The majority of tile projects will require some form of trim. You can opt for bullnosed or glazed edged tile or perhaps trim pieces, but maybe you've chosen a specialty shape or perhaps trim just isn't your style. If either of these things is the case, Schluter might be for you. Not sure what Schluter is? Totally fair, most people don't and we're here to tell you all about it!
Schluter is a very clean (basically invisible in the install below) way to finish your tile installation:
Tile Shown: Paseo in Aegean Sea // Design + Images: Kaity Farrell
Priced by the foot, these metal strips are available in several sizes and finishes, you're bound to find something that suits your style if this is the route you take. We're fans of this method, as all of their products work to increase the longevity of tile installations and as an added bonus, like us, Schluter aims to incorporate recycled content into their products. When there is an exposed edge or corner in a tiled area, this method not only protects your tile but also creates a clean, finished look for your installation. You have likely seen Schluter at work in commercial or hospitality settings, but we're seeing more people opt for it as a design choice in residential spaces too.
Below, we're sharing some great examples of Schluter in action:
In the Kitchen:
Schluter can become a seamless part of your tile installation, like the kitchen below.
Tile Shown: 2x8 in Sea Glass with Schluter to finish the exposed edge.
This kitchen is also a good example of a situation where some form of trim would be necessary. Our tiles do not come glazed on all edges, so with an exposed wall like this one you would need to either specify glazed or bullnosed edges, choose a trim piece (like a flatliner) or opt for Schluter.
Schluter can be a clear design choice, as you can see in the kitchen below. Schluter comes in a wide variety of finishes, so that it can match the other chosen hardware in your space or you can choose something that will seamlessly blend into the color of your tile.
In the commercial kitchen below, a white Schluter profile completes the tile installation without competing with the intricate pattern:
Tile Shown: Handpainted Old Cairo in Black and White Motif // Design: Kirsten Grove // Image: Laure Joliet
This kitchen backsplash is also a great example of how Schluter can cleanly finish off a shape like a hexagon or other specialty shape that would require cuts (and leave an exposed, unfinished edge) in an installation.
Tile Shown: 2" Hexagons in Gypsum // Design + Image: Jennifer Chong
When you've chosen a more intricate pattern, like our Small Diamonds in an Escher pattern, the addition of a trim piece might take away from the installation. You can see how the thin Schluter profile allows the pattern to be the main focus:
Tile Shown: Small Diamonds in White Gloss // Design: Caitlin Flemming + Samantha Wennerstrom
In your bathroom:
Schluter can often be found in bathroom settings too. It is an easy way to trim tiled shower walls, finish off a wainscot height wall or your shower niches. The bathroom below has both its walls and niches finished in a sleek silver Schluter:
Tile Shown: 2x8 in White Wash // Design: Caitlin Flemming
Tile Shown:2x8 in Tusk// Design: Caitlin Flemming
Trim? What trim? The bathroom below features Schluter trim in a white so close to the tile and wall color that it becomes nearly invisible:
Tile Shown: Mini Star and Cross in Tusk // Design: In Honor of Design // Image: Rustic White Photography
For your Fireplace:
Schluter can essentially be used in any tile installation, which includes your fireplace too! If you have a dividing fireplace, like the one below, that features a specialty shape, it really comes in handy:
Tile Shown: 6" Triangles in Gypsum, Halite, and Pyrite // Design: Lynn K. Leonides + Andrew Faucett // Image: Aubrie Pick
Do you like any of the featured tile colors? Order samples online now. Have more questions about Schluter and trim? Simply call, chat, or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.
