Ok, seems as if another installment of "Review Busters" is needed...Like my other reviews, I will provide a real and accurate review based on experience and using this item a few times. It seems that many reviews for all types of products are based on someone's inexperience and are simply not accurate. Topic 1...While this is somewhat pricey for a piece of plastic, it is absolutely faster and exceedingly more waterproof than building a traditional niche. Anyone debating this is doing so out of pure old-school habits and a bit of egotism. Yes, it comes at a cost - but I'd rather pay a bit extra to be sure it will never leak. Traditionally constructed niches are often an eventual source of water infiltration. Topic 2...The mortar/thinset doesn't stick to it. My mortar and thinset stuck to it fine. In multiple applications, I used the very common Mapei Ultraflex 1 and Ultraflex LFT and had no problems sticking the tiles to the niche. One project is over 3 years of daily use and tiles are still secure. Topic 3...The back wall is thin/flexes...If installed in a 2 x 4 wall, the back practically lays against the wallboard of the opposite room. If you apply a few lines of caulk, construction adhesive or even thinset to the back of the niche, it will eliminate any flexing. Once you apply mortar or thinset, tiles and grout I don't know how it would still flex...just how much pressure is someone applying to the back of the niche? This is an issue I did not experience at all. Topic 4....The dimensions. Maybe they updated their drawings or maybe someone read the drawings wrong, but the niche dimensions I used were spot-on. Inside framing dimensions were exactly 12" x 14". It has a 1/2" wide outer border. See pictures showing measurements with a tape measure. This niche is designed to be installed FLUSH with your 1/2" backerboard - whether it be cement board or most of the foam boards out there (Kerdi, Goboard, etc). * Note: Standard Hardiebacker is less than 1/2" thick and will cause the edge of the niche to be higher, requiring an extra step to recess it into your framing. This niche works ideally with exactly 1/2" thick backerboard. Lastly, you must waterproof where the backerboard meets the edge of the niche using the specific backerboard manufacturer's recommended process for sealing seams. Overall I recommend this niche, as it performs well and makes installing a niche quick and foolproof. NOTE: I purchased this item on Amazon for full price and have no affiliation to the seller. I try to write helpful, unbiased and insightful reviews because I also read reviews prior to making my own buying decisions. I notice many reviews lack helpful information, are not well written or give poor reviews based on not following directions, failing to read the product details prior to purchasing, inexperience or lack of skill. Writing useful reviews helps pay it forward.

Looks good with tile installation

Had to remodel my bathroom a year ago and wasnt sure how I was going to store my shampoo and soap. I decided to go with this. Very easy to tile and work around. Big enough to put your standard size bottles. You can also flip it to give you longer width if needed.

Boxes work great and save a lot of time having to make them and they won't leak as it is solid plastic. Worked great!

this fit into the shower remodel and added the shelf needed without a lot of hassle.

I was a bit surprised that with a 16 x 14 Niche by the time you get it installed and the tile in place it is more like 12 x 14. But a good product, easy to install, mounted flush with the 1/2 inch backer board

So this is technically fine, but the back is very flimsy. I mounted a marble mosaic tile to the back and it still has some flex to it. I wish the back side was a thicker material to reduce the possibility of cracked grout and tiles falling off.

The technical drawing shown in photos and the description both incorrectly list the dimensions. I assumed that the wrong product was shipped, because the listing was so clear about the (incorrect) dimensions. I returned it and received the same item again. Unfortunately, I had framed and rocked the shower to the dimensions on the technical drawing. I returned the second alcove and built one the old fashioned way. You don’t need a premanufactured alcove. It only takes a few minutes and some scraps to make your own alcove. This product wasted a bunch of my time, but I saved a bunch of money building my own. From now on I will always do it that way!!