Schluter Edge Trim - Love or Hate?

[C2Vette65]

So we are in the process of a remodel and although we have contracted 2 custom homes in the past, they were both prior to the introduction of the Schluter or similar metal edge trim.

Our current contractor was ready to proceed with Schluter edge trim mainly because the tile we chose was not available with bullnose or quarter round matching options.

This was new to us and we did some research and asked around. Needless to say opinions were varied and in some cases strong.

The contractor who did our previous home said it is a ok low cost option, but the only place he had actually used it was in a commercial application for added durability.

Others said it can look very nice in a contemporary style tile project.

Our son is doing a very high end remodel and they actually intentionally chose it for one location in their home.

Read about some being blindsided by their contractor, they expected bullnose, got Schluter and then had it torn out and done over.

Personally, we hated all version of Schluter we saw and were able to reconfigure ours prior to the start of tile work (thank goodness). Using Solid Curbs and pencil tile instead. Love the result.

[cx]

Welcome, C2.

Those edge profiles (Schluter is just one of many manufacturers) are a bit too industrial for my tastes, but some of them are useful in some situations. There are some stair nosings that fit that category, in my view, and a couple others.

We've (TYW) seen those profiles used in many, many applications over the years. Some folks obviously prefer the look. Others don't.

As for your son's project, if he and Mrs. Son like them, it matters not a whit who else among us might or might not, eh?

My opinion; worth price charged.

[pitterpat]

Well...ain't that special....C2.

If you don't like it just get some other kind...no need to bash them like they made you buy it. It is just like anything else, a piece of clothing, food, color...etc. Schluter didn't make you buy their trim. You and your son should have made a sample board before it was used....Or did that cost too much?

They, Schluter didn't make you buy it.....

[C2Vette65]

Thought I was pretty clear that it is only our opinion that we did not like it. Someone seems a bit too defensive here.

We did have samples done. Kind of surprised that the very large Tile Shop had many bathroom and kitchen displays but not a single "Schluter" type example.

The important thing is of course that the customer likes the result.

Stair nosings on high traffic stairs is a very interesting idea. I would definitely consider that

[ss3964spd]

I'm also not a huge fan, but those tile edge profiles do have some advantages and solve some challenges. But like so many things, the material itself is only part of the equation, how well it is installed is just as important.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Does your contractor have the ability to bullnose your chosen tile? Many tile contractors own the $800 worth of tools to do this work.

[cx]

I thought you were pretty clear, also, C2.

[makethatkerdistick]

I never understood what “high end” really means. Quality construction? Expensive materials? Combination thereof?

Schluter trim works great. Looks good for my taste. I wouldn’t get their PVC trim. However, their aluminum trim is of great quality. If by “high end” you mean the best possible material choice, then I would go with their solid stainless steel trim. It is costly, but it is made in Germany and looks spectacular. Best of all, no anodized finish to ever wear off.

Just saw that the OP is not in the market any longer and has their shower already built. Never mind…

[jadnashua]

Fewer and fewer tiles being made today have matching trim pieces, so edging in some manner becomes limiting in your choices if you must have them. In many cases, the trim tile end up costing more than the profiles. And, they are often not the same lengths as the primary tile, and finding them in the same batch code is really iffy, so there can be color and texture differences. My mother wanted bullnose tile in the shower I built for her...the silly 8" long tiles were $8 each...a profile would have been a lot less expensive.

Schluter originally came to the US market with their profiles. The quantity and variety of the choices today is huge...their warehouse has bin after bin of the stuff in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Yes, some others do make them, but I do not see that they have anywhere near the variety as Schluter. They've been at it like nearly 40-years, so have learned a bit about what works and what people want. As with anything, though, installing them properly can make a huge difference in how they look and work.

Profiling a through-body porcelain tile can work, but doesn't look good if the tile is glazed, or has a texture, as the profiling generally produces a smooth surface.

[cx]

Originally Posted by Jim

...they are often not the same lengths as the primary tile, and finding them in the same batch code is really iffy, so there can be color and texture differences.

Jim, I learned years ago that it's not uncommon for those trim tiles to be manufactured in a completely different plant than the "matching" field tiles. Can be quite different, as you suggest.

[Dan Marvin]

I worked for many years for tile manufacturers and getting the bullnose to match the field tile was always a pain. It didn't matter if we were making them as separate units, cutting and bullnosing field tile with a fired edge, or cutting and bullnosing with an epoxy edge... we always ended up with trim that didn't look like the field. In my years of handling complaints it was one of, if not the, primary complaints I dealt with. With the recent shortages of tile in general, even finding bullnose is currently a challenge.

Fast forward a few years and now I work at Schluter. Our profiles remove all of that concern. Because we have a large number of finishes and profiles, there is typically one for every taste. Some even allow you to not caulk a movement joint at the changes of plane because it is built in. Our newer finishes (check out the matte black) are much less industrial looking.

As a followup to the post about anodized aluminum profiles surface treatments wearing away, the anodized version is much, much more robust than the typical coated profiles on the market today. We don't get complaints about the finish wearing away and the complaints we do get often occur when someone swaps out our profiles for a competitor as part of the 'value engineering' stage.

So yes, I sound like I'm trying to sell you on them but as someone who has dealt with the negatives of ceramic trim pieces, I would personally never install another one in favor of using profiles.

[Bdobz]

I personally love the trim and think bullnose finishing looks dated, but thats just my opinion.

[PC7060]

Agree with Brian, I like the look. Ultimately, it gives the end users / customer other option based on their taste.

[CharlestonMatt]

A vote for love here. Just gives it that clean finished look.

[C2Vette65]

OP Here. We are happy with the result and thought I would post a photo. Used marble "finger" tile at perimeters.

Hope I did not offend more than the one poster, I truly wanted to hear opinions and only tried to state that we did not care for "Schluter" style but clearly understood that many like it. We have built or contracted or remodeled only every twenty years and this is our third, so in the interim the "Schluter" option was brand new to us.

Our son is doing a major remodel on a home 2X our size and 4X the value and he is using Schluter in one of the guest baths. I will post a photo when done but I am sure it will be nice.

I will repeat that I am very surprised we could not find any displays with "Schluter" edging, we have dealt with two immense tile stores with many example kitchen and baths, but not a single example of Schluter style edging. (Yes we could have had a board made up with examples).