b"PRESIDENT'S LETTERAre we familiar with the installa- better for your next unique project. tion instructions?OnceyoubegintogetafeelforDid the distributor give us all thethe different types of issues to con-information we need to know tosider, you find ways to work with avoid surprises later?morechallengingmaterialsandWhat special considerations areinstallations. You become engaged required to prepare the substrate?in the trade in a very different way.How about the tile material itselfThehard-wonexperiencehope-howwelldoesthematerialfullyhelpsyoutoknowsomeof cut?theanswersyouneedaheadofDowehavetherighttoolstotime. You already have paid a price cut and finish it? Bargain dry-setto learn them.mortar wont do the trick.Just like focusing on the imperfec- What kind of setting materials dotions of an individual tile, dont let we need?thedayscrisisdujouraffectyourDid we carry money for upgrad- ability to step back and appreciate ed setting materials?the big picture. When you do, youDoes the tile need to be sealed?willlikelyfindyourdayisfilled Ifyes,then,whichsealer?Itswith many blessings. Often it is the HOW MUCH?unique flaw or anomaly that contrib- Did we charge enough?utes to real beauty. They are exactly Every one of those questions maywhat contributes to what you admire have a costly answer. If you did notmost about your work in progress. considerthosequestionsbeforePushing through the difficult parts is you priced the job, you probablywhat makes you better. did not account for all of the costsHope you and yours are safe and associatedwithmanyspecialtywell.materials. Thequestionsabovearenota comprehensive list. It is however a short list of mistakes I have madeChris Walkerover the years bidding and install- NTCA Presidentingspecialtymaterials.EachoneVice President, costssomedoughtofix.ButinDavid Allen Companytheend,itwaswellworthittoChairman, ANSI A-108producesometrulyuniqueandChairman, US TAG ISO TC-189beautiful installations.Board of Directors ABC-VAThemostmemorableandoftenVoting Member TCNA HandbookvaluablelessonsarelearnedtheVoting Member hard way, through experience. AllNTCA Reference Manualofthoseexperiencesmakeyouchriswalker@davidallen.com16TileLetter | September 2020"