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Working in perfect harmony with Schlüter Systems

With an enduring dedication to protecting tile and stone, Schlüter-Systems offers more than 10,000 products for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone, including a comprehensive range of trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and wetroom drainage systems. The brand is an ideal choice for the premium end of the bathroom retail sector, especially for those looking to take a system-led approach to their bathroom designs and installations. Parts of Schlüter’s portfolio, such as the underfloor heating and tile trims, also appeal to premium-end kitchen showrooms and retailers.

Here we talk to Koralia Hume, director of Quarrybank Boutique Bathrooms, to find out how the companies work so well together

Quarrybank’s story

We are a family-run business in the heart of Wilmslow, which was created by myself and my husband, two years ago. We are a boutique style showroom and offer a unique solution for bathroom spaces based on quality and creativity. We don’t sell just bathrooms – we sell visions which are always backed up by high-quality products. When our customers come to us they are looking for a top-quality service with top-quality products and oodles of creativity. I would like to think this is exactly what we offer; when a customer chooses to work with us, they know that they will receive an exceptional quality of service. We are now an award-winning company after our installation team won a KBB Review award for Installation Company of the Year which only confirms what we already knew; we are the best installers in our area! With that in mind, it is our reputation on the line every time we go into the customer’s house to transform the existing, probably quite outdated space, into something really exceptional. We provide quality, we install quality, and we guarantee quality. 

How did you become involved in the bathroom industry?

My husband and partner, Steven Hume, has been in the plumbing and heating trade for many years. As he was already a successful installer of luxury bathrooms, it seemed a natural progression to offer a complete solution to our customers and we took the plunge(!) and opened our 600 sq ft showroom in June 2022. We chose Wilmslow as it has such a vibrant, positive town centre. 

How long have you been a Schlüter-Systems retailer?

We have sold Schlüter-Systems’ products to our customers for two years. Steven had used Schlüter’s excellent products on many high-end bathroom installations over the years and, when we opened the showroom, we knew we wanted to offer these same products to our customers. 

As a business, how have you adapted over the past three years?

Our customers like to see for themselves what we can offer them, and we have 15 displays at the moment. Choosing a new bathroom is a very personal experience and people value a one-to-one discussion and actually seeing the displays we draw inspiration from. 

Have you found customer demands changing in recent years?

Customers are definitely paying more attention to their spending and are looking for quality products, great workmanship and a beautiful finish in a bathroom that will last.  Schlüter’s products help us to achieve our customers’ exacting requirements. 

What, for you, is a typical bathroom installation size and value, and customer profile?  

We attract customers from the Cheshire area. They tend to be in their 40’s with young families.  With a typical space of up to 10m2, customers spend an average of between £23,000 – £25,000 for a fully installed bathroom. 

Do you design, supply, install?  

Yes, we look after the whole process! 

How do the next five years look for Quarrybank Boutique Bathrooms?

We want to be the go-to showroom in Cheshire, recognised for our creative approach to supplying unique solutions. We are looking to expand the installation side of the business alongside an increase in sales. Oh, and we’d like a Showroom of the Year award to go with our Installer Company of the Year award! 

What bathroom trends are you seeing?

Consumers are really interested in sustainability and are looking to emulate natural materials with wood finishes and wood effect tiles.  There is a trend for earthy colours, such as terracotta, in the bathroom. 

What do you love about the industry?

As a designer, I love the creative process.  Showing a new customer the endless solutions available and creating something spectacular is a big thrill! 

Why did you choose Schlüter-Systems? 

As a showroom of unparalleled reputation, we only work with top-quality products. Our reputation is everything to us and, as a showroom providing full bathroom services from design to supply and installation, it is crucial that only the best is offered to our customers.

When selecting our partners and suppliers, we carefully choose brands that align with our values and provide high-quality products across a wide range.

Schlüter-Systems is a tile installation expert with over 50 years of experience. When we discovered the company’s products, we knew it was a perfect match. After trying and testing the products, we found that they significantly enhance our installations, offering even more detail and unique solutions to our designs.

We pride ourselves on delivering unique solutions for bathroom designs, ensuring the longevity of the finished product, and enhancing the usability factor for our customers. With Schlüter-Systems, we can achieve all that and more.

What are popular products/ranges amongst your customers? 

We love Schlüter tile trims. They are a joy to work with and our customers love choosing them. The variety of finishes and colours is vast, allowing us to play with samples during appointments and find the perfect match for each customer.

Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT underfloor heating is also very popular when it comes to adding an extra heating system in the bathroom. The quality of this product is excellent, far superior to anything else on the market. What customers particularly appreciate about DITRA-HEAT is the second cable attachment feature. If anything goes wrong over the years, you can simply re-plug the system with a second cable – something other manufacturers do not offer.

How do you find the customer service from Schlüter-Systems? Is there anything that stands out to you?

The customer service at Schlüter-Systems is second to none. Our enquiries are answered promptly by attentive staff, allowing us to pass on complete information to our customers. Our rep, Philip Cutts, is a wonderful person inside and out. He visits us often to ensure we have the latest knowledge and products, offers training to both our showroom staff and installation team, and is generally a pleasure to work with. His attentiveness and extensive knowledge, particularly from his background in installation, are invaluable when we discuss complex design points. As a family-run business, relationships mean everything to us. Partnering with Schlüter-Systems has been a wonderful experience and journey. We always feel supported, inspired and encouraged. 

Have you completed any exciting projects recently featuring Schlüter-Systems?

Every single project of ours is completed with Schlüter trims. We’ve been using their products for nearly two years and our installers find them super easy to work with, while our customers find them very attractive. It’s a great combination because our installers have a keen attention to detail, and when such skills are matched with the right product, the result is incredible.

 

For further information CLICK HERE to visit the website

or call 01530 813396

 

 

 

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Schlüter creates another statement bathroom

Schlüter Systems offers more than 10,000 products for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone; they include a comprehensive range of trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and shower drainage systems.  Worldwide, the products and systems have created the very best in bathroom design; in both style and durability.

 One such example is a renovation and extension project which included the refurbishment of the residence’s 4.8m x 2.7m master en-suite. Enlisting the services of Quell Bathrooms, the client set out the fundamentals of what he wanted – bath, shower and double basin with storage. He then gave free rein to Vincent Pope, Quell’s MD, to come up with a few ideas from which the final design was selected.  The resulting wetroom utilised a number of different Schlüter-Systems products in order to ensure a sound finish for the client’s considerable investment.

An integrated linear drain wetroom kit, Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-WRKL, was used to provide guaranteed waterproofing and drainage for the bathroom; it consisted of a waterproofing and sealing kit, shower boards, drainage channel and support with a tile support grate.

The waterproofing and sealing kit contained Schlüter-KERDI waterproofing membrane, plus Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA sealing band, Schlüter-KERDI-KERECK pre-formed corner pieces and Schlüter-KERDI-COLL sealing adhesive. The KERDI membrane from the kit was used to waterproof the back wall and around the shower wall. The rest of the room utilised Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD waterproof backerboard in 10mm thickness. All joints and junctions were sealed with the aforementioned set of sealing products. The 800mm linear drainage channel was installed in an intermediate location, sloped to from both sides using the Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-L and Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-LS pre-sloped shower boards. The drain was designed to be tiled to in-line with the rest of the floor – in this case with wood-effect tiles – resulting in a discreet solution.

‘Since we started using Schlüter’s wetroom kits three years’ ago, we’ve had none of the problems we would get previously”, says Vincent, “We wouldn’t deviate from them now as they offer a comprehensive and trustworthy solution to prepping a wetroom. The timber floors of the project had already been insulated, so Vincent installed the original Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E electric underfloor heating system. “It’s great that you can use this system throughout the whole of a room, including the shower area. Often this isn’t an option,” says Vincent who continues, “In refurbishment work, it’s always a struggle to keep floor build-ups low; with the Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E system, all build-up is contained within the height of the membrane so there are no unexpected surprises”.

Vincent used chrome-plated brass finishing profiles, Schlüter-QUADEC-MC, to provide finishing against the wood-effect wall tiles. He also used the matching Schlüter-QUADEC-MC/EV corner pieces to finish the corners of the one-metre high shower wall.

“Schlüter trims give a great finish for tile edges and neatly cover the edge of tile. In addition, the corner pieces provide a good-looking finish that avoids sharp edges which is important as we were finishing a low wall that could be a source of injury if finished with mitring” concludes Vincent.

Schlüter-JOLLY-AC in a Matte Brilliant White (MBW) finish was used to finish edges in wall areas where 1000mm x 330mm ceramic tiles were installed, including around window reveals. Three quarters of the edges of Quell’s custom-built niches for the project were also edged with the MBW trims, with QUADEC-MC to the inside edge of each as part of a wood-effect feature shower wall.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

OR TEL 01530 813396

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High-end installer, Chris Halifax, makes it personal with Schlüter

Chris Halifax of CTH Creations, has carved himself a reputation for his incredible attention to detail and quest for perfection in all his work. He regularly shares project updates on his social media, attracting thousands of followers. In his own words, Chris creates “unique and one-off bathroom designs which turn dreams into reality with the highest of standards.”

And for all things tile protection, Chris’ go-to supplier is Schlüter-Systems – the largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tile and natural stone in the world. The key advantage of specifying Schlüter-Systems is the opportunity to utilise the wealth of experience gained by the UK team over the last 30 years providing integrated system solutions for the bathroom designer and installer, developer, architect and specifier. 

Having completed various stunning bathrooms over the years, Chris recently turned his attention to his own home, an 1840’s, two-bedroom cottage in Holmfirth. Chris doubled the size of the property with an extension, which included a luxury en-suite, to the side and rear. After already working with Schlüter-Systems products for around three years, Chris had no hesitation in using them in his own home,

“I always install the highest quality products and have found Schlüter products extremely reliable and easy to work with; I find that the premium quality of Schlüter products is worth every penny.”

Chris Halifax (right) being presented the Best Technical Installation award, Behind The Tiles Awards 2023, by Martin Chappell (left) from Schlüter-Systems

Treating his own en-suite as a chance to showcase his fine work and expertise, Chris fitted various Schlüter products, including Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT. Installed throughout the entire floor area, including the shower, the DITRA-HEAT Peel & Stick version was used for speedy installation and the elimination of cold spots. Two areas of the walls, where the towel rails and robe hooks are placed, are heated so that the family can enjoy super warm towels!

Although any electric underfloor heating system costs money to run, Chris recommends finding a running schedule for when the occupants are most likely to be in the space.

 

“In reality, people are not in the bathroom all of the time. I run my system from 5.30am to 9am in the morning when we’re getting up and ready and then from 6pm to 11pm in the evening too. I have the temperature set at 19°C and it costs me around £20 a week to run. With the Schlüter thermostats, I can see the cost and energy output so there are no surprises with my energy bills.”

For added stunning touches, the modern LED-technology Schlüter-LIPROTEC was used in the form of prefabricated niches, with Chris adding an extra LED strip so that both shelves were illuminated. Chris also created a feature by running LIPROTEC around the bottom of the walls.

Chris continues to use Schlüter as

“it’s important that the products are top quality; but the people in a business are also important. I’ve always had fantastic support from the Schlüter team. They are knowledgeable, easy to get on with and can’t do enough to help me if I have any questions.”

CLICK HERE for further information

or call 01530 813396

 

 

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Stunning Sutton Bonington property restored with Schlüter solutions

Tucked away in Sutton Bonington in Nottinghamshire sits a beautiful Grade II-listed home which was carefully brought back to life with a stunning renovation. Andrew Hindes Interiors was tasked with renovating two small rooms and turning them into one large bathroom. Preserving the history of the building was a key aspect of this renovation which came with several challenges due to its age.

Working with Schlüter-Systems products for over three years, Andrew and his team knew just what they needed when selecting a reliable solution to protect their client’s bathroom. The existing plumbing and pipework were removed and replaced with new pipework. New electrics and plastering were followed by the installation of a selection of Schlüter-Systems products, all with the aim of maximising the lifespan of the new room.

Starting in the shower area, the Schlüter-KERDI-TS complete set was adhered to the shower tray to create a sound waterproof connection between the tray, made of stone resin and the adjoining wall. This solution was particularly important as the two different components could potentially create a weak spot which would allow water ingress.

Further products from the Schlüter-KERDI waterproofing range were used, including the KERDI-200 membrane, Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA sealing band and Schlüter-KERDI-COLL sealing adhesive, supporting the overall protection of the bathroom.

For functional and aesthetic purposes, a prefabricated Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-N niche was installed. This was perfect for the client as they needed storage that was convenient whilst remaining stylish. In terms of installation, it was far from challenging as it was easily integrated into the Schlüter-KERDI waterproofing system as a bonded waterproofing assembly.

 

 

Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO Peel & Stick was the answer when deciding what underfloor heating to install. Andrew commented on how using this product reduced installation time; installing in just one hour compared to the typical installation time of up to a day. Not only does DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS offer advantages of a quick heat-up response and sound insulation, its peel and stick technology means time and material is saved when installing. Another stand-out benefit of using DITRA-HEAT is the minimal height build-up of the membrane and cables, which is approximately 7.6mm. Ensuring build up is kept to a minimum is important when it comes to a renovation project, particularly when dealing with the sensitive restoration of a property like this one. Once the room was waterproofed, 120 x 60 mm stone-effect porcelain tiles were fitted on the shower wall and behind the wash basin, with 120 x 20 mm wood-effect porcelain tiles on the floor.

 

 

When Andrew and his team began the work, they quickly realised the main challenges were down to the age of the property, with typically unlevel walls and dated plumbing and electrics. Ensuring this bathroom has a long lifespan and could meet the homeowners’ needs was important to Andrew and his team, and they remarked how nothing was too much trouble for Schlüter’s Area Sales Consultant, Stuart Gillson who was brilliant in offering support throughout the project. Andrew also received additional support from the technical team at Schlüter-Systems to help deal with some of the intricacies of the project.

It was clear that preserving the building’s history through the installation of new system solutions, whilst creating a modern touch within this new bathroom, was a key focus for the homeowners in making this their long-term dream home.

CLICK HERE to visit the Schlüter-Systems

OR call 01530 813396

 

 

 

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Schlüter-LIPROTEC shines a light on interior design

Schlüter-Systems has strengthened its portfolio of bathroom systems for the UK domestic market through the availability of advanced control light technology which enhances aesthetics whilst also offering almost unlimited creative choice.  

Encompassing the latest LED technology, Schlüter-LIPROTEC creates restful lighting for relaxing spaces, or bright, colourful lighting for a busy family bathroom or kitchen.

Schlüter-LIPROTEC has a broad range of applications, from direct or indirect lighting effects, enabling the interior designer, architect or property owner to illuminate feature walls, pictures, tiled areas such as shower enclosures or study spaces, kitchen countertops and stairways; in fact, anywhere the creative mind can conceive a plan for.

The collection offers the option of neutral white, warm white or RGB+W LEDs; the latter allowing for coloured and white LEDS on a single strip, to generate coloured light or temperature-controllable white light, which can be selected from 2500 K to 6500 K.  The system can be programmed to deliver a choice of 16 million colours via a Bluetooth app and remote control.

Suitable for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and showers, the LED strips are completely encapsulated and conform to IP67 protection rating.  Schlüter-LIPROTEC-EASY is the company’s simple plug-and-play version which comes with matching power supply units up to 100W.

The Schlüter-LIPROTEC-PRO series, meanwhile, is geared towards professional installers and offers bespoke lighting solutions. The LED modules are available either with a fixed white-light colour temperature of 3000 K or 4900 K, or with the full RGB+W colour range.

Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-NLT units are stylish niche sets fabricated from the company’s KERDI-BOARD and featuring plug-and-play LIPROTEC-LED technology.  They can be used to create illuminated recesses and storage surfaces for all kinds of wall areas and are enabled with Bluetooth/wireless receivers.  The various light colours can also be selected via the supplied remote control or suitable Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and tablets.

The lighting collection embraces the company’s extensive range of bathroom finishing solutions and, when deciding on the multiple variations of lighting, Schlüter-Systems’ customer services team is on hand to offer project and technical support with CAD detail.  For those still seeking ideas for their project, Schlüter-Systems has published a brochure covering all on-trend accent lighting solutions, while Virtual Worlds can be accessed online to browse the myriad lighting options available.

With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers a very wide product portfolio including the Schluter-KERDI range of waterproofing, the versatile tile backerboard KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions, DITRA-HEAT and BEKOTEC-THERM.

For further information, call 01530 813396 or

 

CLICK HERE to visit the Schlüter-Systems

 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Schlüter-Systems launches comprehensive bathroom brochure

Leading manufacturer of tile installation products, Schlüter-Systems has published a striking new brochure, aimed at guiding architects, interior designers and other specifiers through the often-challenging process of fitting out a bathroom.

As revealed in the foreword to the publication, following some images of a luxurious looking bathroom, “the fact is that the products you can’t see in this bathroom are just as important as the ones you can. Much like the backstage crew to a world-famous pop singer, the behind-the-scenes aspects put the show on the road or, in this case, they ensure the bathroom is functional and protected.”

And therein lies the crux of the company’s 24-page full colour brochure, in that it is designed to explain how each product will ensure a bathroom failure does not occur if all the ‘backstage’ considerations are taken into account: these extending from effective floor and wall waterproofing to effective shower drainage, pipework connections and sealing systems.

The luxury aspects are taken into consideration too, with the company’s Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT electric floor and wall heating system. While its modern LED technology Schlüter-LIPROTEC promises to create lighting effects ranging from restful ones for relaxing spaces, to bright, colourful lighting for a busy family bathroom. Schlüter-SHELF, meanwhile, offers a stylish storage solution with a choice of patterns including the FLORAL, CURVE, PURE, SQUARE and WAVE variants. The same patterns can be found in the drain grate options of Schlüter-KERDI-DRAIN and KERDI-LINE, the point and linear drainage solutions, so a coordinated design can be achieved. There are also multiple finishes to choose from, including brushed stainless steel and powder coated aluminium.

Other products covered in the brochure include the Schlüter-KERDI-200 waterproof membrane, as well as the Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD – a waterproof tile backerboard board that provides a flat and even substrate to reduce the number of installation processes needed to create a waterproof assembly, saving time on-site. These are complimented with a wide variety of pre-formed niches which, if desired, come with the option of integral LED lighting.

Lastly, the tile trims finish off the installation and protect the edges of the tiles from damage – with Schlüter again supplying a wide choice of shape, textures and finishes, to complete any wetroom in style.

Featuring high quality colour photography throughout, this brochure concludes by conveying Schlüter’s comprehensive technical expertise through CAD drawings, project support and a sample service, with its products even available on Virtual Worlds. From start to finish, the specialist’s publication has covered every aspect required to create a beautiful bathroom.

 

For further information, call 01530 813396

or CLICK HERE to visit the Schlüter website

You can download the bathroom brochure here.

 

 

 

 

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Battersea Bathrooms insists on Schlüter-Systems for luxury wet rooms 

 

Mack Galus of Battersea Bathrooms discusses why he insists on installing Schlüter-Systems in his luxury bathrooms and wet rooms.

 

How long have you been using Schlüter products?

I have been using Schlüter products ever since I formed my own plumbing business in London more than 15 years ago. At the start of my career, when I worked as a specialist plumber in high-end luxury properties in Knightsbridge and Kensington, I was one of a few people who knew about Schlüter products.

I started using Schlüter-DITRA uncoupling mat as I was impressed with the quality of the products and started to use the underfloor heating.  Schlüter products are so much better than competitors’.

 

How did you first hear about the products?

I was introduced to the product by a friend who had an amazing stone and tile installation company. I worked with him on his projects in multi-million-pound properties; the ones with swimming pools and helicopter pads! His clients were extremely demanding so he needed to make sure that there were no issues with his bathrooms otherwise his reputation would be ruined. I wanted to bring that luxury look and performance to ordinary people, but it was hard trying to convince people to pay more to future-proof their bathrooms.

 

Have you attended a Schlüter training course?

Yes, I am a certified Schlüter wet room installer.

 

Have you needed to seek the advice of a Schlüter professional when tackling an installation problem?

Michael, my area sales representative, is always answering my questions and the rest of the team is always happy to help if I call.

As I’ve been installing Schlüter products for a long time, I generally don’t need too much help.  I do, however, like to comply with Schlüter’s regulations.  For example, the DITRA HEAT underfloor heating needs to be installed very accurately. All the heating cables need to be six cm away from the walls, separate heating cables need to be installed in the wall to the floor and the cabling needs to be in a protected channel. With all my experience, I still call occasionally for their advice as I want to make sure I’m doing it perfectly for my clients.

As Schlüter-Systems is always developing new products, I keep in contact to give them practical feedback on how I find them.

 

What project are you currently working on where Schlüter’s products have been used and where is it located?

Currently, we are working on three wetrooms in Soho, where the client has experienced water leaks from their previous contractor and asked us for help. I get a lot of clients who have come to me because they have experienced tiles falling off or leaks after a refurbishment.  Homeowners who have been let down in this way really welcome the five-year warranty I give.  We are also starting a large project of five wet rooms in Kings Cross in a luxury multi-million-pound development.

 

Which particular products are you using?

I use various Schlüter-Systems products in these projects, including KERDI-BOARD, DITRA-HEAT and KERDI-KEBA, as well as the full range of profiles and drains such as KERDI-LINE-G3.

 

What do you like about the product(s)?

They are definitely the best in the market and are consistently reliable. I particularly like the way you can build any shape in the bathrooms and wet rooms with KERDI-BOARD.  I’ve used the product to build waterproof benches, shower shelves, partition walls, basin units and steps.

 

What were the benefits of using Schlüter over other materials?

The warranty that Schlüter-Systems provides, the quality of products, and the creative possibilities.

 

Where has the product been used and what for?

We use Schlüter materials in every single wetroom and bathroom we do. We strip the bathrooms down completely to lay a waterproof foundation on the brick walls. We use them on plywood or simply on plasterboards. I really like the profiles that provide a great contrast to the tiles and protect their corners from damage.

 

Did you find the material easy to work with?  Were there any challenges?

Schlüter-Systems’ products are very easy to use. There are always clear instructions attached, and pictures. There is a YouTube channel where you can see and easily understand how to install the products.

 

Where do you purchase Schlüter products?

I purchase my products in Boyden Tiles as they have known me for 15 years and they give my clients preferential rates and priority delivery – usually next day no matter what quantity or product I order.

 

For further information on the expert bathroom installation services provided by Battersea Bathrooms 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

CLICK HERE for the Schlüter-Systems website

  

or call 01530 813396

 

 

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