Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 8430 2016 | TECH MID AMERICA TILE Chicago-area – Elk Grove Village and Romeoville, Ill., covering Illinois down to Springfield, Northwest Indiana and Southern Wisconsin. Specifications with A&D and national accounts extend the reach of the distributor nationally and internationally. www.midamericatile.com Setting materials–––––––––––––––– • Large-format tile setting material is widely used. Most contractors are using this because most tiles are over 15”, which constitutes large format, and is the bestselling size, getting larger. • Flexcolor, a MAPEI product, is widely accepted as you can open the lid and start grouting with this colored-quartz premium grout product. Tools–––––––––––––––––––––––––– • MLTS, a mechanical lippage tuning system is gaining momentum as the tile sizes get larger and every- one wants a flat, no-lippage floor. See it in action at https://youtu. be/20dvZqLxH1E. Tile and stone––––––––––––––––––– • Large modular porcelain is grow- ing all the time and it is becoming more and more difficult to tell the difference between natural wood or stone since the technology of high definition/ink jet porcelain has perfected the looks. 12” x 24” is the bestselling size with 18” x 36”, 24” x 24”, and 24” x 48” increasing in popularity. • Polished surfaces are becoming popular again. • Thin tile – 5.5mm – is still working its way into the market. Installation procedures need to be standard- ized, and the more the product gets specified, the more training will be necessary. • 2 cm porcelain is a great option for exterior paving. As the landscape of the industry accepts porcelain over concrete and natural stone, this is a winner, since it requires Sales of Laminam by Crossville, a thin panel porcelain tile, has been growing annually at D&B. The Mechanical Lippage Tuning System (MLTS) is gaining momentum as tile sizes grow. Cellar from Mid America Tile is a porcelain plank inspired by wooden planks found in an abandoned factory in Northern Italy. Old Wood from Mid America Tile, replicated weathered wood in porcelain stoneware, is difficult to distinguish from the real thing! The More porcelain series from Mid America Tile, in Grigio, offers a range of 12” x 24” surface treatments including Design, shown. Phantasie Grey polished marble from Mid America Tile shows the trend to polished stone in grey tones. REGIONAL SALES SNAPSHOTS (continued)