This is the official installation guide for the Redblock rb3 Shower Corner Shelf.
Shower Corner Shelf Install Video
Shelf Specs
rb3 Corner Shower Shelf Installation Instructions
rb3 Corner Shower Shelf Data Sheet
Additional Notes:
Existing Shower (retrofit) Installation:
- The rb3 shower corner shelf fits perfectly into 1/8″ (3mm) grout lines in the corner of your tiled shower.
- If you don’t feel comfortable using an oscillating tool to remove grout at the install tab locations (like in the install video), you can also use a hand tool designed to remove grout. This tool is also very effective at removing small amounts of grout.
- If your shower wall tiles have 1/16″ grout lines, you will need to make room for the two installation tabs by cutting 1/16″ off the tile, just under each of the corner shelf install tab install locations. Be careful not to chip or crack the tile.
- Be sure to measure the grout line before attempting installation. Grout line widths often vary so the rb3 corner shelf may fit into a thinner grout line without cutting the lower tile (shelf thickness is 3mm, or about 1/64″ less than 1/8″).
- Since the rb3 shower corner shelf rests within the grout lines on each opposing wall in the corner of your shower, this grout line must be level across both walls if you want your shelf to be level.
- You should also keep in mind that the slotted shelf design, and the 3/4″ gap behind the shelf allows water to drain off its surface, so there’s no need to slant the shelf outward during installation.
New Remodel Shower Installation:
- The install tabs only need to be inserted into the grout line to 1/4 inch depth for a super solid install, but you can certainly insert it deeper if you prefer. The gap between the main shelf body and the tile will simply be reduced slightly if it’s inserted deeper into the grout line.
- The rb3 Corner Shelf can be installed during or after tile setting is complete. It can also be installed before or after grouting. I will explain both options below.
- We generally recommend waiting until tile setting is complete and thinset has dried to install the corner shelf. This is simply to reduce that chance of damaging the shelf during tile installation.
- Some pros like to install the rb3 Corner Shelf after tile setting and grouting. After tile mortar has set they insert a 2″ long spacer into the grout line (1/4″ deep) at the two install leg locations to keep the shelf out of the way while grouting. These spacers are then carefully removed after grouting.
- Some pros remove the spacers when the grout is still wet and others when it’s dry, but either way this is a good method if you don’t want the shelf to interfere with your grouting strategy. This method also reduces the chances of shelf damage.
- If you use the method above, you must be careful when removing these spacers. Try separating the spacer from the adjacent grout with a utility knife before removal. This will help avoid chipping the grout on each side of the spacer.
- The shelf can then be installed easily with a bit of silicon after the grout dries.
- If you decide to install the corner shelf before grouting, you can fix it in place with a bit of silicon to keep it from moving during grout application.
- If you use the above method, you will also need to apply grout behind the shelf with a narrow putty knife. You’ll also need to sponge behind the shelf to clean the grout lines. This is a bit more work and a bit more fiddly but it also works well.
- With either of the above install methods, it’s always a good idea to apply masking tape to the shelf surface to reduce the chance of scratching during install and grouting.