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National Tile Contractors Association www.tileletter.com May 2016 ON THE COVER Schluter Systems Dont get cold feet with todays oor heating systems Cevisama 2016 showcases a range of trends to international audience Watts Water ofcially opens new Learning Center SERENE SET the MOOD MAPEIs NEW color collections help to personalize your space In an industry first MAPEI has used color technology bundled with artistic knowledge to develop a new 40-color palette for its grouts caulks and grout colorant that is divided into 5 color collections each themed with a distinct personality. Whether it complements or contrasts with the tile selection the proper grout color can give personality and feeling to the final look of the flooring installation. MAPEIs color collections simplify the search for the perfect hue ensuring a better end result for the customer. Scan the QR code below to learn more about the new color palette for MAPEIs grouts caulks and grout colorant. TRADITIONAL NATURAL ROMANCE GLAMOUR NEW COLOR COLLECTIONS news you need to know Dedicated to education and industry service Feature Story 32 In this issue... 58 Cevisama 2016 Cevisama showcases a range of trends to international audience By Lesley Goddin 70 Watts Water officially opens new Learning Center By Lou Iannoco 78 Qualified Labor Bill Baptista Dont get left behind get certified . By Terryn Rutford 90 NTCA University Update Installation and sales training courses join the curriculum By Becky Serbin NTCA training and education coordinator feature story Schluter Systems Dont get cold feet with todays oor heating systems By Sean Gerolimatos technical director Schluter Systems tileletter.com ONLINE NOW 82 28 58 48 May 2016 2 TileLetter May 2016 800.423.5243 www.barwalt.com Makes sense doesnt it Providing professional tools for nearly 40 years A PROFESSIONAL TILE JOB is like a RACE CAR. Quality Tools Quality Job Would a Pro be caught on the racetrack in a lemon Would a Pro be caught on the racetrack in a lemon With replaceable carbide teeth Barwalt Ultrabite TM Tile Nippers A revolutionary new nipper with the finest carbide ground to a precision finish with industrial diamonds. Over-molded cushioned sleeves on the handle make this a comfortable tool to use. 50 less weight that other GT-style nippers less fatiguing Stainless steel bearing wont rust and needs less oiling ORIGINAL ULTRABITEORIGINAL ULTRABITE ULTRABITE RADIUSULTRABITE RADIUS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL TILE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION BART A. BETTIGA publisher barttile-assn .com LESLEY A. GODDIN editor lesleytile-assn .com MICHELLE CHAPMAN art director advertising sales michelletile-assn .com MARY SHAW-OLSON advertising sales marytile-assn .com Mailing Address P .O . Box 13629 Jackson MS 39236 U .S .A . Shipping Address 626 Lakeland East Drive Jackson MS 39232 Tel 601-939-2071 Fax 601-932-6117 Website www .tileletter .com www .tile-assn .com Departments 6 Welcome new members 10 NTCA Tile Stone Workshops 12 Editors letter 16 Presidents letter 20 Ask the Experts Sponsored by LATICRETE International Inc. 25 CTEF Educational Programs 26 Business Tip NTCA forms new bond with Spanish labor group Proalso By Chris Woelfel Sponsored by MAPEI Corporation 40 Member Spotlight Hecox Construction Inc . By Lesley Goddin Sponsored by Custom Building Products 48 Tech Talk New product technology for trendy bathroom remodels Sponsored by TEC H.B. Fuller Construction Products 82 Thin Tile Tall and slim tile is de rigueur at Coverings in Chicago Sponsored by MAPEI Corporation 94 By the Book Electric floor warming By Art Mintie senior director technical services LATICRETE International Inc. Brought to you by CTEF 96 NTCA Benefits Box LegalShield 102 NTCA News 104 Faces in the News 106 Industry News 108 New Products 112 Advertisers Index The National Tile Contractors Association Inc . is an equal opportunity association and seeks to include qualified individuals and businesses in all phases of its activities . The National Tile Contractors Association Inc . does not discrimi- nate on the basis of race color religion age sex sexual orientation national origin veteran status or disability . The National Tile Contractors Association Inc . seeks opportunities to include these groups in its programs and activities . TileLetter is a free subscription to the tile stone and allied products industries . To subscribe visit www .tileletter .com - click on Advertisers Subscribers - click on Subscribe . To make address changes or unsubscribe please send an email to webmastertile-assn .com . TILELETTER EDITORIAL POLICY TileLetter is the official publication of the National Tile Contractors Association Inc . NTCA . TileLetter provides a medium for expressing views and opinions without approving disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data claim or opinion appearing under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source . Statements of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion or reflect the official position of NTCA . NTCA would not be possible with- out the dedicated service of our board and committee members and regional and state directors. Meet these dedicated volunteers by visit- ing www.tile-assn.com and clicking on About Us. You can also nd infor- mation and a continually updated list of Five Star Contractors at www. tile-assn.com click on Find a Tile Contractor or Consultant. 4 TileLetter May 2016 These members recently joined NTCA Please take the opportunity to welcome those in your region to the NTCA family WELCOME NEW MEMBERS CONTRACTOR MEMBERS Abels Renovations LLC Charles Abel Ward AR abelsrenovationsgmail.com 501-259-4996 Aholt Construction Jeff Aholt Washington MO jeff-aholtyahoo.com 314-581-6291 All Commercial Floors Inc. Joe Kepler Oklahoma City OK jkepleracfteam.com 405-604-9577 Arnolds Flooring America Barry Stanton Little Rock AR barryarnoldsflooringamerica.com 501-225-3840 BMK Construction LLC Ryan Cutwright Honolulu HI rcutwrightpartnersinstone.com 808-792-1870 Boyle Tile Henry Boyle Waunakee WI henrygreenboylegmail.com 520-559-2068 Brian Dye Tile Brian Dye Overland Park KS briandyetilegmail.com 816-863-7142 Colorado Slab Tile Jason Kaples Eagle CO jasoncoloradoslabandtile.com 970-328-0557 Capital Tile LLC Ben Walker Topeka KS ben.walkercapitaltilellc.com 785-228-1544 Carpet Barn Randy Drewry North Little Rock AR randycarpetbarn.net 501-771-2122 DH TileStone David Hoover Portland OR dhtileandstonepdxgmail.com 503-830-0885 Dugans Paint and Decorating Center Brian Kenniston Osage Beach MO brianduganpaints.com 573-348-9017 For information about joining NTCA visit the website at www.tile-assn.com contact Jim Olson at 601-939-2071 or email him at jimtile-assn.com. 6 TileLetter May 2016 Empire Tile Marble Co. Roy Bianchini Eastpointe MI infoempiretileandmarble.com 586-777-5264 Flipside Renovations LLC. Jeremiah Warzynski Beaverton OR flipsiderenovationsgmail.com 503-380-1973 FloorMasters Bob Molsick Wildwood FL bmolsickfloormastersfl.com 352-748-7444 K_Nardone Custom Tilework Kris Nardone Kennesaw GA K_nardonecustomtilework yahoo.com 678-858-0969 Mango Tile Inc. Randy Messamore Elk Grove Village IL randymangotile.com 630-517-4499 Martins Custom Tile John Martin Decatur IL Johnmartinscustomtile.com 217-519-3999 Moss Building Design Steve Lohmann Chantilly VA slohmannmossbuildinganddesign.com 703-961-7707 New Era Contracting LLC Joseph Keate Meridian ID jk.neweragmail.com 208-501-3855 Pacetti Tile Dennis Pacetti Huntingdon Valley PA Pacettitilegmail.com 215-207-3223 Piedmont Contract Jonathan Williams Broomfield CO JWilliamsPiedmontContract.com 720-537-7076 Precision Flooring Thomas Kapinos Jr. Hamburg NY precision_flooringlive.com 716-578-5412 Premier Tile John Mendenhall Arlington VT jwmendenhall55gmail.com 802-375-6134 Ramirez Tile Stone LLC Angel Ramirez Aurora CO angel.ramireztilegmail.com 720-648-1511 Rock Solid Flooring Inc. Rocky Garvey Plainfield IL rockysolidflooringhotmail.com 708-277-5745 Ronalds Custom Tile LLC Ronald Stalvey Conway SC Ronaldscustomtilegmail.com 843-340-5078 SCI Floor Covering Mark Zappa Southfield MI mzappascifloorcovering.com 586-876-0610 San Diego Bath Tile Josh Fischer Poway CA Sdbathandtilegmail.com 760-505-8453 Singleton and Associates Tiling and Remodeling Christian Singleton Linden TN Csingletonsingletonandassociates.net 270-282-1134 St. Clair Tile And Stone Andy St. Clair Bakersfield CA stclairtileandstoneyahoo.com 661-865-9291 Stoneman Jason McDaniels Tualatin OR stoneconstruction503gmail.com 503-201-8377 Tile Dynamics Corp Joseph Bariatti Huntington Station NY infotiledynamicsny.com 631-494-9590 Torino Mosaic Flooring Tim Frappa Hamburg NY timtorinomosaic.com 716-941-3622 Tile Design by Chris LLC Chris Abouarrage Yukon OK TileandDesignbyChrisgmail.com 405-510-4113 Tile Art LLC Nan Bieneman Madison WI nantileartdesign.com 608-255-8453 Tim Hogans Carpet Floors Ryan Barney Southaven MS thcfloorsgmail.com 662-349-7474 Victoria Peters Victoria Peters Fairport NY vickypete56gmail.com 585-414-4670 WTG Terrazzo and Tile Inc. Tony Grazzini Burnsville MN tonywtgtt.com 952-746-9060 MANUFACTURER MEMBER Rialto Porcelanato Mauricio Schiebe Boca Raton FL mauriciorialtoporcelanato.com 714-465-8267 Satori Japanese Wall Finishes Rosann Allenbaugh 301 N Rampart Street Ste. C Orange CA 92868 510-243-5595 infosatoriwalls.info 8 TileLetter May 2016 PHOTO FEATURES SUMMERVILLE IN CHAMPAGNE 20 X 20. 2015 DAL-TILE CORPORATION M A R A Z Z I T I L E . C O M Fearlessly passionate about daring design MarazziFearlessly passionate about daring design Marazzi creates more fashion-forward options to empowercreates more fashion-forward options to empower your customers to make their own bold statement.your customers to make their own bold statement. NTCAs Tile Stone Workshops are a great opportunity to stay abreast of the latest techniques and systems for tile and stone installation. Workshops now include information on the many changes in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Glass and StoneTile Installation live demonstrations and an open forum at every event. Visit www.tile-assn.com for a workshop schedule or check each issue of TileLetter for upcoming events in your area. 2016 NTCA Tile Stone Workshops NTCA Tile Stone Workshops presented by Mark Heinlein Robb Roderick Scott Carothers JUNE 14 ______________ Daltile 1471 Railroad Blvd Unit 1 Eugene OR 541-686-0217 Jason Varner jason.varnerdaltile.com Daltile 3480 Broadmoor Ave SE Kentwood MI 616-464-4417 Nathan Root nathan.rootdaltile.com JUNE 16 ______________ Daltile 3235 Rosetta Place Dr. Suite 1 South Bend IN 574-232-8933 This workshop will com- bine events for the Ft. Wayne and South Bend locations. Contact Tom Cardwell tom.cardwelldaltile.com JUNE 21 ______________ Daltile E 4000 Broadway Spokane WA 509-534-0202 Greg Cox greg.coxdaltile.com JUNE 22 ______________ Daltile 4619 Resource Drive Chattanooga TN 423-892-0605 Josh Patterson josh.pattersondaltile.com Daltile 240 Expressway Missoula MT 406-549-1021 Joe Sariva joe.sarivadaltile.com Daltile 730 Dearborn Park Lane Columbus OH 614-433-9181 This workshop will combine events for the Moraine and Columbus locations. Contact Jim Davis jim_davis americanolean.com JUNE 23 ______________ Daltile 2701 Gabel Road Billings MT 406-248-8700 Stuart Russell stuart.russelldaltile.com NTCA Workshops are subject to change. Visit www.tile-assn.com for up-to-date information. 10 TileLetter May 2016 NEW NTCA Online Installer Training Earn an ITS Certificate Today Earn more jobs earn more money and avoid costly problems The Tile Installer Thin-Set Standards ITS Verification Certificate is awarded by the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone UofCTS and endorsed by the National Tile Contractors Association NTCA. Tile installers who successfully complete this online course that teaches industry standards and methods for adhered thin-set applications will earn the ITS Certificate. The ITS Certificate will give you credibility with your customers and will enable you to earn more jobs. Training your employees is always a good investment and it can help avoid costly failures. The ITS online course is available in English and in Spanish. Rated as a 4 hour course. Additional online tile and stone courses are available from the NTCA website below Understanding the Basics of Ceramic Tile and Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone. These training courses are ideal for installers architects salespeople designers or anyone interested in tile and stone. www.tile-assn.com Investing in training provides a return on investment that never ends NTCA P.O. Box 13629 Jackson MS 39236 Tel. 601-939-2071 Fax 601-932-6117 E infotile-assn.com Only100 per tuition for NTCA members Volume discounts available PROVIDED BY Self Paced Courses Management Monitoring 247 Internet Access No Travel Expenses No Lost Productivity Certificate Issued With this issue we start report- ing on some of the news coming out of Coverings such as select products in our Thin Tile and New Product sections and of course the U.S. Tile Industry Update announced at the Tile Council of North America TCNA press con- ference the second morning of the show by TCNA executive director Eric Astrachan. Theres good news for the tile industry continuing the rebound from the dark days of the recession nearly a decade ago actually when Coverings was last held in Chicago. Heres how the tile industry did last year 2015 U.S. ceramic tile con- sumption was 2.74 billion sq. ft. up a significant 9.9 over with 2014s 2.49 billion sq. ft. and 10.4 over 2013s 2.48 billion sq. ft. the sixth con- secutive year-over-year increase in U.S. ceramic tile consump- tion and edging close to 2013s whopping 12.9 increase over 2012 volume consumption. The value of U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2015 was 3.2 billion up 9.8 over the 2.97 billion in 2014 and 15.9 over 2013. Though in 2014 imports decreased 0.7 over 2013 down to 1.71 billion sq. ft. from 1.72 billion sq. ft. that trend reversed itself in 2015 with growth of 9.9 to 1.88 billion sq. ft. Imports in 2015 held steady at 68.7 of U.S. tile con- sumption in volume same as 2014 but down from 69.6 in 2013. Although Mexico was the top exporter to the U.S. in 2014 China regained its position as the largest volume exporter to the U.S. Chinas share of U.S. imports was 29 followed by Mexico at 27 and Italy with 18.5. Spain and Turkey round- ed out the top five with 7.2 and 4.6 share of import vol- EDITORS LETTER Lesley A . Goddin Growth is never by mere chance it is the result of forces working together. James Cash Penney founder of JCPenney 12 TileLetter May 2016 TOUGH CHOICE The TX-4 features an innovative bellow system that shields the guide bar and bearing from slurry making it maintenance free.The powerful 1-34 horsepower and a 3-12 depth of cut means that you can effectively porcelain marble and granite glass slate brick and paver. Features Linear-bearing and chrome plated guide-bar assembly ensure precise cutting Extended table for a length of cut to 24 Aluminum cutting table with non-slip molded neoprene surface Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cuts Accommodates 6 or 8 profile wheel Depth of Cut 3 Length of Cut 24 Diagonally Cuts 18Tiles MK Diamond offers professionals a tile saw that is durable and powerful.The heavy-duty Baldor electric 1-12 HP120v fully enclosed high torque fan-cooled motor is the power behind the blade and delivers long reliable service. Phone 1.800.421.5830 www.mkdiamond.com TX-4 10 Wet Cutting Tile Saw MK-101Pro24 10 Wet Cutting Tile Saw Features Rear and side detachable water containment trays Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cutting Built-in fully adjustable miter system for precise 22.5 and 45 angle cuts Depth of Cut 3-12 Depth of Cut at 45 2-38 Length of Cut 24 Diagonally Cuts 18Tile Scan for TX-4 Video TOUGH CHOICE The TX-4 features an innovative bellow system that shields the guide bar and bearing from slurry making it maintenance free.The powerful 1-34 horsepower and a 3-12 depth of cut means that you can effectively porcelain marble and granite glass slate brick and paver. Features Linear-bearing and chrome plated guide-bar assembly ensure precise cutting Extended table for a length of cut to 24 Aluminum cutting table with non-slip molded neoprene surface Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cuts Accommodates 6 or 8 profile wheel Depth of Cut 3 Length of Cut 24 Diagonally Cuts 18Tiles MK Diamond offers professionals a tile saw that is durable and powerful.The heavy-duty Baldor electric 1-12 HP120v fully enclosed high torque fan-cooled motor is the power behind the blade and delivers long reliable service. Phone 1.800.421.5830 www.mkdiamond.com TX-4 10 Wet Cutting Tile Saw MK-101Pro24 10 Wet Cutting Tile Saw Features Rear and side detachable water containment trays Variable height cutting head allows for plunge cutting Built-in fully adjustable miter system for precise 22.5 and 45 angle cuts Depth of Cut 3-12 Depth of Cut at 45 2-38 Length of Cut 24 Diagonally Cuts 18Tile MADE IN USA 2016 MK Diamond Products Inc. All Rights Reserved. Images and specifications are subject to change without notice. Scan for TX-4 Video ume respectively. In terms of value Italy remained the largest exporter to the U.S. comprising 34.6 of U.S. value imports. China was second with a 26 share and Mexico took third with a 14.3 share. The dollar value per square foot of tile imports including freight insurance and duty rose slightly from 1.06 in 2014 to 1.07 in 2015. There is a growing trend towards returning production back to the U.S. In fact 2015 was a record year for U.S. manufacturers as an all-time high of 857.2 million sq. ft. up 10.4 from 2014s 779.1 million sq. ft. were shipped domestically. 2015 exports were up 10.1 to 40.7 million sq. ft. up from 2014s revised total July 2015 of 37 million sq. ft. The vast majority of these exports in sq. ft. were to Canada 57.1 and Mexico 18.8. In dollar value 2015 domes- tic shipments minus exports were 1.26 billion up 9.4 vs. 2014s 1.15 billion. The dollar valuesquare foot of domesti- cally produced tile fell slightly from 1.48 in 2014 to 1.47 in 2015. There are lots of other great stories in this issue as well with a focus on electric-floor warming how it brings comfort and value to your customer profit to your bottom line and what to keep in mind when you are considering an electric-floor warming instal- lation. Happy reading God bless Lesley lesleytile-assn.com EDITORS LETTER We can test per ANSI B101.1 ANSI B101.3 ASTM C1028-07 ANSI A137.1 AcuTest SCOF DCOF Slip Index Meets or Exceeds ADA and OSHA 100 Guaranteed INCREASE YOUR TRACTION UP TO 600 Local testing and installers available Treated over 6000000 sq ft Engineer Tested and Proven We accept all Tile Store or Installers POs with 30 days terms free fast shipping www.slipdoctors.com Toll FREE 888-436-5404 Fax 214-666-3225 infoslipdoctors.com 14 TileLetter May 2016 for tile stone greater than 15 on any side texrite.com totalcontact is the rite choice Excellent non-sag properties for vertical installations For interior and exterior use Highest bonding strength of all Texrite LHT mortars Freeze and thaw resistant Use on oors and walls to reduce lippage or uneven tile Meets or exceeds ANSI A118.1 A118.4 and A118.11 Can be used up to 34 thick As many of you know I am blessed to be married to such a great person my wife Chris. She is outgoing beautiful a great mom and she is very intelligent. Chris is truly my better half. She is also the major driving force in my creating and reaching my goals. Last year after Total Solutions Plus Chris went to get her yearly mam- mogram. A few weeks later the radi- ologist called and said he wanted additional images. When she went in the images revealed patterns in the film that the doctor said must be biopsied. It wasnt an easy pro- cedure and it created a massive and painful hematoma that she didnt need to be dealing with during the holiday season. Between Christmas and NewYears the doctor called and told us that Chris had breast cancer. We were stunned. It was denial combined with shock. We met with the surgeon and told a handful of family and friends. My wife always the steadfast and focused one told the doctor that we were going to Spain because her husband was going to speak at a world tile confer- ence and she was going to support him and make sure he was success- ful. The doctor scheduled surgery for the week after we returned. After four surgeries in four weeks and a week of cutting-edge high- ly concentrated radiation therapy delivered through a bio-mechanical device that made a big guy like me cringe at the thought of it being implanted the medical oncologist now has Chris on a five-year course of medications. We were also told that she may have the same issue in her other breast. All of this has my head spinning. It has been a chal- lenging time but Chris is proving her resilience staying positive and focused on the things she needs to do to stay on course and get all of this behind her. I know that many of you have been touched in one way or another by cancer. It is a horrible and scary disease that attacks people unfairly. We are fortunate that Chriss was discovered early as other people are not as fortunate. It seems so clich but I never thought it would happen to us. I reached out to people I knew had experience with cancer Nyle PRESIDENTS LETTER James Woelfel My wifes strength and courage 16 TileLetter May 2016 your neighbors arent that LOUD With Super SAM 125 Sound Abatement Membrane Super SAM 125 is a premium self-adhering sound deadening sheet membrane for use on surfaces that require impact and airborne sound reduction. Laboratory certied testing on a bare 6 concrete slab sets Super SAM 125 apart from the competition. IIC 51 STC 54 IIC 22 The Delta IIC is the truest and most accurate measurement of a membrane system and Super SAM 125 has the best in the industry. The most effective all-purpose membrane on the market Super SAM 125 provides crack isolation protection up 38 and can also be used as a waterproong membrane. Membrane Systems That Protect Your Flooring Investment 800-633-4622 NACproducts.com sound deadening sheet membrane for use on surfaces that require impact and airborne sound reduction. Laboratory certied testingrequire impact and airborne sound reduction. Laboratory certied testing J Wadford whose father died of cancer Dan Welch whose father just recently passed away and Bart Bettiga his wife Sandy was in a similar situation as Chris. They have been so supportive and were there when I needed to talk or vent. I also found out how giving and loving our friends are. Chris received flow- ers cards gifts of comfort and well wishes of support a true outpouring of love and understanding. People in our industry have given their time and hope so that Chris would feel just a little better. My wife always the one offer- ing empathy and concern did not want a lot of people to know. I have respected her wishes until now. You see my wife is my hero. She is battling this disease with all of her strength and determination. I have always thought that there is strength in numbers all of the prayers positive thoughts and kind words will help her in this battle. As I write this we are preparing for our trip to Coverings. Chris is coming with me and our son Preston. She looks forward to seeing talking and being with the best of the best in our industry. After experiencing this in the last six months I urge each of you reading this to go get your exams. Schedule them now and get the prostate exam the mammogram the CT scan whatever test that can help catch this disease early. We caught it early and it is still a heavyweight fight. Finally I want my wife Chris to know that I love you that Preston loves you and that you are the strongest bravest and most wonder- ful person I know. James Woelfel President NTCA 480-829-9197 www.artcraftgmt.com PRESIDENTS LETTER SOLID STRONG EDCO Remove soft materials hard materials and spe- cialized materials. Electric Floor Strippers remove floor coverings from con- crete and wood surfaces. Material examples include vinyl linoleum carpeting hardwood rubber floor- ing and ceramic tile. Visit edcoinc.com to dis- cover our entire line of Floor Strippers and Chisel Scalers. SOLID STRONG EDCO Remove soft materials hard materials and spe- cialized materials. Electric Floor Strippers remove floor coverings from con- crete and wood surfaces. Material examples include vinyl linoleum carpeting hardwood rubber floor- ing and ceramic tile. Visit edcoinc.com to dis- cover our entire line of Floor Strippers and Chisel Scalers. TS-8 8 MANUAL FLOOR STRIPPER 18 TileLetter May 2016 WEVE GOT WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE. Find your local store at flooranddecor.com ONE MILLION SQ.FT. TOP QUALITY FLOORS EVERY DAY LOW PRICES at ONE MILLION SQ.FT. OVER of ASK THE EXPERTS QUESTION Is there any TCNA or industry infor- mation that indicates that rounded-top porcelain cove base is not meant for situations where tile is installed on the walls above the base since it has a rounded top Id also like to know how the cove base is to be installed in con- junction with floor tile. I stated in my RFP to install metal trim strips when coordinating porcelain tile pieces are not available. Given that the cove base option for a selected tile series has a rounded top and foot this causes a potential for an unclean install. The options that the contractor has given us are Using the wall base and filling in the rounded top with an enlarged grout joint Cutting the wall tile and butting it to the floor tile with either a grout or caulk joint at the connection or Field-cutting the rounded tip of the wall base off These are not preferred options for the government as these lead to maintenance issues down the road for the facility. Do you have any idea how I can respond to this or help with any industry or TCNA info Thanks so much ANSWER There is no such language in the TCNA Handbook or in any of the ANSI manuals. I believe that the 3 solution is the proper method and how my contract- ing company usually accomplished this detail if round top cove was the only cove available if cove was required. Be sure to stone the cut and although it will have a slightly different appearance than a factory edge it will not be a maintenance issue. Since the tile cove is round footed it is designed to be top-set. There is another option that is very effective if somewhat more expensive. Profile and edge manufacturers make stainless steel coves with corner trims available with different sizes available to match the thickness of your tile.Very beautiful easy to install and cool too If cove is not required by code then just use the field tile at all inside corners with a joint filled with foam backer rod and ASTM C920 sealant 100 silicone or single part ure- thane. Be sure that the tile is not set tight and that the joint is completely free of mortar and grout. Michael Whistler NTCA technical trainer QUESTION We are currently working on a project that includes 30000 sq. ft. of penny round tiles that were manufac- tured in Japan. Its our understanding that penny rounds are classified as a specialty tile and therefore very little criteria has been set regarding Sponsored by 20 TileLetter May 2016 A-5320-0613 Watch a brief video on PERMACOLOR Select Never needs sealing equipped with STONETECH Sealer Technology Also available in 80 stocked colors including all 40 LATICRETE colors and the top selling competitor colors Vibrant consistent color www.laticrete.com l 1.800.243.4788 See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information. When mixed with PERMACOLOR Select Base. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore have no involvement with this program. A-6155-0416 2016 LATICRETE International Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. With PERMACOLOR Select ANYCOLOR we can match your grout to over 6000 colors available in the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams palettes. Anti-MicrobialTechnology Equipped with Warranty LIFETIME T E C H N O L O G Y EQUIPPED WITH STONETECH SEALER Now you can be as colorful with your grout color choices. With PERMACOLOR Select ANYCOLOR we can match your grout to over 6000 colors available in the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams palettes. Anti-MicrobialTech Equipped with Warranty LIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIMELIFETIME T E C H N O L O G Y EQUIPPED WITH STONETECH SEALER Now you can be as colorful with your grout color choices. the mounting of them. We are having some issues with the specified prod- uct and need a third party to evaluate the mounting of the tile. Can you offer some assistance or point us in a direction regarding mounting issues with mosaics in particular penny rounds Attached are pictures of some of the mounting problems including inconsistent spacing sheets not being square and excessive mesh where the sheets meet up with one another. Another problem is that the individu- al tiles release from the mesh backing as soon as they get wet from thinset. Two manufacturers reps were here last week to review the problems. Their solution is to either send us a video or one of their Japanese install- ers to show us how to install the tile. As you may imagine we took exception to their suggestion. We Floor Heat the perfect com- plement to tile and stone floors is available in either a self- adhesive mesh mat or an eco- nomical wire-cable track sys- tem. Floor Heat Mat and Wire are U.L. code approved offer simple onsite adjustability and are fast easy and economical to install. The Floor Heat prod- ucts are made of thin durable double-jacketed wire con- struction and come in both a 120VAC and 240VAC version. Both products are backed by a LATICRETE Lifetime Warranty. www.laticrete.com ASK THE EXPERTS 22 TileLetter May 2016 LIFEINSURANCE FORSHOWERS www.noblecompany.com 2016NobleCompany. RegisteredTrademarkofNobleCompanyGrandHavenMI NobleSeal TS Thin-Bed Bonded Waterproong Waterproong and Crack Isolation No curing install tile immediately Superior moisturevapor barrier Lifetime Guarantee Made in USA A division of have plenty of experience with the installation of penny round tile and have processed through many issues regarding sheeting and wall-washing concerns. What we are in search of is some guideline or criteria that we can show ownership so they can assess their expectations more in line with industry standards. Any assis- tance you can share with us would be greatly appreciated. ANSWER 1 You certainly seem to understand all of the issues and have the experi- ence to install penny round mosaics which are difficult at best. The tiles you have been provided appear to have an especially flimsy mesh back- ing and the inconsistent spacing and water-soluble adhesive is not going to help matters. Obviously a proper substrate that meets minimum deflection and flat- ness requirements and using the cor- rect mortar and troweling method to achieve a minimum of 80 coverage on each tile with no squeeze-through will be critical. Im almost thinking that to have the manufacturer send their installer to show you how its done for the dura- tion of the project might be a way to bring the manufacturer on board with some liability for the installation. Has all of the tile been manufac- tured and delivered Have you dis- cussed the matter with the owner and architect Other than what Katelyn has pro- vided below and the general work- manship requirements found in the TCNA Handbook and ANSI stan- dards I am not immediately coming up with anything that I can send you. I will check with my colleagues and get back to you. Perhaps the best approach will be to hire a recognized consultant to come in and serve as a third party to view the tiles and installation area and scope of work and provide you with a written opinion. Mark Heinlein NTCA technical trainer ANSWER 2 From a third party testing labs per- spective there is no way to measure mounting variation of penny round mounted ceramic mosaic tiles. The mounting variation test methods for mounted tile are only performed on square mosaic tiles. Ive includ- ed an excerpt from ANSI A137.1 Specification for Ceramic Tile below 9.5 Test Method for Mounting Variations 9.5.1 This method is only valid for mosaic tiles with the following char- acteristics Nominally square Nominal sizes of 1 inch x 1 inch 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm to 3 inches x 3 inches 76.2 mm x 76.2 mm With straight edges Our lab does not provide reports based on expert opinion so you may need to hire an independent con- sultant if that is something you are looking for. Please let me know if you are interested in an independent consultant and Id be happy to send you the contact information for one. Katelyn Simpson TCNA laboratory manager ASK THE EXPERTS 24 TileLetter May 2016 CTEF Educational Programs are great opportunities to stay abreast of the latest techniques and systems for tile and stone installation. Events now include information on the many changes in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Glass and Stone Tile Installation live demonstrations and an open forum at every event. Visit www.tile-assn.com for a schedule or check each issue of TileLetter for upcoming programs in your area. 2016 CTEF Educational Programs CTEF Educational Program presented by Mark Heinlein Robb Roderick Scott Carothers JUNE 15 Emser 4338 NW Yeon Avenue Portland OR 503-308-2852 Duane Van Dyke duanevandykeemser.com JUNE 16 Emser 18401 Cascade Ave S Blvd 300 Tukwila WA 206-437-6932 Chad Ballard chadballardemser.com JUNE 21 Emser 5470 Oakbrook Parkway Norcross GA 770-840-9498 Brian Carr briancarremser.com Emser 8700 Roberts Drive 100 Fisher IN 317-431-2958 John Saal johnsaalemser.com JUNE 23 The Tile Shop 7307 Mentor Ave Mentor OH 440-530-3972 James Caprio 100managertileshop.com Emser 2505 Bransford Avenue Nashville TN 615-210-8616 Brian Benton brianbentonemser.com sponsored by BUSINESS TIP With the goal of sharing instal- lation challenges as well as suc- cessful methods and standards the NTCA has opened a dialogue with Proalso the Association of Professional Tile Installers in Spain. NTCA president and Technical Committee chairman James Woelfel met with Proalsos sec- retary general Matias Martinez Trilles recently during Qualicer the world congress on tile quality and Cevisama Spains internation- al tile show. With new technologies in tile and setting materials production its more important than ever for labor groups to work together to ensure successful installations explained Woelfel. We can learn from each other because of and in spite of differences in the way our coun- tries handle construction projects because different perspectives and NTCA forms new bond with Spanish labor group Proalso By Chris Woelfel NTCA and Proalso meet during Cevisama in Valencia Spain to discuss collaborations to benefit tile installers in both countries. 26 TileLetter May 2016 Up against a large-and-heavy challenge Use the MAPEI mortars designed to be in your corner When youre face to face with large-format and heavy tiles they can be demanding in their installation needs. Luckily heavier-bodied LHT mortars allow an installer to set such tiles without sagging or slumping reducing lippage in their installation and increasing the productivity of installers. MAPEIs superior mortar technology for large- format and heavy tiles features a thixotropic heavy-bodied consistency. That means easy-glide troweling along with great nonsagnonslump working properties for oor and wall installations. Team up with MAPEIs Ultraflex LFT and Ultraflex LHT for smoother easier installations. BUSINESS TIP MAPEI has used color technol- ogy bundled with artistic knowl- edge to develop a new 40-color palette spread across five color collec- tions each infused with a distinct per- sonality. The company is the first tile and stone installation systems man- ufacturer to use groups of organized grout colors to help customers make the best choice for the final look of their flooring installations. Each color collection consists of eight shades arranged by increasing value from light to dark and chroma color satu- ration. The primary objective of the color collections is to facilitate the grout selection pro- cess and appeal to the cus- tomers personality and feelings. www.mapei.com experiences will ultimately strength- en our work and our industry. Proalso is working with ASCER Spains association of tile manufac- turers in developing their countrys tile installation standards. ASCERs Industrial Affairs direc- tor Alejandra Miralles said while most manufacturers provide brief guidelines for the installation of specific products theres an under- standing among members of the Spanish Standardization Committee for ceramic tile and adhesives AEN CTN 138 that cohesive installation standards are needed. We have tried to involve all parties including installers in the development of this work since their input is vital to harmonize best practices and guarantee the quality of the tiling said Miralles. ASCER also supports and highly respects the activity been carried out by Proalso in relation to certification Meeting at Cevisama NTCA president James Woelfel and Proalso secretary gen- eral Matias Martinez Trilles discuss training and installation standards. Qualicers tech- nical secretary Javier Rodriguez Ejerique facilitated the information exchange. 28 TileLetter May 2016 Save the Date Total Solutions Plus 2016 Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa October 22-25 Indian Wells CA. and qualified tile installers. Proalso certifies installers through a program using two comprehen- sive training manuals. Yet Martinez Trilles believes much learning can be done regarding the development of installation standards. Product standards are especially important and the professional tile installer needs to know them in depth he said. Nonetheless we consider product standards are not sufficient to improve installation processes and to prevent defects or patholo- gies. It is most important that we are able to work together in the development of specific standards on installation that allow unifying global criteria on tile installation systems. In this sense we find most interesting the work being carried out in ISOTC 189 in relation to Thin Ceramic Tiles and Panels and on tile installation recommenda- tions. To help Proalso understand the work the NTCA does Woelfel gave Martinez Trilles a copy of the NTCA Reference Manual which the labor leader found extremely practical and useful. The meetings were facilitat- ed by Javier Rodriguez Ejerique Qualicers technical secretary who invited Woelfel to speak about the development of industry stan- dards in the United States at the world congress on tile quality in Castellon Spain. It is important for manufactur- ers and distributors to understand that there are highly skilled install- ers available and willing to take on the challenges involved in the installation of new products said Rodriguez Ejerique. For example the difficulties of thin panel tile installation should prompt them to seek out qualified installers to rec- ommend to architects to ensure job success rather than allowing the project to forego technologically advanced products out of fear of job failure. Looking forward Woelfel said he hopes Martinez Trilles will be able to accept his invitation to Total Solutions Plus this October in Palm Springs. We need to continually find ways of getting manufacturers architects designers distributors and qualified installers to the table for discussion on quality installa- tion. This is in the industrys best interest now and in the future. NTCA president James Woelfel l. and Proalso secretary general Matias Martinez Trilles exchange a NTCA Reference Manual and Proalso training manuals. BUSINESS TIP 30 TileLetter May 2016 No lowering of floor joist Extra Heavy Robinson Floor rating Qualifies for Fortified Homes Program F E A T U R E S T O R Y eramic and stone tiles are ideal surface coverings because they are dura- ble hygienic and easy to maintain. However a common objection to tile as a floor covering is that it can be cold underfoot. This is especially true in colder climates during the winter months. There are various floor-warming systems available that can help our industry overcome this challenge and increase tile consumption to the benefit of manufacturers dis- tributors dealers installers and home owners alike. In fact floor- warming is seen as an affordable luxury to many home owners. Its a perfect marriage as tile is the best covering for floor-warming systems given its ability to effec- tively transfer heat. Systems based on hydronic tub- ing keep floors warm but are typi- cally used as the primary heating source for the home. These systems can increase comfort and reduce energy costs but if an owner is only interested in keeping his or her feet warm in the bathroom while getting ready for work in the morning an electric floor-warming system is a more practical choice. And todays electric floor-warming Dont get cold feet with todays floor heating systems eramic and stone tiles are ideal surface coverings because they are dura- ble hygienic and easy to maintain. However a common C By Sean Gerolimatos technical director Schluter Systems 32 TileLetter May 2016 www.schluter.com 800-472-4588 Schluter -TRENDLINE NEW Prole Colors to Match Todays Tile Trends Connect with us NEW Our new TRENDLINE series of proles features a whole new line of colors designed to go with the latest trends in tile. Todays tile plays off the look of wood and concrete and comes in a myriad of greige and metallic colors. Now the TRENDLINE series of proles provides the perfect match. 7 new colors available Textured nish with proven powder coating procedure Available in JOLLY RONDEC QUADEC Finish your tile in StyleFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile inFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile in SFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile in SFinish your tile inFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in yleFinish your tile in t Finish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in yleFinish your tile in t Finish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in SFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in SFinish your tile inFinish your tile inFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in SFinish your tile in yleFinish your tile in SFinish your tile in t Finish your tile in SFinish your tile in FEATURE Schluter Systems heats up the floor systems have made it so that warm floors are no longer a luxury for the few but an attainable option for every home with tiled floors. The basics The heat source for most electric floor-warming systems is a cable comprised of a heating element wire that is protected by sheath- ing and surrounded by a ground element and a polymer jacket. The resistance of the wire causes electrical energy to be converted to heat energy. This heat energy warms the floor covering above. Heating cable assemblies are produced in different configura- tions. In the simplest form the cable is purchased on a spool and placed on the floor at the manufac- turer-specified spacing. It is held in place by clips or tracks fastened to the subfloor. Cables may also be purchased mounted on a plastic mesh or within a sheet at a con- sistent spacing and attached to the floor. These products are available in standard and custom sizes. For loose cables and those mounted on mesh best practice is to embed the heating cables in a self-leveling underlayment. Once the SLU sets tile installation may begin. Todays innovations The latest innovation in elec- tric floor-warming is a new form of uncoupling membranes which feature studs that secure heating cables without the use of clips or fasteners. These systems offer com- plete flexibility because cables can be placed wherever heat is desired without creating height differences in the floor. Furthermore self-lev- eling compounds are not required to encapsulate the cables. Tile can be installed immediately after the cable is placed thereby signifi- cantly reducing installation time. In addition to the floor-warm- ing installation benefits uncou- pling membranes provide other functions to protect the assembly. A thin sheet of plywood was used as a placeholder for the mosaic tile inlay while the 12 x 24 marble field tiles were installed. The heating cables were first protected by a layer of unmodified thin-set mortar. 34 TileLetter May 2016 HAVING A HARD TIME CUTTING MOSAIC GLASS TRY OUR WATER-FREE DUST-FREE NOISE-FREE POWER-FREE POP TILE CUTTER CUTS TILES UP TO 50 800 234 2547 Marketed by CORONA CLIPPER INC. for North America They provide uncoupling through their geometric configuration which allows the substrate and tile to move independently thus mitigating movement stresses and preventing the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the surface covering. Many uncou- pling membranes also function as waterproofing membranes to pro- tect the substrate from moisture penetration. This is particularly important in bathrooms and kitch- ens which are common areas for tile and floor warming and can often be exposed to water. The free space on the underside of the membranes provides a route for excess moisture and vapor to escape from the substrate that could otherwise cause damage to the tile covering above. Finally loads are transferred from the tile through column-like mortar struc- tures formed in the membranes to the substrate. Thus the advantages of uncoupling are achieved with- out sacrificing support for the tile covering. Project feature We spoke to NTCA member Mike Corona of Corona Marble Tile Ltd. in Woodbine Md. regarding an excellent example of a well-executed floor-warming tile installation. Case Builders of Lutherville Md. was performing FEATURE Schluter Systems heats up the floor Electric heating cables were run in all areas that would have foot traffic taking care to maintain proper and consistent spacing of the cables throughout. 36 TileLetter May 2016 MADE IN AMERICA GOOF PROOF CORNER SHELF GOOF PROOF SHOWER SEAT Incredibly Simple Incredibly StrongIncredibly Simple Incredibly Strong Easily Adjustable width 24 or 30 Six pre-drilled Mounting holes Level vials ensure correct pitch Full width tile support ledge Waffle pattern assures optimal tile adhesion Made of sturdy PVC and patented mounting system Retro Shelf Mounting System. This shelf is installed in less than 5 minutes. The Goof Proof Tile Ready corner shelf comes complete with template mounting rails tile ready shelf and all mounting adhesives needed. Position template Glue on rails in slots Silicone back and ll grooves Firmly attach Check our website for videos and more information www.goofproofshowers.com Mark E Industries Inc. Toll Free 1-866-771-9470 infomarkeindustries.com three bathroom renovations and adding a 3500 sq. ft. addition to a home in Hanover Pa. During the planning process the homeowner commented that she was always frustrated with the floor in the mas- ter bathroom being cold. Corona suggested using the Schluter - DITRA-HEAT system to provide floor warming and ensure a last- ing tile assembly. He already had extensive experience with the sys- tem as it has become his standard choice for floor-warming applica- tions and enjoys the all-in-one nature of the system. The DITRA-HEAT was installed in all areas of the 125-sq.-ft. bathroom where foot traffic is common. They made use of a 240-volt dedicated circuit that was present in the bath- room and became available when the owner decided to remove the jetted hot tub. Removing large hot tubs during bathroom renovations has become more common and represents a great opportunity to save time and cost when providing power to floor-warming systems. The sub assembly consisted of joists spaced at 16 o.c. 34 -thick plywood subfloor and 12 -thick plywood underlayment to support the stone tile installation. The tile setter prepared the ply- wood substrate with a self-leveling underlayment prior to installing the DITRA-HEAT in order to provide a flat substrate for the tile installa- tion. Chesapeake Tile Marble of Owings Mills Md. supplied the Calacatta Gold 12 x 24 marble tile for the floor and New Ravenna mosaics that were used to create two inlays in the tile field. MAPEI setting materials self-leveling underlayment thin-set mortar and large-and-heavy tile mortar were used throughout. Getting started with your installation In general installation of floor- warming systems is relatively straightforward. When installation problems arise there are some common culprits. Keep these tips FEATURE Schluter Systems heats up the floor The shower drain was placed to comple- ment the pattern in the mosaic on the shower oor. 38 TileLetter May 2016 in mind on your next installation DO read and follow all instruc- tions. Period. DO partner with a qualified elec- trician who can verify that the installation conforms to applica- ble electrical and building codes. This will help ensure a safe appli- cation and avoid conflicts with building code officials. DONT overestimate the amount of heating cable required. Most cable systems CANNOT be cut to fit this will change the resis- tance and could lead to fire. Consider that heating cables can- not be installed under fixtures and must be spaced at approved distances from walls floor drains and other heating sources when making your cal- culations. It is also rec- ommended to plan for a buffer zone in the room where floor warming isnt required i.e. where it can be placed but people are not likely to stand. In the event a mistake is made and too long a cable is purchased youll have a place to put the excess. Many manufacturers have online tools to help you determine the correct length of cable for your application. DO test the heating cables according to manufactur- ers instructions.This should be done at various times during and after installation e.g. immediately after removal from packaging after cable installa- tion and after tile installation. Testing can help catch a problem early and avoid costly tear out. Manufacturers warranties are typi- cally void if the cable is not tested according to their requirements. DO inform other trades that heat- ing cable has been installed and where it is located. Once your work is complete the last thing you want is to receive a call from the general contractor saying the heating cable isnt working because the plumber unknow- ingly damaged it cutting a hole to run a drain pipe. FEATURE Schluter Systems heats up the floor Care was taken to match the height of the mosaic inlay to the height of the marble field tile. TileLetter May 2016 39 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT sponsored by Hecox Construction Inc. York Neb. danhecoxgmail.com When Dan Hecox current NTCA State Director for Nebraska was just a wee lad he had a penchant for tearing things apart and putting them back together. Junior and high school classes in shop that included building construction welding finish carpentry and draft- ing attracted him like a magnet so much so that after high school graduation he went to Southeast Community College and earned an Associate Degree in Building Construction. His next step after graduating college was to establish a business as a general contractor in 1991 to exercise his passion for finish car- pentry. In 1998 he began working for a management company that owned Pizza Huts which gave him a chance to flex his construction muscles and immerse himself in the world of tile setting. In the 15 years of working on Pizza Huts I traveled around the Midwest working on 30 stores doing everything from minor repairs to full remodels to building the stores Hecox said. These locations needed remodel- ing of the rest- rooms with tile set around sinks and uri- nals and at the time Hecox had not yet set tile. He educated him- self and fell in love with tile setting it was a lot like finish carpentry he said. It required a lot of attention to detail to have it done correctly. After many years of working with his local tile supplier in Lincoln his sales reps questioned him as to why he wasnt setting tile full time. I had never been asked that before and decided it was time to transi- tion to just tile he explained. Over the last three years Hecox has specialized exclusively in tile jumping from his GC commercial restaurant specialty with regional Pizza Hut construction and some residential work to strictly custom showers bathrooms in new residen- tial construction and remodels. Im still listed as a GC but Im no longer 40 TileLetter May 2016 CUSTOM OFFERS 40 COLORS IN ALL GROUTS. Refreshed Palette Complements Todays Trends CUSTOM continues to lead the grout industry by offering the best color lineup that combines existing popular favorites with nine new nature-inspired colors. Designers have a new array of colors to choose from all complementing todays tile trends including wood plank stone reclaimed wood and glass. The new colors are drawn from nature with inspiration from water sand and fog with muted gray brown green and blue tones. Choose the right grout CUSTOM empowers tile contractors and design professionals to choose the right grout type for the job. All 40 colors are now available in all grout lines including Fusion Pro. CustomBuildingProducts.com 800-272-8786 CV0615A doing GC work he said. Im look- ing into changing my business name to reflect the 247 tile work. Hecox is deeply involved in the industry and in making sure his customers are happy. I have con- tinually gone to different work- shops and specialized training opportunities around the country he said. I attend trade shows and network with my peers to do the absolute best job I can do for my customers. That includes taking the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer test during the recent Coverings show in Chicago with a goal to achieve the seven ACT certifications obtain further train- ing at Crossville this fall and work with two other shops on both East and West coasts to shadow them and learn about mud work float- ing walls etc. he said. At this writing Hecox is CTI 1215 Hecox is a one-man operation and signed on as a NTCA member about a year ago after receiving TileLetter for about a year. He said he could see a great benefit to When a cementitious grout needs to be used on a job select Prism Color Consistent Grout the no callback cementitious grout option from Custom B u i l d i n g P r o d u c t s . For years tile installers have turned to high-performance Prism grout to eliminate common jobsite prob- lems such as efflorescence and color shading to create beautiful tile assemblies that satisfy architects designers specifiers and end users. Prism Color Consistent Grout is a polymer-modified formula engi- neered specifically for consistent color without mottling or shading regardless of tile type tempera- ture or humidity. It creates dense joints from 116 to 12 to provide more stain resistance than stan- dard cement grouts and it cures quickly developing high early strengths to speed project comple- tion. Prism Color Consistent Grout is a lightweight grout formulated with CustomLite Technology. It is 32 lighter than traditional grouts without sacrificing coverage. In 2015 Prism Color Consistent Grout upgraded to a comprehensive pal- ette of 40 colors to coordinate with todays tile trends for use on floors countertops walls ceilings show- ers fountains and pools. www. custombuildingproducts.com. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Dan Hecox NTCA State Director for Nebraska is pictured here at the far left doing the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer test that took place at Coverings. 42 TileLetter May 2016 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT belonging to a trade organization and expanding my business through networking with other like type trade professionals. He wasted no time becoming NTCA State Director for Nebraska. Hecox said The great- est value in being a NTCA member has been networking with people not just in the United States but also globally. It has allowed me to become friends with people I would never have known otherwise. Hecox experienced a blip in his career path in 2007 when in the middle of the Pizza Hut building project he was diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer. The doctor demanded he quit work for over four months to undergo treatment but instead Hecox worked through the neck dissection and time-con- suming radiation and chemo treat- ments to get the restaurants built then took a much-deserved rest when they were complete. Being able to fulfill peoples dreams and desires with their homes inspires Hecox. Seeing peoples reactions as the different phases of the project are complet- ed and hearing their praises of hap- piness keeps me highly motivated. And their praises together with all Hecoxs dedication are paving a path towards more prosperity for Hecox with their word-of-mouth advertising fueling the growth of his business. Quality Products Since 1927 Tile Setting Tools for the Professional Beno J. Gundlach Company 211 North 21st Street P.O. Box 544 Belleville IL 62222 U.S.A. TEL 618 233-1781 FAX 618 233-3636 www.benojgundlachco.com Horseshoe Tile Spacers Great for wall tile installations Ask your Gundlach Tool Distributor for our latest Product Catalog. 116 18 316 14 These Horseshoe Tile Spacers are preci- sion injection molded for accurate evenly spaced grout joints. Suitable for use with all types of tile installations regardless of tile thickness or layout pattern. The design makes them easy to grasp for placing and removing.They wont crush or compress in vertical installations of heavy large format tiles.The non-tapered design assures these spacers stay in place and wont be pushed out of wall tile installations. Mortar will not load up in these spacers like hollow backed spacers.They are color coded for easy size identificationandcanbereusedmanytimes. Available in bags of 100 each or bulk boxes of 500 each. Made in the U.S.A. Available in bags of 100 each or bulk boxes 44 TileLetter May 2016 Take Controlwith SunStat Floor Heating Thermostats Add comfort and efficiency to your floor heating system with our new SunStat thermostats. This next-generation lineup includes a Wi-Fi-enabled control. Learn more at SunTouch.com. electric floor heating snow melting SunTouch.com Innovators in electric floor heating A Watts Water Technologies Company Projects These two projects illustrate the scope of Hecoxs work today. In the first the customers had requested a zero-entry shower. Since the framing was already com- plete Hecox cut out sections of the subfloor and reinforced the I-joists in order to lower the subfloor and install the two linear drains to match the floor tile height. Heat was installed on the floor and bench. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT In the second project 1200 sq. ft. of plank floor were installed with alternating 6 and 9 width planks along with alternating colors of Natural and Saddle. 46 TileLetter May 2016 Preformed components One way the 2016 Kitchen Bath Trends Report suggests that transitional style can be achieved is with open storage and built-in shelving. Preformed components like niches can provide unique open storage options for residential bath- rooms. Preformed components are consistent and easy to install great for fast multi-unit residential and hospitality installations. Look for products like TEC Preformed Components that integrate seam- lessly with existing surface prep solutions mortar tile and grout. For protection against mold and mildew choose a product that comes coated with an IAPMO- approved waterproof membrane that meets ANSI A118.10. Preformed compo- nents are a great way for tile installers to add a design element that fits with todays building trends. In-oor heat innovations In-floor heating sys- tems also align with the transitional aesthetic. New product technology for trendy bathroom remodels TECH TALK Sponsored by Bathroom remodels are sound investments for your customers. The rate of return tends to be 75 or more of the initial investment which is sig- nificantly higher than many other home renovations. The 2016 Kitchen Bath Design Trends Report predicts that transitional style will dominate this years bathrooms. Transitional style blends the traditional with the contemporary balancing comfort with sophisticated clean lines. You can provide your customers with transitional style by incorporating the following three types of products. 48 TileLetter May 2016 Copyright 2016 H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. TEC and the TEC logo are trademarks of H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. TEC In-Floor Heat A Revolutionary Floor Warming System Floor warming technology is stepping into the future with a new breakthrough innovation TEC In-Floor Heat. Unlike other floor warming systems availableTEC In-Floor Heat is customizable on-site to fit any space with no downtime for special ordering. In addition TEC In-Floor Heat features no embedded heating wires that need to be patterned and is thinner than other alternatives on the market at just 1 64 thin. Fewer steps. Better results. Visit tecspecialty.com to learn more. Trust TEC In-Floor Heat for fewer steps to success in floor warming installations. Meets The Highest Safety Standards A Big Step Forward In Floor Heating A Revolutionary FloorA Revolutionary Floor Floor warming technology is stepping into the future with a new breakthrough innovation TEC TECH TALK In-floor heating systems are trending and homeowners are seeking convenient products that can accommodate spaces with challeng- ing dimensions. With TEC In-Floor Heat professionals can complete all customization on-site with no downtime for special order- ing. This product offers both advanced perfor- mance and convenience for residential spaces. Professionals can purchase TEC In-Floor Heat at their local distributor along with wire harnesses and a TEC Crimping Tool. TEC In-Floor Heat has no embedded heating wires that need to be patterned. At just 164 thin TEC In-Floor Heat will not change the height of the floor. TEC In-Floor Heat uses infrared heat tech- nology to create uniform warmth under- neath stone and tile floors. The product is UL-approved and meets the highest standard of safety for residential and commercial set- tings so homeowners can have peace of mind knowing their children and pets are safe. When installed with TEC HydraFlex Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Membrane Super Flex Mortar and TEC grout TEC In-Floor Heat has a limited lifetime warranty. For more information read our installation guide at tecspecialty.cominfloorguide. They serve as an updated classic for stone and tile floors. Moreover they are a great selling point when listing a home. They may reduce heating costs so they are a true investment not simply a design trend. Beyond adding value to the home features like in-floor heat bring a feeling of luxury and warmth literally to bathrooms to make getting up in the morning and get- ting home in the evening more relaxing. Although they are consid- ered luxury items improvements in efficiency have made them a more viable option for both building owners and contractors. The right products can also cut down on the special ordering and lag time associated with radiant heat installations. For example TEC In-Floor Heat is customizable on- site to fit any space eliminating the lag time of special orders. Advances in technology have made installations more efficient as well. In the past in-floor heat- ing installations had many cum- bersome steps the system had to 50 TileLetter May 2016 INNOVATION QUALITY CONSISTENCY NEW 2-PIECE SYSTEM THAT VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES LIPPAGE DURING TILE INSTALLATION. PROFESSIONAL TILE PRODUCTS 800.969.5561 U.S.A. 800.387.0008 CANADA PEARLABRASIVE.COM 1-PIECE SYSTEM THAT VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES LIPPAGE DURING TILE INSTALLATION. NO TOOLS NEEDED E DURING TILE FOR WALLS AND FLOORS EASY REMOVAL MADE IN THE U.S.A. FROM RECYCLABLE MATERIAL FOR WALLS AND FLOORS EASY REMOVAL RE-USABLE CAPS EASY TO USE be installed anchored and encap- sulated in a self-leveling under- layment. Today some products including TEC In-Floor Heat can simply be embedded in mor- tar. Then tile and stone can be installed directly over them. Despite many advances the wir- ing of installation systems can still present a challenge. Look for prod- ucts that offer the simplest wiring available to avoid frustrating instal- lations. The new TEC In-Floor Heat mat does not have coils or wires that require patterningsaving installation time. For all systems be sure to use an electrical source with the correct voltage. If you hook up to a power source with the wrong voltage it could dam- age the system. Before adding radiant heat instal- lation to your repertoire check your local building codes. Some areas of the country require a licensed electrician to complete the installation while others allow a tile contractor to do so. Almost all manufacturers recommend that a licensed electrician complete all electrical work. In-floor heat systems are avail- able la carte or in kits. Since they are luxury items look for products with touchscreen or programmable TECH TALK 52 TileLetter May 2016 Heavy Industrial for Commercial Applications Perfect for high-traffic areas such as dealerships airports malls or elevators Highest test results in point load shear and tensile strengths Flat fiberglass panels for fast easy installation Supports tile and stone jobs in every size Industrial Strength for Residential Projects Reduces deflection in wood substrates Stone installations no second layer of plywood necessary Latex-modified thinset recommended Crack isolationuncoupling protection 10 YEARS AND OVER 10 MILLION SQUARE FEET INSTALLED. ROBINSON FLOOR TEST HEAVY INDUSTRIAL BlankePERMAT High-Performance Multifunctional Underlayment 800 787-5055 BLANKECORP.COM VISIT US ON thermostats to provide the utmost convenience for your clients. Most thermostats can be set for either ambient room temperature or floor temperature. Grout color trends This years trends also include neutral colors like greys whites and beiges. Look for grouts that fit this description. Although beauti- ful these light colors can also be more subject to unsightly stain- ing than darker grouts. With that in mind you should recommend stain-proof and mold- and mil- dew-resistant grouts like TECs DesignFX grout shown below. These durable characteristics offer convenience to your customers and help preserve the aesthetic of their spaces. New product innovations have made installing high-end bath- rooms easier. By carefully select- ing the most efficient products you can make stylish bathroom remodels more convenient for your customers and more profitable for your business. The TEC brand is offered by H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. a leading provider of technologically advanced construction materials and solutions to the commercial industri- al and residential construction indus- try. Headquartered in Aurora Illinois the companys recognized and trust- ed brands TEC CHAPCO Grout Boost Foster ProSpec and others are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers as well as home improvement retail- ers. For more information visit www. hbfuller-cp.com. TECH TALK 54 TileLetter May 2016 Inwith th Out with the red STONETECH same great surface care product now with a new look brought to you by LATICRETE. Products shown are manufactured by or emanate from LATICRETE International Inc. andor its affiliates and are not manufactured by nor emanate from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company andor its affiliates. A-1653-0416 2016 LATICRETE International Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. Snap for more information www.laticrete.com l 1.800.243.4788 STONETECH offers a complete line of high performing products designed to protect clean and transform your stone tile masonry andor grout surfaces. Ensure the quality of your work for years to come with LATICRETE STONETECH. heblue d Cevisama was an especially impor- tant international event for NTCA this year as NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga and NTCA president James Woelfel were both invited to partici- pate in the Qualicer 16 conference taking place in Castellon Spain right before the show. The trip marked the first time a contractor had been invited to present during the confer- ence and it helped to open up a dialogue between Proalso Spains counterpart to NTCA and NTCA to foster knowledge and international collaboration as regards ceramic and porcelain tile installation. For more information read Chris Woelfels story in this months Business Tip on page 26 and consult past issues of TileLetter for a more detailed chroni- cle of the events March 2016 page 72 NTCA meets strategic objectives at Qualicer 16 Coverings 2016 page 10 Presidents Letter. CEVISAMA 2016 Cevisama showcases a range of trends to international audience By Lesley Goddin From left Javier Rodriguez Ejerique tech- nical secretary of Qualicer NTCA execu- tive director Bart Bettiga and NTCA president James Woelfel at Qualicer 16 in Castellon Spain. 58 TileLetter May 2016 www.ardexamericas.com 888-512-7339 FLEXBONE True 100 Uncoupling ARDEX UI 720 TM FLEXBONE Floating Uncoupling Membrane The first and only un-bonded uncoupling system Up to 50 time and cost savings Go directly over difficult substrates no prep Ideal for frequently changed out floors Easy to fill just one pass PROBLEM SUBSTRATE NO PROBLEM In addition to these groundbreak- ing events Cevisama which takes place inValencia Spain each year offered up a dynamic range of new tile products to answer and establish trends within the world of fashion and design in tile. Here is a range of new trends seen at the show Main trends seen in ceramic tiles in recent years will continue in 2016 with updates to meet the new demands of interior design today. These include innovative formats in terms of size and thick- nesses more sober basic colors combinations of rustic and elegant styles a mix of designs and revived classics a collection of trends that range from rustic to refined. 1. Single colors. Color can cre- ate continuity between walls and floors creating a uniform backdrop against which furniture or decora- tive items can stand out. Sober neutral tiles in dark or stone colors often generally come in matte fin- ishes with subtle shade variation to evoke nature and the passage of time. 2. Subtle designs. Taking a cue from single-colored tiles dcors have been developed with subtle designs and slight contrasts that interrupt the uniformity of walls and floors. They feature faded ran- domly arranged finer details with no apparent order or criteria add- ing a harmonious sense of rhythm and highly personal touch. 3. Interpreting nature. These ceramic tiles faithfully reproduce the beauty of nature sometimes with modern or artistic license such as in the case of more con- temporary looking wood-effect collections. Not-found-in-nature colors add interest combined TileIndustry M arketingTips FREE MARKETINGREPORT IN UNDER30-MINUTES TILE INDUSTRY AD AGENCY How would you like a to help with everything What areYOU DOINGTO MARKET YOUR COMPANY REPUTATION MANAGEMENT WEBSITES MOBILE WEBSITES BRANDING VIDEO ON-HOLD MESSAGES 800.789.4619 www.omgnational.com IMAGE IS EVERYTHING DONT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING 101MARKETING TILE INDUSTRY Nora Plus from El Molino takes wood as an inspiration and gives it a glossy finish for a unique interpretation of nature. CEVISAMA 2016 60 TileLetter May 2016 Lippage is a HUGE ISSUE Its our TURN to HELP The only one with 2 elements Save 3 pieces on intersections www.progressprofiles.com With a glance always oriented to the future. PROLEVELING SYSTEM Progress Profiles offers you PROLEVELING SYSTEM the PATENTED System with 3 different shapes and 4 different grout sizes. CROSS-Shape T-Shape and LINEAR for the installation of medium and large size coverings and slimthin tiles. Proleveling System is a revolutionary and innovative system that facilitates and expedites the tile laying process with only two elements leveler and cap. NO TOOLS NECESSARY. A complete range of grout sizes 116- 1mm 3322mm 18-3mm 316-5mm for floorings and coverings from 18 to 1 3mm to 40mm thick. PROLEVELING SYSTEM blue CAP applies a vertical pressure to the covering not longitudinally like other systems to avoid the movement of the tiles and the widening of the joints. Kick the blue cap in the direction of the joint Remover fixed on a drill allows to remove levelers from caps Anticlockwise Lay Turn Remove ANNIVERSARY 1985-2015 Progress Profiles SpA Certificated company UNI EN ISO 90012008 GET IT ON Erhltlich bei Progress Profiles America Inc. 4 Middlebury Boulevard Unit 14 Randolph New Jersey 07869 U.S.A Tel. 973 584 2650 usaprogressprofiles.com World Patent U.S. 8635815 B2 World Patent U.S. 8635815 B2 with shade variation and different designs that create a lived-in feel with all the advantages of long- lasting ceramic tiles. 4. Endless different designs. Any visual you can imagine you can create in ceramic tiles. This year delicate floral patterns will again feature alongside abstract models and geometrical motifs. 5. Mosaics and more mosaics. Visual rhythm is created with small mosaic tiles in varying shades of the same glossy or matte color. 6. Mix Match. This trend is still a must in 2016. Traditional motifs in gentle delicate colors are mixed with different materials textures colors formats patterns etc. 7. Unique Tiles. Instead of just being laid in rows ceramic wall and floor tiles are now being used in designs that transform them into a star feature of the rooms they occupy in new and different ways. This can be angled layouts that offer a fresh perspective to tradi- tional straight layouts oversized and unusual formats that when combined in different colors can create 3D effects and optical illu- sions sensory tiles that offer novel texturing like pleats folds carv- Aparicis Blue Natural uses traditional motifs in delicate colors. CEVISAMA 2016 62 TileLetter May 2016 HIGHEST PERFORMING SOUND CONTROL UNDERLAYMENT WITH THE THINNEST PROFILE AND EASY PEEL STICK INSTALLATION FROM PROTECTO WRAP www.protectowrap.com800 759-9727 WHISPER MAT CS For Ceramic and Natural Stone Tile Sound Reduction Rating IIC 50 STC 55 on 6 concrete floor WHISPER MAT HW For Wood Floors Sound Reduction Rating IIC 51 STC 52 on 6 concrete floor www.protectowrap.com FROMFROMFROMFROMFROM PROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAPPROTECTO WRAP NOW WITH AN ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENT ings bas relief or other effects that create an interplay with light and position of the viewer. Very deli- cate floral or plant patterns per- haps also in gold to evoke the idea of jewelry bring interest delicacy and a glint of metal. Speaking of metal a trend is the use of metal coating through physical vapor deposition PVD technology. These tiles are deli- cately coated with a layer of tita- nium nanoparticles resulting in beautiful functional durable tiles. Digital printing techniques also continue to evolve to allow the cre- ation of hyper-realistic designs or patterned tiles combined in such a way that it is hard to find two iden- tical models. By randomly mixing tiles with photographic designs settings can be given a strong sense of personality. In addition to these trends attention and playfulness with tile CEVISAMA 2016 Unusual formats like this boomerang shape in Vives Titan when combined in different colors can create 3D effects and optical illusions. Sensory tiles offer novel texturing like pleats folds carvings bas relief or other effects that create an interplay with light and position of the viewer as in Dunes Folding Roses. Elements from Alea mix hydraulic designs with gold or silver finish as well as black or white for a glimmering take on tradi- tional patterns. Dacha from Ceranosa combines a hex- agonal format with cross-cut wood motif for delightful effect. 64 TileLetter May 2016 Snap for video Floor Heat The perfect compliment to tile and stone oors. www.laticrete.com l 1.800.243.4788 A-6154-0416 2016 LATICRETE International Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. Floor Heat Wire Floor Heat Mat Cold Feet Giveem Heat See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information. U.L. code approved Fast easy and economical to install 120VAC and 240VAC version Thin durable double jacketed wire construction Simple on-site adjustability Available in either a self-adhesive mesh mat or an economical wire cable track system. Warranty LIFETIME Visitwww.laticrete.comfw and use our oor warming design tool. shape are lending new effects to floors and walls inside and out. For instance manufacturers are exploring new uses of hexagonal tiles mixing them with tradition- al shapes integrating shades of grey veined patterns earthy col- ors shade variation and worn effects often with subtle polish or natural-looking glazes. Square and rectangular tiles in a range of sizes are always popular and are being used with traditional vintage motifs often with handcrafted looks in soft colors like whites blues greens and greys that evoke a sense of simplicity. Vintage designs are also updated with contemporary spins. Tempus fugit is a continuing trend that focuses on the pas- sage of time creating sophisticat- ed contemporary compositions with classical styling like black and white symmetry octagonal tiles baroque decorative touches and developing a sense of visual rhythm through tile arrangement. Tile continues to evoke or incor- porate stone and stone looks for timeless sophistication often uti- lizing large-format neutral colors of grey beige and cream to blend harmoniously with other decora- tive features. Matte or mirror-like polishes can be mixed zigzagged or combined in different shades of the same color for interest and dynamic effect. Cervisama 17 will take place in Valencia February 20-24 2017. Visit httpcevisama.feriavalencia. comen for more information. Large-format Marguerite tiles from Peronda mix orals polka dots and grey for a new spin on vintage looks. This large format stone-look tile from Azteca brings harmony and sophistication to the home. CEVISAMA 2016 66 TileLetter May 2016 PROFLEX Products Inc. 877-577-6353 www.proflex.us 2015 Lowes. LOWES Gable Mansard Design and Never Stop Improving are registered trademarks of LF LLC. All are used with permission. Now Available Nationwide at PROFLEX Products Inc. manufactures state of the art products that can assist with water vapor reduction sound control and crack suppression. The membranes are specially designed to be used under thinset and mudset mortars and adhesives. Sound Control Sound abatement products are more prevalent than ever in multi-story residential commercial and multipurpose facilities. PROFLEX membranes offer industry leading sound abatement performance as measured in both laboratory and field tests. PROFLEX products also bring the added benefits of being produced using both recycled and renewable raw materials that are recognized by the USGBC as approved materials towards LEED projects. When sound control matters.. To locate your nearest distributor give us a call at 877-577-6353 or visit our website at proflex.us and click Dealer Locator. North Andover Mass. Watts Water Technologies wattswater. com or watts.com parent com- pany of Watts Radiant recently celebrated the grand opening of the Watts Works Learning Center a state-of-the-art facility where cus- tomers contractors distributors sales representatives and others can obtain hands-on experience with the companys radiant heat- ing plumbing HVAC and water quality products and technologies. The 12000-sq.-ft. facility includes configurable classrooms demonstration labs and working mechanical rooms that showcase Watts products in action. Based at the companys head- quarters at 815 Chestnut St. North Andover Mass. the Watts Works Learning Center is the firms flag- ship training facility. Courses in four categories are WATTS WATER Watts Water ofcially opens new Learning Center Training facility provides hands-on education for contractors reps By Louis Iannaco L. to r. Watts Water executives Tim ONeil senior vice presidentdirector of operations Chris Jamieson vice president marketing Peter Parsons training manager TJ Pearce vice president finance Timothy P. Horne director emeritus Todd Trapp CFO Bob Pagano CEO Munish Nanda president Americas and Europe Debra Ogston CHRO Roberto Vengoechea backow and valves platform leader Andrew Windsor vice president salesAmericas and Per Thanning Johansen global drains platform leader. 70 TileLetter May 2016 My business image is precision craftsmanship and the MLT system assists in maintaining my reputation for delivering high-quality consistent results to all clients. Considering the permanency of each tile project the cost of the system is trivial. The tuning gun is ergonomically designed and easy to use. I highly recommend MLT to any fellow tradesman looking for ways to improve the nal results of every job. Randy Lofthouse Owner Lofthouse Tile Mosaic Newburgh Indiana tel 812.604.2171 www.lofthousetile.com Send us your photos and comments for a chance to be featured in TileLetter. www.mltsystem.com tel 319.610.3038 fax 319.524.1638 INFOmltsystem.com Nothing to throw away NO WASTE Caps designed to last installers career. Stainless steel strap will not break above the installed surface. Rubber accessory protects and holds installed material in aligned position. Thin tile porcelain offsetungauged slab. You pick desired plate and performance. Superior clamping ability. Most valuable best-performing and more affordable than you may think. For use on walls oors ceilings and counter tops with most hard surface materials. Qualies for BOSTIK CUSTOM LATICRETE MAPEI and TEC warranties. offered pressure regulation and control HVAC hydronic and electric cross-connection control and temperature regulation and control. Our world-class learning facil- ity is just one component in an ongoing investment in our cus- tomers said Robert J. Pagano Jr. CEO of Watts Water Technologies. Through the Watts Works learning program we are providing cus- tomers the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge of a broad range of plumbing HVAC and water quality products. In our comprehensive classes led by professional instructors and in hands-on demonstration labs he explained attendees will be able to enrich their professional skills. Everything we sell were physically using in our facility which is exciting. Hands-on capabilities The other unique aspect of the Learning Center he noted is its hands-on capabilities where attendees can take things apart and put them together all to better understand installation tech- niques. The cubicles or construc- tion modules will allow them to learn through live interaction with residential heating and plumbing as well as commercial applica- tions. We also have several class- rooms that can be opened up into one large classroom facility with Peter Parsons national product training manager for Watts Water takes the press on a tour of the companys new Learning Center. Parsons explains the benefits of the Learning Centers electric radiant installa- tion module. Parsons poses in front of the Learning Centers sign. WATTS WATER 72 TileLetter May 2016 VersaBond is Now Available for Large Format Tile Introducing VersaBond LFT Todays oors call for large and heavy tile so use a trusted everyday mortar specically designed for the job.When you have tile 15 or longer on any side dont just ask for VersaBond ask for VersaBond-LFT where you buy mortar. For CUSTOMs complete line of mortars for large and heavy tile including MegaLite and ProLite see our website.We know large format tile. Count on CUSTOM. CustomBuildingProducts.com 800-272-8786 For Horizontal Applications Available at The Home Depot and tile distributors nationwide. For Horizontal Applications DOWNLOAD CUSTOMS MOBILE APP state-of-the-art AV equipment. We are looking to expand our other facilities in a similar manner as well as 24-hour online accessibil- ity for people to look at courses and be trained in that way. According to Peter Parsons national product training manager for Watts Water Technologies the new learning facility offers a real- istic working experience. The grand opening featured a tour of the new facility by more than 450 guests including custom- ers sales representatives associ- ates media and invited guests. One of the attendees present at the grand opening was Michael Breault product manager Watts Radiant and Hydronics. The Watts Works Learning Center represents to me a significant investment not only in Watts business but in our customers and consumers businesses as well. Recognizing the need to provide correct infor- mation methodologies and best practices the center eliminates problems and makes our custom- ers and users better at their craft. Watts has long been known as an industry leader he explained but one that lacked a truly mod- ern training facility and this cor- rects that in a spectacular way. As Breault noted the new facility is modern functional and interac- tive. In particular the radiant and tekmar controls show not only correct installation procedures but what if scenarios as well. Also he continued it showcases the complete solution with the vast amount of tubing and connec- tions options Watts Radiant offers. Watts Radiant also has all the components to make installations easier and more professional. Watts Radiant keeps tight quality control over all the systems com- ponents that it manufactures and it also supplies a complete array of tubing to fit its customers needs. We make all the components other radiant providers purchase Breault said. This allows us to control the quality and ensure a complete system approach to radiant heating. This training facil- ity visibly and physically dem- onstrates our commitment to the industry. Spotlight on electric oor warming technologies There are six different mechani- cal rooms at the Learning Center which include the Residential Mechanical Room Residential Hydronic Zone Room Commercial Mechanical Room Hydronic Zone Installation Room Snow Melting Mechanical Room and the Electric Radiant Installation Room. Visitors to the Learning Center will learn about a range of radiant heat- ing products and their installation including SmartTrac a modular panel system designed to sim- plify radiant heating and cooling installations in subfloor wall and ceiling applications and electric WATTS WATER 74 TileLetter May 2016 floor warming products such as the TapeMat and WarmWire cable systems. Edward Van Giesen national sales manager for BRAE a wholly- owned Watts company was also impressed with the new facility. As a longtime Watts employee he was absolutely thrilled with the outcome of the new training cen- ter. It felt like Christmas in April. The degree to which attention was paid setting up the Watts valves and other products conveyed a sense of pride that I know will be passed to the future trainees and to anyone who has the opportunity to visit the training center. I feel theres no better teaching tool than the one that allows for hands-on participation he added. So often our products are behind the wall and not seen for all that they arebeautiful and elegant in design and function. Having such safe reliable durable equipment on display made me feel proud to work at Watts. These are some of the core principles on which the company was founded. L. to r. Nick Cuzzupe site supervisor for Wise Construction the firm that con- structed the Watts Works Learning Center and Chris Jamieson vice president marketing and business development for Watts Technologies pose at Fenway Park during batting practice on the eve of the Learning Centers grand opening. The Learning Center features six construc- tion modules that allow attendees to achieve an interactive hands-on experience. The headquarters of Watts Works Water Technologies located in North Andover Mass. serves as the home of the com- panys new Learning Center. WATTS WATER 76 TileLetter May 2016 103 Bauer Drive Oakland NJ 07436 800-648-7229 Fax 800-286-0114 www.alpha-tools.com Copyright 2016 Alpha Professional Tools. All rights reserved. SaveTime and Money Using the Alpha Tile Bullnose Kit Quality FinishWithout the Factory Goof-Proof Hand-Held Application KIT INCLUDES VSP-320 PFB101 GP458PD EX40200R EX40500R EX41000R EX42000R EX43000R APRON3012 and DVD-170016 PROFILING BULLNOSE EDGES POLISHING Part. Number 5480-1400 TILE KIT Tile Bullnose Kit Bill Baptista Dont be left behind get certified QUALIFIED LABOR One day shortly after achieving Certified Tile Installer CTI status Bill Baptista owner of JB Tile in Westport Mass. walked into a high-end tile shop in Portsmouth. He handed the owner a pamphlet explaining industry-recognized tile installer certification and that was it. Ive been doing all her work ever since then Baptista said. He went on to explain that she works with architects who are building multi-million dollar homes. Because she has high-end clientele she wanted a Certified Tile Installer. And that opened up the door for me. The architects want someone who knows what theyre doing and doesnt look like they rolled out of the back of a pick-up truck. You have to kind of look the part. Baptistas father was in the tile industry before he was old enough to lift a trowel. In 1988 Baptista opened JB Tile and since then it has a few incarnations. He started out small and eventually grew to a 15-person shop. But Baptista said Now Im small but people are very happy with what gets done. And what gets done Baptista does tile work of all kinds but specializes in high-end custom showers. Baptista credited certification with his success. When I go in and see a customer he said I have a little binder that I bring in and show them all of these cer- tifications that Ive been to. And then I always ask them at the end because theyre usually getting more than one price has anybody else shown you anything like this And they say no. And I definitely get 90 of anything I go and look at. And I think it has a lot to do with certification. Baptista has been in the tile industry for almost 30 years. About the CTI test Baptista said Being in the business that long I knew By Terryn Rutford Social Structure Marketing 78 TileLetter May 2016 most of my stuff but its kind of nice getting it reinforced. I def- initely learned some things. Of course I do things a certain way. When you go to the class you see things done another way. Not that I was doing anything wrong but I couldve been doing things a little bit different more efficient like I do now. Certification has proved espe- cially lucrative for Baptista who is one of only two CTEF Certified Tile Installers in his area and I make sure the customers know that he said. The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation has a download at www.tilecareer.com under the Consumer Help tab. Its actually for customers Contractor Questionnaire. I print that out and I give it to my potential cus- tomers. And I explain to them Tile is expensive. Its expensive to install. Heres a pamphlet with what you should be looking for in an installer. People thank me for it and I usually always get the call. Baptista emphasized that the certification is no joke. There are a lot of hacks in this business he said. And its not like you know an electrician or a plumber they have to be licensed. You dont necessarily have to be licensed in the tile business. Baptista praised CTEF train- ing director Scott Carothers. He doesnt just take your money and give you a certification Baptista said. That guy makes sure you QUALIFIED LABOR Bostik Ceramics of Italy Coverings Crossville CTDA Custom Building Products Daltile Florida Tile Florim USA LATICRETE MAPEI NTCA Schluter Systems StonePeak Ceramics TCNA TEC Tile of Spain American Olean CertainTeed Marazzi USG www.tilecareer.com Signature Sponsors Platinum Sponsors CTEF Certified Tile Installers The ONLY Tile Installer Certification recognized by the tile industry TileLetter May 2016 79 know what youre doing before he gives you that certification. In fact when I was there there were two other guys that had been there before and didnt pass the certifica- tion. They were there doing kind of a make-up before he gave them a certification. Its not just a money grab Carothers is dead serious. Certification is important to the industry as a whole. Ill tell you Baptista said At least once a week a potential customer calls me to come and look at a job that had been done by somebody else. And I mean horror shows. I dont think they know what a chalk line is a straight line. Theyre not using the right notch trowels. Theyre not using the right mortar. They really have no idea what theyre doing. Theyre kind of giving the tile industry a bad name. To all tile installers Baptista said If youre serious about this busi- ness and want to stay in it for the long haul then you have to go distance yourself from all those ham and eggers out there that have no certifications. You have to do something different. And thats what I do. I go to manufacturer classes and when the National Tile Contractors Association comes around and puts on their demon- strations I go. Anything new on the market I read up on it look into it. You have to stay on top of things in this industry or youre going to be left behind. Joseph Lundgren Consulting where growing your business is our purpose. Joe is a globally recognized product and marketing expert in the ceramic and stone worldwide markets. His specialty is Business Development Product Management and Marketing. He has developed his expertise in strategic planning new development and marketing strategy during his 27 year career at Dal-Tile a subsidiary of Mohawk Industries. Joe has extensive experience in multiple sales channels including distribution and Home Centers. Additionally Joe represents the Tile Council of North America TCNA for its testing laboratories which has Joe at the epicenter of the industry for all new initiatives. Please contact Joe at 214.641.7773 for a free consultation proposal. www.JosephLundgrenConsulting.com Facebook TwitterFacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter Facebook Google Plus Twitter Google Plus Facebook Google Plus Linked-InLinked-In QUALIFIED LABOR 80 TileLetter May 2016 CHICAGO ILL. Exhibitor booths at last months Coverings 2016 global tile experience were packed with the possibilities of large thin gauged porcelain tile read the sidebar for the new gauged tile definition even as the industry works towards finalizing and adopting standards for product and installation of these tiles and slabs. What follows is a sampling of product on display at the show often in marble travertine or Crema Marfil aesthetics. Crossville 1 M x 1 M and 1 M x 3 M Laminam panels in 3 mm and 5.6 mm thicknesses come in a range of finishes like the Oxide collection of authen- tic metallic aesthetics the new Satori finish that offers textured plaster-like wabi-sabi looks and the I Naturali collection of stone finishes including Bianco Statuario stone on counter and desk front and Calacatta dOro a very pop- ular marble trend at the show. www.crossvilleinc.com Florim Magnum is the name of Florims mammoth thin por- celain tile slab pro- gram with 5 x 10 formats that are only 6 mm thin. This book- m a t c h e d m a r b l e shower is only of the finishes avail- able. www.florimusa.com. sponsored by THIN TILE Tall and slim tile is de rigueur at Coverings in Chicago By Lesley Goddin Crossvilles Bianco Statuario from Laminams I Naturali line. Florim Magnum 82 TileLetter May 2016 Your Trusted Partner 800-850-2044 Lackmond.com Inalco Tile of Spain producer Inalco showed Ker in a Calacatta Statuario installed as a heat- r e s i s t a n t stain-resis- tant coun- ter flowing into a sink. Made in 12 coun- ter thick- ness Ker is also offered in 6 mm for walls and 12 mm for floors in 40 x 8 lengths designed to be easier to fit into small spaces. www.inalco.esen Iris Iris C e r a m i c a in Italy is the mother c o m p a n y of Iris USA S t o n e Pe a k and Graniti Fiandre with manufactur- ing facilities in Tennessee. Iris has a tradition of large thin p o r c e l a i n available now in Maxfine 5 x 10 6 mm porcelain slab sizes Plane large thin slabs at StonePeak MAPEIUltraliteS2isapremium- grade lightweight single- component thin-set mortar that is ideal for thin-tile applications. This high-performance highly- deformable polymer-modified mortar is formulated with Easy Glide Technology for ease of application. MAPEI Ultralite S2 features a long open time extended coverage and superior transfer properties to enhance back-buttering which is ideal for thin porcelain tiles as well as ceramic tiles and stone material. MAPEI Ultralite S2s unique Ultralite Technology provides twice the coverage of a standard thin-set mortar per poundkg and is TCNA Green Squared Certified for use on sustainable projects. www.mapei.com THIN TILE Inalco Ker Iris US 84 TileLetter May 2016 www.sgm.cc We exceed industry standards to deliver the quality you come to expect from start to finish. Quality Tile Setting Materials and Maximum Tiles by Fiandre. www.irisus.com Levantina Techlam is a thin tile that doesnt require epoxy mortar for installation. Thicknesses start at 3 mm up to 5 mm i n c l u d e d 33 and 55 for specific applications for walls and floors. It comes a range of a e s t h e t - ics includ- ing stone wood steel and other effects. Also new at Coverings was Levantinas unique 36 x 24 x 12 and 36 x 18 x 12 formats of Crema Marfil Coto tiles and its black Canfranc marble a Levantina exclusive now also available as a tile in polished and vintage finishes. These new formats also include a microbevel in the stone designed to reduce chipping and the 36 x 18 format is especially easy and lightweight to handle. www.levantina.com Florida Tile This compa- ny celebrated its 10th anniver- sary of Panariagroup owner- ship during Coverings. One of the announcements was that the Levantina Progress on product and installation standards new terminology for thin tile develops At the Tile Council of North America TCNA press conference executive director Eric Astrachan dis- cussed the ongo- ing development of ANSI A137.3 draft product stan- dard for gauged porcelain tiles and gauged porcelain tilesslabs and ANSI A108.19 draft installation stan- dard for gauged porcelain tiles and gauged porcelain tilesslabs. Inherent in these standards development is an evolution of language from thin to gauged porcelain tiles up to 1 square meter or approx 10 sq. ft. and gauged porcelain slabs larger than 1 square meter. The term gauged emphasizes the precision required to manufacture tiles to a particular thick- ness. The first draft of ANSI A108.19 was released to the committee on April 17 for collaborative develop- ment that combines best practices recommended by manufacturers with experience gained by the installation community including tile and installa- tion materials manufacturers contrac- torsinstallers and associations. Next steps include continued efforts toward consensus with the balloting of both standards product and instal- lation by year-end likely. TCNA is leading the effort to review all related ASTM tile testing methods and how they apply to gauged tiles and tile panelsslabs. Lesley Goddin Eric Astrachan THIN TILE 86 TileLetter May 2016 Cotto DEste brand also owned by Panariagroup is now being added to the Florida Tile opera- tions. That means in addition to Floridas Thinner lightweight thin porcelain panels the company will also distribute Kerlite with a dedicated customer service cen- ter. Luca Setti will oversee Cotto DEste USA Sean Cilona is the director of marketing and product development and Doug Hayes is sales director. Florida Tile is pre- paring an updated web presence to reflect the line addition all new U.S. merchandising and CEUs specially for the Cotto DEste brand. Kerlite is offered in a range of thicknesses Kerlites original 3 mm thickness Kerlite Plus with 3 mm and a fiberglass mesh back- ing Kerlite twin that sandwiches a fiberglass mesh layer between two 3 mm slabs for heavy floor traffic applications and Kerlite 5 Plus which is a 5 mm slab with a fiberglass mesh backing. www.floridatile.com High Quality Metal Trims and Pre-Molded Expansion Joints for all of Your Flooring Needs Call or click today 800.236.5230 www.ceramictool.com CarpetVinyl Trim Reducers Reverse Trim Ceramic Tool MADE IN USA THIN TILE Cotto DEste Kerlite 88 TileLetter May 2016 PRODUCT PERFORMANCE TESTING UNPARALLELED PRECISION TCNA Labs leadership in precision test methodology and rigorous adherence to ANSI ASTM and ISO protocols form the basis of our reputation as one of the preeminent testing facilities for the global tile industry. Claudio Bizzaglia Director of Laboratory Services Product Performance Testing Laboratory 864-646-8453 www.tcnatile.com CBtcnatile.com English Espaol Italiano Portugus Visit us at Coverings booth 7325 I enjoyed seeing many familiar faces and putting faces to names at Coverings 2016. Many members stopped me to talk about NTCA University. Some were interested in updates on the apprenticeship program but many were looking for options to train staff or journeymen who have been on the job for a while. Since I am originally from the manufacturing side of the business I talked to them about getting in touch with their manufacturer reps because they offer con- tinuing education courses and they could put a program together based on the needs of the contractor. But it also made me think about NTCA University and what we could do for our members so we are introducing a new category called Installation and Sales Training. During the introduction of this new category the courses will be very similar to the apprenticeship courses. They will be approximately 10 15 minutes in length and will touch on the basic information such as safety or types of waterproofing membranes. There are a couple of reasons for this. First much of the information in the apprenticeship courses is relevant to any- one new to the industry such as a sales associate but since these courses are already produced they can easily be trans- ferred to the new category. Second it is amazing how often long-time professionals will forget the basics. How often do you hear yourself say I know how to do that or Ive done it the same way for 30 years What if there are other ways to consider doing the job that may be easier or safer These courses are designed to be watched in a group setting such as a safety meeting or a continuing education class and then be used to generate conversa- tions started on a particular topic. Theyre not designed to simply show in a group that disperses before talking about their content. The courses can be stopped or backed up to review the topic for the group or to prompt more in-depth conver- sation. The course can also be shown in its entirety and then used as the topic of group discussion. For example during the group discussion someone with a prefer- ence toward a particular type of grout may learn about some of the newer products on the market that may be a better fit to a particular job. No matter your age years on the job or position in the company everyone has an opportunity to learn from one another. If you are curious about any of the instal- lation and sales training courses that are currently available check out the NTCA store at www.tile-assn.com for a brief description of each of the courses. NTCA UNIVERSITY UPDATE Installation and sales training courses join the curriculum By Becky Serbin Training and Education Coordinator 90 TileLetter May 2016 PROGRESS PROFILES products are the perfect combination of quality functionality reliability and Italian design for the surface industry. Leading architectural rms in search of innovative solutions and nishes specify Progress Proles products to complete and enhance their most demanding projects. Progress Proles currently offers over 12500 items and is continuously adding new products to satisfy the need for better and smarter solutions. Progress Proles products known for their visual appeal quality and value include Trims and Proles Baseboards Skirtings Uncoupling Membranes Waterproong Membranes Shower Drains and Proleveling System. PRODESO HEAT MEMBRANE is a polypropylene uncoupling crack isolation waterproong membrane with rounded square shaped reliefs. With its low prole design the height of the membrane is only 5.5 mm inch Prodeso Heat is the perfect solution for remodeling projects where the new oor needs to transition over an existing surface. Moreover thanks to its uncoupling and crack isolating properties it is possible to install tile and oor heating over a variety of difcult substrates and to eliminate some of the otherwise necessary expansion joints. PRODESO HEAT CABLE can be installed only in the areas where heat is required reducing the operating cost of the overall system while increasing the comfort and value of your home. Tiles are installed directly on top of the heating cable the heat will transfer rapidly and efciently to the above tile for instant comfort and enjoyment. The thermostat allows the owner to program and control the oor heat cycles optimizing comfort and minimizing operating costs. Unlike traditional water based heating systems Prodeso Heat requires no maintenance and is ready for use as soon as its installed heat is transferred quickly and effectively to the oor and is controlled according to the actual needs of each room. For further information visit www. progressproles.com or call 973-584-2650. PROGRESS PROFILES PRODESO HEAT Technological innovation to increase home comfort and value PAID ADVERTORIAL 92 TileLetter May 2016 www.progressprofiles.com ANNIVERSARY 1985-2015 With a glance always oriented to the future. Made in Italy alternative PRODESO HEAT is an innovative electrical floor and wall heating system that allows you to have in a short time and with lower cost a warm and welcoming floor surface. A smart and and responsible choice that brings ecological sustainability energy efficiency and the latest trend in design architecture and home automation. Prodeso Heat system can be installed on any type of substrate thanks to its uncoupling properties. The latest generation of thermostats allow for a complete control of the temperature and schedule to optimize its cost of operation. PRODESO HEAT SYSTEM A floor and wall electric heating system designed with ecological sustainability and efficiency in mind. A World of warmth and comfort in the respect of the nature Progress Profiles SpA Certificated company UNI EN ISO 90012008 VAPOR AND MOISTURE MANAGEMENTUNCOUPLING CRACK ISOLATION WATERPROOFING LOAD DISTRIBUTION GET IT ON Erhltlich bei GREEN POWER Consumo giornaliero xxx GREEN POWER Consumo giornaliero xxx GREEN POWER Consumo giornaliero GREEN POWER Consumo giornaliero GREEN POWER Consumo giornaliero xxx U.S. 8176694 B2 U.S. 9188348 B2 PATENTED Progress Profiles America Inc. 4 Middlebury Boulevard Unit 14 Randolph New Jersey 07869 U.S.A Tel. 973 584 2650 usaprogressprofiles.com Electric radiant floor warming con- tinues to be a growing trend in the tile and stone industry. There are multiple detailsmethods in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Glass and Stone Tile Installation that relate to electric floor warming such as RH115A RH116A RH130 RH135 RH140 and more. Here are some basics to begin with heat energy emitted from an electrically warmed floor warms people and other objects in the room rather than directly heating the air within that space. Because of this the temperature of the internal air within radiant-heated spaces is generally lower than spaces heated via conven- tional methods. Yet the same degree of body comfort is achieved so the temperature perceived by those in the room is actually the same. As a result the amount of electricity used to warm a room equipped with radi- ant floor warming is much less than one would expect making the system very energy efficient. Electric floor warming is designed to be installed directly under the tile or stone flooring for both new construction or remodeling projects. Installers may simply thin-set this material down to the substrate while adding virtually no height to the floor roughly 18 3mm. The installation of an electric in-floor warming system does not require any special tile installation procedures. The substrate subfloor should be prepared as for any con- ventional tile installation according to applicable standards. Very impor- tantly it should be clean of any debris or sharp objects that could damage the heating element. The heating system should be installed over a smooth and even surface. Concrete mortar beds exterior glue plywood existing ceramic tile and stone cement terrazzo and cement backer board provide ideal substrates for electric radiant floor warming BY T HE BOOK brought to you by By Arthur Mintie senior director Technical Services LATICRETE International Inc. Electric oor warming 94 TileLetter May 2016 installations. For the most part electric floor- warming components consist of a heating mat with cables or loose wire cables which is installed right beneath the tile and stone surface and a wall-mounted thermostat. Todays simple-to-use digital and programmable thermostats generally have been designed for installation in conjunction with the same com- panys floor warming cable mats. It makes sense to use a heating ele- ment as well as a thermostat from the same firm as well. That way users have the confidence of pur- chasing a product with components covered by a single source. Installing the system Surprisingly to many the entire installation process is easier than you might think. To begin with one should make a scale drawing of the floor plan mapping out the walking area where the heating mat will be positioned. It should not be placed under or closely adjacent to cabi- nets tubs and showers. Additionally it should be at least 6 150 mm away from wax toilet seals. If need- ed technical assistance is quickly available from key manufacturers whose support staff generally can determine the optimal layout and quantity of the heating mat. There are software layout tools available as well. For example some select radiant heat manufacturer engineers have created simplified software layout tools which makes adding radiant floor heating virtually effort- less allowing even a beginner to complete a floor heating layout in minutes. The radiant heat system should be checked at various times during the installation process to ensure that no shorts cuts or other damage has occurred to the heating ele- ment. Some manufacturers include a fail-safe element that will warn the installers if a short has occurred. Make sure to follow the manufac- turers step-by-step installation pro- cess to ensure that the integrity of the system is maintained from start to finish. Once the heating mat is put in place and all electrical work is com- plete what comes next is the tile installation. While most electric floor-warming systems on the market today are compatible with any tile finish there are certain installation products that work better than oth- ers. In particular high performance ANSI A118.15-compliant latex thin- set mortars are designed for optimal performance when used in conjunc- tion with electric floor-warming sys- tems ANSI A118.4 compliant latex thin set mortars are allowed when an appropriate membrane is used. In addition the use of self-leveling BY THE BOOK 96 TileLetter May 2016 trendingaccessibility.com 866 829-8335 Square or Linear Drain Structural Curbless Shower Pan Waterproofing Tape Gaskets Liquid Latex Waterproofing Showering Solutions For All PeopleDistributors Dealers Manufacturers Representatives Wanted 1 2 3 4 Whats Under The Tile Counts. Construction system includes 1 2 3 4 underlayments e.g. TCNA Methods RH 116A 140 can also be used to encapsulate electric floor warming systems when the substrate requires attention. Finish off the tile installa- tion with an appropriate ANSI 118.6 or better cement-based grout or an ANSI A118.13-compliant epoxy- based grout for even better perfor- mance and ease of maintenance. Cautions with electric ooring-warming installations Cure time Allow at least a 3-to-7 day cure period after the final grouting period before activat- ing the floor-warming system. This will allow all of the installation components adequate time to cure out and reach sufficient strength. If there is any doubt on this matter consult with the electric heat and tile installation materials manufacturer for their guidance. Typically the cure-period question arises during installations that require quick return to service times e.g. bathroom or kitchen remodeling. Expansion joints Since the heating and cooling of floors occurs at more frequent intervals with heat- ed floors the inclusion of movement joints is mandatory. In fact in many cases placing the movement joints in accord with the exterior recom- mendations of TCNA EJ171 is a good idea. Troubleshooting In addition to manufacturer-specific instruc- tions on troubleshooting electric radiant heat system the National Tile Contractors Association NTCA includes a troubleshooting section in its NTCA Reference Manual on this topic that can be consulted for common issues that might occur. The chapter is titled Radiant Heat Issues for Tile Stone Installations located on pages 159-160 of the 20152016 manual. As is the case with many sections in the publica- tion valuable and practical guid- ance is provided to assist installers with these applications. It is important to the end user to select an electric floor warming sys- tem with comprehensive warranty coverage that includes both labor and materials. Electric floor warming both in mat type or loose wire configuration is a cost-effective warming solution upgrade that creates a comfortable environment Keeping your custom- ers warm and content results in positive feedback great referrals and ultimately repeat business. Arthur Mintie serves as the senior director of Technical Services for LATICRETE International Inc. LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL Inc. is a proud sponsor of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation and is actively involved in global training efforts of the tile and stone industry. Photos Courtesy of LATICRETE International Inc. BY THE BOOK 98 TileLetter May 2016 DISCOVER WHY PROS LIKE YOU PARTNER WITH THE TILE SHOP 4000 QUALITY TILE AND STONE PRODUCTS LARGE ASSORTMENT OF TRIM AND FINISHING PIECES PRO-GRADE INSTALLATION MATERIALS TOOLS SUPERIOR BRAND THINSET WITH 25 YEAR WARRANTY PRO Network SELECTION UTILIZE OUR SHOWROOM AS YOUR SHOWROOM TIERED DISCOUNTS IN-HOUSE CREDIT CO-BRANDED MARKETING THETILESHOP PRO Network SUPPORT NO RESTOCKING FEES 6 MONTH RETURN POLICY JOB SITE DELIVERY FREE DESIGN SERVICES PROJECT REFERRALS PRO Network SERVICE OVER 100 SHOWROOMS NATIONWIDE WWW.TILESHOP.COM W W W . T I L E S H O P . C O M PRODESO NOBLE RAIMONDI LACKMOND NTCA BENEFITS BOX Last year NTCA rolled out a new benefit for members LegalShield. In our often-litigious society its important to have access to affordable legal services and identity theft protection. LegalShield gives NTCA members the power to access legal and identity theft advice and services you need them - no matter how large or small the issue for one low monthly fee. You may wonder why you need a legal plan. A legal service plan can help with all sorts of planned and unplanned legal issues such as traffic tickets foreclosures will prepa- ration warranty disputes and much more. As a LegalShield member you can rest assured that whether youre facing a legal issue thats big small or somewhere in between youll have access to legal advice and services when you need them. That means advice on an unlimited number of legal issues attorney letters or calls made on your behalf contract and document review and much more from a dedicated law firm in your area. Theres even 247 access for covered emergencies. Identity theft a costly problem Victims of identity theft can face issues such as lost job opportunities problems with securing a loan or harassment from debt collectors. NTCA member Steve Brace of SB Flooring in Machesney Park Ill. recently posted on the NTCA Members Facebook page I am not sure if others have signed up for the Legal Shield program through the NTCA. I just enrolled yesterday. What a great program For this low monthly rate I now have access to a lawyer 247. One of my biggest flaws in my business is my legal aspect he added. Now I have help with any contracts for my business and even personal contracts. Even my wife and kids have access to this program as a family package. I am totally impressed with what we get for such a low price. My wife and I are going to have our wills done with this program too Brace said that he doesnt need legal rep- resentation every month but often enough to make the monthly payment cheaper than if I needed one and didnt have one already. Im buying a house in a couple months a lawyer can and will help then he said. Its also useful any time you buy a car get a ticket or have a bit of bad luck and need legal assistance. Life happens I dont want to be the one without legal representation. There are so many perks to being a NTCA member Brace concluded. I just want to make sure others are aware of this awesome program. You can get the experts on your side with an identity theft protection plan. Services include access to your credit report or consumer credit disclosure consultations expert restoration and more a vast array of services from detection to resolution as close as your phone. Let LegalShield provided as a NTCA member benefit help you worry less and live more. Visit httpsw3.legalshield.com gshowItWorks.jsp for more information. 100 TileLetter May 2016 877-933-WEDI 9334 www.wedicorp.com You can also find wedi products specs on arcat.com. Join Us on Facebook.com Performance in its Own Premium Class 100 waterproof throughout Lightweight yet sturdy in performance Cuts and installs clean exact professional Perfect bond to any tile using any tile adhesive Adds insulation to your installation Use on floors walls ceilings Leads innovation and quality in backer boards - worldwide Outlast. Outperform. wedi Building Panel. Perfection in tiled showers needs wedi underneath. NTCA NEWS 102 TileLetter May 2016 DAC golf invitational benefits Operation PAVE NTCA Five Star Contractor David Allen Company held its annual tournament at the Robert Trent Jones Country Club in Gainesville Va. from April 10-11. Thirty-six golfers participated to raise in excess of 110000 for Operation PAVE Paving Access for Veterans Employment pva.org an initiative launched in 2007 by the Paralyzed Veterans of America . With offices now co-located in Veterans Administration medical centers in Tampa Richmond San Antonio Chicago Minneapolis and Long Beach Operation PAVE Ed Metcalf of LATICRETE a major sponsor of the event along with Daltile gives his thumbs up at the tournament. From left Al Kovak national president of PVA David Allen Company DAC president Art Odom in doorway stand- ing in front of server Sherman Gillums associate director of Paralyzed Veterans of America PVA and Phil Halcomb DAC senior vice president welcome the group during the dinner. Rich Brooks president of Agility Defense and Government Services Inc. addresses the group. The com- pany helps sup- port the Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open PVGO and helps raise money for Paralyzed Veterans of America. At the DAC Invitational held April 11-12 at the Robert Trent Jones Country Club in Gainesville Va. NTCA was a par spon- sor of hole 12. Team NTCA included l. to r. Chris Walker DAC Buck Collins Collins Tile Stone Nyle Wadford Neuse Tile Service and Jim Olson NTCA assis- tant executive director. At the tournament are l. to r. Sherman Gillums associate director of Paralyzed Veterans of America PVA Richard Rich Brooks president of Agility Defense and Government Services and sister company PVA and Al Kovak national president of PVA. FACES IN THE NEWS serves veterans nationwide using a hybrid integrated approach to assist veterans and transitioning ser- vice members who face significant barriers to employment as well as their spouses and caregivers. The evidence-based holistic interven- tion model incorporates both tradi- tional and nontraditional vocational strategies and best practices to build the framework for a veteran-cen- tric program that addresses their many challenges to employment. In addition Operation PAVEs vet- eran-based supported employment model provides counselors to part- ner with veterans and their families for life helping find and maintain employment. Major sponsors included LATICRETE and Daltile with Birdie Sponsors Floors Etc. Miller Long DC Inc. TM Supply and The McKeon Group. Par sponsors included David Allen Company and NTCA. Donors who helped support the event included Hess Construction BBT Insurance Best Tile CNA Surety Country Chevrolet DJ Adams Miller Long Ourisman Toyota Spectra Flooring and Wells Fargo. Winners of the concurrent Texas Holdem game includ- ed Scott Maslowski first place Philip Luppino second place and Brad Meyer third place. All Texas Holdem winners donated their winnings back to the event. Matt Karlin owner of Nemo Tile was the winner of both the golf tournament winner and also the 5050 drawing Karlin generously donated the winnings back into the Operation PAVE fund raising effort. Introducing NTCA State Directors At the recent Coverings show several NTCA State Directors populated the NTCA booth proudly outfitted in shirts emblazed not only with their names but also with the NTCA logo and their State Director affiliation. Shown are Dave Karp l. of Tile Fusion Shakopee Minn. State Director of Minnesota and Steve Brace of SB Flooring Manchesney Park Ill. State Director of Illinois. Shirts can be purchased and customized at the NTCA Store online at https tile-assn.site-ym.comstoredefault. aspx. FACES IN THE NEWS Compotite Corporation announced that Joan M. Hutchins who has been president and CEO of the Los Angeles-based company since 1988 has stepped down from that position and will main- tain her role as chairman of the Karp Brace 104 TileLetter May 2016 INDUSTRY NEWS board. Compotites leadership has been passed to her son Dr. Alan Hutchins who has assumed the position as of March 21st. Dr. Hutchins becomes the 4th gen- eration family member to take over leadership of Compotite which was founded by his great-grand- father Glenn Morthland in 1938. Dr. Hutchins brings a business management degree from Cornell University and a degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic to the position. He owned and operated a successful chiropractic practice in the Hudson Valley of New York for 14-plus years before deciding to get involved in the family business. He has a long history of hands-on construction experience including both manag- ing the construction and building two of his clinics. INDUSTRY NEWS Daltile hosts Houzz University at Dallas Design Studio The Daltile Design Studio in Dallas hosted Houzz University training sessions from Houzz spe- cialists in early April. The sessions guided local design profession- als through the extensive website offerings and provided tutorials and best practices on how to pro- mote a design business through the platform. Daltile hopes to host additional events alongside the well known consumer and professional design tool in the future. Find Daltile prod- uct featured on Houzz at www. houzz.comphotosquerydaltile. Crossville Inc. acquires Contempo Tile Stone Officials with Crossville Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Curran Group have announced the companys acquisition of Contempo Tile Stone a distribu- tion business with four locations in Utah as well as one in Boise Idaho. Contempo is now part of Crossville Tile Stone CTS the existing company-owned dis- tribution division effective April 1 2016. Watts launches Wild Ride Sweepstakes for Contractors Last month Watts launched its Wild Ride sweepstakes promo- tion open to enrolled licensed con- tractors of legal contracting age in the United States and Canada excluding Quebec. This excit- ing promotion will give away an 106 TileLetter May 2016 NEW PRODUCTS array of prizes including Official Harley-Davidson watches sun- glasses open road motorcycles adventures and a grand prize of a brand new Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Motorcycle. The sweepstakes runs from April 1 2016 through September 30 2016. During this time every invoice or purchase order submitted in the United States or Canada by an eli- gible participant for Watts brand products earns an entry into the sweepstakes and an alternate means of entry does not require a purchase. Watts brands include AERCO Ames Fire Waterworks BLCHER BRAE Dormont Febco HF scien- tific Mueller Steam Specialty Orion Powers Sea Tech SunTouch tek- mar Watts and Watts Radiant. For details visit WattsWildRide.com. Schluter launches new website Schluter -Systems has launched a completely new website that simplifies navigation and provides several interactive tools that make it much easier to design and speci- fy tile projects. The site is built with features that will satisfy anyone planning to work on a project with tile dealers installers architects and homeowners. The www.schluter.com web- site provides complete access to all Schluter online resources. The content of previous microsites including the Authorized Schluter Dealer ASD website has all been incorporated under this single ban- ner. The use of a single URL for everything makes it much easier for site visitors to move between Schluter-related topics and ideas. The new site is available on a plat- form that is desktop tablet and mobile friendly. Categories for nav- igation include Products Project Planning Areas of Use Education and an Inspiration Gallery. NEW PRODUCTS Schluter-DITRA-HEAT-TB directs heat to the tile not the subfloor to warm tiled floors up to 70 faster over concrete substrates due to an integrated thin thermal break on the underside of the uncoupling mem- brane.The all-in-one 516 thick sys- tem combines membrane heating cables and thermal break in a sin- gle layer to provide crack isolation waterproofing and electric floor warming. The heating cables are easily snapped into place on top of the uncoupling mat with no clips or fasteners providing complete flexi- bility on cable placement.Theres no need for leveling compounds so tile installation can begin immediately resulting in a much faster installa- tion. The system is compatible with 108 TileLetter May 2016 NEW PRODUCTS tell them you saw it in all existing Schluter thermostats including the new touchscreen ther- mostat. The matting is available in rolls and sheets and heating cables are available for 120V and 40V cir- cuits. www.schluter.com NUE TILE a state-of-the-art high- performance crack isolation mem- brane that offers the freedom of post-installation easy tile removal debuted at Coverings last month. The Nue Tile membrane inexpen- sively bonds to a wide range of sub- strates and tile can be immediately set right on top of it. The membrane has undergone extensiveTCNA test- ing and received the Extra Heavy Traffic Classification via the ASTM C627 Robinson tests which means it is suitable for heavily trafficked areas such as shopping malls air- ports or even where forklift or pick- up truck traffic is present. NUE TILE has also exceeded the TCNA High Performance Crack-Isolation in ANSI A118.12 and is highly cost- competitive. Additionally NUE TILE offers the ability to easily remove or repair the tile floor without any damage to backer-boards or elec- tric radiant heating systems. www. nuetile.com. AtlasConcordeUSAhaslaunched nine new collections to enhance modern to traditional spaces. These include Redeem wood look tile offers a rustic hand-worked effect Fray has a modern color palette and a fabric texture Forge mixes industrial and metropolitan influ- ences for an urban look character- ized by corrosion and oxidized metal Motion is a graphically rich and harmonious surface with the timeless style of veined marble Ridge combines traditional and rus- tic mixture stones influences Path provides vein-cut travertine styling for warm sophistication Sign is an elegant travertine marble with delicate veining Get offers a young metropolitan look with a lived-in effect to decorate indoor residential and commercial spaces and Eon marble selection adds new colors and veining for modern informal styling. atlasconcorde.iten TEC In-Floor Heat was demon- strated at Coverings. This innova- tive system uses an extremely thin sheet - only 164 thick that can be easily cut and totally custom- ized to room dimensions. Minimal Nue Tile crack isolation membrane makes it easy to remove or repair tile oor. Redeem by Atlas Concorde USA NEW PRODUCTS use of wires set up an current that heats the floor surface via infrared there are no wires that need to be patterned in the sheet itself. The system connects to an intelligent thermostat that reads the tempera- ture of the floor. tecspecialty.com Levantinas Techlam Strattos was selected as the 2016 Red Dot Best Product Design Award. The Red Dot jury made up of 41 mem- bers from all over the world are designers professors and specialist journalists. They chose Levantinas porcelain Strattos Collection from more than 5200 products from more than 57 countries. Techlam is the first thin large-format porcelain to be manufactured in Spain and is sold in tiles 3mm and 5mm thick up to 1000 x 3000mm in a wide range of colors and aesthetics for indoor and outdoor use on wallsfloors and paving. Techlams innovative digital printing versatility of use durabil- ity and 100 natural composition which does not emit any noxious substances to the environment are the properties that won Techlam the prize. The Strattos Collection uses an advanced digital printing process that give is a rough natural wood texture to accompany the sophisticated wood visuals of the product. levantina.com Marazzi introduces Block an imported hand-cast concrete look with a lightly troweled sur- face that includes an alternating matteglossy surface treatment. The Colorbody porcelain tile is rec- tified in six neutral colors with Sicilian majolica-inspired design 6 x 6 decos. Choose from 12 x 24 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 formats. Available in June or July 1 online. marazziusa.com 110 TileLetter May 2016 Professionals Choice Miracle Sealants Company miraclesealants.com For More Information 1-800-350-1901 Ext. 3700 marketingsupportmiraclesealants.com Stone Tile Grout Masonry Care Products Miracle Sealants Company is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of premium quality professional grade care products for tile grout marble limestone and natural stone surfaces. We have surpassed the industry standard for more than 30 years satisfying thousands of customers. Products include penetrating sealers cleaners color enhancements and grout additives. Alpha Professional Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 ARDEX Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Barwalt Tool Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Bellota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Beno J. Gundlach Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Best Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Blanke Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Ceramic Tile Education Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Ceramic Tool Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Compotite Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Custom Building Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover Custom Building Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 73 EDCO Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 FinPan Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 105 Floor and Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Innovis Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Joseph Lundgren Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Lackmond Products Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 LATICRETE International Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . center spread LATICRETE International Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inserted brochure LATICRETE International Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 65 MAPEI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover - page 1 MAPEI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 MK Diamond Products Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MLT Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Mark E. Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Marazzi USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Merkrete Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 67 87 103 Miracle Sealants Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 NAC Products Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Noble Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 OMG National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Pearl Abrasive Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Proflex Products Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 - 69 Progress Profiles Proleveling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Progress Profiles ProdesoHeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 - 93 Protecto Wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 SGM Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Sawmaster Diamond Tools Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Schluter-Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . outside front and back cover Schluter-Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SlipDoctors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 43 Slip Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Slip Guard Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Stabila Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SunTouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 TEC Installation Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 TI-ProBoard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 TexRite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Tile Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Tile Council of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 TRIMACO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Trending Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 wedi Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 ADVERTISERS INDEX 112 TileLetter May 2016 Never Needs Sealing Easy to Spread and Clean Ultimate Color Consistency WE GUARANTEE IT TO BE STAIN PROOF AND COLOR PERFECT. Accept no substitute. Choose the original patented and eld proven single component grout. Typical Cementitious Grout Fusion Pro Single Component Grout Available at The Home Depot and tile distributors nationwide. Ask for Fusion Pro where you buy grout. CustomBuildingProducts.com 800-272-8786 Fusion Pro will not eforesce mottle fade or color shade within the grout joint when installed per manufacturers directions. Cured Fusion Pro will not stain when exposed to most common non-corrosive household goods and cleaning agents. All spills should be immediately cleaned from the grout. DOWNLOAD CUSTOMS MOBILE APP TileLetter May 2016 113 www.schluter.com 800-472-4588 Schluter -DITRA-HEAT-TB Electric oor warming system with integrated thermal break Schluter -DITRA-HEAT-TB is the only electric oor warming system with an integrated thermal break and is ideal for tiled oors over concrete. Heating uncoupling and a thermal break in a single layer Warms tiled oors up to 70 faster over concrete substrates Saves energy by directing heat to the tile not to the suboor All-in-one system means faster and simpler installation Only 516-thick to minimize construction height Connect with us 10 year warranty We stand behind our products. Our comprehensive warranty covers materials and labor. Membrane Cables Warm Floors Up To 70 Faster Over Concrete