apply a 1/2" continuous bead of construction adhesive along the back framing
edge of the niche
- Using level, make sure niche is again level before you press into place.
Smooth excess construction adhesive around niche edge with your finger or
putty knife and clean with mineral spirits
- Countersink screws slightly and fill with adhesive / caulk. After adhesive ‘
caulk dries and if needed, sand lightly and touch-up niche with paint
