Schlüter-Systems started in Germany when the company Founder, Werner Schlüter, himself a Master Tiler, invented a solution that has enabled tile and stone installers all over the world to have protected and perfectly finished edges, which are easy to install even with complex tile patterns and layouts, all thanks to his genius idea of using a tile ‘profile’.

Things have come on a long way since 1966, and the company now has over 10,000 products across seven subsidiaries supplying globally to guarantee long-lasting installations. Established in the UK since 1993, Schlüter-Systems offers systems and solutions, not just products, and with all of its solutions it provides a full, complementary specification service.

Consultants are always on hand to assist with specification projects from conception right through to installation, along with a first-rate technical support team to help with the design process, including NBS specifications, CAD and BIM support, together with on-site support for architects, contractors and main installers.

Schlüter offers flexibility from start to finish, providing bespoke drawings and designs for clients to ensure lasting installations for complete peace of mind.

“Our products cannot be sold, they must be understood”. This ethos, outlined by company Founder Werner Schlüter, underpins the company’s educational focus. Understanding and knowledge of its products enables quicker, more efficient and effective installations. Once you know why Schlüter-Systems’ products have been made the way they have and the benefits the company’s solutions bring, you won’t look back. This is why Schlüter-Systems has introduced the new Schlüter Approved Installer Network (SAIN) to its offering.

This network allows approved installers, who have completed full training with Schlüter, to install the company’s system solutions for Schlüter-WETROOMS and Schlüter-BEKOTEC/-THERM screed and underfloor heating. The network not only gives accreditation to the individual as an expert, but also to the company as a certified organisation. This provides reassurance to you, as the specifier or architect, that the system will be installed to the manufacturer’s standards and best practice and minimises installation risks, ensuring a quick and reliable installation.

Schlüter-Systems’ approved installers have intensive training on two main areas of application.

Wetrooms

One of the most important elements of a wetroom is waterproofing. Ultimately, an integrated CE Marked waterproofing system, with products that are designed to work together, should be the specifier’s first choice when selecting products to use in shower areas and wetrooms.

In conjunction with using a fully integrated CE Marked waterproofing system, using a member of the network to install the system will significantly reduce the risk of failure, as Schlüter-Systems’ approved installers are trained to understand best practice for the application for the whole system, including prefabricated levelling and shower tray components of Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER, the point drainage system, Schlüter-KERDI-DRAIN, and the linear drainage system, Schlüter-KERDI-LINE, and waterproof tile backer board Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD, along with uncoupling membranes and underfloor heating systems.

Schlüter-KERDI-LINE, vertical and horizontal linear drainage system, has been updated with components ensuring that it meets BS EN 1253, providing a constant 50mm water seal, and to meet flow requirements which is in compliance with National House Building Council (NHBC) regulations to offer a complete system solution.

Screeds

When it comes to screed systems and solutions, again an integrated solution, where products are designed and manufactured to complement each other, is the key to a lasting, successful flooring installation. That’s why Schlüter-BEKOTEC and BEKOTEC-THERM really stand out from the crowd because as a system installation, it comes with a five-year covering and assembly warranty – or the option of an extended warranty if installed by a member of the Schlüter Approved Installer Network (SAIN).

There are a number of issues with traditional screeds which are solved using the Schlüter-BEKOTEC system. It is designed to reduce shearing tensions in the screed by managing the curing process within the grid of the studded panel – no construction reinforcement is required. Professionally installed Schlüter-BEKOTEC assemblies with the bonded uncoupling membrane Schlüter-DITRA 25, ensure that no cracks can form in the tile or stone floor covering.

The covering assembly of the Schlüter-BEKOTEC system is free of inherent stresses. Consequently, buckling in the system is virtually impossible. This is especially applicable in the presence of temperature fluctuations; e.g. with heated screeds such as Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM.

Due to the patented low height construction of the Schlüter-BEKOTEC and Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM system, the total screed mass possible is extremely low. As a consequence, floor heating systems, such as Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM, can be operated with low supply temperatures as the heating pipes are closer to the surface than alternative systems making it very effective and efficient.

The added reassurance of using a member of the network means that not only is the system guaranteed, but you know that the person who is installing it has met Schlüter-Systems’ training requirements and is certified by the company to make that installation following Schlüter-Systems’ recommendations.

Training and support is key to the success and development of the industry, and Schlüter-Systems is committed to improving its service offering and going above and beyond to give architects, specifiers and contractors peace of mind for a lasting installation.

Schlüter-Systems has worked in partnership with architects and specifiers for over 20 years, providing trusted advice for projects both large and small, and educating on the specification of tile and stone installations and associated solutions through RIBA-approved CPD seminars.

Schlüter-Systems specified in boutique hotel near iconic Tower Bridge, London

A historic Grade II Listed grammar school, previously known as St Olave’s Grammar School located at Bankside in London, near the iconic Tower Bridge, is being converted into a 70-room boutique hotel, set to open in 2017.

The first LaLit Hotel to open in London will feature Schlüter-Systems’ integrated CE Marked wetroom solution including Schlüter-KERDI-LINE drainage system along with Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E underfloor heating.

Ultimately, an integrated CE Marked waterproofing system, with products that are designed to work together, should be the specifier’s first choice when selecting products to use in shower areas and wetrooms. This provides the client with a single point of responsibility should any part of the system fail.

Schlüter-Systems offers a complete solution for a CE Marked waterproof floor level shower area. The tile covering in the shower area must be sufficiently sloped to allow for proper drainage. This is easily achieved with the prefabricated levelling and shower tray components of Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER. Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER is available with the point drainage system, Schlüter-KERDI-DRAIN, and the linear drainage system, Schlüter-KERDI-LINE.

Schlüter-KERDI-LINE drainage system was specified for the project and is a linear drainage channel for the construction of floor level or walk-in showers with ceramic tiles and natural stone. It consists of a formed stainless steel channel body with a grate and frame structure that can be seamlessly adjusted to the thickness of the covering from 3 to 25mm, available from 50 to 180cm lengths.

For the ultimate finish with a continued field of tile or natural stone, Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-D was introduced to the range; this offers a frameless covering support specifically designed for showers made from tile and natural stone. Where the grate needs to act as a feature, there are a range of stainless steel designs available.

The contemporary wetrooms were complemented with Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E electric underfloor heating system, which has uncoupling, crack-bridging and waterproofing properties and sits underneath the tile or natural stone covering to provide the ultimate comfort and heating underfoot.

Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E is now available with Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-TB matting. The revolutionary new Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-TB mat has an integrated thermal break that reduces heat loss into the screed and subfloor, and it also benefits from up to 70% quicker warm-up time than other electric underfloor heating.

Schlüter-Systems chosen for advanced manufacturing and technology facility

Schlüter-Systems has been selected to maintain and control floor movement in a £60m, state-of-the-art, purpose-built research, design, development and manufacturing facility for Aero Engine Controls (AEC), part of the Rolls-Royce group.

Aero Engine Controls (AEC) provides a single solution for the design, manufacture, procurement, testing and support of high integrity, harsh environment control systems. The 28,000m² facility in Solihull, Birmingham, replaces its two existing AEC sites to produce engine control systems for a range of applications, including Rolls-Royce engines.

Schlüter-Systems has been a market-leader in essential accessories for tile and stone since it was founded in 1966. Consultants are always on hand to assist with specification projects from conception right through to installation, along with a first-rate technical support team to help with the design process, including NBS specifications, CAD and BIM support, together with on-site support for architects, contractors and main installers.

Schlüter-Systems was specified at the design stage by CPMG Architects, an AJ100 practice, and worked closely with contractor BAM Construction and Birmingham Tile & Mosaic Co to supply its market-leading products which included, Schlüter-DILEX-AKWS movement joints and Schlüter-DITRA-25 matting, and to also deliver technical advice when needed.

Commenting on Schlüter-Systems, Rob Meechan from Birmingham Tile & Mosaic Co, explains: “Schlüter products are so easy to install and you can trust that once they are in, if installed correctly, they will provide lasting protection.

“For this project we knew that using the Schlüter-DILEX movement joints, along with using Schlüter-DITRA 25 uncoupling matting, would prevent the risk of the covering cracking and guarantee a lasting installation. Not only are their products reliable, they are always on hand to answer any queries and the support really is great, we would always recommend them to others.”

Industry standards state that all tile and stone installations should include the use of movement joints. The question, however, is how do you provide the movement joints necessary to ensure a durable installation, and what movement joints should you use? Movement joints need to follow from the screed to the tile and stone covering and therefore need to be designed into the specification. Understanding the types of movement that can occur, namely drying shrinkage, differential movement, deflection movement, structural movement, moisture movement and thermal movement, will help when deciding which type of movement joint will best control the resulting stresses.

Preformed movement or control joints, such as Schlüter-DILEX, can accommodate roughly 15-20% of their movement zone. The extensive Schlüter-DILEX range of movement joints offer complete protection and are available to specifiers in a wide selection of materials, colours and movement capabilities.

Schlüter-DITRA 25 is the unsurpassed uncoupling membrane for tile and natural stone installations with crack-bridging, waterproofing, vapour management and load distribution properties. The geometry of the membrane allows for the absorption of lateral movement in each direction.

What makes Schlüter-DITRA 25 such a success is its ability to be used in a variety of applications, even on problematic substrates. It has been chosen by tilers, contractors and specified by architects for over 25 years due to its unparalleled success in installations worldwide.

Download product data sheets and brochures at www.schluter.co.uk.