Columbarium Niches
Sunset Designs – Where Every Niche Tells a Story
What is a Columbarium Niche?
A columbarium niche is an enclosed space where cremation urns are placed for interment. The columbarium niche design depends on the physical location of the columbarium. For example, outdoor columbaria require specific columbarium niche design features that can withstand the elements, temperature fluctuations and security. In outdoor applications, we offer, 3 distinctly different niche core products: powder coated aluminum, Nylene, or granite.
Interior columbarium niches are engineered to address uniquely different conditions as they are installed inside a building, institution, church, or mausoleum. In these locations the niches must be engineered to withstand humidity fluctuation and air flow. Sunset’s interior niches are made with, anodized aluminum (for glass front niches), powder-coated aluminum or Nylene niches (for marble and granite front niches).
At Sunset Memorial & Stone, we build our columbaria employing 4 uniquely different interior niche core styles.
Outdoor Columbarium Niches
Nylene Niches
Sunset is the first to introduce the Nylene niche materials to the columbarium manufacturing industry. Over the years we have installed thousands of Nylene niches across the continent. Nylene was first developed by the military for use in the M1 Abrams tank and is now being used in the aerospace industry. Sunset’s Nylene niche is engineered to fit within a structurally welded aluminum frame. As a cost savings alternative to aluminum, -savings we gladly pass onto our customers. Nylene is by far our top selling columbarium niche core product.
![3. Nylene Niche 3. Nylene Niche e1667328513715](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/3.-Nylene-Niche-e1667328513715-300x276.jpeg)
Nylene ™ Niche
Available Niche Sizes
Standard Aluminum Niche 11⅞” W x 11⅞” H x 15½” D
Smaller Nylene Niche 11⅞”W x 11⅞”H x 11⅞” D (available upon request)
Urn sizes in photo 10.6” H x 6.3” W
![Urn nylene niches Urns in a nylene niche](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Urn-nylene-niches-400x347.jpg)
Why choose Nylene?
Nylene Features
Powder Coated Aluminum Niches
Sunset’s powder coated aluminum niche core is renowned for its corrosion resistance, lightweight, and custom niche design flexibility. The combination of our structurally welded aluminum frame and aluminum niche cores allows us to build exciting and innovative columbarium shapes. The aluminum niche reinforces the overall core strength to support the weight of large domes and gabled rooflines.
*We employ the aluminum niche cores when we build all Estate and Royal Legacy models.
![Aluminum Niche 16.85 x 15.49 cm Nylene ™ Niche](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Aluminum-Niche-16.85-x-15.49-cm-300x294.jpeg)
Aluminum Niche
Available Niche Sizes
Standard Aluminum Niche 12” W x 12” H x 16” D
Custom Aluminum Niche Sizes Available
Urn sizes in photo 10.6” H x 6.3” W
![aluminum-niche-urns Urns in an aluminum niche](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/aluminum-niche-urns-400x266.jpg)
Additional Niche Size Information
Standard Aluminum Niche
12” W x 12” H x 16” DFor optimal value, our “standard” aluminum columbarium niche size exceeds industry standards. Our customers appreciate this deeper 16” niche size as it easily accommodates two standard upright urns. This generous niche size doubles the columbarium’s capacity and provides a wider variety of urn styles for companion interments.
Custom Aluminum Niche Sizes Available
One of the greatest advantages of the All-Aluminum Niche core is that it gives us the design flexibility to create innovative custom columbaria designs in any niche size desired. If your project requires a custom niche size, call our sales representative, and request a quote for a custom columbarium niche design. We have the engineering and manufacturing capability to accommodate your needs.
Why We Powder Coated Aluminum Niches
Did you know that metal urns can fuse to untreated aluminum surfaces?At Sunset, we prioritize longevity and functionality. To mitigate the risk of metal urn fusion, we powder coat all the interior aluminum columbarium niche surfaces, including the inner key-locking security door. This additional step not only provides a beautiful finish, but also acts to facilitate the movement of companion urns years after the first interment.
Granite Columbarium Niches
Sunset Memorial & Stone prioritizes structural integrity and engineering excellence, which is why we focus on utilizing structurally welded aluminum frames to provide the backbone of our columbarium structures. Compared to granite niche cores, our aluminum frame columbarium niches are three times lighter than all granite niche cores and offer superior columbarium design versatility and durability.
While our primary focus is on aluminum frames, we understand the need for a wide variety of customer choice and flexibility. On occasion, we can design granite interior niche columbaria to match existing models.
In our Family Heritage line of columbaria, we do incorporate granite niches. However, even within these granite interiors, Sunset’s commitment to quality, and our focus on security shines through with our powder-coated aluminum niche inner security doors. The family columbaria’s interior granite niche sizes are customizable to suit the desired niche configurations and niche dimensions.
![Granite Columbarium Niches Granite Columbaria Niches](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/granite-niches-outdoor-400x400.jpg)
Key Locking Inner Security Doors
Sunset’s powder-coated Aluminum interior-locking door system is by far one of our most appreciated columbarium features. Not only does it provide families with peace of mind that their loved ones are safely secured, but it also provides cemetery management with that second level of security as granite face plates are swapped out and replaced for inscription.
The concealed inner Aluminum door locking system is corrosion resistant and the perfect choice for our North American climate. The grey powder-coated finish adds a beautiful soft textured appearance to the surface. Our key locking inner security door is a standard feature in all our commercial and family columbarium niches.
![Columbarium Key Lockable inner door Columbarium Key Lockable inner door](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Key-Lockable-inner-door-columbarium-400x357.jpg)
Columbaria Niche Shutters
Rosettes
The Rosette niche front is a classic granite shutter style, secured to the columbarium frame with either bronze or aluminum rosettes. These metal rosettes add a striking contrast to the granite niche shutters and are affixed with a screw that requires a key-specific screwdriver. Our rosettes are placed in all four corners of the niche door, ensuring a secure and attractive closure.
![niche-shutter-rosettes Niche Shutter Rosettes](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/niche-shutter-rosettes-400x400.jpg)
The Allura – Rosetteless System
For those seeking a seamless and modern look, the Allura rosette-less system is an ideal choice. Designed for simple elegance and refined lines, this system uses concealed hardware to maintain a sleek and uninterrupted facade. The Allura system is particularly popular among architects and cemetery managers aiming for a contemporary design in columbarium gardens. Our Allura system is crafted with our industry leading Nylene Niche.
![niche-shutter-allura Allura Niche Shutter](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/niche-shutter-allura-400x400.jpg)
Reliquary Ledge
The Reliquary Ledge is a custom architectural feature that enhances the functionality and aesthetic of a columbarium. This ledge provides a dedicated space to place flowers or memorabilia, allowing visitors to personalize their loved one’s resting place.
At Sunset Memorial & Stones, we are committed to offering diverse and customizable options to meet your needs. For more details on our shutter options and how we can meet your design needs, please click the button below.
![Niche Shutter Relequart Ledges Relequart Ledges Niche Shutter](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/niche-shutter-relequart-ledges-400x400.jpg)
Interior Columbarium Niches
Interior Niche Designs
Interior columbarium niche designs focus on different engineering and manufacturing techniques. Interior niches are protected by the elements as they are installed in a mausoleum, institution, church, or designated room.
The design of an interior niche is based on the room access, application, and overall desired impact. The style of the doors will determine the direction of the columbarium niche design. Glass front niches allow for visitors to view the urns.
Other interior settings lend more towards privacy and continuity. In these spaces, marble or granite front columbarium niches are preferred.
![interior-niche-12 Interior Niches](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/interior-niche-12-400x300.jpg)
Interior Glass Front Niches
Our Sunset glass front niches and extrusions are made of an anodized aluminum. Clients appreciate the beauty of the reflective champagne colored finish. Bronze rosettes hold the beveled glass front niche securely in place. The interior niche strip lighting location is set in a more central location of the niche to better highlight the urn. The placement of the interior columbarium niche designed lighting is flexible.
![Columbaria glass front niches Columbaria glass front niches](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/glass-front-niches-400x300.jpg)
Interior Marble or Granite Front Niches
At Sunset, we specialize in the artful integration of interior niche walls and freestanding islands using a diverse selection of marble, stone, or granite shutters., ensuring a seamless integration with your unique columbarium niche design needs.
In certain indoor columbarium niche spaces where privacy and aesthetic continuity are paramount, our marble or granite niche shutters offer a perfect solution. Depending on your preferred niche sizes, we offer the flexibility to design columbarium niches using either our Nylene niche core or powder-coated Aluminum niche core. Aluminum cores provide the versatility to accommodate any custom niche dimensions you require.
Experience the artistry of Sunset’s Designs and transform your columbarium niche into a sanctuary of beauty and reverence. Contact us today to explore how our solutions can elevate your space to new heights of elegance and functionality.
![Marble or Granite front columbariua niches Marble or Granite front columbariua niches](https://www.columbariumusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/marble-granite-front-niches-400x300.jpg)