50 YEARS OF SCHIENE
The Original Since 1975

For 50 years, Schluter®-SCHIENE has set the standard for protecting tile edges and ensuring a clean, professional finish. What started as Werner Schlüter’s innovative solution to exposed edges is now a global icon in the tile industry. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor SCHIENE's legacy and look to the future of tile edge protection.

50 Years of Excellence

In 1975, a small yet groundbreaking innovation in the world of tile installation was born: the Schluter®-SCHIENE. What started as a simple but effective solution to protect tile edges has, over the past five decades, grown into a global phenomenon, spawning an entire company and a diverse family of tile trim profiles that have revolutionized the construction and design industries. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Schluter®-SCHIENE, we take a moment to reflect on the evolution of this iconic product and the impact it has had on the industry.

 
5 min read
SCHIENE
The Birth of an Idea: 1975
In the mid-1970s, Werner Schlüter, a master tile installer from Germany, encountered a recurring challenge during a complex bathroom project.
Read More
 
Expanding the Vision: 1980s
 
SCHIENE
Going Global: 1990s
 
Innovating for the Future: 2000s and Beyond

50 Years of Innovation

Take a journey through time and see how the SCHIENE profile grew from a simple idea into an industry icon. Watch the milestones that shaped 50 years of tile edge innovation.

1975
1975

Invention of SCHIENE

SCHIENE is invented! Werner Schlüter creates the profile as a solution to protect exposed tile edges during a bathroom project with five doors.

1981
1981

SCHIENE Profile Enhancement

SCHIENE gets its patented trademark trapezoid anchoring leg, improving its stability and making it easier to install.

1981
1981

The Company is Born

SCHIENE is the name of the company started in homage to it’s flagship product. Schlüter®-SCHIENE will eventually become what we know of today as Schluter®-Systems.

1982
1982

Dedication to Education

SCHIENE is the subject of the first educational video produced by Schluter®-Systems showcasing Werner Schlüter’s commitment to education and the basis of his slogan, “Our products cannot be sold, they have to be understood.”

1980s
1980s

Material and Finish Diversification

SCHIENE profiles are introduced in various materials and finishes, including color coatings and colored plastic versions.

1990s
1990s

Introduction of Stainless Steel SCHIENE

SCHIENE is now offered in stainless steel, increasing the profile's durability and suitability for various environments.

2001
2001

Patented Grout Spacer

SCHIENE gets a grout spacer which ensures a consistent joint appearance and simplifies installation.

2010s
2010s

SCHIENE still Shines

SCHIENE continues to be one of the most cherished products in the expanding range of innovative solutions offered by Schluter®-Systems.

2022
2022

SCHIENE Gets Trendy

SCHIENE is now available in TRENDLINE powder-coated finishes.

2025
2025

50th Anniversary of SCHIENE

SCHIENE celebrates its 50th anniversary! It remains one of the most iconic and enduring products in the Schluter®-Systems portfolio!

The Anatomy of Schluter-SCHIENE

Discover the anatomy of SCHIENE, what sets it apart, and how it became the leader in tile installation protection

  • Gold profile on grey background.
  • Schiene Profile with anchoring leg outlined.
  • Schiene profile with angle of upward leg outlined.
  • Schiene tile edge trim with grout spacer outlined.
  • Schiene profile with trapezoid perforation outlined on the anchoring leg.
  • Schiene trim with inner cove between upright and anchoring legs outlined.
  • Schiene profile with grout hook outlined.
Schluter Systems decorative anniversary logo with tag line “The Original: Schluter Schiene”