• Exterior Application Guidelines, • Radiant Heat Issues, Efflorescence, • Steam Rooms, • Natural Stone Problems and Maintenance, • Glass Tile Installation Challenges, • Grout Problem Solving Guide, • Coefficient of Friction and DCOF, • General Care and Maintenance, and an extensive Glossary. Canadian-specific challenges and construction methods In Canada there are of course some different challenges and construction methods, and as such this is where there are some major differences between the NTCA Reference Manual and the TTMAC Tile Installation Handbook. One such difference is with the recognition of the installation of Gauged Porcelain Tiles and Tile Panel/Slabs on wood substrates as identified in ANSI A108.19. In Canada, the minimum thickness by code for the subfloor is 15 mm (5/8”) thickness on 400 mm o.c. (16”) (not 20 mm (3/4”) as in the U.S.) so the use of these panels on wood substrates is not recom- mended, and will have to be researched and tested extensively by the TTMAC before it can be affirmed for the use over wood substrates. Other areas where there are some measurable dif- ferences between the US and Canada are: movement joint requirements, the use of partial coverage in crack-isolation mem- branes, back-buttering require- ments, just to name a few. Unlike the TTMAC 09 03 00 Tile Installation Manual, which is designed and targeted for the architectural and speci- fication community, the Tile Installer Technical Handbook was designed specifically for the end user, the grass roots of our indus- try: the “tile installer.” A large portion of the photos are from the TTMAC library and many are past recipients of the Hard Surface Awards. This new publication has 11 chapters and 306 pages of con- tent. Since this is a relatively thick publication to print and to be environmentally responsible the TTMAC is also having this Tile Installer Technical Handbook available electronically. Lastly, the Tile Installer Technical Handbook is dated 2018-2019 and the goal of the TTMAC is to have it revised and reprinted approximately every two years, similar to the TTMAC 09 30 00 Tile Installation Manual. Canadian tile setters and other industry members can obtain a copy of the TTMAC Tile Installer Technical Handbook, by visiting https://ttmac.com/en/technical/ specifications. The Handbook is available for both members and non-members at a nominal charge. TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 76 TileLetter | August 2018