Building a shower bench in the shower is an easy project that can be completed in one day. Walk In Tub Direct and its affiliates provide expert advice on how to build a shower bench from start to finish.
On this page, I will give you detailed instructions for how to build a shower bench. The shower bench illustrated here is a free-standing seat with a curved back and sloped sides. It’s the kind of bench you’ll want to add if the walls of your shower are too high for you to sit comfortably or safely.
🛠️ “How to build & waterproof shower bench ‘seat’” (builder’s style, word-for-word):
🧱 1. Build Bench Frame
“If you are building on top of concrete rather than wood use bricks (cinder blocks) to build your bench. Just stack them up to the height you need and bond them to one another with regular thinset.”
🔄 2. Frame Shape & Waterproofing
“There is no hard and fast rule to framing your bench. Just build a square frame box out of 2×4’s and put your substrate (cement board, or drywall if you’re using kerdi) around it. It’s really that easy.”
🚰 3. Slope the Bench Top
“Be sure you slope the top of your bench ¼” per foot toward the front of the bench! Water needs to drain off of it rather than collecting in the back of it.”
💧 4. Waterproof the Surface
“Once again, make sure the top of your bench, in this case the caps, are sloped ¼” per foot toward the front of the bench. Once the thinset cures just cover your cinder block bench with your topical waterproofing.”
🛠️ 5. Use Concrete Blocks Option
“construct and install a shower bench ‘SEAT’ from concrete blocks (cinder blocks). Concrete blocks are water resistance, strong and very…”
✅ Overview for a Builder-Ready DIY Bench
Stack concrete blocks (cinder blocks) or build a framed bench with 2×4s, then cover with cement board or drywall.
Slope the bench surface at ¼″ per foot toward the shower drain.
Waterproof the entire surface with a topical membrane (like Kerdi or liquid) after setting the blocks or bench frame.
Build a Shower Bench
A shower bench is a great option for those who have limited mobility. They’re also great for anyone who wants an easier way to get in and out of the shower. This tutorial will show you how to build your own custom-sized shower bench using plywood and concrete blocks.
Materials Needed:
Plywood (1/2″ thick or less) – 8′ x 4′ sheet (if you want to make a square bench, or 8′ x 8′ sheet if you want to make a rectangular bench)
Concrete Blocks – 20 blocks for each side of the bench (4 total sides)
Fiberglass screen mesh – enough to cover both sides of the plywood with about 1/4″ overlap on top and bottom edges
Sandpaper – 80 grit or higher
Wood glue – enough to cover all surfaces being glued together
A shower bench is a great addition to any shower. It provides a place to sit and get dressed before you step into the shower. It also has many other uses, such as a storage area for shampoo, conditioner and soap.
A shower bench can be made in several ways. Most people choose to build them using wood, but concrete blocks are another popular option. Concrete blocks are more durable than wood, so they will last longer without rotting or breaking down.
1) Determine the size of your project by measuring the width of your existing shower or tub and adding 12 inches for each side (total 36 inches). This will determine how many blocks you need and how long they should be. You can use smaller blocks if you want the bench to be higher or larger ones if you want it lower or wider.
2) Lay out your blocks on top of each other until they reach the desired height and width (see above). Use masonry cement to glue them together by pouring some cement into the joints between each block until they form one solid piece of concrete
Building a shower bench is an easy project that can be completed in a weekend. It’s a great way to add a practical and useful feature to your bathroom that doesn’t cost much money.
The best part about building your own shower bench is that it can be customized to meet your needs and style preferences. The design shown here uses concrete blocks, but you could also use bricks or even old wooden pallets.
You can also easily adjust the dimensions of the bench so it fits perfectly into your space.
In this video, I show you how I built a concrete block shower bench. These are the same blocks that I used for my DIY Concrete Block Fireplace. The blocks are about $1 each and are easy to work with. You can use them for many different projects like benches, tables, planters and more!
I used the following materials:
2″x4″x8′ studs
3/4″ plywood (for the top of the bench)
3/4″ plywood (for the back panel)
1 1/2″ screws
Carpet/tile adhesive (to glue down tile)
You can build a shower seat with the help of concrete blocks and a few other simple materials. It’s an easy DIY project that will give you a safe place to sit in the shower or tub without damaging your floor.
The concrete blocks are held together by metal brackets, which also serve as handles. The metal brackets are attached to the back of each block and then secured to each other with threaded rods and nuts.
If you have an existing shower bench that’s damaged or missing, this project will be even easier because you won’t have to cut any holes in your wall or floor. If you’re installing a new one, however, it might be helpful to have an electrician install the electrical outlets before you begin construction so that they’re accessible in the right place when it comes time to plug in the lights and speakers.
1. Mark the corner of the shower floor with a framing square.
2. Use a level to mark a line along the inside edge of the framing square.
3. Set up a masonry bit and drill holes in the corners of your shower floor, following the level line you just made.
4. Fill each hole with concrete mix and tamp it down firmly with a rubber mallet or hammer until it is flush with the surface of your shower floor.
5. Let concrete sets for at least 24 hours before moving on to step 6 or 7 (depending on whether you have just one bench or two benches).