4 2019 | TRENDS If you are excited about the many new trends in tile, you know that gauged porcelain tile (GPT) and gauged porcelain tile panels (GPTPs) are here to stay. Porcelain panels are being produced at a multitude of thicknesses, sizes and finishes with sophisticated digitally-printed faces. New super-large-format tile products are being introduced for every room in the home or office. New produc- tion lines are being built all over the world to accommodate the demand trending for this material. The prod- uct itself is not new, but GPT/GPTP – along with a multitude of other new products – are bringing new opportu- nities to our industry. Growth of hard surfaces is one of the reasons that so much attention is being focused on the demand for training in all segments of the tile, construction and development com- munity. Many of the new products and installation materials are chal- lenging the skill of some installers who may not be keeping up. Efforts are mobilized to address this real- ity that will continue for a period of time. It seems that increased con- sumption of hard tile surfaces in the United States is here to stay as well. GPTP interior installation standards are in place. Materials handling pro- tocols, specialty installation tools and custom formulations for adhesives have finally caught up to the tile products. As an installer, there are few reasons – or perhaps no excuses – to not add this product category to your comfort zone. There are some important imperatives for a success- ful installation with these products. Installing this material like a tile job is not a wise choice. Like almost anything else, but in particular with GPT and GPTP, you need training to represent yourself as qualified labor. One thing seems certain, this mate- rial cannot be successfully installed by one person. Or perhaps I should say, it should not be. For the end user, finding the best choice for your installer may require you to look deeper than you might for a tradi- tional tile installer. Do they have the right tools? Do they know how to achieve acceptable coverage? What is acceptable coverage? How do they intend to get it off the delivery vehi- cle and into the project, then onto the wall or floor? If you are a qualified installer, be sure to talk about these require- ments. Let people know of your abil- ity to answer these questions so you can be evaluated as the best value choice. CAVEAT EMPTOR – Look out for “that guy.” You know, that guy. The “I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years and never had a problem” guy. If that person has not found it PRESIDENT'S LETTER Chris Walker Why qualified labor? Noah Chitty (L), Crossville's Director of Technical Services, was instrumental in establishing the installation standard for GPTP.