Schluter shelf

[Kman]

These are out in the 2019 Schluter catalog:

Schluter shelf

[John Bridge]

A great idea, I think. It's certainly a new direction.

[makethatkerdistick]

Saw those and like them.

Schluter shelf? Looks too properly spelled (as opposed to the "Schulter" variation). How about a Schluter schelf? Or a Shluter schelf? Or even a Shluter shelf?

[HS345]

Wow, very kewl. I'm surprised they didn't think of this sooner.

[mullet]

Now that is a great ideer, I want one in 316 SS.

[makethatkerdistick]

Chuck, why 316SS? I've never seen 304SS corrode under normal circumstances, even with hard water and decades of exposure.

[mullet]

Its a knee jerk reaction I guess being in a marine salt water area.

[makethatkerdistick]

The Kerdi linear drain body and frame are 316SS. If anywhere, there it makes more sense as the channel might remain slightly wet at all times since it's covered up and doesn't dry out readily.
Also, most of the trim is available in 304 or 316. I never thought about getting 316SS trim for my shower projects as the 304 was already prohibitively expensive. I think the step up from aluminum to 304SS is much more important and reaps you more benefits than from 304 to 316. But yes, in marine applications 316 is longer lasting.

[mullet]

It doesn't leave rust drip stains on the fiberglass hulls.

[smifwal]

I am with mullet on this one, all of my salt spreaders are made of 304SS(the cheapest one they can get) and while it doesn't rust out like the painted steel ones, it does blemish and needs to be polished out to be shiny again

[John Bridge]

Stainless fixtures hold up just fine in showers. Everything needs to be kept clean and dry after each use.

[makethatkerdistick]

Even my 316SS linear drain cover needs some Barkeeper's Friend treatment once in a while to get rid of the thin layer of efflorescence that builds up over time and that won't come off otherwise.
Usually, 304 should have about 18% chromium and 10 % nickel in it. In some cheaper stainless steels it's possible that there is less chromium in it which would make the steel less corrosion resistant.

[kevreh]

I just bought two of these to install. I’m a little uneasy about how much weight they’ll support if someone decides to put their hand on it for support. Yes, not their intended use. But seems to me that top part mortared to the wall behind the tile is a high torque point.

Schluter doesn’t want to share weight limits in case someone gets the wrong idea.

[speed51133]

no worse than a typical installation that uses silicone or is paced between tiles. That flange on it that is set into the thinset and behind tiles is strong enough.

I have installed a few of these and love them. I really hate niches, and will always use one of these from now on.

[kevreh]

Good to know you’ve used them and like them. The fact they go behind the tile helps make them strong, but also means more repair if too much weight is put on them. I have to assume it’s a lot more then someone casually leaning on it.