This article will discuss the size of a shower bench, particularly its height. While shower benches are a rather convenient addition to your shower, one that is installed in a faulty size will prove to be of little use.
So you should be careful when deciding on a shower bench height. So wondering how high should a shower bench be? Read ahead to find out more all it.
Shower bench height
A shower bench should be at least 17 inches high. But it should not be any taller than 19 inches. So this is the ideal height range of an average shower bench. But of course, if you want a customized shower bench with particular users in mind, you should build it considering their respective height.
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Determining the size of a shower bench is not very difficult. There is an ideal range between which the height of the shower bench should be.
However, if you are building a customized shower bench, or something for a particular age group such as children, or senior citizens, then you will have to consider their age and height as factors.
The ideal height of a shower bench lies between 17 to 19 inches from the ground.
Corner shower bench:
A corner shower bench should be between the height of 17 to 20 inches. This height is measured from the floor.
A corner shower bench is an excellent addition for people who enjoy the luxury of having a place to sit peacefully, scrub, and exfoliate while they are in the shower.
And as the name suggests, this bench is placed on the corner of the shower, so it will be of very little to no inconvenience at all.
Built-in shower bench:
the height of a built-in shower should range between 17 to 19 inches. These benches are typically a bit lower than the rest, because it is made keeping all age groups in mind.
Built-in shower benches are like a blessing, especially for the people who enjoy a long shower after a tiring day.
The built-in shower bench is typically placed along a side wall in the bathroom. So it will seem like a natural addition to the bathroom.
Floating shower bench:
The height of a floating shower benche should be between 17 to 19 inches. These benches will help you save a lot bathroom tiles and materials.
Walk-in shower bench:
Walk-in shower benches should be of a height between 17 to 19 inches. But if you have any particular group of people in mind, you can decide on the height of the bench while keeping their height in mind.
Freestanding shower benches:
The height of freestanding shower benches should be between 16 to 20 inches. This will be a comfortable size for people of all age groups.
What is the standard height for a shower bench?
The standard height of a shower bench lies between 17 to 19 inches. The number varies, depending on the height of the group of people who will be using the bench.
The height of people using the bench is one of the most significant factors to consider in determining the ideal size of a shower bench.
So if you are building a bench for a particular group, who may be shorter or taller than the average height, then the height of the bench may vary accordingly.
Otherwise, the standard height of a shower bench will be no less than 17 inches and no more than 19 inches.
What is the height of a shower bench according to ADA?
The ideal height of a shower bench according to ADA is 17 inches minimum and a maximum of 19 inches. It is very important to maintain an ideal height of shower bench in your home in order to avoid any potential injuries or accident in the bathroom.
Shower bench is a great addition to any bathroom. If there is little space for it, you can simply build a floating shower bench, that takes up very little room.
This is a great installation for people who would enjoy some time scrubbing or exfoliating or simply a hot spa in their personal bathroom.
2 things that determine the shower bench height
While there is a standard height for shower benches, you should also consider some factors before determining the ideal height of a particular shower bench.
Let’s take a look at some of the most significant factors that you should consider while determining shower bench height:
Height of the group of users:
The first and foremost consideration involves the group of users for whom you are going to build the shower bench.
If you are building a personal shower bench for the use of your family only, then you should consider the average height of the members of your family. This will help you build a bench that is convenient for everyone in your household.
On the other hand, if you are building a shower bench in a commercial space, such as a spa, then you should consider the average height of the people in the particular area where you are setting business.
This will help you draw more audience towards the spa.
And if you are building one for a particular age group, such as for children or for the elderly in your home, then you should build a lower-than-aveage shower bench in order to ensure easy and independent access for them.
Type of shower bench:
Another important factor of consideration is the type of shower bench that you are trying to build. If you’re building a floating shower bench, then make sure that it is lower than average.
Again, if you are building a built-in shower bench, then you should ensure that it is of a height that is accessible to all groups of people.
Considering that, a built-in shower bench should also be lower than the standard size of a shower bench. On the other hand, a corner bench may stand as high as 20 inches.
Should a shower bench be sloped?
Yes, you should always keep in mind while designing and building a shower bench that it should be sloped.
Note that it should be at a slope that aligns with the shower pan. The ideal slope for a shower bench would be about ¼ inches per running foot, back to front.
The shower bench should be designed to slope toward the drain. This will ensure a proper drainage system within the bathroom and keep the bench from storing any unwanted water on top of it. This will also make cleaning the shower bench a lot easier.
Also, note that the shower bench will need to be made waterproof underneath. This is to ensure the long-lasting service of the materials on the bench.
How to install shower bench at a proper height?
Let’s now look at the steps that you need to take in order to install shower bench at a proper height.
Choose the ideal placement, height, and width:
These are the first and most important thing that you need to determine while building a shower bench. Figure out who will use the shower bench and how often, then decide the ideal placement and appropriate size of the shower bench.
The standard size of a shower bench ranges from 17 to 20 inches in height and 15 to 16 inches in depth. This will allow you plenty of space to sit and enjoy your shower.
Design the frame:
Now you will need to design the frame for the shower bench. Make sure that the shower bench is given a slight slope, about ¼ inches. This will allow the water to flow towards the drain easily.
Cut the material and build the frame:
You can use plywood for building the frame. Take the necessary sizes and cut the plywood in order to build the bench seat. Then you will need to screw the plywood in the place where you are planning on building the shower bench.
Fasten the liner and tiles:
Now it is time to fasten the shower pan liner around the surface of the shower bench. You may start from the bottom and work your way upward.
After that, you will need to install the tile backer board on top of the shower bench. You may start from the bottom in this case as well.
Once you are done with this, it is time to install the tile on the shower bench frame. Then let the tile sit for about a couple of days.
Final Thoughts
An average shower bench should be between 17 to 19 inches high. While this is the standard size for a shower bench, you may choose a different size for your shower bench if you have a particular group of people for whom you are building it. Make sure to consider the type and its users’ height.