What In The World Is Schluter?
Industry names can come from many sources. And while many materials have standardized names, most are colloquially known by their brand name, or the name of a company that produces that product. That is the case with tile edging profiles known as Schulter.
Schluter Systems was founded in 1975 based on the invention of an L-shaped trim to cover the unfinished edges of tile. While this company has significantly expanded, now offering a multitude of products, its most known for producing these tile edging profiles in a wide variety of sizes, colors and materials.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the purpose that these edging profiles serve.
Why Should I Use Schulter Tile Edging?
Whether it’s Porcelain or Ceramic, manufactured tile is made using a similar process, a substrate is cast using a mold, and a glaze with the desired color and pattern is applied on top. This can be done using a variety of technologies, but in the end, the result is similar. And while these patterns can be beautiful, manufactured tile all suffer from the same weakness; the substrate ends up being a different color than the glaze or print on the face of the tile.
This can become a serious issue, as exposed edges or 90-degree corners can show this color discrepancy. Exposed tile edges are also subject to chipping and breaking. So, what can we do about these issues? Well, we have two options. We can use a Bullnose tile to finish off the edge, or we can use a tile edging profile like Schluter.
What’s The Difference Between Bullnose And Schluter?
Bullnose is a tile with a glazed rounded edge that matches the regular tile. But there are two main downsides to using bullnose tiles. Firstly, bullnose isn’t always available for every type of tile. While it is more commonly available for Ceramics, most manufacturers don’t make bullnose tiles that match their Porcelain offerings. And secondly, bullnose tile usually takes up significant space, making calculating a proper layout a necessity.
On the other hand, tile edge profiles solve both of these issues. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, which are typically matched to the hardware or fixtures adjacent to the tiled area. They are also minimalist, as they take up very little space and avoid distracting away from the tile work. As a matter of fact, these edge trims end up giving a ‘“picture frame” look to the tiled area.
What Finish And Material Options Are Available?
Schulter Systems makes a wide variety of these edge trims in different shapes and sizes, and they have close to 40 colors to choose from, including Bright White, Matte Black, Brushed Nickel, Chrome, Antique Bronze, Brushed Brass, and much more. These trims are also available in either coated aluminum or PVC. Most of these are available in either 8ft or 10ft lengths.
Is Schluter The Only Manufacturer Of Tile Edging Profiles?
No. Many other manufacturers like Laticrete or TrimMaster also make these profiles. So, if you would like a color or size not available from Schluter, trims from other brands can be readily purchased from many local home improvement stores.
Is Schluter Right for My Project
Every customer looking to install tile is going to need to decide what type of edging they want, whether its bullnose or a Schluter-type trim. And with the vast majority of options available on the market, it is our professional opinion that tile edging profiles like Schluter will be the best option in most scenarios. We are confident enough to say that every time we are discussing a tile job or bathroom renovations, using tile edging is one of our go-to suggestions. Its durable, strong and looks amazing when correctly color matched. Without a doubt, this is one product that makes a difference.
