National Tile Contractors Association October 2017
www.tileletter.com
ON THE COVER: LATICRETE International, Inc. The infamous Watergate Hotel gets a high-profile facelift
Hot Topics Proper training on tools
Women in Tile Passion and ability – not gender – make a stellar tile contractor
National Tile Contractors Association 70 celebrating 70 years In a world of so many...
MAPEI’s Mapelastic ® AquaDefense still stands out from the rest
Mapelastic AquaDefense Premium waterproofing and crack-isolation membrane
• Quick-drying for tile installation after 30 to 50 minutes • Can be applied with roller or brush • IAPMO-listed for use as a shower pan liner; ICC ESR report #3474 • Exceeds ANSI A118.10 and A118.12
Visit www.mapei.com for details on Mapelastic AquaDefense.
Ad - Resize - TileLetter - October - Mapelastic AquaDefense.indd 1 8/25/17 9:50 AM In a world of so many...
MAPEI’s Mapelastic ® AquaDefense still stands out from the rest
Mapelastic AquaDefense Premium waterproofing and crack-isolation membrane
• Quick-drying for tile installation after 30 to 50 minutes • Can be applied with roller or brush • IAPMO-listed for use as a shower pan liner; ICC ESR report #3474 • Exceeds ANSI A118.10 and A118.12
Visit www.mapei.com for details on Mapelastic AquaDefense.
Ad - Resize - TileLetter - October - Mapelastic AquaDefense.indd 1 8/25/17 9:50 AM October 2017 ONE SHEET MEMBRANE FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY WATERPROOFING JOB! Dedicated to education and industry service TM ARDEX SK 175 tileletter.com Waterproo ng Membrane and Vapor ONLINE NOW Retarder for Tile & Stone Installations news you need to know • Very low perm rating (.04); Feature Story 34 approved for use in commercial steam showers LATICRETE • Ideal for swimming pools; International, Inc. Just One Layer Required! The infamous • Interior and exterior applications Watergate Hotel gets • Recommended with ARDEX high a high-profi le facelift performance polymer-modi ed mortars
feature story
In this issue...
66 Hot Topics: Proper training on tools By Lesley Goddin APPROVED
84 Qualifi ed Labor: FOR COMMERCIAL The Cronin Company hosts STEAM SHOWERS Portland, Ore., CTI exam 44 54 90 Women in Tile: Passion and ability – not gender – make a stellar tile contractor By Lesley Goddin
102 Decorative Tile: "Fun Tile Friday" reveals stunning work by NTCA members 90 90 By Lesley Goddin Single Source Comprehensive Warranty 888-512-7339 • www.ardexamericas.com 2 TileLetter | October 2017
TileLetter_0817.indd 1 8/21/2017 11:53:27 AM ONE SHEET MEMBRANE FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY WATERPROOFING JOB!
ARDEX SK 175TM Waterproo ng Membrane and Vapor Retarder for Tile & Stone Installations
• Very low perm rating (.04); approved for use in commercial steam showers • Ideal for swimming pools; Just One Layer Required! • Interior and exterior applications • Recommended with ARDEX high performance polymer-modi ed mortars
APPROVED FOR COMMERCIAL STEAM SHOWERS
Single Source Comprehensive Warranty 888-512-7339 • www.ardexamericas.com
TileLetter_0817.indd 1 8/21/2017 11:53:27 AM Columns THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE 6 Welcome new members NATIONAL TILE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 8 2017 NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops BART A. BETTIGA, publisher [email protected] 12 Editor’s letter President’s letter LESLEY A. GODDIN, editor 16 [email protected]
MICHELLE CHAPMAN, art director 20 Ask the Experts advertising sales Sponsored by LATICRETE International, Inc. [email protected]
MARY SHAW-OLSON, advertising sales 28 Business Tip: [email protected] NTCA launches new Career Center Mailing Address: Sponsored by MAPEI Corporation P.O. Box 13629 Jackson, MS 39236 U.S.A. Shipping Address: 44 Member Spotlight: 626 Lakeland East Drive Surfaces 15 Jackson, MS 39232 Tel: 601-939-2071 Sponsored by Custom Building Products Fax: 601-932-6117 Website: 54 Tech Talk: www.tileletter.com Jobsite staging and preparation for www.tile-assn.com gauged porcelain tile slab/panel NTCA would not be possible with- out the dedicated service of our By Ben Szell, European Tile Masters board and committee members, and Sponsored by regional and state directors. Meet ® these dedicated volunteers by visit- TEC /H.B. Fuller Construction Products ing www.tile-assn.com and clicking on About Us. You can also fi nd infor- mation and a continually updated 76 Stone: list of Five Star Contractors at www. Textured stone brings added dimension to tile-assn.com – click on Find a Tile Contractor or Consultant. dazzling projects By Lesley Goddin TILELETTER EDITORIAL POLICY: TileLetter is the offi cial publication of the National Tile 80 Silicosis training Contractors Association, Inc. (NTCA). TileLetter resource added to Natural Stone University provides a medium for expressing views and opinions without approving, disapproving, Sponsored by MAPEI Corporation or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appearing under a byline, or obtained or quoted from an 88 NTCA University Update: acknowledged source. Statements of fact and 2018 NTCA University pricing includes free opinion are made on the responsibility of the authors alone, and do not imply an opinion or option for single contractor members refl ect the offi cial position of NTCA. By Becky Serbin, The National Tile Contractors Association, Inc. training and education coordinator is an equal opportunity association and seeks to include qualifi ed individuals and businesses in all phases of its activities. The National Tile 106 NTCA Benefi ts Box Contractors Association, Inc. does not discrimi- 108 NTCA News nate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran 112 Faces in the News status, or disability. The National Tile Contractors 112 Industry News Association, Inc. seeks opportunities to include these groups in its programs and activities. 122 New Products 125 Advertisers' Index TileLetter is a free subscription to the tile, stone and allied products industries. To subscribe, visit www.tileletter.com -> click on Advertisers In Memory: Phil Halcomb & Subscribers -> click on Subscribe. To make 126 address changes or unsubscribe, please send an email to: [email protected].
4 TileLetter | October 2017 save time! Set tile in the Same Day with Fracture Guard FD.
Merkrete Fracture Guard FD is a fast-drying crack isolation membrane for same-day tile installations. It provides a thin protection layer to inhibit substrate crack transfers up to 1/8”and conforms to any shape or pattern, allowing endless architectural designs. EXCEEDS ANSI A118.12 for Crack Isolation Membranes
Superior Crack Isolation up to 1/8” fast drying - dries in 2 to 4 hours Low VOC
866.516.0061 | www.merkrete.com
ME TL FG FD AD 0617.indd 1 6/5/17 3:02 PM WELCOME NEW MEMBERS These members recently joined NTCA! Please take the opportunity to wel- come those in your region to the NTCA family! CONTRACTOR MEMBERS –––––––– Fischer Tile Inc. Burch Construction Eric Fischer Chris Burch Sebastopol, CA West Henrietta, NY fischertile@ burchconstruction@ sbcglobal.net yahoo.com 707-529-6749 585-771-7429 Flooring Services, LLC Carbonneau Ceramic Tile Co. Harry Crosby Pierre Aimee Lewisville, TX Carbonneau [email protected] Eureka, CA 972-888-3972 aimee@ ceramictileman.com Granite & Marble 707-443-8842 Natural Stone Vadim Osipov Contempo Tile Rancho Cordova, CA Michael Bertella gmns@ Chittenango, NY gmnaturalstone.com [email protected] 916-363-2334 315-374-5729 Home Improvements Cryder Tile Inc. by King Services Tim Cryder Raquel Sulca San Francisco, CA Centereach, NY [email protected] homeimprovementsbykingservices@ 707-290-5202 gmail.com 631-867-6060 Elegant Surfaces Inc. Sergey Korol L&L Tile and Stone Works Sacramento, CA Luis Lopez [email protected] Indio, CA 916-704-3895 [email protected] 760-636-9382 Fabie Tile & Marble Fabie Asgari Lowery Tile Company Woodland Hills, CA Joseph Lowery fabiemarble@sbc- Alsip, IL global.net [email protected] 818-398-9901 708-389-9200
6 TileLetter | October 2017 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WELCOME NEW MEMBERS MJK Tile Installation Made Easy Inc. Joseph Kokikian Michael Turner Van Nuys, CA Kennesaw, GA [email protected] [email protected] 818-652-6696 770-261-7145
Palmco Services VCDC Inc. George Guti Zoran Vrhovnik Greenville, SC Napa, CA [email protected] [email protected] 864-567-2576 707-254-5598
Phenomenal, LLC DISTRIBUTOR MEMBER –––––––––– Troy Lester Tileport Inc. Hyattsville, MD Matt Wolf [email protected] Santa Monica, CA 240-582-7953 [email protected] 310-405-9013 Phillips Flooring Center Christine Stewart MANUFACTURER MEMBERS –––––– Rincon, GA US Rubber [email protected] Steven Weisenberg 912-826-6872 Colton, CA stevew.usrubber@ Rainbow Builders Inc. gmail.com Nelz Barnett 714-924-2160 Anchorage, AK [email protected] Makinex USA LLC 907-276-5044 Brandy Hicks Redondo Beach, CA SCS Flooring, LLC [email protected] Santiago Almeida 855-625-4639 West Palm Beach, FL [email protected] 561-307-5215
Simonelli Tile & Stone Marc Simonelli Orangevale, CA marcsimonelli@ yahoo.com For information about joining NTCA, 916-470-7601 visit our website at www.tile-assn.com, contact Jim Olson at 601-939-2071, or email him at [email protected]. TileLetter | October 2017 7 NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops presented by Mark Heinlein, Robb Roderick, Scott Carothers and Luis Bautista 2017 NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops
NTCA’s Tile & Stone Workshops are a great opportunity to stay abreast of the latest tech- niques and systems for tile and stone installation. Workshops now include information on the many changes in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation, live demonstrations and an open forum at every event. Visit www.tile-assn.com for a work- shop schedule or check each issue of TileLetter for upcoming events in your area.
NOVEMBER 15 ––––––––––––––– DECEMBER 5 ––––––––––––––––– Daltile (Spanish speaking workshop) Walker Zanger 6323 Airport Frwy., Suite A 11550 Newberry Street Haltom City, TX Dallas, TX 817-332-4161 972-481-3900 Scott Routzong Bob Buswell [email protected] [email protected]
NOVEMBER 28 ––––––––––––––– The Tile Shop 1701 S. 108th Street West Allis, WI 414-257-2233 TJ Jensen [email protected]
NOVEMBER 29 ––––––––––––––– For updates to workshops or to Daltile see an upcoming event in your 5000 Tremont Ave. Bldg 500 area, visit our website at www. Davenport, IA tile-assn.com. 563-388-6116 Abby Swynenberg [email protected]
The Tile Shop 7690 Cypress Creek Pkwy Willowbrook, TX 513-702-5786 Dulce Rodriguez [email protected] 8 TileLetter | October 2017 NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops presented by Mark Heinlein, Robb Roderick, Scott Carothers and Luis Bautista Mark Heinlein Robb Roderick Scott Carothers Luis Bautista Thank you for your sponsorship of the NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops
® ...sets standards
The Greatest Grout, Tile, Low V .O.C. VanHearron VVanHearron and Stone Sealers on Earth!
Home Safe
Verified Low VOC
Keeping Surfaces Clean and Easy to Maintain!
S G TAIN UARD T UARD
5000 STAINGUARD5000
Protects Against: Mustard Ketchup Grease Milk Wine Deep Penetrating No Change to Appearance Beer Superior Protection Soft Drinks Porous Stone, Cast Stone, Concrete, Sandstone, Limestone, and Brick
32 fl. oz. always environmentally friendly Made in U.S.A. A Product of VanHearron, Inc.
TileLetter | October 2017 9 Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces™ Hearth Smoke Matte
OFFERING THE HOTTEST LOOKS IN LARGE FORMAT SLAB For Natural Stone, ONE Quartz® and now Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces™
IGNITE YOUR SENSES AT OUR DESIGN STUDIO & STONE CENTER. TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU, VISIT US ONLINE AT DALTILE.COM
©2017 Daltile
DAL_TileLetterAd_11x8.5_Spread_Oct_1709.indd 1 8/30/17 9:28 AM Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces™ Hearth Smoke Matte
OFFERING THE HOTTEST LOOKS IN LARGE FORMAT SLAB For Natural Stone, ONE Quartz® and now Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces™
IGNITE YOUR SENSES AT OUR DESIGN STUDIO & STONE CENTER. TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU, VISIT US ONLINE AT DALTILE.COM
©2017 Daltile
DAL_TileLetterAd_11x8.5_Spread_Oct_1709.indd 1 8/30/17 9:28 AM EDITOR’S LETTER Lesley A. Goddin
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Confucius
It is currently September 8, December issue. The crunch is to 2017 and I am wrapping up this be sure all the issues are ready issue and our November issue. to be designed, produced and Why so early you say? Many of printed before I leave. you contributors and sponsors With only one week to go, are REALLY asking this question, honestly, it’s hard to think of any- since I’ve been giving you fits thing else. I hope to see beautiful and pressing you on deadlines. examples of tile and stone along Because on September 15, I the way and will share those am flying to Barcelona, and then with you on my return. taking a train to Leon, Spain, But I DO have to think of where I will walk 200 miles other things (for the next week at of the Camino of Santiago de least), so let me draw your atten- Compostela, a 500-mile pilgrim- tion to some of the features in age route in northwestern Spain this issue. traveled by thousands and thou- We have our annual Women sands of pilgrims for over 1,000 in Tile installment in October, years – all making our way to the in which we talk with mosaicist Cathedral of Santiago, where the Angie Halford, and designer/ remains of St. James the Great installer Chanel Carrizosa about are enshrined (Never heard of it? their journeys through the tile Watch “The Way” with Martin industry. Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It’s We also have a couple of on Amazon Prime). Carrying all social media-derived stories: I need in a 15-lb. backpack, the Decorative Tile and Hot Topics. next month promises to be a life- The Facebook tile groups are changing experience. I’ll be back great founts of opinion and in Albuquerque October 16, just encouragement and catalogs of about the time you’ll be receiv- beautiful jobs as well as failures. ing this magazine – and just in I love the support and encour- time to jump into compiling our agement I see being offered from 12 TileLetter | October 2017 BIG TILE & LONG CUTS
MK-101 Pro24 JCS Tile Saw MK Diamond offers professionals a tile saw that is durable and powerful. The heavy-duty Baldor electric 1-1/2 HP/120v fully enclosed, high torque, fan-cooled motor is the power behind the blade and delivers long, reliable service. The integrated stand that allows the operator to set up or transport in a matter of seconds. • Depth of Cut: 3" • Length of Cut: 24” • Diagonally Cuts: 18” Tile
MADE IN USA
MK-212 Tile & Stone Saws The MK-212 series offers the MK-212-4 with a 10” blade capacity, length of cut 30”, diagonal cut 24” and depth of cut 2”. The MK-212-6 has a 12” blade capacity, length of cut 72”, diagonal cut 42” and depth of cut 3”. • 2 hp, direct drive 115v motor • Tilting head allows easy and precise 45º miter cuts • Blade guard accommodates 10” profile wheels • Pivoting blade guard for easy blade changes MADE IN USA
Scan for Video
Phone: 1.800.421.5830 www.mkdiamond.com © 2017 MK Diamond Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Images and specifications are subject to change without notice.
TileLetter_Full pg_July 2017_0617C.indd 1 6/22/17 1:46 PM EDITOR'S LETTER –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– contractor to contractor, sup- those looking to fi ll positions and plier or association to contrac- those looking for work alike. tor, regardless of gender, race, So there’s plenty of inspiring, color, creed, country of origin, encouraging, useful and heart- or political persuasion in these felt information for you as you groups. If you can do the job journey through your days the – or you are striving to do bet- next month. I wish you well with ter or refine your skills – NTCA the pilgrim greeting I will be Members Only, Tile Geeks, Tile giving and receiving countless Love 2.0, Global Tile Posse, (and times before mid-October: Buen possibly others I have not yet Camino! Because all of life is a discovered) are there for encour- journey. agement, inspiration, commiser- ation, and sometimes some rib- God bless, bing (it comes with the territory). We also have a story about NTCA’s new Career Center, which Lesley is a fantastic resource for both [email protected]
14 TileLetter | October 2017
PRESIDENT’S LETTER Martin Howard
NTCA participates in international CRYSTAL GLASS GROUT outreach during Cersaie ® in Bologna, Italy
Leaders of the National Tile James Woelfel and I attended the Contractors Association were exhibition and collaborated with recently honored guests at the leaders of several international Cersaie Ceramic Tile Trade Fair, held associations dedicated to the pro- annually in Bologna, Italy. Cersaie fessional installation of ceramic took place September 25th-29th, tile. In addition to attending the and is the world’s largest exhibi- fair and technical seminars, with tion of ceramic tile and installation an emphasis on large-format and materials. NTCA executive director gauged porcelain tile panels, NTCA Bart Bettiga, chairman of the board leaders participated in an exclu- sive meeting with representatives of Assopossa, the Italian association THE PERFECT Visit at Total Solutions Plus 2017 TABLE TOP N134 dedicated to ceramic tile installa- Floating Shower Bench Kit tion. The emphasis on the meeting was on training and education, and ADORNMENT FOR promoting best business practices New! of tiling contractors. In addition to FINE GLASS TILES For use with the board of Assopossa, leaders of STARLIKE® the EUF, the European Federation CRYSTAL of National Tilers Associations, Available in 26 charming colors: Grout also participated in the summit discussions. Topics on the agenda included different systems of cer- tifi cations, for both installers and EXCLUSIVE! contracting companies' education and training initiatives, including Revolutionizing The Shower apprenticeship programs, keeping 800.215.0203 pace with changing and innovative www.hollspa.com technology, and safety in the work- ™ place, especially as it relates to the creation of dust during work place Innovative Solutions For Bath & Spa operations. 16 TileLetter | October 2017 www.TileDoctor.com • 1-877-TILEDOC
TLAd_TileDoctor_CGGJewels_FullPg_FINAL.indd 1 8/23/17 9:20 PM CRYSTAL GLASS GROUT
®
THE PERFECT ADORNMENT FOR
FINE GLASS TILES For use with STARLIKE® CRYSTAL Available in 26 charming colors: Grout
www.TileDoctor.com • 1-877-TILEDOC
TLAd_TileDoctor_CGGJewels_FullPg_FINAL.indd 1 8/23/17 9:20 PM PRESIDENT'S LETTER ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– An official tour of four technical build consensus within the industry partners of Assopossa was also part where advantageous. The desire is of the program, with official visits to engage the manufacturers with at Cersaie scheduled with Fila Care a broad base of support for training and Maintenance Systems, MAPEI and education that enhances the Coporation, Raimondi Tools, and use of tile and stone with technical- Schluter Systems. ly sound and beautiful installations The NTCA Board of Directors has around the world. NTCA has previ- identified international outreach as ously developed programs and rela- one of its main strategic objec- tionships with tile and installation tives. The goal of this outreach is to associations in Australia, Canada establish dialogue and collabora- and Spain. Discussions with other tion with other associations with associations are ongoing. shared interest in promoting and advancing the proper professional Keep on tiling! installation of tile and stone in the market place. We seek opportuni- Martin Howard, president NTCA ties to learn and collaborate with Committee member, ANSI A108 these associations to continue to [email protected]
t Waterproof wall inserts, for use with any installation method! t Surface mount design, easy to install without precise framing. t Available in 3 modular, practical sizes for more design options. t Nail it on and tile it in with modified thin set mortar.
9x13 t 13x13 t 13x20
Popular for new or remodeling projects. QuickShelf adds style and value to any tiled area.
Retailer inquiries welcome.
Wheeler Tile & Company t 800-965-9501 t www.QuickShelf.net
ASK THE EXPERTS Sponsored by
QUESTION can handle that level of moisture. I have a fl oor installation with a There are thousands of setting relative humidity reading of over products that are affected by dif- 90%. Can you advise me of steps fering amounts of moisture in a I might take to prevent a failure in variety of ways. Using the informa- this installation? tion you have received from a rela- tive humidity test in concert with ANSWER technical data from your setting This is a very high reading and material provider is paramount for beyond the capabilities of most a successful installation. setting materials. In general, most – Robb Roderick, setting products perform well with NTCA technical trainer/presenter readings of 3 lbs/1,000 sq. ft./24 hours in calcium chloride test, or QUESTION readings less than 75% using a I was helping a friend with a relative humidity test. concrete shower base install and The effect of moisture on fl oor ran into a problem. We poured the covering is a huge problem across concrete base with the required the United States. Not addressing portland cement/sand mixture at this issue with a moisture mitiga- the correct slope. About a month tion system will affect the lon- after the tile install, the grout start- gevity and performance of this ed chipping out. After regrouting it installation and probably lead to continued to fall apart. We pulled some type of failure. Some manu- up the tile and it came up pretty facturers have moisture mitigation easy. It’s been about fi ve days now systems that include waterproof- and the concrete still looks wet. ing membrane, and specifi c thin- I cleared out the area around the set mortars that are warrantable drain to make sure the weep holes up to 12 lbs/1,000 sq. ft. and were clear and they were. Why is above 90% relative humidity. My the base still wet? I’m hesitant to advice to you is to use a mois- install new tile on top until it’s dry. ture mitigation system and the Help please! appropriate setting materials that 20 TileLetter | October 2017 STRATA _MAT ™^ The Next Generation Uncoupling Mat Mortar hydration vents Accelerates thin-set curing for faster dry time of porcelain and larger format tiles – grout the next day
Mechanical bond Thin-set mortar forms a mechanical bond to STRATA_MAT™ surface for greater strength
Instant coverage verification Translucent color indicates proper mortar coverage
™ STRATA_MAT XT Designed with a 5/16" (8 mm) profile height, so your tiles can align flush with your hard wood flooring.
n For use with modified thin-set mortars n ASTM C627 (Robinson) - EXTRA HEAVY n Easy layout - Chalk lines are easily visible n Anti-fracture protection - Helps prevent cracks www.laticrete.com l 1.800.243.4788
*See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information. ^United States Patent No.: 9,016,018B2 (and other Patents). A-1325-0917 ©2017 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. ASK THE EXPERTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ANSWER Can you tell me if a pre-slope of a 1/4” per 12” was installed fi rst then a liner placed over the pre- slope and sealed to the clamping ring drain, then the mud pack over that? LATICRETE has launched the Or, was a surface-applied water- installation-material industry’s fi rst proofi ng membrane installed on Live Chat online technical service top of the sloped dry pack mud functionality of its kind, allowing bed and sealed via the divot meth- customers to connect directly with od to the clamping ring drain? a LATICRETE Technical Services If not, the mud pan is going to representative via web chat, email hold water if there is no mem- or phone call. Agents are available brane channeling it to the drain daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. system. “Live Chat raises the bar for the Showers and pans are complex entire industry, with LATICRETE systems that must be installed leading the way,” said Mitch properly to protect the rest of the Hawkins, Technical Services structure they are installed in. I Manager at LATICRETE. “We’ll be strongly suggest hiring a qualifi ed able to provide instant, easy-to- professional to perform this instal- access, fi ve-star service to our cus- lation. tomers across the globe by which- The NTCA is the world’s largest ever means is most convenient for association of tile contractors. You them.” can locate an NTCA Member con- LATICRETE Live Chat, which is tractor and a Certifi ed Tile Installer available on every page of the com- in your area by visiting the fol- pany’s website, can be accessed lowing sites: www.tile-assn.com or through computers, tablets and www.ceramictilefoundation.org. smartphones, without having to – Mark Heinlein, download an app. NTCA technical trainer/presenter Live Chat allows the technical services team to instantly address RESPONSE the current situation at hand while Thanks for the quick reply. It providing customers with instant looks like I did all of the correct access to information and assis- things outlined in your email with tance wherever they might be. exception of the divot method. www.laticrete.com Now after reading up on the divot method I have questions. Does it require a drastic slope to 22 TileLetter | October 2017 ®
MADE IN AMERICA Incredibly Simple Incredibly Strong GOOF PROOF CORNER SHELF Made of sturdy PVC and patented mounting system (Retro Shelf Mounting System). This shelf is installed in less than 5 minutes. The Goof Proof Tile Ready corner shelf comes complete with template, mounting rails, tile ready shelf and all mounting adhesives needed.
Position template Glue on rails in slots
Silicone back and fill grooves Firmly attach GOOF PROOF SHOWER SEAT •Easily Adjustable width 24” or 30” •Six pre-drilled Mounting holes •Level vials ensure correct pitch •Full width tile support ledge •Waffle pattern assures optimal tile adhesion
Check our website for videos and more information: www.goofproofshowers.com Mark E Industries, Inc. Toll Free: 1-866-771-9470 [email protected] ASK THE EXPERTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– the drain as shown in the picture one is used, it must be prop- below? Also does this method erly sealed to the clamping ring call for a paint-on membrane to drain. The divot allows for using a be put on the very top? Let me surface-applied membrane in lieu know and thanks again for your of a pre-slope and a liner with a time. clamping-ring drain system. Or, a bonding-fl ange drain system can be utilized to accommodate a surface-applied membrane. There are many variables, tech- niques, best practices and stan- dards that must be considered, applied and performed correctly in every tile installation. Showers and wet areas are especially criti- cal. I suggest contacting a quali- ANSWER fi ed, certifi ed, knowledgeable, Either a liner on the pre-slope or experienced professional using a surface-applied membrane must the links I sent previously. – M.H. be used. Not both. Whichever RESPONSE Mark, thank you. I did the liner e-Learning Program on the pre-slope so I should be okay. I just wasn’t sure why the Industry and product information in short, easy segments base retained so much moisture even with the liner, slope, and Train from the comfort of your weep holes all in working order. home or office anytime Fast and easy to access, ANSWER listen, and complete Drainage issues could poten- tially be related to the site mix/ recipe or consistency of the mix, method of application, etc.
A-8333-0917 ©2017 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. A-8333-0917 ©2017 LATICRETE Perhaps the problem with the grout could be related to the type and mixing and application of grout or the type and mixing of For more information, the mortar and troweling tech- visit www.laticrete.com/university nique used to bond the tile to the 1.800.243.4788 Globally Proven ConstructionGlobally Proven Solutions mud pack. – M.H. Construction Solutions
24 TileLetter | October 2017
PAID ADVERTORIAL –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– When surfaces need protecting, Trimaco’s heavy duty surface protectors have got you covered
FloorShell®: A to continue the curing process. The paper contractor-strength is easy to work with and repels minor floor protection roll spills. for your toughest SuperTuff® Surface Protector: This jobs. Heavy duty heavy duty surface construction board protector is impact made from 100% resistant, absorbent, recycled newsprint, this item is eco-friend- slip-resistant and ly and reusable. FloorShell® is breathable reusable. Great for to protect new and existing wood, con- all types of floors crete, stone, tile, linoleum, epoxy, vinyl and counter tops, composition tile (vct), and most other floor plus it is long lasting types. The thick board can even stand and easy to clean. up against the wear and tear of forklifts. Stay Put® Surface Protector: A pad- Worried about spills? Our innovative Spill ded surface protector with a slip-resistant Block® liquid repellent technology protects tacky backing, it’s great for high-end hard- against paint, mud, water and more. The wood floors, vinyl, tile, marble and stairs. scored edge provides protection for base- Stay Put® Surface Protector is breathable boards and walls. to allow surfaces to continue curing, yet X•Board: A light- waterproof to block spills from the surface. weight, but tough It’s even re-positional and reusable, with alternative for floor no risk of residue being left on the surface. and surface protec- Aqua Shield® Ultimate Surface tion, X•Board offers Protection: A fire the same benefits retardant and dust as FloorShell® in a free surface pro- lighter weight and will last for the endur- tector, it’s also leak ance of the job. proof and slip resis- X•Paper: A heavy tant. Aqua Shield® duty flooring protec- comes in multiple thicknesses and pro- tion paper. It’s 1.5 tects all types of surfaces. The 40 mil times thicker than roll provides maximum strength against regular contractor’s forklifts and scissor lifts. It can be used paper and is breath- time and time again, plus it’s recyclable able to allow floors once you are finished with it. 26 TileLetter | October 2017
BUSINESS TIP sponsored by NTCA launches new Career Center
NTCA has added an updated, And the services to job seekers high-powered Career Center to its are free! list of member benefi ts that allows In the Find a Job section, there you to bypass extraneous listings is a listing of hand-picked employ- you’ll fi nd on commercial job ment opportunities culled from the boards. The NCTA Career Center is web. Next to this listing is a link that tailored specifi cally for you. There enables you to upload your resume, are opportunities for both job seek- and allow employers to fi nd you! ers and employers. Job seekers can You can tailor your job search by manage their job search, access state or do a nationwide search for job postings, post a resume, or join the type of position you seek, and the job alert system. Employers can return 10-100 results at a time. quickly post job openings, manage In the Resources section, there online recruiting efforts, advance is a collection of articles that will resume searching, or reach tar- help you with a range of job- geted qualifi ed applicants. related activities, like honing your The Career Center is designed resume, preparing for an interview to provide you with a better over- and even planning a career change all experience through a modern or using digital tools to network design and an intuitive interface. and gain exposure. You will be able to access the You can also schedule a ses- Career Center through any device sion with a career expert who can of your choice- smartphone, tablet, coach you and answer your ques- or desktop. tions in one business day.
Job seekers Employers Once you create an There are a number account you can start of recruitment options and track your search. available for employers, There’s an ability to starting from a single, manage resumes and set job alerts. 30-day job posting, and a number 28 TileLetter | October 2017 Better technology takes you further. Upgrade to the rst-class Ever Color ™ grouts.
Some grouts can be ighty and unreliable. You hope your grout installation won’t crash and burn. But when you get the dreaded callback, your whole day goes into a tailspin.
Why live with the queasy feeling that standard grouts give you? Ensure ground control with your installations by switching to the new line of advanced-technology premium grouts from North American Adhesives (NAA). Choose from ready-to-use NA 4600 Ever Color PQ, industrial epoxy NA 4700 Ever Color IQ and multipurpose, quick NA 4800 Ever Color MPG.
Ever Color grouts soar over traditional Portland-cement grouts with a host of benets: • Color-consistent • Ef orescence-free • Durable • No sealing required
Learn more by visiting www.na-adhesives.com.
17-2186 Ad - Resize - TileLetter - October - NAA Ever Color Grouts.indd 1 8/25/17 9:50 AM BUSINESS TIP ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– of enhanced packages. Search for resumes, keep track of candidates, post information about your com- pany, and much more. A template tab allows you to store letters, job posting templates and tem- plates for questions you want to The installation of large-format tile ask someone considering a career presents a unique set of challenges with your company. for installers. Demands upon the set- Development of this iteration ting mortar require a product that wets of the Career Center is in direct out the back of the porcelain tile or response to NTCA member feed- stone as well as the substrate. The back. “One of the most consistent mortar needs to produce superior bond messages we have heard from our strengths while delivering the deform- members recently is that the tile ability to accommodate a higher degree industry offers numerous career of expansion and contraction resulting from larger tile sizes. paths,” said Bart Bettiga, executive MAPEI’s Thixo Technology LHT mor- director. “From sales and instal- tars exceed these large-and-heavy-tile lation, to training and technical installation requirements with prod- assistance, to business and project ucts that perform multiple functions. management; there are so many Thixotropic formulations allow MAPEI’s great jobs for people who commit Ultrafl or™ Plus, Ultrafl ex™ LFT ™ and to learning about tile and stone. Ultrafl ex LHT to be used as both stan- We at the NTCA are excited to dard thin-set mortars and large-and- offer an easy-to-use program that heavy-tile mortars with non-slump per- will allow for people to post their formance. Ultrafl ex LFT and Ultrafl ex LHT mortars also meet ISO non-sag resume to explore their options performance requirements for vertical at furthering their career. As more applications. All three LHT mortars and more people do this, we will hold ridges when larger-sized trowels be able to help connect companies are used, providing maximum support looking for qualifi ed people in the and coverage.www.mapei.com. tile and stone industry to these candidates.” Access the Career Center on the home page of the NTCA website at www.tile-assn.com or paste either of these links in your browser: http://bit.ly/2yENKhA or http://careerwebsite.com.
30 TileLetter | October 2017 HARDSCAPE
Specialty Tools for PORCELAIN PAVER TILES
• DRY PORCELAIN PAVER TILE CUTTING SYSTEM - Portable Cutting System • PT CUTTER - The Ultimate Dry Blade for Hardscape Contractors • KATANA - Designed for Hardscape Porcelain Tiles • DRY CORE BIT - High-Speed Dry Core Bit for jobsite drilling • CONTOUR BLADE FOR PORCELAIN - Curve Cutting on Hardscape Porcelain Tiles
103 Bauer Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436 • 800-648-7229 • Fax: 800-286-0114 • www.alpha-tools.com PROFLEX Products, Inc. manufactures state of the art products that can assist with water vapor reduction, sound control, and crack suppression. The membranes are specially designed to be used under thinset and mudset mortars and adhesives.
Sound Control: Sound abatement products are more prevalent than ever in multi-story residential, commercial, and multipurpose facilities. PROFLEX™ membranes offer industry leading sound abatement performance as measured in both laboratory and field tests. PROFLEX™ products also bring the added benefits of being produced using both recycled and renewable raw materials that are recognized by the USGBC as approved materials towards LEED projects.
Now Available Nationwide at: To locate your nearest distributor, PROFLEX™ Products, Inc. give us a call at 877-577-6353, or 877-577-6353 www.proflex.us visit our website at proflex.us and ©2015 Lowe's. LOWE'S, Gable Mansard Design, and Never Stop Improving are registered trademarks of LF, LLC. click Dealer Locator. All are used with permission. When sound control matters.. PROFLEX Products, Inc. manufactures state of the art products that can assist with water vapor reduction, sound control, and crack suppression. The membranes are specially designed to be used under thinset and mudset mortars and adhesives.
Sound Control: Sound abatement products are more prevalent than ever in multi-story residential, commercial, and multipurpose facilities. PROFLEX™ membranes offer industry leading sound abatement performance as measured in both laboratory and field tests. PROFLEX™ products also bring the added benefits of being produced using both recycled and renewable raw materials that are recognized by the USGBC as approved materials towards LEED projects.
Now Available Nationwide at: To locate your nearest distributor, PROFLEX™ Products, Inc. give us a call at 877-577-6353, or 877-577-6353 www.proflex.us visit our website at proflex.us and ©2015 Lowe's. LOWE'S, Gable Mansard Design, and Never Stop Improving are registered trademarks of LF, LLC. click Dealer Locator. All are used with permission. When sound control matters.. FEATURE STORY
The infamous WATERGATE HOTEL gets a high-profi le facelift
he Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., is best known as the site of one Tof the biggest political scandals in American history, thanks to a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquar- ters housed in the hotel’s adjoin- ing offi ce complex, which even- tually led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. After countless renovations and an ownership battle as tricky as the Watergate investigation itself, the hotel recently reopened after being shuttered for nearly a decade. The $200-million reno- vation, which capitalized on the hotel’s vintage aesthetic, restored many of the hotel’s original fea- tures, including its grand stair- case and mosaic-tiled 50-foot (15 The newly-renovated spa area provides meter) saltwater indoor pool that’s a year-round oasis to hotel guests and members of The Watergate Hotel.Photo located below the lobby in the Credit: Courtesy of The Watergate Hotel 12,500-sq.-ft. (975 meter) spa – 34 TileLetter | October 2017 Checking coverage under this tile is not an option— Using the right mortar is
New! 257 TITANIUM™ n Optimal solution for Gauged Porcelain Tile LIFETIME* n Lightweight 25lb (11.3 kg) Warranty n 60 minute open time n Contains no silica sand Globally Proven Globally Proven www.laticrete.com l 1.800.243.4788 Construction Solutions *See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information. A-8292-0817 ©2017 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners. LATICRETE products used in the renovation of The Watergate Hotel
Argentta. Named after the Italian word for silver due to the genuine silver fl ecks in the tile, the Argentta design pays homage to the hotel’s original architect, Luigi Moretti. “The Watergate Hotel was a playground for powerful people for more than 50 years, so it was exciting to be a part of such a high-profile renovation,” said Kevin Killian, president of Profast Commercial Flooring, the NTCA Five-Star Contractor chosen for the project. “Because of our previous success using LATICRETE® on large pool projects, our company chose to use a range of LATICRETE prod- ucts to ensure long-lasting, quality installations.”
The challenge: Profast Commercial Flooring used Glass • High profi le meets high traffi: c Tile Adhesive, a bright white water-mixed Linked to iconic Hollywood stars single component adhesive mortar, to install the pool’s silver-fl ecked mosaic such as Clark Gable and Greta tile. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Profast Garbo in addition to the Richard Commercial Flooring
Named after the Italian word for silver due to the genuine silver fl ecks in the tile, the Argentta design pays homage to the hotel’s original architect, Luigi Moretti. Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Watergate Hotel 36 TileLetter | October 2017 Your Trusted Partner 800-850-2044 | Lackmond.com
LPI_TileLetter_1017.indd 1 9/6/17 9:01 AM LATICRETE products used in the renovation of The Watergate Hotel
Nixon scandal, The Watergate A LATICRETE solution: Hotel’s reputation precedes it. After sitting unused for more than Knowing that the spa would 10 years, the pool had developed a double as a leisure area and large crack that spanned its entire point of exploration for curious width. Before Profast Commercial travelers visiting the historic site, Flooring could begin removing the space would need to “wow” any of the original tile work in visitors while withstanding heavy everyday use. • Preservation of history: Instead of demolishing The Watergate Hotel pool and starting from scratch, the developer, Euro Capital Properties, in collabora- tion with architects BBGM and Ron Arad Architects, decided to keep the original look and feel, which included using the exist- ing concrete shell of the pool. This required Profast Commercial Flooring to be careful when removing the original tile with- out damaging the pool shell, and Profast Commercial Flooring captured an image of the completed Watergate Hotel using care while installing the Pool renovation. Photo Credit: Courtesy new tile. of Profast Commercial Flooring
Profast Commercial Flooring installed the tile in the 12,500-sq. ft. (975 meter) spa –Argentta, using the original pool shell. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Profast Commercial Flooring 38 TileLetter | October 2017 THE WORLD’S FIRST DRY CUT TILE SAW WITH INTEGRATED DUST CONTROL
The iQTS244™ is a 10” dry cut tile saw for professional contractors, designed to eliminate problems with cutting wet, save significant time, and increase profitability.
RIP CUT CAPACITY: 24”
CUTTING DEPTH: 1”
DUST CAPACITY: 11 lbs.
BLADE SIZE: 10” Q-Drive
The iQTS244™ is OSHA Compliant and keeps your jobite dust free.
See a live demo at Total Solutions Plus!
SAFETY GEAR SAFETY • COMFORT • STYLE
Our iQ Safety Gear provides the perfect balance of comfort and safety - durable enough to withstand the demands of the jobsite while the lightweight design provides all day comfort.
No Water. No Mess. Find a dealer today to see it yourself! 888-274-7744 | WWW.iQPOWERTOOLS.COM LATICRETE products used in the renovation of The Watergate Hotel the preserved concrete shell and 3701 Fortifi ed Mortar has been pool area, a pool contractor was a trusted thick bed mortar used required to mend the rift by crack in demanding wet area installa- chasing and injecting the opening tions on many prestigious projects with epoxy to close it. around the world for over a decade. HYDRO BAN®, a thin waterproof- For this reason, 3701 Fortifi ed ing and anti-fracture membrane that Mortar was chosen as the mortar combines optimum performance bed used to screed and slope the and unmatched productivity, was Watergate Hotel pool deck to the then applied in two separate coats various area drains throughout the to offer anti-fracture protection of Argentta. Made up of a polymer- up to 1/8” (3 mm) over shrink- fortifi ed blend of carefully selected age and other non-structural cracks. polymers, portland cement and To test for watertightness after the graded aggregates, 3701 Fortifi ed application of the waterproofi ng Mortar does not require the use of membrane, an independent testing latex admix or jobsite blending. Its agency was hired to monitor the pre-mixed packaging is versatile water level along with the humid- and economical, and helped save ity in the pool area, accounting for the contractor both time and money evaporation. If the waterproofi ng by allowing a fast installation. installation did not pass the fl ood SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium test, moisture issues could cause Grout was chosen by Profast costly damages. Thanks to HYDRO Commercial Flooring because of BAN and its proven reliability, this was not an issue. Once Profast Commercial Flooring received the green light from the testing agency, the crew began thinsetting the glass tile in the pool and surrounding wall space, with Glass Tile Adhesive, a non-sag, polymer-fortifi ed adhe- sive mortar that is specifi cally for- mulated for use in glass tile appli- cations. Designed with effi ciency and cost savings in mind, Glass Tile Adhesive is a bright white water- mixed single component adhesive The Profast Commercial Flooring crew mortar that made the installation of thinsetting the glass tile in the spa’s wall space with Glass Tile Adhesive. Photo the project’s silver-fl ecked mosaic Credit: Courtesy of Profast Commercial tile easy to execute. Flooring 40 TileLetter | October 2017 LATICRETE products used in the renovation of The Watergate Hotel the previous success the company ture of the hotel for many years to had using the product to re-grout come.” other swimming pool and wet Since opening, The Watergate area projects. The patented, high- Hotel has been voted as one of the performance epoxy grout is crack ten best new hotels in the nation and chemical resistant and offers by USA Today in its 2017 10 Best excellent color uniformity, durabil- Readers’ Choice awards. ity and stain protection.
Outcome: The newly renovated spa area plays up the retro luxury that embodied the swank hotel pre- scandal, while providing a year- round oasis to hotel guests and members of The Watergate Hotel. “Our many years of experience and craftsmanship, paired with the excellent fi eld support and techni- cal knowledge of the LATICRETE team, ensured a newsworthy trans- formation,” added Killian. “With the help of high-quality LATICRETE The Watergate Hotel’s mosaic-tiled 50-foot products and their industry leading (15 meter) saltwater indoor pool, revital- ized by Profast Commercial Flooring and warranties, The Watergate Hotel LATICRETE setting materials. Photo Credit: pool will remain a standout fea- Courtesy of The Watergate Hotel.
The Watergate Hotel’s mosaic-tiled 50-foot (15 meter) saltwater indoor pool. Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Watergate Hotel. TileLetter | October 2017 41 + S
Green Squared Put You in the LEED Covers: That’s Why Tile. EXTRACTION
An Environmental Product MANUFACTURING Green Squared is the world’s Declaration (EPD) is a formal report only multi-attribute sustainability of a material’s environmental footprint. performance standard and certification CERAMIC & The tile industry has three separate UL-Certified program for tile and all the associated GLASS TILES industry-wide EPDs for North American-made products needed to install it. ceramic tile, mortar, and grout. Representing roughly 3.35 billion square feet of tile and 2.25 The Green Squared standard addresses billion kg of grout and mortar produced annually, everything from raw material extraction to end of TRANSPORTATION these EPDs represent the vast majority of life management. It establishes a broad and these North American-made products. consistent set of criteria for evaluating the sustainability of tile and tile installation products MORTARS & and eliminates the need to cross evaluate GROUTS single-attribute-sustainability claims. Products covered by s contribute toward LEED v4 Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – EPDs products contribute (Possible 2 Points) toward LEED v4 Credit: INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE Certified Mulit-Attribute Products and Materials BACKERBOARDS & (1 Point) MEMBRANES LEED
Credits +Compliance END OF LIFE Confidence OTHER INSTALLATION MATERIALS For more information, visit GreenSquaredCertified.com + S
Green Squared Put You in the LEED Covers: That’s Why Tile. EXTRACTION
An Environmental Product MANUFACTURING Green Squared is the world’s Declaration (EPD) is a formal report only multi-attribute sustainability of a material’s environmental footprint. performance standard and certification CERAMIC & The tile industry has three separate UL-Certified program for tile and all the associated GLASS TILES industry-wide EPDs for North American-made products needed to install it. ceramic tile, mortar, and grout. Representing roughly 3.35 billion square feet of tile and 2.25 The Green Squared standard addresses billion kg of grout and mortar produced annually, everything from raw material extraction to end of TRANSPORTATION these EPDs represent the vast majority of life management. It establishes a broad and these North American-made products. consistent set of criteria for evaluating the sustainability of tile and tile installation products MORTARS & and eliminates the need to cross evaluate GROUTS single-attribute-sustainability claims. Products covered by s contribute toward LEED v4 Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – EPDs products contribute (Possible 2 Points) toward LEED v4 Credit: INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE Certified Mulit-Attribute Products and Materials BACKERBOARDS & (1 Point) MEMBRANES LEED
Credits +Compliance END OF LIFE Confidence OTHER INSTALLATION MATERIALS For more information, visit GreenSquaredCertified.com MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––– sponsored by Surfaces 15 Partnership parlays passion and change for good into benefi ts for business and the industry
Greg Twarog and Edwardo refi nishing, engineered hardwood Martinez formed the partnership fl ooring, large-scale fl oor prep, Surfaces15 (www.facebook.com/ epoxy, and conduct moisture miti- surfaces15) three years ago with gation. The team is Nuheat pro the concept of creating a diverse certifi ed, skilled in wedi water- clientele and body of completed proof shower systems, and steam work. The company has held true shower installations. to that goal, with an average of Though leading a young, three- 25 projects going at all times, year old company, Twarog and varying in size and job scope. Martinez have over 50 years of By utilizing the vast talents of its installation experience between teams, Surfaces15 (S15) – locat- them. Martinez is a second-gen- ed in Downers Grove, Ill. – can eration fl ooring installer, working tackle projects ranging from small in the commercial and residential remodeling repairs like replacing arenas; Twarog is a fi rst-generation sealant on an old tub back to full tile setter, classically taught the tile scale remodeling projects refi nish- trade from laborer to journeyman ing basements, kitchens and baths and eventually business owner – or small to medium scale com- all the while specializing in the mercial build outs. The company focuses on detailed, custom jobs, but also undertakes install production type projects on occasion, never sacri- fi cing quality. S15 utilizes CTEF Certifi ed Tile Installers (CTIs) to install stone tiles, Saltillo, stone slabs, large thin gauged porcelain panels, LVT, VCT, custom and commer- Greg Twarog with recently-completed cial carpet, hardwood, hardwood residential remodel in Crete, Ill. 44 TileLetter | October 2017 CONQUER GROUT HAZE ® Ask for Aqua Mix where you WITH AQUA MIX buy tile installation products.
Don’t let grout haze slow down your projects. Today’s tiles are more textured and can include factory-applied coatings that can cause grout to stick around.
Grout Release A temporary, water soluble, pre-grout coating. Cement Grout Haze Remover An acidic treatment designed to remove cementitious grout haze. Non-Cement Grout Haze Remover
A safe cleaner that effectively removes ready-to-use, Available at pre-mixed, urethane, and light epoxy grout haze. The Home Depot and tile distributors nationwide.
CustomBuildingProducts.com DOWNLOAD CUSTOM’S MOBILE APP 800-272-8786
10684758 AquaMixGrout_TileLetter_Oct.indd 1 8/29/17 12:20 PM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– custom residential market. Both men bring the experience of own- ing their own fl ooring businesses to the mix. Twarog transitioned from business owner to work- Custom® Building Products is mak- ing for a Chicago-area distributor ing residential and commercial water- during the recession, eventually proofing and moving up to outside sales rep. shower instal- “When Edwardo and I met, and lations faster, we both realized we shared the easier and more same passion and philosophy for effi cient with the the industry, we decided to move new RedGard® towards our common goal and SpeedCoat™ form Surfaces15,” Twarog said. Rapid Curing Waterproofing Both agreed to build S15 from Membrane. A high-performance, fast- scratch from hard work and from track, liquid-applied product solution, their own skills and contacts and RedGard SpeedCoat allows installers to save days, not just hours, on show- er installations even in challenging environments. One coat of RedGard SpeedCoat cures in as little as one hour and features moisture-cure technology so it excels even in cold and damp or hot and humid conditions, and works well on freshly installed mor- tar beds. Install RedGard Speed Coat over concrete, cement mortar, cement backerboard and masonry. One coat is required for walls and two coats for fl oors to waterproof with this IAPMO-listed shower pan liner. A continuous waterproofi ng barrier of any shape and size can be easily achieved with RedGard SpeedCoat, which bonds aggres- sively to metal, PVC, stainless steel This project is a private residence and and ABS drain assemblies. contract for a remodel in Crete, Ill. A www.custombuildingproducts.com Leveltec tuning system eliminated the chance of lippage on this job. 46 TileLetter | October 2017 PRODUCT PERFORMANCE TESTING UNPARALLELED PRECISION
“TCNA Lab’s leadership in precision test methodology and rigorous adherence to ANSI, ASTM, and ISO protocols form the basis of our reputation as one of the preeminent testing facilities for the global tile industry.”
Claudio Bizzaglia Director of Laboratory Services
Product Performance Testing Laboratory 864-646-8453 • www.TCNAtile.com [email protected] (English, Español, Italiano, Português) MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– networks. After a year of business show up as new NTCA Illinois they decided – as Coverings 16 Ambassadors, they have shared Chicago approached – that they their vision with vendors and dis- would make it a point to attend covered they share the same pas- and to participate with their ven- sion for the goal for change. dors and network as much as they “We asked if they would be could for the week. interested in hosting NTCA events “We went and after a week- and CTI test days,” Twarog said. long discussion we both decided “They liked the idea so much, to make the investment into the that they have made special pro- NTCA,” Twarog said. Why did it take a week? Why not sign up right away? After all, there are vouchers after all and many benefi ts to be had. “Edwardo and I don’t do any- thing halfway,” Twarog said. “We knew if we decided to sign up we would be all-in. All-in for us, means we would want to both be CTEF CTIs and we would also both want to be State Ambassadors so we could both be a bigger part of the tile industry in a way that would set us apart from all the rest.” Now, just over a year later they are both CTEF CTI certifi ed as well as many in their network of installers. “In this short time we have been involved with many of our vendors through both the NTCA and the CTEF,” Twarog said. “This has been extremely gratify- ing to see the positive changes in both ourselves as well as our local industry.”
Surfaces 15 used The Tile Shop 8" x 48" Surfaces15 and NTCA: planks, with Blanke edging and tuned with creating change for good MLT Mechanical Lippage Tuning system in As Martinez and Twarog this Indian Head Park, Ill., balcony. 48 TileLetter | October 2017
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– visions with the CTEF for eli- our industry as a whole,” Twarog gible contractors to take CTI tests added. at their local stores anywhere “When you see Mark Heinlein nationally. This is not only a huge drive into your town in the NTCA commitment to their contractors truck you know something will but also their clients to help be learned and good change will assure a successful install of their come from it,” Twarog said. “That’s products they sell. what is most important to us, and “That has been the greatest value that is what we volunteer for – the that the NTCA has yielded to us, positive change and the sharing being able to successfully make of good installation practices so a positive change and impact to fewer failures occur. Failures are
A residential project in Lincoln Park, Chicago. 50 TileLetter | October 2017 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MEMBER SPOTLIGHT never good for our industry. They Surfaces15 has a passion for what make all our jobs more difficult we do that shows through in our when we go out to sell that big workmanship and finished prod- project we want to work on to the uct,” Twarog said. Mr. and Ms. Smiths or the general “We are always willing to lend contractor that we have just met. an ear and offer or research “As you will see in our installa- advice to help,” he added. “Many tions, it does not matter if Edwardo already know this about us and or I install the project, or if it’s our it’s something that I don’t see ever team members from our network, changing.”
This 32,000-sq.-ft. office buildout and warehouse space on Bradley Street in Chicago was for Power Homes. Surfaces 15 did all flooring aspects including grinding down entire building using large industrial equipment and edgers, and moisture mitigation. Tile is from Daltile, carpet tile from Mohawk and warehouse sealer coat from Sherwin Williams. TileLetter | October 2017 51 ARCTIC WHITE 51
COTTON FIELD 44 COCONUT MILK 46 ONE Mortar LIGHT BONE 20
BONE 7 ONE Grout TITANIUM 50 ONE Product for SILVER 1 INSTALL MOSAIC TILE all of your needs. WINTER SKY 45 SHEETS UP TO 12" X 12" PEARL GREY 2 PRO GROUT™ PRO GROUT ONE is an advanced professional-grade, ready-to-use premixed grout that GREY 3 delivers bright and superior color consistency combined with excellent stain resistance. PRO GROUT ONE can also be used to install mosaic tile sheets up to 300 x 300 mm CHARCOAL 4 (12" x 12") on oors and walls (refer to technical data sheet for more information). w Premixed, ready to use! BLACK 5 w Comes in 1/2 gal and 1 gal sizes w Ultra-smooth consistency GROUT JOINTS w Easy to use and clean AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES! CHAMOMILE 48 FROM 1/16" TO 1/2" w Bright and superior color consistency w Better coverage / zero waste SAHARA BEIGE 22 w Exceptional sag-free properties w Flexible and elastic w E orescence-free! CAMEL 24 w No sealing required! w Durable and crack resistant SAND 23 w Freeze/thaw stable w For interior and exterior use w Good performance in wet areas IRISH CREAM 21 10 w Will not promote mold, mildew or bacteria growth w Low VOC FRENCH VANILLA 52 WITH BEAUTIFUL w Contributes to LEED® objectives and requirements RESULTS! LINEN 39
Choosing the right grout color to accompany a tile can be just as important as the tile itself. This is why PRO GROUT ONE comes in the popular PROMA colors listed above. NOTE: Samples are grout color simulations only. Contact PROMA to order a Grout Color Card or Kit with more accurate samples. ARCTIC WHITE 51
COTTON FIELD 44 COCONUT MILK 46 ONE Mortar LIGHT BONE 20
BONE 7 ONE Grout TITANIUM 50 ONE Product for SILVER 1 INSTALL MOSAIC TILE all of your needs. WINTER SKY 45 SHEETS UP TO 12" X 12" PEARL GREY 2 PRO GROUT™ PRO GROUT ONE is an advanced professional-grade, ready-to-use premixed grout that GREY 3 delivers bright and superior color consistency combined with excellent stain resistance. PRO GROUT ONE can also be used to install mosaic tile sheets up to 300 x 300 mm CHARCOAL 4 (12" x 12") on oors and walls (refer to technical data sheet for more information). w Premixed, ready to use! BLACK 5 w Comes in 1/2 gal and 1 gal sizes w Ultra-smooth consistency GROUT JOINTS w Easy to use and clean AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES! CHAMOMILE 48 FROM 1/16" TO 1/2" w Bright and superior color consistency w Better coverage / zero waste SAHARA BEIGE 22 w Exceptional sag-free properties w Flexible and elastic w E orescence-free! CAMEL 24 w No sealing required! w Durable and crack resistant SAND 23 w Freeze/thaw stable w For interior and exterior use w Good performance in wet areas IRISH CREAM 21 10 w Will not promote mold, mildew or bacteria growth w Low VOC FRENCH VANILLA 52 WITH BEAUTIFUL w Contributes to LEED® objectives and requirements RESULTS! LINEN 39
Choosing the right grout color to accompany a tile can be just as important as the tile itself. This is why PRO GROUT ONE comes in the popular PROMA colors listed above. NOTE: Samples are grout color simulations only. Contact PROMA to order a Grout Color Card or Kit with more accurate samples. TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sponsored by Jobsite staging and preparation for gauged porcelain tile slab/panel By Ben Szell, European Tile Masters
The market for large porcelain • The simple answer is: They make tile panels has increased dramati- total sense. cally over the past six years or so • They are large here in the United States. These • Almost no grout joints large-format slabs/panels have • They are absolutely beautiful been around for a longer time in • They are very user-friendly Europe, however it was amazing • They take a lot less raw material to see how our industry embraced to produce them here in the USA. • They can be installed in areas A few of us were skeptical as to where other types of tile would whether this was just going to be not be practical a fad or whether it is really here to I will discuss some of the other stay. Now we know theseporce- reasons and benefi ts in a future lainslabs/panels are not going any- article. But this article will focus where. They are here to stay. Why? on jobsite staging and preparation
It’s necessary to focus on site preparation and choreography in order to successfully and safely install gauged porcelain panels, starting with knowing how the crates/frames will be delivered by the distributor. 54 TileLetter | October 2017 Larger. Thinner. Faster.
Large Heavy Tile (LHT) One single solution for all tile installations
Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs
TEC® Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar