Schluter Kerdi-board

[Deckert]

Was told that Schluter is in the process of making a foam backer board with Kerdi on the outside. Sounded like it could be similar to Wediboard.

Any of our Schluter insiders have any info to share? When its coming out, whats it gonna cost, what sizes available, when can we start asking for samples ....all that good stuff. Who's got the skinny on this?

[dbol]

Sounds like a real good idea. The edges should be beveled to accept a kerdi band and just splooge a little kerdi fix in the screw holes. It would probably have less corner build up, and be a lot quicker. I bet it is going to be a bit pricey.

[lou432]

Been talk of it for sometime, no real info , cept maybe ready by deep into 09.

Looking forward to its arrival

[bctile601]

I spoke to a rep from Schluter about it, quite a while ago, the only thing he said was ' you didn't hear anything about it from me '.

[duneslider]

So what did this rep "not" say about it?

[ceramictec]

So what did this rep "not" say about it?

nothing

when I was at the Schluter school in Clemson earlier this year, Andy Acker was showing a map of the plant on the screen and he said that this was a secret building they were working on something at.
well I guessed around later and thought backerboard...I got the......"your very warm, very warm"

[Bellsfloors]

You guys do know that Schluter is watching this thread don't ya?

[cx]

Was this an official leak, Brannigan, like they have in Washington alla time? Or just some tile guys' rumor?

Yeah, Tracy, we do know. And they don't usually miss much.

[HS345]

I have heard of this also, it was an official leak.

That's all I'm gonna say.

[Deckert]

I heard of it from Andy Acker at Schluter school. But it was only mentioned briefly, and now I want to know the works

I've been a fan of the blueboard, and am looking forward to the orangeboard if its good, more widely available, competetive cost wise, etc, etc.

[duneslider]

I think it could be a really good product. There are times that requirements require a backer install and I think schluter could make a nice backer.

Hopefully, they get something out sooner than later. I think it was more than a year from the leak of uber-ditra to the release of XL.

[ceramictec]

think it was more than a year from the leak of uber-ditra to the release of XL.

then we will be looking at next Spring

[Tiletim]

See - this is why I use Schluter products - they take the time to R&D their stuff BEFORE release to the masses.

I hope it is priced competitively - to a standard Kerdi install i mean not Wedi.

My back is feeling a little better already - less to haul up the stairs!

Can't wait

[John Bridge]

Okay, fellas, now that the cat is out of the bag I'll tell you what I know, and when I'm finished you won't know a hell of a lot more than you do now.

"Kerdi-board" has been under consideration for several years, and it has been in the R&D stage for a couple years at least. The products are currently being manufactured and distributed in Germany, but it'll be some time before they're in full swing over here. For one thing, a manufacturing plant has to be built. It'll be built in Plattsburgh.

Kerdi-board will come in several thicknesses, including 1/2 in. for walls. There will be a 1-1/2 in. and a 2 in., also. The thicker sections are structural -- you can build walls, and counters with them and tile over them immediately. Everything is waterproof. The surfaces are covered with something similar to Kerdi membrane, but it's not the Kerdi you're used to looking at and feeling. The board is really rigid and amazingly flat. I mean dead on flat, and it stays that way.

My friend Peter Nielsen has been experimenting in a rental house he owns. He installed 1/2 in. Kerdi-board by gluing it to the studs with gobs of Kerdi-fix. He tells me the walls are plumb, square and on plane. He is laying up 12 X 24 in. rectified porcelain tiles with a 1/4x1/4 in. notch trowel. He does skim the backs with thin set, but that's it. The tiles go up as fast as he can skim them. I've asked him to send me some pictures, but I'm not holding my breath on that.

Schluter is also working on niches and benches made from Kerdi-board.

As near as I can nail it down, the thicker board could be in distribution here by mid-2009. It will be initially imported from Germany and will be expensive. 1/2 in. board won't be available until sometime in 2010 (when the plant has been completed and set up).

I can't talk about pricing, because it's not firm. The products won't be cheap, though. Like other Schluter products, cost efficiency will be attained through shorter and easier work sessions.

I will be renovating our hall bath here, and I intend to use as many of the new products as I can. Eventually, I'll publish an e-book that will include my renovation, but in the meantime I'll let y'all know how the stuff is working out. It'll be a very slow renovation (everything I do nowadays seems to be slow). And I don't want anyone pushing me.

I'll answer any questions I can and so will your Schluter reps. They know about as much as I do -- maybe even a little more. I've been excited and waiting for the product for a couple years now. It's going to be a great system. I wish I could tell you where to get some right now.

[ceramictec]

Schlüter®-KERDI-BOARD



Universal use of the Schlüter®-KERDI-BOARD

on raw building walls or pennant work. for partitions, for tub garments, wash table and shelf elements or kitchen work place. for pipe disguise or for swung and bent wall areas