70 2017 | TECH Grouts tion. Designed for virtually all types of residential and commercial instal- lation, PERMACOLOR Select allows contractors and distributors to elimi- nate waste and carry product for five years – much longer than traditional grouts, which requires disposal after only one year. www.laticrete.com Merkrete’s ProGrout is a premi- um-grade, fast-setting, color-consistent, efflores- cence-free, high-perform- ing, polymer-modified cement grout formulated for all types of tile and dimensional stone, for both walls and floors in residential and com- mercial projects. Designed with the contractor in mind, ProGrout is easy to mix, apply and clean and offers excellent stain resistance and color consistency. Suitable for joints 1/16” to 1/2” (1.5 mm - 12 mm) wide on floors or walls, it elimi- nates the need for different grout products. ProGrout is available in 21 colors and exceeds ANSI A118.7. www.merkrete.com TEC® Power Grout® Ultimate Performance Grout by H.B. Fuller achieves the highest performance standards for a cement-based grout, according to the company. Power Grout has an extended pot life of 60-80 minutes and the fast- set time of four hours to make installa- tion easier and faster. Power Grout features stain resistance, better protecting its long-term beauty. TEC Power Grout guar- antees color uniformity and zero efflorescence, a competitive advan- tage proven by independent test- ing. Additionally, Power Grout sets itself apart as the only cement- based grout to exceed 10,000 psi compressive strength. Power Grout exceeds ANSI A118.7 specifications. www.tecspecialty.com ProGroutTM High Performance Grout ProGroutTM is a high performing, fast setting, polymer-modified, color consistent and efflorescence free grout specifically formulated for grouting all types of ceramic and dimensional stone tiles when grout joint widths are 1/16” to 1/2” wide, eliminating the need for different grout products. Available in 21 colors. FOLLOW US • Highly Stain Resistant • Color Consistent • Durable - Strong, Hard Grout Joints • Easy To Use For more information visit us at www.merkrete.com or call (866) 516-0061 ME TL PG AD 0217.pdf 1 1/13/17 3:31 PM Tools, accessories, apps and services As with many aspects of the industry these days, much going on regarding the new tools and accessories current- ly coming into the market has to do with the silica issue. There is now quite a range of power tools with integrated dust collection systems for the concrete, masonry and tile sectors, which feature increasingly larger formats, to tools designed to solve the problems of a dirty and messy jobsite and the threat to the health and safety of those in the industry. Manufacturers have become very mindful of the safety issues contractors face today, including those involving silica containment, and accordingly, are spearheading efforts utilizing innovation and state-of-the-art technol- ogy to help create a 100% dust-free environment. As you peruse the comments and products to follow, you will learn the different ways the industry is focusing on the silica issue. – Louis Iannaco Joel Guth, president iQ Power Tools www.iqpowertools.com New develop- ments regarding worker safety in OSHA’s silica ruling has the tile industry address- ing silica dust on jobsites and in the shop. Although the ruling plac- es much responsibility on contrac- tors, manufacturers are stepping up by developing new/comprehensive ways to suppress silica problems, keeping workers safer. The marketplace has demanded new tools and systems that are light- er, faster, less expensive and safer. As a manufacturer of products for the tile, concrete, masonry and hard- scape industries (major sources of crystalline silica) iQ Power Tools is committed to finding best solutions for our customers—from efficiency standpoints and workers’ views. As contractors for 30-plus years, we’ve dealt with dust problems for years. Our goal is to see the con- struction industry 100% dust-free. We’ll meet that goal through educa- tion, development of professional tools, and technology to eliminate silica dust from jobsites. Know the standard. Know your exposure. Know your options. And take action. Ted Skaff, vice president, marketing – Lackmond Products www.lackmond.com Over the last several years, the size of tile required for residen- tial, retail and commercial jobs has grown dramatically. With the grow- ing trend of large-format tile, it is important to understand which saw is best for the job, as what size tile will determine what type of saw to use and the type of tile (i.e. ceramic, porcelain, etc.) will determine what