Celebrating 50 years, Schlüter-SCHIENE transforms tile edge protection in hospitality design with timeless performance, sleek finishes, and global impact…
In the ever-evolving world of design and technology, few products achieve iconic status through both innovation and enduring relevance. But Schlüter-SCHIENE, the original edge protection profile from Schlüter-Systems, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 as a product that has stood the test of time – particularly in hospitality design and commercial interiors.
Originally launched in 1975, SCHIENE was created by Werner Schlüter, a Master Tiler responding to a practical challenge while working on a complex bathroom installation. His solution? A simple yet ingenious metal edge trim that protected tile edges while offering a clean, professional finish. What began as a lightbulb moment became a cornerstone in flooring transition solutions.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
A hidden hero of hospitality design
The SCHIENE profile quickly gained traction in the tiling industry, offering specifiers and installers a reliable, long-lasting solution for tile edge protection, especially where different flooring materials meet. Its minimalist design makes it a discreet yet essential component in hospitality flooring, whether transitioning from ceramic tiles to carpet in hotel corridors, or protecting high-traffic zones in restaurants, bars, or event spaces.
Today, the SCHIENE range has expanded to include options in brass, aluminium, and stainless steel, catering to both aesthetic preferences and functional requirements in demanding environments like hotels, spas, and public areas. The 870 profile is particularly valued for its ability to create smooth transitions between flooring types – key to unifying open-plan hospitality spaces without compromising on durability.
From practical solution to design statement
With design playing an increasingly important role in commercial interiors, Schlüter-Systems has evolved the SCHIENE line to meet modern expectations. The JOLLY collection, with powder-coated aluminium in a spectrum of Trendline colours and textures, offers designers the freedom to blend or contrast trims with tilework – a feature welcomed in boutique hotel bathrooms, luxury bar areas, and contemporary wellness spaces.
While JOLLY provides creative freedom, the original SCHIENE remains unmatched for performance. Its trapezoidal anchoring leg – introduced in 1981 – ensures secure placement, while versions with integrated joint spacers simplify installation and improve consistency.
Global innovation, local impact
What started in Saerbeck, Germany, is now a global operation, with Schlüter-Systems offices and subsidiaries across the UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. Despite its growth, the company has stayed true to its founding principle: solving real-world challenges with reliable, precision-engineered solutions.
From underfloor heating systems and waterproofing membranes to shower formers and tileable niches, Schlüter-Systems has continued to expand its portfolio – but SCHIENE remains the flagship product. It is the benchmark against which countless imitations have been judged, yet never surpassed.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
A legacy built to last
As it marks 50 years of SCHIENE, Schlüter-Systems continues to lead innovation in tile and flooring solutions, especially within the design-led demands of the hospitality sector. The SCHIENE profile is not just a construction component – it is a design enabler, allowing for cleaner lines, improved durability, and better finishes across commercial interiors.
In a world where product lifecycles are often measured in months, SCHIENE is proof that great design, when built on practical insight and engineering excellence, never goes out of style.
Schlüter-Systems is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Schlüter-Systems
