Schlüter Stars In Stunning Bathroom

Schlüter Systems offers more than 10,000 products designed for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone. The portfolios include trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and shower drainage systems.  Worldwide, the products and  systems have created the very best in bathroom design in both style and durability.

 One example is a renovation and extension project which included the refurbishment of the residence’s 4.8m x 2.7m master en-suite. Enlisting the services of Quell Bathrooms, the client set out the fundamentals of what he wanted – bath, shower and double basin with storage. He then gave free rein to Vincent Pope, Quell’s MD, to come up with a few ideas from which the final design was selected.  The resulting wetroom featured a number of different Schlüter-Systems products in order to ensure a sound finish for the client’s considerable investment.

An integrated linear drain wetroom kit, Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-WRKL, was used to provide guaranteed waterproofing and drainage for the bathroom; it comprised a waterproofing and sealing kit, shower boards, drainage channel and support with a tile support grate.

The waterproofing and sealing kit contained Schlüter-KERDI waterproofing membrane, plus Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA sealing band, Schlüter-KERDI-KERECK pre-formed corner pieces and Schlüter-KERDI-COLL sealing adhesive. The KERDI membrane from the kit was used to waterproof the back wall and around the shower wall. The rest of the room utilised Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD waterproof backerboard in 10mm thickness. All joints and junctions were sealed with the aforementioned set of sealing products. The 800mm linear drainage channel was installed in an intermediate location, sloped to from both sides using the Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-L and Schlüter-KERDI-SHOWER-LS pre-sloped shower boards. The drain was designed to be tiled to in-line with the rest of the floor - in this case with wood-effect tiles - resulting in a discreet solution.

‘Since we started using Schlüter’s wetroom kits three years’ ago, we’ve had none of the problems we would get previously”, says Vincent, “We wouldn’t deviate from Schlüter as the company offers a comprehensive and trustworthy solution to prepping a wetroom”. The timber floors of the project had already been insulated, so Vincent installed the original Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E electric underfloor heating system. “It’s great that you can use this system throughout the whole of a room, including the shower area. Often this isn’t an option,” adds Vincent who continues, “In refurbishment work, it’s always a struggle to keep floor build-ups low; with the Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E system, all build-up is contained within the height of the membrane so there are no unexpected surprises”.

Vincent used chrome-plated brass finishing profiles, Schlüter-QUADEC-MC, to provide finishing against the wood-effect wall tiles. He also used the matching Schlüter-QUADEC-MC/EV corner pieces to finish the corners of the one-metre high shower wall. “Schlüter trims give a great finish for tile edges and neatly cover the edge of tile. In addition, the corner pieces provide a good-looking finish that avoids sharp edges which is important as we were finishing a low wall that could be a source of injury if finished with mitring” concludes Vincent.

Schlüter-JOLLY-AC in a Matte Brilliant White (MBW) finish was used to finish edges in wall areas where 1000mm x 330mm ceramic tiles were installed, including around window reveals. Three quarters of the edges of Quell’s custom-built niches for the project were also edged with the MBW trims, with QUADEC-MC to the inside edge of each as part of a wood-effect feature shower wall. For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk

Luxury Glamping Pods At The NEC Feature Kinedo Shower Cubicles

​A stunning new glamping resort at Pendigo Lake at the NEC is being constructed to offer luxury accommodation options for visitors to the NEC’s entertainment and exhibition venues. Phase 1, comprising 11 bespoke and stylish pods, was launched in August 2025 and offers a tranquil woodland setting overlooking the lake. A total of 59 pods will ultimately be available for guests, including overwater suites with private terraces, woodland bungalows and a presidential suite complete with a hot tub and extended deck.

The scheme is being delivered by luxury glamping brand AvantGlamp, which has chosen The Pod Factory of Warwickshire to supply the bespoke pods. The Pod Factory is one of the UK’s leading pod manufacturers and has delivered sustainable and stylish pods to sites throughout the UK, from the top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall. The company uses Kinedo all-in-one shower cubicles in the bathrooms of their glamping pods and, when it came to the prestigious NEC project, trusted the same brand that delivers day in and day out in their existing units. 

To create a point of difference in the NEC pods, two new cubicles were specified, including the Brooklyn Factory and the Kinemagic Design. The industrial-style Brooklyn Factory features modern black profiles with classy white internal glass panels and black Crittal-style external glass doors and panels, along with a matching black showerhead, handheld shower, and shower valve. A statement cubicle for a statement project.

The Kinemagic Design is a design classic, featuring chrome profiles, a matching rain shower head and valve, white glass internal panels, and a low threshold entry. It offers the sophistication the project requires.

Alex Cash is the entrepreneur and Managing Director behind the Pod Factory: “The NEC project demonstrates how we are becoming involved in larger-scale ventures. Each pod is designed to feel more like a hotel suite than a cabin and we use our trusted suppliers to ensure we deliver accommodation solutions that meet exacting hospitality standards, tailored to AvantGlamp’s vision."

"We use Kinedo cubicles because they are an integrated package that includes internal and external panels, a door, tray, showerhead, valve, and all the necessary fixtures and fittings. They are quick and easy to install and ready for use without the need for tiles, grout or silicone. Importantly they offer a stylish focal point in the bathroom befitting the surroundings. The team at Kinedo bends over backwards to ensure we have what we need when we need it.”

In July 2027 the NEC will host the famed Invictus Games and the new Pendigo Lakes Resort will ensure that accommodation options on site will be readily available for the participants and visitors.  www.kinedo.co.uk

Nuaire Equipment Helps Solve Damp And Mould In City Of London Listed Social Housing Property

Indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist Nuaire has had its Drimaster ECO-HEAT-HC Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit and Cyfan extract fans installed into a  Grade II listed almshouse in Brixton where it has dramatically reduced humidity levels in this unusual social housing property. The Gresham almshouses, built in 1884, is located on The City of London Almshouses estate, a small development of one-bedroom, self-contained dwellings, which offer homes for people aged 55 and over on a below average income or state benefits, who are in need of housing and require supported accommodation.

Built well before an understanding of the importance of insulation and ventilation, a number of the almshouses had issues with damp and mould.  One particular property registered humidity levels close to 100% which is uncomfortable at the best of times but with an older occupant with historic health issues it was detrimental to his health and wellbeing.  The City of London clearly wanted to resolve this issue speedily, but with the almshouses being Grade II listed there is limited remedial work that is permitted.

To reduce levels of damp within the property that would fit within listed building guidelines, initially the existing extract fans in the kitchen and bathroom were replaced with more powerful Nuaire Cyfan extract fans.  Cyfan fans have been designed to meet revised Building Regulations Part F, which came into effect in 2022, and increased minimum air flow rates across all sizes of properties.  The majority of extract fans fitted before this date are simply not powerful enough to deliver the new air flow rates.

The Cyfan two speed extract fans is powerful enough to ensure cost-effectively compliance with these revised regulations, whilst also being aesthetically pleasing, compact and quiet. With humidity levels so high, the second step was to install a Nuaire Drimaster ECO-HEAT-HC Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit.  Installed in a loft in less than an hour, with a small hole cut through the ceiling for the vent, PIV systems draw fresh air into the loft space directly from outside which is then filtered before gently dispersing into the home via a central diffuser at a continuous rate, encouraging movement of air from inside to outside.

This model installed into the almshouse comes with a 400W heating element to temper the airflow during colder periods. In addition to this, the City of London also arranged for the bathroom window secondary glazing to be altered to allow for background ventilation to the habitable rooms. Aico Environmental Sensors installed within the property have shown a sizable difference in humidity levels since the Nuaire Cyfan extract fans and Drimaster PIV have been installed, with the ability to open the bathroom window also making a sizeable contribution.

The property has gone from 98% humidity to within the ‘Goldilocks zone’ of 40-60% relative humidity, making it a comfortable, healthy environment. For more information on Nuaire’s solutions for social housing providers, go to www.nuaire.co.uk/residential/social-housing