• Knee protection is part of the basic kit for tilers, as they spend an above-average amount of time working on their knees.
• From insert pads to knee pads: Knee protection that conforms to the DIN EN 14404 standard can be selected to suit the specific work situation.
• Stretch fabrics support tilers in all their movements, thereby making their day-to-day work easier.
• Safety shoes with scuff caps, gloves and PPE such as hearing protection and respiratory protection round off the features required for a tiler’s day-to-day work.
• As a one-stop shop, Strauss supplies trousers, shoes, gloves and knee protection in a single order.

Anyone who lays tiles, spends hours on their knees on a hard, and often damp, surface. Dirt and dust from mortar and grout are unavoidable in this area of work. Workwear for tilers must therefore be hard-wearing and provide protection. The strain is felt most in the knees. Tile fitters spend a considerable part of their shift on their knees. This goes some way to explaining why meniscus injuries and osteoarthritis of the knee are more prevalent than average in this profession. Knee protection is therefore an absolute must in workwear for tilers. The pockets on work trousers for tilers should also be well thought out: A tape measure, tile spacers, a pencil and tile-cutting pliers must be within easy reach without getting in the way when you’re kneeling down. Concealed fastenings also prevent zips or buttons from scratching the newly laid tiles.

The DIN EN 14404 standard specifies the requirements that knee protection must meet for activities carried out whilst kneeling – for example, in terms of puncture resistance, pressure distribution and shock absorption. The standard was revised at the end of 2024 and divided into six parts, covering four types of protection.

Strauss offers a wide range of excellent knee protection solutions, which vary depending on the work situation and budget:

• Slip-in knee pads can be inserted into the knee pad pockets of work trousers and are the classic choice for everyday use by tilers. The e.s. Knee Pad Ergonomic conforms to DIN EN 14404, Type 2, Performance Level 1. It is made of extra light polyethylene foam, which moulds to the shape of the knee and returns to its original shape in a matter of seconds after each use.
• External knee pad pockets are strapped over the trousers or, in the case of shorts, directly around the leg, and fitted with a separate knee pad. This means that knee protection can be worn with almost any pair of trousers, even those without dedicated knee pad pockets.
• Strauss offers two versions of the e.s. Knee pad pockets Pro-Comfort: the ‘soft’ version for smooth surfaces such as newly laid tiles, and the ‘rough’ version for rough outdoor surfaces such as paving stones or concrete. Anyone who works on varying surfaces can purchase both types of pocket and choose the appropriate one depending on the task at hand. The matching knee pad – the e.s. Knee Pad Pro-Comfort – can be purchased separately and is not included in delivery of the pocket.
• Strap-on knee pads are also worn over trousers or attached directly to the leg, making them particularly well-suited as a complete external solution. The e.s. Knee pad Flex-Comfort feature an elasticated stretch cuff that moves with you with every movement. Anyone who also needs protection whilst working overhead or in confined spaces will find the e.s. Elbow pad Flex-Comfort an additional item for their kit.

Not a substitute for traditional knee protection, but a useful addition: Knee boards transfer the weight of the knees entirely onto a mobile surface. The e.s. Knee Board Pro-Comfort reduces the need to keep standing up and kneeling down during jobs with a long, continuous tiling length. It glides effortlessly on four wear-resistant, non-marking 360-degree castors, noticeably relieving strain on the knees and back, and also features an additional storage compartment for small items such as tile spacers or screws.

Materials that are both durable and allow for ease of movement are crucial for tilers’ work trousers. After all, the fabric is put to the test every day by contact with tiled edges, tools and rough surfaces. Polyamide reinforcements, including those made from CORDURA®, in areas subject to particular wear and tear, such as the knees, increase abrasion resistance without making the trousers unnecessarily heavy.

The freedom to move is achieved not only through the fit, but above all through the material itself: Elasticated waistbands and stretch panels ensure that knee bends and torso twists aren’t hindered by stiff fabric. Collections such as e.s.dynashield feature stretchy panels at the back of the knees and are made from fully elasticated fabric, which enhances freedom of movement when switching between kneeling and standing. The bXeric® material used combines durability with the freedom to move. This collection is also available for ladies! By the way: This flexibility is also important in the upper body. Work jackets with a flexible back design prevent the fabric from pulling tight when you bend over or kneel. For the summer, 3/4 length trousers such as the 3/4 length trousers e.s.motion 2020 are a practical alternative: They offer better ventilation than long trousers, yet the built-in knee pad pockets mean they can still be fitted with knee pads – so knee protection remains part of the trousers even in warmer temperatures.

Tilers do not only work inside new buildings, but also regularly outdoors – on terraces, balconies or on façades. This calls for clothing that adapts to changing conditions.

In cool, damp weather, wind- and rain-resistant yet breathable rain jackets are ideal. A mid layer underneath provides additional warmth without restricting your freedom to move. Softshell jackets offer greater elasticity to accommodate changing body positions, whilst more robust fabrics are better when the garment is subjected to heavy mechanical stress.

In heat and direct sunlight, lightweight, breathable fabrics and ventilation zips – such as those on the work trousers e.s.motion 2020 – as well as light colours help to prevent heat build-up. As tilers on outdoor building sites are often exposed to the sun for hours on end, additional clothing with UV protection and headgear that covers the neck and head, such as the e.s. Functional Cap UV, is also advisable.

Work shoes for tilers are subjected to different stresses than those worn in most other trades: because of the constant kneeling and standing up, it is worth opting for safety shoes with a scuff cap or toe protection, as the toe area is subjected to additional strain when kneeling and rolling the foot forward. For damp rooms and building sites with wet surfaces, we recommend Class S3/ S7 safety shoes with a water-repellent upper and a slip-resistant sole.

Sharp tile edges, fresh mortar and grout put strain on the hands in two ways: mechanically, through cuts and scratches, and chemically, through contact with cement and tile adhesive, which are alkaline and irritate the skin. Coated work gloves with good dexterity improve grip and mechanical protection when cutting to size and laying tiles. They only provide proven cut protection if a correspondingly certified cut protection class is specified. In addition, applying skin protection cream before work and providing appropriate care afterwards reduces the risk of irritation and eczema caused by repeated contact with cement dust and adhesive.

When cutting tiles, splinters and fragments can get into your eyes – so safety glasses are an essential part of the basic equipment when using a tile saw.

Noise pollution is also frequently underestimated: depending on the machine and the task, daily noise exposure levels in the tiling trade are measured at between around 85 and 94 dB(A). From 80 dB(A) onwards, the employer must provide ear protection; from 85 dB(A) onwards, it is compulsory to wear it. Whether and when this value is reached is determined by the specific risk assessment for the workplace in question.

For fine dust generated by cutting and grinding work, FFP2 or FFP3 respiratory masks are a smart addition. However, they do not replace technical and organisational measures, such as extraction or wet processing. Instead, they are used where the risk assessment deems these insufficient.

New work trousers, matching safety shoes and the right knee protection, all in one order: Strauss supplies tiling firms with a complete selection of equipment – from Workwear, safety shoes and gloves to eye, ear and respiratory protection. Whether it’s for a single new employee or to fit out an entire team: Collections, sizes and styles can be combined to create the perfect fit and are easy to reorder.

As a one-stop shop, Strauss offers:

• High stock availability for quick reorders without long waiting times
• Size ranges from 2XS to 8XL, as well as long and special sizes for perfect-fitting team equipment
• Volume discounts are also available for smaller businesses and sole traders
• Logo service & MYDESIGN Configurator – design and customise workwear with ease
• Long-term availability of established collections for easy reordering