on a spool and anchored to the floor at manufacturer-specified spacing using clips or tracks. Cable might also be mounted on a mesh or within a sheet and attached to the floor. Best practice has been to embed the heating cables in a self- leveling underlayment and let it set before installing tiles. The latest innovation in floor warming is a new form of uncou- pling membrane that features studs to secure cables without clips or fasteners. Cables can be placed wherever heat is desired without creating height differences and self-leveling compounds are not required to encapsulate the cables. Tile can be installed immediately after the cable is placed, thereby significantly reducing installation time. Swiss Army membranes With the range of tile membranes growing, we have seen a trend toward multi-functional products. For example, crack-isolation and uncoupling membranes have often performed as waterproofing mem- branes. The combination of uncou- pling, waterproofing, and floor warming in a single membrane is available as mentioned above. The latest innovation is the addition of sound control and thermal break layers to the existing uncoupling/ floor warming membranes. A thick- er bonding fleece on the underside performs two functions: it reduces impact sound transfer through floor/ ceiling assemblies and reduces heat loss to the substrate for faster warm- up times. This type of membrane can be the “go to” product for almost any tile installer, as seen in the project feature below. Project feature Mike Gwizdala of Mike’s Custom Tile Company in Bay City, Mich., recently completed a project for Shaheen Development using one multi-function membrane that allowed him to address a range of project requirements. THE H Residence is an 85,000-sq.-ft., mixed-use development in down- town Midland, Mich. The first floor is home to an art gallery, conven- tion center, and a restaurant. The second floor features the H Hotel, FEATURE: Schluter Systems L.P. - the evolution of the tile membrane The tile inlay in the entryway was care- fully laid out. The inlay was surrounded by a frame of rectangular marble tile. 40 TileLetter | May 2017