F E A T U R E S T O R Y In the beginning Membranes for tile installa- tion have come a long way since their introduction in the 1980s. New products with different func- tions have since been introduced and the range of applications has exploded. Membranes have creat- ed entirely new installation meth- ods in the past decades, leading to improved performance of the assemblies and increased produc- tivity for tile setters. In recent years we have seen further evolution of this product category with multi- functional membranes, offering tile setters more versatile solutions. Bonded waterproofing Bonded waterproofing mem- branes were among the first tile membranes on the market. They allowed for the direct application of tile, eliminating the secondary mortar bed. This made for faster installation and increased produc- tivity in addition to minimizing water intrusion, decreasing drying times, and reducing the risk of mold growth in wet areas. The evolution of the tile membrane By Sean Gerolimatos, technical services manager, Schluter Systems, L.P. The Pinnacle Design exterior of THE H Residence in Midland, Mich., a high- end mixed use facility that opened in spring of 2017. 34 TileLetter | May 2017