Schluter Systems isn't a brand most homeowners think about when planning a renovation — but it's the system underneath the tile that determines whether a shower or floor lasts 10 years or 30. We use Schluter on virtually all of our tile installations, and we think it's worth explaining why.
What Schluter Systems Does
KERDI — Waterproofing Membrane
KERDI is a bonded waterproofing membrane applied directly to the substrate before tile is installed. Traditional shower waterproofing relied on a separate liner behind the wall board — a system that could fail at seams and penetrations. KERDI bonds directly to the substrate and integrates with the drain and corner seals as a complete system. Tile goes on top.
The result: showers that don't develop mold behind the tile, don't delaminate over time, and don't leak at the base.
DITRA — Uncoupling Membrane
DITRA is an uncoupling membrane installed under tile on floors. Its grid of dovetail cavities allows the tile and substrate to move independently — which matters because concrete, wood, and tile all expand and contract at different rates. Without uncoupling, that movement causes grout to crack and tile to loosen over time.
DITRA is also compatible with electric radiant heating systems — the heating cable sits in the membrane cavities before tile is applied.
KERDI-DRAIN — Curbless Shower Drains
For curbless (barrier-free) showers, the floor needs to slope toward a drain that's flush with the finished tile surface. KERDI-DRAIN systems integrate with the KERDI membrane — the drain flange bonds directly to the membrane, creating a fully waterproof assembly.
Available in point drains, linear drains (along one wall — popular in contemporary showers), and tile-in trays where the drain is completely hidden under a tile insert.
Transition Profiles
Where tile meets another flooring material — hardwood, carpet, vinyl — a transition profile provides a clean, durable edge. Schluter profiles handle these transitions in matching finishes (chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, brushed gold) that coordinate with faucet and hardware finishes. They also handle tile-to-tile height changes, stair nosings, and wall corners.
Why We Use Schluter on Every Installation
Tile failures — cracked grout, loose tiles, mold behind shower walls — are almost always substrate and waterproofing failures, not tile failures. The tile itself is fine; what failed was underneath it. Schluter's integrated system eliminates the weak points in traditional methods.
The system costs more. We use it anyway because a tile installation that fails in 5 years and requires a full demo to fix is far more expensive than doing it right the first time.
Part of Every Floor & Bath Installation
When we quote a bathroom or kitchen renovation with tile, Schluter is included — not an optional add-on. Our teams are trained and experienced with the full Schluter product line.
Questions About Your Tile Installation?
Whether it's a full renovation or a standalone floor or shower project, we're happy to walk through what proper installation involves.
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