Slot channel becomes even more discreet. Sleek, universal and friendly to bare toes

Fortunately, since the advent of the trench gutter, most building owners will no longer screech when you point out the need for such a drainage system. Still, water management specialist Nicoll felt there was room for improvement. Not least in terms of ease of installation for the contractor.

The company Nicoll s.a. of Herstal is part of the Belgian international Aliaxis group and is responsible for the distribution, on Belgian soil, of all kinds of solutions for the management of water and other fluids in and around the home. Known primarily for its various couplings for indoor drains, the company's range also includes PVC pipes for swimming pools and floor channels for private and industrial projects. From this expertise, it has in recent years developed the Connecto® floor channel with invisible grating.

Discretion first

The trench gutter is now a well-known and popular alternative to the classic and sometimes somewhat gaudy grid gutters. In numerous projects today, the subtle slot in the terrace finish is preferred,
under which nevertheless conceals a full-fledged drainage channel. 

Real subtlety, however, lies in the details. Whereas most slotted channels traditionally still have a thin raised edge in plastic or stainless steel, even that has disappeared with the Connecto® Invisible. A patented system with a bumper ensures that the terrace covering is always laid at the correct distance so that a groove of exactly 8 millimeters is created even without a visible upstand. A clean cut and a preferably mass-colored terrace covering are thus sufficient to create the most discreet trench channel on the market.

Universal character simplifies inventory management

Yet it is not only the aesthetic desires of the builder that will be fulfilled with this extra-tight finish. It also means a huge simplification for the installer. Where traditional slotted channels are available in different heights, requiring the use of one format or another depending on the decking, the Connecto® Invisible is in fact universal. Precisely because there is no longer a raised edge, the same product can be used for both ceramic tiles and clinkers or concrete without modification.

The invisible grating can be used with all Connecto® gutters 130 millimeters wide. A module is standard 50 centimeters long and can be easily trimmed if necessary. Couplings are realized both linearly and at right angles with a tongue-and-groove connection, and to create an access hatch it is enough to turn the grating over and cover it with the same terrace finish. Even when the channel is to be placed eccentrically instead of centrally, use the same basic products. A universal, versatile and modular system, in other words.

Safe around the pool

All components of the Connecto® gutter system are made of PVC. This allows tiles and other finishes to be easily bonded to the grid, but also has some undeniable advantages around the pool and patio. This is because PVC is very sturdy and has a high resistance to chlorine and any other chemicals, among other things. 

Last but not least, the system also fully complies with the so-called "barefoot standard." This means that there is no danger of bumping or pinching of toes. In other words, children and adults can walk, hop and romp around barefoot without worry.