40 2019 | TRENDS 3” x 12”, 4” x 4” and 6” x 6”. In terms of color for this region, lighter cooler tones still reign supreme (light white/grays through charcoal grays), while beige is on a comeback, and is best if blended with cooler tones (greige). Porcelain is still the buzz, and Colorbody is the preferred choice for commercial environments. Ceramic is more important in new construc- tion environments and less appealing in the residential remodel category. Metal is more popular when used as an inlaid accent. As far as pairings go, wood together with glass, concrete and metal con- tinue to maintain popularity, while wood plank floor is very commonly used with more contemporary, or traditional stone visuals on walls. Concrete visuals can stand alone with industrial worn visuals (repurposed stained concrete floors with mix of previous floor covering still visible). Popular layout/installation pat- terns in this neck of the woods cen- ter around clean, traditional tile set in rectangular sizes. Tile in 12” x 24” format is seen as the favored choice on floors and walls. Also, wood-look planks in herringbone patterns are still popular in 6” x 24”, 4” x 28” and 6”x 36” sizes). Foley said Dal-Tile is a vigorous sponsor of education in the industry, reaching out to dealers, tile contrac- tors, builders, vendors and the A&D community with information about qualified labor, and the benefits of premium installation materials to support high-performance installa- tions. This is of primary importance when using popular large panels and large-format heavy tile. One such product is large-and- heavy tile mortar (LHT) that supports the weight of large-format tile and assures that there’s enough cover- age, based on industry standards and recommended spread rates by the manufacturer. In product knowledge presentations, the company recom- mends back-buttering tiles before depressing in mortar bed, to assure recommended coverage on the tile during installation. To ensure a lip- page-free installation, leveling spac- ers are recommended for the corners of each tile during installation. This prevents high or low corners that are easily detected in environments with natural sunlight and wall-wash light- ing, and are the lead complaint by consumers in the marketplace. Midwest/Northeast When it comes to the top sales directions in tiles, Minnesota-based The Tile Shop sees trends going in both directions as far as large-format and subway tile. Large format is defi- nitely taking off thanks to fewer grout lines and a cleaner, more modern look. The company also sees the opposite trend, as people clamor for handcrafted looks, keeping subway tile a top category. Wood-look planks continue to dominate, presenting natural wood aesthetics without the maintenance. Another popular format for the company is the hexagon, connect- ing with clients’ love for the old- world/handcrafted feel. Rectified tile is also sought after for its clean, sleek and contemporary feel. It allows for smaller grout joints, which play into the large-format tile trend. When it comes to the look and design of a tile, technology has SALES TRENDS (continued) Marazzi’s Castellina is a natural stone col- lection that pairs stone with porcelain and metallic details. Large-format tile, with fewer grout lines, offers a modern look, like Aqua Blu from The Tile Shop. At the other end of the spectrum, clients crave handmade aesthetics, like The Tile Shop’s Mos Metalica. Wood planks like Kingswood from The Tile Shop present authentic wood looks without maintenance.