44 2019 | TRENDS wood planks at 48”, edging up to 60” lengths. Tiles 36” and under are com- modities in the company’s territory. Large-format porcelain, polished and matte, in 30” x 30”, 30” x 60”, 24” x 48” are popular, as are sub- way tile and mosaics. Popular colors include gray, silver, greige, white, and white with gray as in Calacatta looks. Porcelain is the primary material for walls and floors, with a small per- centage of decorative ceramic tiles such as wave looks, since the ceramic tile body allows depth to be created in manufacturing. When it comes to pairings in the Southeast, wood and concrete work well together; so do glass and stone mosaics, porcelain, glass and metal mosaics, and combinations of various materials and shapes in mosaics. Popular layout/installation pat- terns include rectangular tile set in 1/3 offset or straight. If square, then it’s traditional square installation, moving away from tile set at a 45 degree angle. The company educates its internal clients every day so that they provide proper consultation to external cli- ents. Contractors are educated with product knowledge at the compa- ny’s branch locations and at industry educational events, such as NTCA/ CTEF workshops, and LATICRETE/ Crossville thin-gauged large porcelain presentations. In another effort to promote quali- fied labor, D&B lists the best licensed local contractors/customers on its web- site in a separate “find a contractor” page. Certified Tile Installers are sorted at the top, which gives D&B’s customer the best, most qualified options first. West Coast At Westside Tile and Stone, as the Los Angeles housing market continues to boom and construction is seen in every neighborhood, the tile industry continues to evolve to accommodate everyone’s taste. Many homeown- ers are spending more time in their homes and want to create an oasis in their bathroom and a kitchen that will be the envy of the neighborhood. With the increasingly abundant tile options available in the marketplace, sustainable goods are becoming more sought out along with unique materials that will differentiate one installation from the next. While most trends are revolving around the wood-look tiles, the company is seeing Carrara marble or Carrara-like porcelain tile in bold colors and pat- terns starting to pop up. Wood-look tiles are increasing- ly being used in new construction as well as remodeled homes with authentic features like knots, tex- tures, and grain in abundant varia- tion. The variety of colors and sizes in these tiles allows them to be used not only for flooring but also in shower wall applications, where they provide natural looks while being impervious to moisture and easy to maintain. Since these tiles are being used in both traditional and contem- porary installations, they are installed in unique patterns such as chevron, herringbone, or staggered brick. Carrara marble is a fashionable fin- ishing option on the West Coast. Its unique blend of colors and tones cre- ates a timeless look. Since it comes in a variety of sizes, finishes and mosaics, it can be used in all sorts of residential applications and allows kitchens and bathrooms to take on both cool and warm tones that blend a variety of styles together. SALES TRENDS (continued) Crossville Laminam Statuario in large porce- lain panels evokes the look of fine polished marble. Photography by G. Richard Booth. Another look that can be achieved by gauged porcelain tile panels. Crossville Laminam Fokos was used in the Aventura Mall elevator bay, installed by Miami Floors. Photography by G. Richard Booth. Cement tiles like these from Bati Orient, give an international flair and vibrant patterns. Woodtalk, in the Ergon line by Emilceramica, illustrates the trend to more authentic , real- istic wood tiles. This sintered tile from Neolith illustrates the gorgeous Carrara looks available today.