Waterproofing | Swartz Tile | UberTile & Schluter

Why It Matters

The System Beneath the Tile

One of the most important parts of any tile shower is the waterproofing system hidden beneath the tile. While the tile and grout are what you see every day, they are not what keeps water out of your walls and floor. A properly installed waterproofing system is what protects your home from moisture damage, mold, and costly repairs for years to come.

At Swartz Tile, we choose the waterproofing system that best suits each project. Factors such as the shower design, product availability, installation requirements, and budget all play a role in selecting the right solution. The two systems we use most often are UberTile and Schluter Systems. Both are high-quality, professional waterproofing systems that we trust and confidently install in our customers' homes.

Schluter-Kerdi waterproofing membrane installed in a custom shower niche

System 01

Schluter Systems

Schluter is one of the most recognized and trusted names in the tile industry, and it's a system we've installed successfully on countless projects. While every installation is different, Schluter continues to be one of our go-to waterproofing systems whenever it's the best fit for the application.

01 Ideal for Tub & Shower Surrounds

Whenever we're able to build a shower from the framing out, we generally prefer to use a dedicated tile backer board such as UberBoard. However, many tub and shower surround remodels don't involve replacing the existing wall substrate. In these situations, Schluter's Kerdi membrane provides an excellent waterproofing solution, allowing us to create a continuous waterproof barrier behind the tile without requiring a complete rebuild.

02 Perfect for Custom-Shaped Showers

Not every shower fits a standard size. When a project requires a completely custom shower pan, we often build the shower floor using a traditional dry-pack mortar bed before waterproofing it with Schluter's Kerdi membrane. This allows us to create virtually any size or shape of shower while maintaining a fully waterproof installation.

03 Wide Range of Drain Options

Schluter offers a wide selection of drain styles and designer finishes, making it easy to coordinate the drain with the overall look of your bathroom. Whether you're after a classic stainless steel finish or something that better matches your plumbing fixtures, Schluter provides plenty of options to complement your tile installation. While we appreciate the variety of finishes and styles available, we'll always recommend the drain system that we believe will provide the best long-term performance for your particular project.

04 Ditra Floor Underlayment

Schluter's products aren't limited to showers. Their Ditra uncoupling membrane is one of our preferred underlayments for tile floor installations. As homes naturally expand, contract, and settle over time, movement in the subfloor can transfer stress into the tile. Ditra helps absorb that movement before it reaches the finished tile surface, greatly reducing the likelihood of cracked tiles or grout. This is especially beneficial for large-format tile installations, where even small amounts of movement can become more noticeable.

Schluter-Kerdi shower niche installation

System 02

UberTile

UberTile is our preferred waterproofing system for most custom curbed showers, especially when we have the opportunity to build the shower using half-inch UberBoard. There are several reasons why we prefer this system.

01 Exceptional Strength

UberTile shower pans are incredibly rigid and resistant to dents or compression. This is especially important when installing small mosaic tiles, as softer shower pans can allow individual tiles to press into the surface over time, potentially leading to cracked or separated grout joints. UberTile's strength helps provide a more stable, longer-lasting installation.

02 Strong, Solid Shower Walls

UberBoard is one of the most rigid foam backer boards we've worked with. Its stiffness makes it an excellent choice for creating custom shower benches, niches, and other built-in features that feel solid and durable once tiled.

03 Cleaner Custom Niches

One feature that often goes unnoticed by homeowners, but makes a significant difference, is the way UberTile handles custom niches. The system creates very little material build-up in the corners, allowing for cleaner tile layouts, tighter joints, and a more professional finished appearance.

04 Industry-Leading Linear Drains

In our experience, UberTile offers one of the best linear drain systems available. Their design allows for flexible drain placement while maintaining a fully waterproof installation. Whether the drain is located against a wall or elsewhere in the shower floor, the waterproofing system remains continuous and uncompromised.

05 Precise, Reliable Drain Installation

UberTile drains are designed with the installer in mind. They allow for very precise drain placement, making it easier to achieve proper slopes and clean tile layouts. The drains are also manufactured from high-grade stainless steel, providing excellent resistance to corrosion and years of reliable performance.

UberTile stainless steel shower drain set flush and centred in a large-format tile floor

Shower niche and tub surround framed and blocked before UberBoard goes on

The same shower niche built in half-inch UberBoard with every seam and corner sealed

Waterproofing, Done Right.