July/August 2011
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L VE An edition of TILE Magazine
Art & Specialty Tile pg. 22 TILE Company Profiles pg. 29 Tile and Radiant Floor Systems: The Perfect Combination pg. 40
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Commercial kitchens require commercial w a t e r p r o o f i n g.
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Table of Contents July/Aug 2011 vol. 8, no. 4
TILE
Magazine
Features
18 Let’s Keep it Quiet On the cover: Ceramicas Calaf’s Montserrat Beige series, which is mechanically extruded, is a half-fired flintware product.
TILE Magazine, Vol. 8, Issue 4 (ISSN 1555-0567) is published 6 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct and Nov/Dec by, BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 3623700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals postage paid at Troy, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TILE Magazine, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923 Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to TILE Magazine, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or
[email protected].
Most of the sound reduction data available in the market relates to tests of floor/ceiling systems that comprised of concrete slabs with gypsum wallboard hung on resilient furring channels (suspended or sound-rated ceiling system) with a layer of mineral wool or fiberglass insulation in the cavity. Unfortunately, says Dave Gobis, most of the construction in the field does not have this type of ceiling treatment.
22 Art & Specialty Tile
Handcrafted and artisanal tiles have had a long history within society as beautiful and durable embellishments that enhanced living areas. Each piece, hand-formed and hand-painted, is a standalone piece of artwork. Author JoAnn Locktov takes a detailed look at various tile artisans, and the inspiration behind their creations.
29 TILE Company Profiles
TILE Magazine presents some of the most innovative companies in the ceramic tile industry. These profiles offer insight into the companies and the products and services they provide to the tile community.
40 Tile and Radiant Floor Systems: The Perfect Combination Installing tile and stone floors have taken large leaps forward from the days of our grandfathers. Prefabricated cement backerboards and other substrate composites provide stability required for tile and stone floor coverings. But, modern home construction is much more than simply providing a beautiful home. Today’s homeowners want beauty and efficiency. The secret is to be able to do both.
40
8 Departments Editorial...................................................................... 6 New Product Showcase ............................................ 8 Art & Decorative Tile Techniques............................ 12 Art Tile Collection .................................................... 25 A Woman’s Perspective .......................................... 26 Green Matters ......................................................... 37 Industry News .......................................................... 38 Calendar .................................................................. 38 Floor Warming/Radiant Heating Guide ............... 43 Tiles of Italy ............................................................. 44 Tile of China ............................................................ 48 Tile of Spain ............................................................ 51 Tile Products ........................................................... 53 Advertiser’s Index .................................................... 55 Classifieds ............................................................... 55 Tile Q & A ................................................................ 56 Product Marketplace ............................................... 58
On the Web For the most up-to-date information on all industry events, breaking news items, and special web-only features, visit www.tilemagonline.com daily!
Add some speed at the tile backer position. When your team hits the showers—or the kitchen— Diamondback™ Tile Backer will add speed to your game. Diamondback’s unique textured pattern and coating help grip tiles to prevent slippage during installation X Lighter weight than traditional cement or glass-mat gypsum backer boards X No need to install additional vapor barrier X Scores and snaps like regular gypsum board X
800-233-8990 • www.certainteed.com ROOFING • SIDING • TRIM • DECKING • RAILING • FENCE • FOUNDATIONS GYPSUM • CEILINGS • INSULATION • PIPE Circle 18 on Information Card
Letter From The Editor
TILE
®
Magazine
Arpi Nalbandian, Editor
[email protected] John Moore, Senior Editor
[email protected] Rick Arvidson, Sr. Art Director Jennifer Allen, Production Manager
[email protected] Editorial Contributors: Michael Byrne, Dave Gobis Publishing and Sales Office: 22801 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Phone: (818) 224-8035, Fax: (818) 224-8042
Want to Become More Efficient? Try Decluttering Your Surroundings First
R
ecently, our offices were asked to remove the extra clutter and “stuff” that dominated areas of much-needed and precious space. Yes, there were large scale items such as desks, filing cabinets, and chairs that had gone unoccupied for years, but we were used to seeing these items in their particular spaces and their presence didn’t bother us. So, the day was chosen to take on this monumental task. Two full truckloads later, I now see the importance and underlying benefits of decluttering your work environment, and thus, your mind. Speaking of streamlining, BNP Media, the parent company TILE Magazine, recently announced a partnership with BirdDog Career Centers. During its 14-year history, BirdDog has helped more than 3,500 employers in specialized industries (such as ours) move to a strategy of planned hiring. In addition, the combined BirdDog family of sites and solutions has attracted more than 100,000 job seekers. “We are excited to partner with BirdDog to provide job placement and career counseling solutions for our markets,” said BNP Media Publishing Director Tim Fausch. Companies seeking employees or job seekers can access the Career Center by clicking on the BNP/BirdDog widget found on TILE’s homepage at www.tilemagonline.com. “The collective audience from our flooring, tile, stone, construction, mechanical systems, and maintenance
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brands approaches 1 million subscribers or Web site visitors,” added Fausch. “By partnering with BirdDog, we will help those pros solve employment challenges so they can focus more intently on serving their customers.” Also on the efficiency front is the newly minted partnership between BNP Media and Mike Rowe, host of cable show Dirty Jobs, to supply blogs for his Web site Trades Hub (tradeshub.mikeroweworks.com). The site is dedicated to championing the cause of the skilled trades. Through those experiences, combined with a legacy of a carpenter grandfather, he developed a passion for the skilled trades. With the launch of the Trades Hub site, he is connecting tradesmen and women from even more trades by providing additional content from a number of selected trade media. Specifically, Trades Hub is dedicated to providing high quality trades-focused content, centralized information, and business- and career-building news and stories. In short, Trades Hub will be collecting all kinds of blogs, articles, and news stories relating to the trades, by the trades, and for the trades. Finally, a reminder to join TILE Magazine and 10 other BNP Media publications August 4 (9 am- 4 pm ET)as we bring back the ultimate green virtual show, focusing on Green Schools. Visit exhibitors, network with peers, attend educational webinars, earn CEU credits and more. For more information, or to register, visit www.TheVirtualGreenExpo.com. TILE
July/August 2011
Southeast Regional Manager Scott Daniell • (770) 788-6377 Western Regional Manager Dan Lipman • (818) 224-8035 ext. 2206 Northeast Regional Manager Keith Parry • (973) 248-6097 Classified Ad Sales Sharon Ward • (847) 405-4017
[email protected] UK/Europe/Mideast Patrick Connolly • 44-170-247-7341 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 44-170-247-7559 Brazil Lazzaro Menasce • 55-11-3822-4422 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 55-11-3663-5436 Turkey Hilmi Zafer Erdem • 90-0212-257-76-66 e-mail:
[email protected] Fax: 90-0212-287-00-99
For advertising information, call (800) 835-4398. Corporate Office: BNP Media II, L.L.C. 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700 Troy, MI 48084 Phone : (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317
Corporate Directors Timothy A. Fausch – Publishing John R. Schrei – Publishing Lisa L. Paulus – Finance Rita M. Fourmia – Corporate Strategy Director Marlene J. Witthoft – Human Resources Director Scott Kesler – Information Technology Vincent M. Miconi – Production Nikki Smith – Directories Michael T. Powell – Creative Holly Banks – Marketing Beth Surowiec – Clear Seas Research Emily Patten – Conferences & Events Christopher Wilson – BNP Custom Media Group (248) 244-8264 •
[email protected] Audience Development Cassandra Haggard – Audience Development Coordinator Kelly Carlson – Multimedia Specialist Carolyn M. Alexander – Audience Audit Coordinator Contact Customer Service at: (847) 763-9534 • Fax: (847) 763-9538 •
[email protected] List Rental Postal Email Contacts: Kevin Collopy Sr. Acct. Mgr. Phone: (800) 223-2194 ext 684
[email protected] Michael Costantino Sr. Acct. Mgr. Phone: (800) 223-2194 ext 748
[email protected] BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information
Express Your Good Taste They say what you buy says a great deal about your taste and persona. Florida Tile believes that what we design and manufacture also says the same about our company. We infuse the qualities of strength, durability, sustainability & value into every product we make. Our line of HDP High Definition Porcelain products bring our attention for detail to the surface. From slate, wood and marble look tiles, we produce a finished product that is both beautiful and responsible. Visit one of our Florida Tile locations for more information.
BERKSHIRE HDP BY
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Product Showcase
Want to see more of the latest in ceramic and porcelain tile trends? Visit www.tilemagonline.com!
182
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181 183 180 Florida Tile
181 Bode
182 Mediterranea
183 Bellavita Tile
Pietra Art Travertine from Florida Tile offers a wide selection of natural stone, including the newly added shades of Silver and Scabos. Silver, is the “cleanest” silverand-white-veined travertine, while Scabos delivers bold veins of white, gold, brown and light travertine. Available in various formats, including mosaics. Circle 180 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Bode’s Rare Stone series mimics the look of marble in a porcelain tile collection. Naturallooking carrara, cream marfil and emperador are offered in crystal and glazed polished finishes for both wall and floor installations. Available in three formats (24x24, 32x32, 40x40). Circle 181 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Mediterranea has launched the Exotica, a collection of planksized, exotic hardwood-look glazed porcelain tiles in colors and surface textures that reflect the uniqueness of the prized exotic rainforests species. Offered in 6” x 24” plank-style formats in five exotic hardwood colors. Circle 182 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
With the introduction of H Line, Bellavita Tile has translated the popular eye makeup trend of smoky eyes to its newest line of mosaic tile. Offered in seven colors and in several formats (4” x 16” and 3” x 6” formats or 1” x 1” mosaics), the collection features a glossy finish. A line of trim pieces is also available. Circle 183 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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July/August 2011
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185 187 184 Lea Outdoor is the new collection for exterior spaces created by Lea Ceramiche. Inspired by the Barge stone from Piemonte, the collection utilizes Lea’s HD technology whereby the porcelain is “form styled,” restoring the chromatic, material and tactile effects that are closest to the natural stone. Available in three sizes, and a palette of three colors. Circle 184 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
185 Metropolitan Ceramics Metropolitan Ceramics combined rich color variation, detailed texture, classic earth tones, and traditional and unique sizing when developing Down to Earth. The series is offered in four shades, three textures and several formats. Circle 185 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
186 Crossville
187 Marazzi USA
Crossville Ceramics celebrates the beauty of natural stone and glass by blending them harmoniously in its new Ebb & Flow mosaic wall tile. Suitable for commercial and residential applications, the collection achieves a “tromp l’oeil,” threedimensional effect on interior and exterior walls, while maintaining a smooth surface. Offered in nine color blends, and various formats. Circle 186 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
The newly expanded Crystal Stone II collection from Marazzi USA incorporates “bits of sparkly clear and subdued translucent glass intersperse with marble and slate segments, creating a sumptuous, ever-appealing palette of 12’x12” meshmounted mosaics.” Offered in five colors. Circle 187 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
July/August 2011
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190 188
189 191 188 Almatec
189 StonePeak
190 Roca Ceramics
191 JSG Oceana
Produced using Continua technology, the Travertino collection from Almatec stands out “for the definition and fineness of the veins and the gradual color transitions of the mixes,” which make up the body of the ceramic sheet. Available in three finishes (natural, polished and textured), four colors, and four sizes. Circle 188 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
TheStandard from StonePeak Ceramics, offered in four shades ranging from Creme to Dark Gray, is designed to fit every space. Available in three sizes and two finishes, including Satinato — a new polishing technique exclusive to StonePeak in the United States. Circle 189 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Green City is Roca Ceramics’ latest launch from its Top Green collection. Made with 80% preconsumption recycled material, the LEED-contributing series offers a wide range of shapes, colors, finishes and decorative pieces. Suitable for interior and exterior surfaces. Circle 190 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
JSG Oceana’s Precious Metals Tile collection combines the unique ocean pattern of its glass tile with three metals; Copper, 24K Gold and Platinum. Each piece is infused with the precious metal to produce a distinguished look and value. Available in various shapes and sizes, including custom designs. Circle 191 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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July/August 2011
Heavy duty performance in a lightweight epoxy grout.
s 0ART 3OLIDS %POXY s .O SHRINKAGE OR CUPPING s 2ECYCLED CONTENT QUALIlES FOR ,%%$®
SMOOTHER. LIGHTER. EASIER TO USE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM.
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CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786
Art & Decorative Tile Techniques by Michael Byrne
Mortars and Grouts
A
t one time, floor tiles were installed and grouted with a single mortar. This mortar was mixed with Portland cement or its equivalent, was on the wet side, and served as setting bed, adhesive, and grout. The mortar was floated and tiles were beat into the surface until some of the mortar oozed up into the joints. After the initial setup, the joints were struck, the tiles cleaned off, and the mortar was damp cured. Sometimes, to increase the bond strength between the setting bed and tiles, a thin layer of dry Portland cement was spread over the wet setting bed before the tiles were installed. This type of installation required a very highly skilled tile mechanic who was able to work both quickly and accurately. For best results, this type of installation required a rather lengthy damp curing period that involved covering the floor with loose-laid plastic film or building paper and, depending on ambient temperature and humidity, misting the surface one, two, or three times every day for about a week or longer. Regular thinset mortars and unmodified grouts are modern advances and are relatively easy to use, but both
still require damp curing to achieve maximum strength, and neither have any of the benefits available with modified materials. Unmodified thinset mortars have good bond strength, but like regular, unmodified grouts, are rigid and inflexible. These qualities are fine for buildings that are also rigid with limited flexibility, but these types of structures were far more common in the past and do not represent the type of construction now in use. Today’s residential and light commercial structures are designed to be flexible, and the materials used in construction must be able to withstand a certain amount of flexing. Currently, tile installations need to be done quickly, with minimal time and expense spent on damp curing, and with installation labor that may not always be highly trained. Technological advances in mortars and grouts have resulted in
Right: When working alone, I use a small table to back-butter tiles.
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July/August 2011
materials that do not need long periods of damp curing nor seasoned professionals. These may cost a bit more than regular grout and adhesive mortars, but increased material costs are more than offset by reductions in the cost of labor. From an installer’s point of view, less time spent on fussing with damp curing means more time can be spent installing tiles. Dry-set thinset mortar: The starting point for adhesive mortars is dry-set thinset mortar: a combination of sand, Portland cement and other additives that help this mix retain water. Dry-set thinset mortar has a high compressive strength, and good bond strength for dry- and wetareas and for tiles that will be submerged. Some manufacturers offer a non-sanded version of dry-set thinset that is useful for installing small tiles (1-inch or less). Modified thinset mortar: Modified thinset mortar refers to thinset mortar that has latex as an ingredient. The latex can be in liquid form and added on-site (normally mixed with dry-set thinset powder). Modified thinset can also have the latex added, in dry form, at the factory: this is referred to as polymer-modified thinset and it is mixed with water on-site. There are also some very high strength polymer-modified thinset mortars that require a companion liquid latex to be added, in place of water, on-site. Epoxy thinset mortar: There are two types of epoxy thinset. One is a mixture
Photo 1
Contractors made us #1. Reliability keeps us there.
s #ONTRACTOR 0REFERRED n !MERICAS 'ROUT
s 3AME TRUSTED FORMULA NEW LOOK s ,ARGEST COLOR PALETTE IN THE INDUSTRY s BRAND NEW COLORS
PROVEN. TRUSTED. MORE COLORS AVAILABLE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM.
CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786 To learn more about Polyblend Grout, get the free mobile app for your phone
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Custom Building Products is the #1 most preferred manufacturer of cementitious grout in America according to the 2009 CLEAReport™ by Clear Seas Research.
Photo 2
Photo 4
Photo 3
Photo 5
Photo 2: To ensure that all parts of each tile are completely supported, add a small dab of thinset to each corner. Photo 3: To back-butter mosaic sheets, the first step is to spread a uniform layer of thinset on a scrap piece of plywood or OSB. Photo 4: The next step is to gently knock down the adhesive ridges made by the notch trowel. Photo 5: The third step is to press the mosaic chips into the adhesive so the back of each tile is coated with adhesive.
of sand, Portland cement, epoxy resin, and epoxy hardener and it is called epoxyemulsion thinset. Another type, made from sand, epoxy resin, and epoxy hardener, is called 100% solids-epoxy and it can be used as both tile adhesive and grout. Applying thinset mortars: Thinset mortar is spread with a notched trowel. As tile sizes get larger and larger, the amount of thinset required achieving the industry-recommended 80% dry-area and 95% wet or exterior area adhesive contact must also increase. Charts are available on packaging to aid in selecting the right size notch, but in my experience, most charts underestimate the amount of thinset actually required. As well, tile industry practice says that in order to achieve good adhesion, the flat side of the trowel should be used first, to key the material onto the setting bed surface, and the notched side is used next to comb out a uniform layer of thinset: good advice for any setting bed, but what about adhesion to the tiles? In my opinion, in order to achieve maximum adhesion of the tile to the setting bed,
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all tiles should be back-buttered before they are set into the thinset spread on the setting bed. In fact, when I am installing large-format tiles (10-inches or larger), rather than apply a skim coat to the back of each tile, I may use another notched trowel to ensure 95% uniform coverage (on my installations – dry or wet area – I strive for greater then 95% coverage). Photos 1 and 2 show the method I use to install large tiles. In photo 1, I use a portable table to make back-buttering easier. Back-buttering is not a slap-dash process but rather applying a uniform layer of adhesive. Photo 2 shows a method I use to ensure that the most vulnerable sections of a tile – the corners – are completely supported. After back-buttering, I apply a small amount of thinset to each corner before installing the tile. Achieving proper adhesive coverage when installing small tiles such as sheetmounted mosaic tiles can be difficult, especially when slightly irregular tiles are selected. Normally, back-buttering sheet-mounted tiles is not recommended
July/August 2011
because this method usually results in joints clogged with thinset that is very difficult to remove. Photos 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a method I use to backbutter small tiles without the usual thinset bleed-through. First, I spread a layer of thinset on the setting bed. Next, using a notched trowel, I spread a layer of thinset on a scrap piece of plywood (Photo #3). After that, I use the smooth side of the trowel to gently flatten the adhesive ridges (Photo #4). Then, I set a sheet of tiles over the adhesive and press each tile into the thinset (Photo #5). When this is done, I peel off the tile sheet (Photo #6) and install it on the setting bed. With the right trowel selection on both the setting bed and the tile sheet, maximum adhesion is attained with little or no bleed-through. Note: the ridges on the setting bed must be knocked down smooth before each back-buttered mosaic sheet is installed. Regular grout: Regular grout comes in two flavors: sanded and unsanded. Generally, unsanded grout is used for
Substrate. Joint width. Tile type. Whatever the variables, one color consistent grout.
s NEW COLORS n TOTAL s #ONSISTENT COLOR EVERYTIME s 2ECYCLED CONTENT QUALIlES FOR ,%%$® s .EW PROTECTIVE PACKAGE
#/.3)34%.4 ,)'(47%)'(4 -/2% #/,/23 4(!. %6%2 7% +./7 '2/54 7%2% #534/-
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The final step is to inspect the back of the sheet, add thinset, as needed, to ensure complete coverage, then install the sheet over the adhesive layer spread on the floor or wall.
Photo 6 joints less than 1/8-inch wide, while sanded is used to fill wider joints. Regular grout is composed primarily of sand and cement with a colorant and other trace ingredients that help retard setup. Regular grout is mixed with water and it should be damp cured for three or four days after installation. Regular
grout is inexpensive, but if used properly – with damp curing – labor costs can be significantly higher than if a modified grout is used. Modified grout: Regular grout can be modified by mixing with latex instead of water. Grout modified by the manufacturer with dry polymer latex
is site mixed with water. Dry polymer modified grout has several advantages over a regular grout/liquid additive. The most obvious are less weight to carry and more room in the truck. A not so obvious advantage for a general contractor working with a sub installer is that with dry polymer mixes, it is hard to cheat by diluting the liquid latex with too much water. The benefits of modified grout include more flexural strength, better color retention, and of importance to the installer, limited damp curing requirements. Some modified grouts require no damp curing while others may require one or two light mistings. In hot weather, it is a good idea to mist all types of modified grout to improve hydration. TILE
About the Author Michael Byrne has been a tile installer since 1968 working on residential, Michael Byrne commercial, industrial, artistic and specialty installations. He is the author of three books, numerous videos and hundreds of articles on tile installation. His new book, “Tiling for Contractors,” is published by JLC Books. He has worked as an independent consultant on installations in a global level, is one of the founders and the first president and executive director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), and the owner of a consulting, expert witness, and publishing company on Kiawah Island, SC. He can be reached at
[email protected].
Circle 10 on Information Card
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The grout choices you want for the results you need. CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
s !MERICAS -OST 0REFERRED 'ROUT s !VAILABLE IN 0OPULAR #OLORS
s #ONSISTENT #OLOR %VERY 4IME s -ADE WITH 2ECYCLED #ONTENT FOR ,%%$® #ERTIlCATION
s %XCELLENT 3TAIN AND #HEMICAL 2ESISTANCE s 4HE /NLY 3OLIDS %POXY -ADE WITH 2ECYCLED #ONTENT FOR ,%%$® #ERTIlCATION
s 3HORE ! (ARDNESS FOR 5SE IN (EAVY 4RAFlC !REAS s 3ILICONE #AULK /FFERED IN #OLORS 0LUS #LEAR
PRODUCTS. PERFORMANCE. COLOR PALETTE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM. www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786 To learn more about Custom Grout Solutions, get the free mobile app for your phone
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Custom Building Products is the #1 most preferred manufacturer of cementitious grout in America according to the 2009 CLEAReport™ by Clear Seas Research.
Let’s Keep it Quiet By Dave Gobis
I
n the not too distant past, sound control was an afterthought -- both during the construction of a new building and afterwards. In most cases, it was considered normal and expected to be able to hear when the upstairs occupant(s) were present. Knowing that the neighbors were home, and in some cases their activities, became an aggravating annoyance. With the growth of apartment, condominium, and townhouse construction, there was increasing concern about sound attenuation. To meet consumer demands for peace and quiet contractors and architects became tasked with finding ways to accomplish the goal of peaceful living. This was followed by building codes which decided how quiet was considered peaceful and unobtrusive.
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Over the years, a plethora of products and innovations have been developed to control noise on the floor above. All of these materials or methods are only one component of a complete system in which each piece plays an essential part of a total assembly. Elimination of any component in the assembly can seriously weaken the sound rating desired. It is not the floor system in and of itself that is the sole contributor to sound attenuation (reduction), every part of construction must be considered. Most of the sound reduction data available in the market relates to tests of floor/ceiling systems that comprised of concrete slabs with gypsum wallboard hung on resilient furring channels (suspended or sound-rated ceiling system) with a layer of mineral wool or fiberglass insulation in the cavity.
July/August 2011
Unfortunately, most of the construction in the field does not have this type of ceiling treatment. Thus, rule number one should be to understand the structure you’re dealing with and how its attributes (total components) will affect the final and expected result. It’s important to understand sound attenuation terminology and how it is used in discussing the system. The term
Above: Every room in each unit of this 10 story structure is tiled with exception of the bedrooms. With a total of 97 units sound transmission is a major concern. A sheet applied system was used directly over the structural slab. The tile units experienced no problems; there were a few problems with units that received stone flooring.
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Left: It is important that the sound reduction membrane selected is suitable for the product to be applied over it. This membrane was excessively compressive and adequate movement accommodation joints were not provided.
The IIC rating is used for specifying minimum sound control performance of assemblies in construction. Higher numbers refer to more effectiveness. IIC and/or IIC are measured using either ASTM E2179 “Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission Through Concrete Floors” or ASTM E492 “Standard Test Method of Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission Through FloorCeiling Assemblies Using the Tapping Machine.” These test methods measure impact sounds on a floor surface through the use of sophisticated monitoring equipment. STC (Sound Transmission Class) refers to the single figure of evaluation used to quantify the transmission of airborne sound through building elements, such as walls or floor systems. These types of sounds would be the equivalent of voices, radio, or television in the context of a multi-unit building. The term IIC (Impact Insulation Class) refers to statistical measurement standards used to quantify the transmission of impact sound energy through a floor/ceiling assembly system. These types of sounds would be the equivalent of foot traffic, dropped articles, or furniture moving in the context of a multifamily building. While enforcement is haphazard, multi-family construction in many jurisdictions must meet minimum IIC and STC values in floor and ceiling assemblies to meet local building code standards. Most common code used is published by the ICC (International Code Council) which calls for a minimum reduction value of 50 IIC and 50 STC. The higher the IIC or STC, the better the sound attenuation. You should always consult your local Building Department for the exact code requirements applicable for your area. In addition to the building code standards, some condominium developers and homeowners associations set their own minimum standards written into their Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R). These are often more stringent than the building code requirements in that given jurisdiction. It is wise to consult your condo association on the CC&R standards required for IIC and STC values before installing hard surface flooring materials in your unit or project. The overall message here is if you don’t know what the requirements are, find out and avoid replacement and/or litigation later. The following is how both IIC and STC are evaluated: Impact Insulation Class (IIC) refers to a positive rating number that is used to compare and evaluate the performance of floor and ceiling construction in isolating impact noise. 20
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Delta ( IIC) refers to the actual IIC Value added to the floor/ ceiling assembly for a particular flooring product installed on top of the actual floor construction. This value shows how much better a flooring assembly will perform, in terms of IIC, when using that particular sound control component. For example, a tile installation system incorporating a sound and crack isolation mat may add a IIC of 20 to a typical 6”-thick (150mm) concrete floor, that otherwise carries an IIC rating of approximately 28 means that the total rating for this particular floor would be 48 IIC. Field IIC (FIIC) is a positive rating number used to evaluate the performance of a floor construction and the associated structure derived from field impact sound measurements in accordance with ASTM E1007 “Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures.” It’s important to note that building codes allow for a difference (generally a lower rating in the field) of five points between laboratory (IIC) and field (FIIC) testing results. Sound Transmission Class (STC) refers to a positive rating number that is used to measure the effectiveness of sound isolation in regards to audible, air-borne sound. STC is measured using ASTM E90 “Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements.” This test measures air-borne sound (e.g. voices, TV, stereos, etc…). In most cases, sound control underlayments in general, have extremely marginal or no affect on STC. The predominant factor for STC reduction is the mass of the structure, in other words, the greater the structural mass, the greater the STC performance. STC values are in large part influenced by the solid mass of the structure, but are also dependent on isolation and resilience within the structure that can be provided by the appropriate products.
Some sound reduction can easily achieve in almost any structure. However it requires very diligent adherence to the specific product manufacturer’s recommendations. As mentioned, when STC and IIC values are provided by a manufacturer they typically come as a result of a very specific assembly. When using any tile or stone product it would not be wise to install a compressive
Several manufacturers have thinset products available which offer some sound reduction. They provide simple and effective sound attenuation within the limits of the product selected.
material under ceramic tile unless the product has been performance tested under ASTM C-627, the Robinson Floor Test. You should also inquire about the tile size, setting material, and grout recommendations. All may vary with each different sound reduction product. My thanks to Laticrete International for assistance in verification of several parts in this article. TILE
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About the Author David M. Gobis, a third-generation tile setter, is an independent Technical Consultant. He has been in the trade for over 35 years and owned a successful contracting business for many years prior to his current position. He is also the author of over 150 trade-related articles and a frequent speaker at industry events. He is a member of the Construction Specification Institute, International Code Council, American Concrete Institute, National Tile Contractors Technical Committee, voting member of The American National Standards for Ceramic Tile Installation and Setting Materials (ANSI A108/118), American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) C-21 Ceramic Whitewares, and TCNA Handbook committees. You can reach Dave via email, dave@ ceramictileconsultant.com.
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Left: Gibbons took to the street to create her “Urban” tile series. Rolling slabs on city streets, she memorialized the debris of sidewalks.
Art & Specialty Tile A look at various tile artisans, and the inspiration behind their creations By Joann Locktov
“Natural Desire to Climb” series of tile by Marie Gibbons.
Marie Gibbons: Tactile Memory Tile
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ack and the Beanstalk could do worse than to depend on the “Natural Desire to Climb” series of tile by Marie Gibbons to reach his lofty treasure. Inspired by the exhibit titled Ladders, the 5” square sgaffito tiles offer a toehold into the
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imaginative realm of Gibbons’ memory and experience. Her interest in the organic form resulted in creating planttype imagery as ladders. The black velvet under glaze is revealed and also scraped away. Gibbons manipulates her tiles by sketching directly onto the surface, pushing up from the bottom of the slab and pressing down from the top while the
July/August 2011
clay is leather hard. The high relief and ornate detailing create intricate patterns, dimension and whorls of energy. “Red Pods” and “Spiral Tree Branch” continue the exploration with organic forms. Both 12” square tiles are finished in acrylic washes and sealed with paste wax. Gibbons works directly on the tile surface, the process is immediate and spontaneous. Her post-fired finishes are a rich palette of verdant hues. They are the colors of lush forests and ripe red berries. Gibbons had an artistic epiphany 16 years ago. “I discovered clay in 1995, and when I did everything else took a step back. I had found more than just a medium, I found my MUSE.” The internationally exhibited artist, who also creates figurative sculpture, has a “self directed” education. Using memory and the reflection of her own experiences, she feels the continuum in her work is that “it speaks from my life.” The box tile Crow Triptych, entitled “The Journey,” is a stream of consciousness with unintelligible language scrawled in the background. The crow carries an incomplete fortune; “You will enjoy many successful…” leaving the viewer to insert their relevant desire. Gibbons took to the street to create her “Urban” tile series. Rolling slabs on city streets, she memorialized the debris of
sidewalks: manhole covers, cracks, and asphalt joints. The 5” square fired slabs were washed with black acrylic, which was then scrubbed off to reveal the white clay body. The gritty abstractions that remain are a tactile memory of every street Gibbons has traversed. Growing up on Long Island, Gibbons balances urban reality with the beaches and more natural environment of her childhood. Both co-exist and inspire work that is derived from the freedom to explore. For more information on Marie Gibbons, visit www.mariegibbons.com. Susan Tunick: The Color of Clay
Above Left: Blue Night: 9 1/2”w x 11 1/2”h x 4” deep. Right: Green Halo Tile: 6” x 6” x 3/4”. Photos by Malcolm Varon.
units. Both forms explore dimension. The perforated tiles are built with layers revealing surprising glimpses of pattern and depth. The perforations are witty reminders to both inspect and respect what lies beneath the facade. Tunick explores the rectangular brick by forming them in wooden molds, stacking and carving them. Constructed of thick hollow backed slabs glazed in radiant colors, the pedestrian brick is elevated to iconic status. Used throughout the world for thousands of years as a humble building material, Tunick has given reverence to the shape by invigorating the surface with color and texture. The bricks vary in depth, creating shadows in their concave spaces and staggered edges. Tunick’s bricks are investigations of architectural masonry in a way that Vitruvius could have never imagined. As President of Friends of Terra Cotta (www.preserve. org/fotc), a preservation organization devoted to protecting historic and architectural ceramics, Tunick has studied clay in architecture for over 25 years. She is invested in “seeing ceramics re-integrated into our environment…into landscape, interiors and into the facades of new buildings.” Her work represents this evolution precisely. For more on Susan Tunick, visit www.susantunick.com. Art of Board: From Tailslide to Tile
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eramic artist Susan Tunick has a penchant for scale and surface. All of her creations, site-specific sculptures, mosaic murals and individual bricks and tiles are testaments to architecture. The surfaces are intricately laced, lush in color and texture. Studying architectural ornamentation has given Tunick a heightened awareness of edges, shadows and context-both physical and historical. Tunick was inspired to work spontaneously on her recent sitespecific commission, Mt. Top Trio: Vert, Violet & Rouge. Located on a 600-acre Vermont farm, the land is fertile with wild flowers and grasses, pear, apple and plum orchards. There are three sculptures that provide permanent landscapes of color. The sides of each organic shaped cedar sculpture are clad in ceramic tile. Each side of clay bands were created at the same time to insure that they would all shrink at the same rate and fit in their respective place. Tunick chose a completely new glazing method that allowed her to “build the colored surface from one firing to the next.” She allowed the color to evolve by glazing non-adjacent elements. By staggering the glazing, she could watch it blossom, a process Tunick compares to “the way a pointillist painting was created.” There is a mesmerizing quality to the sculptures. The trio of forms reverberate color perhaps most vividly when seasons are harsh and nature is devoid of any strong hues. Inspired by haystacks found throughout the countryside, Tunick says, “I didn’t want the shapes to be so symmetrical. Thus, I felt that adding curves and some type of opening in the center could work well. The tile bands reiterate the circular motion of the haystacks – around and around and around!” On a smaller scale are Tunick’s perforated tiles and brick
Detailed look at Art of Board’s creations.
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cratched, dented, smashed, and abused, what to do with skateboard relics that are too damaged to carry their intrepid riders? Rich Moorhead appreciated the dense seven-ply laminated maple, the graffiti inspired graphics, and turned up tails. Where others saw broken sports equipment destined for landfill he saw an authentic surface material. Experimenting with the tools of the construction trade, he utilizes scroll and ban saws, routers, drills and sanders to create tile in four shapes, brick, cube, border and orb. He sorts the tile pieces by color, form and size. This gives a rhythm to the cacophony of pieces, the better to reconstruct walls, countertops, backsplashes, cladding and retail displays. The art of assembling each custom installation is the meditative stage of the process. Working within the measurements of the finished project the mesh-mounted tile is laboriously placed. Moorhead starts with what he calls the “ugly” tile, usually gashed and devoid of color. They become the field, balancing dense blacks and primary colored pieces, which he adds to create flow and interest. Every deck he uses is distinct. They bear the incidents of the skater, a tumbled caballerial, a miscalculated nose slide, an attempted kick-flip. July/August 2011
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When Moorhead was skating he explains, “We owned our decks for longer periods of time. Our riding was less harsh on the boards. Today decks wear out before the enthusiasm for skating is over. Typically the broken decks are returned to the skate shops where the trucks and wheels are removed, and the obsolete decks are thrown away.” Moorhead has changed all this with his I Ride I Recycle program. Partnering with skate shops and parks across the country, the used decks are now sent to Art of Board headquarters in Hanover, Pennsylvania where they receive a second life as wood tile. Art of Board even has a “mail back program” which allows the decks to be sent to Moorhead free of charge, another incentive to participate. Finished with sanded grout, the tile is being used in residential and commercial applications. What on first glance looks like a vibrant colored mosaic, is upon closer inspection an energetic expression of an irreverent sport that has been with us since the fifties. When Moorhead
was commissioned to create tile cladding for a square column at Life Rolls On,
When Moorhead was commissioned to create tile cladding for a square column at Life Rolls On, a subsidiary of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, he integrated “positive orbs.” He searched his bins for life affirming words and images, cut them out in circles and placed them strategically amongst the carnival of scarred tiles.
a subsidiary of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, he integrated
“positive orbs.” He searched his bins for life affirming words and images, cut them out in circles and placed them strategically amongst the carnival of scarred tiles. He also included a Superman logo in homage to the enduring Reeve film legacy. Skateboards are designed to be functional and illustrative, at Art of Board their purpose is sustained, without injury. For more information about Art of Board, visit www.artofboard.com. TILE
About the Author: JoAnn Locktov is the author of “Tileista,” a monthly column that explores the beauty of artisan tile. She is the author of two books and numerous articles on contemporary mosaics. Her public relations firm Bella Figura Communications represents creative individuals and businesses in design, architecture, art, and travel. Follow her musings on Twitter (www. twitter.com/jolocktov), and visit her at www. bellafiguracommunications.com.
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A Woman’s Perspective by Jeanne Nichols
Apples to Apples: A Sales Approach for the Tile Industry
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e all know the difference between the “price” and the “value” of something. Understanding and communicating this difference to your customers and sales staff can affect your sales numbers and your bottom line. Gianfranco Sassi (Key Accounts Manager at Fiandre), a great teacher, afforded some great insight into understanding the term “value” many years ago. I can honestly say that only recently did I fully understand the importance of what he shared with me. This epiphany happened in my own retail operation. Working day-to-day with the consumer and also our sales staff, I noticed how one would come in and find something to be a “great price” only to be followed by another thought that the same item was ridiculously priced. As a buyer for the company, I make every effort to buy things that have value, and I price the items accordingly. However, unless I have communicated the reasons for the final “assessed value” (price) to the sales staff and in turn with our customers, the sales staff and customer will assume their perceived
value is correct, and that perceived value could be low, making the product or service seem overpriced. In the tile industry, there are many factors that can influence the value of a product. A few of these factors include: reputation of the brand, where it was produced, quality of the products used to create it, performance values, design elements, uniqueness, environment in which it is shown, customer service during and after the sale, and the
It’s imperative that we communicate with our customers and our staff the many components of assessing value.
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handling of complaints when there are problems. Each of these factors along with others has a weight and importance with the buyer in helping them assess whether the “price” is a good one. We’ve all met with that person who says they want to know the price of something, so we quote a price or meet a competitors price only to find out that they also want it delivered, they want free samples, they want terms and have bad credit, and by the way, they’re going to take that 5,000 square foot order out in 100 square foot increments. I would dare say that a customer like this has burned us all, at least once. As my mother use to say, “If the donkey kicks you once it’s the donkey’s fault, if he kicks you a second time, it’s yours.” It is critical to ask questions to find out what is important and what will be factored in when one assesses the value. I believe being up front is better than wasting time and energy.
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Here are examples of a few questions to start the conversation in establishing the value for the client: • What’s your budget? You don’t know? Are we talking $2, $20, $200? This will usually get them to cough up some number. • When do you need the product? Are you willing or can you wait for a longer lead time? • Is the quality of the product important or do you just want something to spruce up the place? • How important is original design and/ or unique materials? • Do you have any manufacturing criteria, i.e. where it is produced, green certifications, etc? Many people do not know definitively know the factors that will subconsciously help them determine the value, and oftentimes they are not even sure what benefits they should expect from a product
or company. By helping them clarify these factors, you have not only engaged in a
It is critical to ask questions to find out what is important and what will be factored in when one assesses the value. I believe being up front is better than wasting time and energy.
conversation with them, but you have also given them factors they will ask your competitors if they shop your price —
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therefore comparing apples to apples. A wrongly perceived value might be reached when price is announced without marrying the price to the factors that cause one to determine the perceived value. Another important part of value assessment is to make sure you are not allowing another person’s assessment of the price affect yours. If you have examined the product or service correctly and taken into consideration factors that make a product or service profitable to your company, then take the time to help your sales staff understand. This will arm them to meet objections or answer the questions of the client/customer about why and how something is priced. If this communication doesn’t happen, then when customers ask the price of something and the sales person continually meets resistance on the price (i.e. “are they crazy?”) then the sales person may soon believe that the pricing is out of line, thereby inhibiting their ability to sell the product. It’s imperative that we communicate with our customers and our staff the many components of assessing value. Conveying those benefits (value factors) of the products/services and helping them understand fully the value of the product and not just the price will only increase our sales and profitability. TILE
About the Author
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Jeanne Nichols has worked with regional and national organizations throughout the U.S., Jeanne Nichols as well as serving as vice-president of sales and marketing for the U.S. division of an international tile manufacturer. Currently, she is a partner in a retail operation modmood and RETRO Consignment, a company that provides modern and contemporary furnishings, tile, art and accessories to retail and design professionals.
TILE 2011 Company Profile
Bode USA.................................................. 36 Certainteed Gypsum, Inc........................... 35 Custom Building Products ......................... 30 MAPEI Corporation ................................... 33 Marazzi USA ............................................. 34 Omega Products ....................................... 31 Temple-Inland .......................................... 32
TILE Custom Building Products
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Custom Grout Solutions By Quenton Roehricht
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ustom® Building Products launched a broadscale initiative to showcase its complete line of custom grout solutions. The campaign features a new advertising tagline, “We Know Grout, We’re Custom,” underscoring the company’s leadership position and reputation for the industry’s best-performing products, broadest array of colors, advanced technical expertise and exceptional customer service. The Custom Grout Solutions initiatives include new branding and packaging for Polyblend® Grout, the number one selling grout in America; new packaging for Prism® SureColor® Grout, Custom’s premium cement-based grout; and new merchandising solutions that will make it easier for customers to select the grout that best meets their needs. New color options have also been added to three major Custom grout brands: Polyblend®, Prism® and CEG-Lite® — expanding the palette to reflect the most current and popular colors in the industry. In addition, colors have been added to Custom’s Commercial 100% Silicone Caulk to mirror the color offering of CEG-Lite®.
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The new packaging, color choices and merchandising solutions have all been very well received in the marketplace from designers to contractors. Another key aspect of the Custom Grout Solutions initiative is the launch of our new microsite — customgroutsolutions.com, featuring a wealth of resources about Custom’s grout products, installation, care, product warranties and new colors. This offers a compact, concise and easy-to-use platform to assist customers in choosing the right products to suit their needs. “Custom is already known industry-wide for the depth and breadth of our grout solutions,” said Thomas Carroll, product manager, Custom Building Products. “Our new colors, merchandising solutions and microsite will now give customers even more reasons to choose our products for all of their grouting needs.” Custom Building Products continually raises the standards for the tile and stone industry through its commitment to innovation, performance and exceptional customer service. Visit www.custombuildingproducts.com or call (800) 272-8786 for information.
TILE Omega
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Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products
36 brilliant grout colors, Portland Cement Mortars, an incredible Elastomeric Crack Isolation Mortar, and much more.
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iena Tile & Stone Installation Products is a proud member of the Omega Family, bringing outstanding quality, superior performance, excellent service and exceptional products into the tile industry. Omega introduced Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products in January 2007 with 36 brilliant new grout colors, an exciting line of dry-set portland cement mortars, an incredible Elastomeric Crack Isolation Mortar, and more. In 2010 Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products continues to meet the needs of the industry with the New Waterproof Membrane, Premium Type S Color Mortars, Surface Prep and Sound Abatement Mortars just to name a few. Omega invites everyone to visit Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products at Surfaces 2010, booth G2256 in Las Vegas this February 2nd – 4th.
Omega Products Corp. was incorporated in 1974. By 1986, Omega grew into Las Vegas, Rancho Cordova, and the Central Valley of California bringing service to all of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. In 2001 Omega relocated their corporate offices and Southern California manufacturing facility to Corona, California. The new 110,000 square feet facility is equipped to accommodate the company’s continued expansion and increase in productivity. Omega’s commitment to the industry continued in 2008 with a new facility in Colorado. The 100,000 square foot warehouse is on 7.1 acres located near downtown Denver. Also in 2008, Omega Products International, Tianjin Co. Ltd. opened to better service the growing market in China. With many years of experience export-
July/August 2011
ing products, Omega was ready to have a stronger presence in China. Omega Products International, Inc. and Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products are members and in good standing with many of the major industry organizations. The Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Association of Walls & Ceilings International (AWCI), Construction Specification Institute (CSI), just to name a few. Omega Products International, Inc. is committed to our customers and offers only the best in both products and service. We are proud of our role as a leader in the development of new and innovative products in the industry, such as Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products, and we look forward to continuing our leadership role in the future.
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TILE Temple-Inland
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Temple-Inland® GreenGlass® Fiberglass-faced Gypsum Tile Backer By Richard Kenley, Marketing Manager, NPD
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ith roots in the building product industry that go back to 1893, TempleInland® has consistently produced innovative, environmentally conscious products that meet customer needs and market opportunities. One of their latest developments, GreenGlass® tile backer, is a durable, water- and mold-resistant tile substrate for a wide variety of high-moisture environments. Composed of a naturally waterresistant gypsum core with fiberglassmat facers, it features an acrylic surface coating that dramatically reduces moisture absorption. Multiple Applications & Efficiencies GreenGlass tile backer is suitable for commercial, institutional, and multiand single-family residential projects. It is ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens, indoor pools, locker rooms, laboratories and hospitals—anywhere that tile will be applied and moisture and mold could become a problem. An efficient product to install, GreenGlass comes in a variety of
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panel sizes and can be cut and hung with drywall tools. What’s more, it’s lighter and easier to handle than cement-based products. With its built-in acrylic surface barrier, it reduces installation time because it doesn’t require the application of an additional moisture barrier. Code Compliance Manufactured in 1/4", 1/2" and 5/8" thicknesses, GreenGlass is IRC and IBC code compliant and meets ASTM standards for fiberglass-mat gypsum tile substrates, as recognized by the Tile Council of North America. It passed ceramic tile bondstrength testing conducted by the Tile Institute of America using dryset and polymer-modified mortar. Where fire protection is required, GreenGlass 5/8" Type X tile backer provides a UL-classified substrate which may provide a fire-resistance rating of one hour or more. Mold & Moisture Resistant In addition to the naturally moldresistant fiberglass mats on each side,
July/August 2011
GreenGlass tile backer is produced with Temple-Inland’s TemShield® Mold Protection System engineered into its gypsum core. It scored a 10, the highest value possible, when tested in accordance with ASTM’s test for mold resistance. The acrylic surface coating, combined with its water-resistant gypsum core, is designed to dramatically reduce wicking and moisture pass-through when compared to cement-based backer panels. Moisture is stopped at the surface to resist buildup and damage within the wall cavity. As Green as it Gets As consumers become more aware of green building alternatives, contractors, installers, and suppliers must meet the demand by providing environmentally friendly products. GreenGlass boasts an exceptionally high minimum recycled content of 90%. That means Temple-Inland’s GreenGlass provides everything needed in a strong, moisture-resistant tile backer, plus outstanding green value that customers will appreciate. Learn more about Temple-Inland’s GreenGlass tile backer at greenglassbacker.com Contact Info Temple-Inland 303 South Temple Dr. Diboll, TX 75941 1-800-231-6060 templeinland.com
TILE MAPEI
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MAPEI Tile & Stone Installation Systems Play an Important Role in Fast-Track Projects By Diane Choate
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n today’s construction industry, fast-track projects move contractors on and off the job quickly. From the subfloor preparation to the finished floor, tile installers can depend on MAPEI’s FastTrack Ready™ products to help them do a great job quickly.
Subfloor Prep If moisture vapor emission rates (MVER) indicate that a moisture barrier system is needed, Planiseal™ EMB provides a rapid answer. Its unique formulation penetrates into the concrete substrate while creating a solid film layer on the surface for the ultimate in moisture transmission reduction. Plus, Planiseal EMB’s one-coat application method reduces the wait time before installation. Often, uneven floors have to be treated to ensure the desired final appearance for tile and stone. Ultraplan® 1 Plus is a quick-setting, self-leveling, self-drying underlayment that is well-suited for quick-turnaround leveling, smoothing and repairing of interior floors before the installation of floor coverings. It is applied over MAPEI’s Primer L™, which enhances the bond. Ceramic tile and natural stone can be installed as soon as 3 to 4 hours after application. Sometimes crack isolation and sound reduction are a necessary part of preparing for a tile floor installation. Mapeguard™ 2 is a flexible thin, lightweight, loadbearing, fabric-reinforced “peel-and-stick” crack-isolation
membrane that helps prevent existing or future in-plane floor cracks (with movement up to 3/8” [10 mm] wide) from transmitting through grout, ceramic tile or natural stone. Mapeguard 2 also reduces impact sound (footsteps, dropped objects, etc.) and airborne sound (voice, TV, etc.) transmission through floors. After its application, ceramic tile or stone can be installed immediately. Setting and Grouting the Tile MAPEI’s time-proven Granirapid® premium, rapidsetting, flexible tile mortar system is the industry’s first and only fast-curing system specially designed for fasttrack projects. This system develops high early mechanical strength and allows application of grout in just three to four hours. Finish up fast with Ultracolor® Plus grout with DropEffect™ technology. This fast-setting, nonshrinking grout is specially formulated with MAPEI’s High-Hydrated Cement Technology (HCT™) to eliminate the common problems related to Portland-cement grout, such as color consistency and efflorescence. DropEffect technology reduces surface absorption to help repel water, dirt and grime from penetrating grout joints, producing lasting pleasure for customer. For more details on these and other great MAPEI products, visit www.mapei.com.
July/August 2011
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TILE Marazzi USA
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Marazzi USA – Italian By Birth. Global by Design. By Judy Mevius
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arazzi USA – even the Company name suggests a melding of cultures, of colleagues, of creative and technological collaboration . . . combining old world craftsmanship with new world technologies. Heritage is respected and innovation is the status quo; pushing the limits to create ever more beautiful and functional porcelain and ceramic tiles is the Marazzi mindset. Since its Italian inception in 1939, Marazzi Group has grown to become a worldwide leader and innovator in the field of international ceramics. Marazzi USA is the domestic arm of this global entity that made the decision over 30 years ago to bring its expertise to Sunnyvale, Texas with the construction of a manufacturing plant and corporate headquarters.
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This decision made Marazzi the first Italian-based company to become a producer in and not just an exporter to the United States. This long-term commitment to the U.S. market has resulted in a unique understanding of what architects, designers and homeowners want when they specify commercial or residential projects – enduring quality and distinctive design, plus local availability – as well as a cadre of high-caliber distributors who can provide it. Locally-produced, Italian-inspired tiles provide distinct advantages for Marazzi distributors. Process advances include: 3d digital print technique that minimizes use of raw materials while authentically replicating the nuances of nearly any material surface with full edge-
July/August 2011
to-edge coverage; in-house bullnose cutting with higher levels of color and size compatibility; fully-rectified, color-body porcelain with microbeveled edges that allow precision installations with narrow grout joints; sustainable manufacturing processes using recycled content and offering LEED credits. Innovations, whether in design or sustainable manufacturing, are readily shared among Marazzi entities worldwide. An excellent example of this confluence is ARCHAEOLOGY, Marazzi’s newest porcelain line that uses 3d printing technique to amazingly replicate the authentic, ever-changing fissures and striations of natural travertine. Completing the highly-realistic effect are chiseled edges and surface indentations as well as nearly-infinite pattern variations that give walls and floors a fluid sense of motion and life. Additionally, it contains 21% pre-consumer recycled content and emits no harmful VOCs, contributing to a healthy environment. While Marazzi is one of the world’s largest tile producers, volume is not the primary concern. The ultimate goal is beautifully designed, technologically leading, environmentally conscious products that meet the needs of residential and commercial customers within all buying channels. The constant collaboration and ongoing training, technological innovation, attention to people and the environment truly result in the world’s “best”. Visit www.marazzitile.com
TILE CertainTeed
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Company Profile
Sustainable Building Solutions from CertainTeed Gypsum
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ertainTeed Gypsum operates with a responsible and environmentally conscious ethic that includes recycling, waste management, reclamation, and preservation of resources. Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products and systems, the company has helped shape the building industry with its interior and exterior solutions for commercial, institutional and residential designs. Product innovation is continually carried out with a focus on environmental responsibility. Research and development emphasize minimizing environmental impacts to the greatest extent possible. Products manufactured at many CertainTeed Gypsum plants can contribute LEED® and other credits for green building design projects. CertainTeed Gypsum offers products that can help improve indoor air quality, contain high recycled content, and are designed for fire-rated assemblies. CertainTeed Gypsum manufactures and markets a broad range of gypsum board and finishing products for interior and exterior building needs across the U.S. and
Canada. Sustainable building solutions from CertainTeed include the first-of-its kind AirRenew™ Indoor Air Quality gypsum board, the company’s newest product that is designed with a ground breaking approach to improving indoor air quality. This patent-pending, paperfaced gypsum board uses two innovative technologies to actively clean the air. It permanently removes VOCs (formaldehyde and other aldehydes) circulating indoors and converts them into safe, inert compounds. AirRenew rounds out a broad product line including GlasRoc® paperless, fully-embedded glass mat exterior sheathing; M2Tech® moisture- and mold-resistant wallboard and finishing system; fire-rated assemblies; area separation firewall and shaft wall; abuse resistant board, corner reinforcements; joint compounds and tapes. CertainTeed’s new Diamondback™ Tile Backer and M2Tech® board and finishing family are GREENGUARD® Children & Schools Certified and have achieved the best scores possible for mold resistance when tested to the highest ASTM standards. CertainTeed Gypsum’s offering, in combination with the full range of CertainTeed building products, provides architects, contractors, builders and dealers one partner to provide service and support for commercial and residential building projects. CertainTeed recently received the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award from the EPA. This is the highest level of recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizing environmentally responsible corporations for sustained commitment to energy reduction in their operations. Prior to this prestigious award, CertainTeed also received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award two years in a row. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and Canada Green Building Council, CertainTeed Gypsum is a leader in the effort to provide building materials that contribute to sustainable design. With ISO 14001 and EcoLogocertified plants, the company continually promotes ways to reduce impact on the environment while meeting customer demand for sustainable building products that deliver comfort, protection and performance. Call 800.233.8990 or visit certainteed.com/sustainable for more information.
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TILE BODE
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Creating the Perfect Look for the US Market Using Science and Technology
Top Left: Kingkong series, as the best sales in the past years, now is available in big format 80x80. Offered in 6 colors, the series is ideal for both commercial and residential use. Left: Bode’s merit stone, the lastest limestone pattern, is matt finish porcelain. Lappato finshed is only upon request.
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uangdong BODE Fine Building Material Co., Ltd. is defined as one of China’s most innovative, high-tech enterprises, while implementing state-of-the-art design, research and manufacturing, including the latest in eco-friendly production practices. Now with established USA operations, Bode USA is poised to offer its unique brand of innovative tile offerings designed expressly for the US market. Local sales services through its Southern California headquarters coupled with highly competitive factory
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outlet prices now makes BODE Tile a top choice for U.S. tile distributors, dealers, contractors and specifiers. BODE’s capacity to deliver high quality tile products stems from its infrastructure, including a total production area of more than 8.6 million square feet with a state-of-theart manufacturing plant, measuring 4.3 million square feet and utilizing advanced Italian equipment. Coupled with a powerful R&D department, the ISO9001- and ISO14001-certified production line implements advanced management methods, and as such,
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ranks among top 10 ceramic tile manufacturing companies in China. With its reputation for innovative technology and products, BODE has earned several national awards, including: High-Tech Corporation in China & Guangdong Province; National Key Innovations; Provincial Key Products; Chinese Famous Brand Products; Green Products in China; and the Chinese National Torch Project. Science and technology play an integral role at BODE. Accordingly, BODE has retained the intellectual property rights and national patents of its products — an indication of the value it places on the elaborate workmanship, superior quality and unique design innovation of its products. The high-quality products offered by BODE include many advantages — extensive format varieties, full product support, four product systems (Fine Glazed Floor and Wall Tile, Advanced Polished Tile, Jade Stone mini-crystal tile), and more than a dozen series. Its patented Jade Stone mini-crystal tile collection (micro-crystalline ceramics compound board) has won accolades for its “technological reform.” With established dealers/distributors in nearly 60 countries, BODE is dedicated to increasing its global brand recognition not only through innovative marketing, but also through its technologically significant product offerings, while strictly adhering to its environmentally friendly and socially responsible production and manufacturing processes. To contact us visit www.bodestone.com or email
[email protected].
T LE
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green matters sponsored by:
Fireclay Tile unveils its new ‘Crush’
It’s almost here: Virtual Green Expo
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s co-media partners for this second annual state-of-the-art virtual expo, which will focus on green schools, one of the largest construction sectors in the United States, TILE Magazine and several sister publications are set to host Virtual Green Expo, a free online virtual trade show covering the business, social and environmental aspects of sustainability. Set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on August 4, 2011, the day will start with keynote presentation from expert John Shea, CEO, New York City Dept. of Education, Division of School Facilities, continuing with four back-to-back webinars each followed by a typed group chat session with presenters. Webinars will cover topics from design and construction to heating systems and air quality, with AIA and USGBC credits being offered for noted courses. Exhibit Hall hours will span the length of the show from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Plan to spend time chatting with product experts, viewing presentations, entering to win prize drawings and more! This is THE opportunity for you and your entire team to interact, oneon-one with others focused on green schools. We have lined up a full day of exhibitors, webinars, and experts that you can access right from your desk, including our specialized webinar topics on high-performance K-12 and college/ university buildings and educational facilities that will address: • Specifying interior, exterior and mechanical systems (plumbing, heating, roofing and wall systems) • Creating a high-performance, healthy learning environment • Financing, operating, maintaining and cleaning a green school For information and to register, go to www.TheVirtualGreenExpo.com.
Registration for Greenbuild 2011 now live
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egistration is now open for the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. For the first time, Greenbuild will be hosted outside the U.S., at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada, October 4-7. Greenbuild offers attendees information about what’s new in green building practices through the extensive educational sessions, the latest technology and innovation in the exhibit hall, and “perhaps more importantly, where we go to do business,” show organizers say.
The USGBC adds, “Greenbuild is a one-stop shop for credential maintenance. From pre- or post-show LEED workshops to sector-specific summits, from green building tours to concurrent educational sessions, you will find the education you need at Greenbuild. Most sessions at Greenbuild will be approved for continuing education credits for LEED and other professional credentials, allowing you to maintain your credential with ease.” For more information or to register, visit www.greenbuildexpo.org.
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ireclay Tile has brought an environmentally conscious tile product to the market using locally sourced recycled materials with the introduction of Crush, a U.S. manufactured 100% Recycled Glass Tile. According to Fireclay, the name “Crush” stems from “the fact that Fireclay sources the raw waste glass from within 20 miles, crushes and processes the glass in its local San Jose, CA, manufacturing facility, and then transforms the material into recycled glass tile.” The color names are inspired by natural elements (Acai, Poppy, Walnut, etc), mimicking the organic nature of Fireclay’s localized sourcing and production of Crush. The result is a sustainable recycled glass tile line that is available immediately for residential and commercial projects, and contributes towards LEED construction credits. For more information, and to view a product video, go to www.fireclaytile.com.
Green Matters is a new section where TILE readers can quickly reference news items, feature articles and products detailing carbon footprint reduction, sustainable environmental quality enhancements, LEED point contributions, and more. Visit www.tilemagonline.com to access the entire Green Matters section.
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Industry News Latest Breaking News at www.tilemagonline.com
Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe launches Web site to support skilled trades workers
Seven charities to benefit from Daltile sales meeting, events
With the launch of sister site Trades Hub, Rowe is connecting tradesmen and women from even more trades by providing additional content from a number of selected trade media.
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NP Media, the parent company of TILE Magazine, has entered into a partnership with Mike Rowe, host of cable show “Dirty Jobs,” to supply blogs for his Web site tradeshub.mikeroweworks.com. The site is dedicated to championing the cause of the skilled trades. Rowe has “apprenticed” at nearly 300 job sites during the course of hosting Dirty Jobs. Through those experiences, combined with a legacy of a carpenter grandfather, Rowe developed a passion for the skilled trades. Rowe launched his mikeroweWORKS Web site in 2008, providing resources, news, and a community forum for all kinds of trade workers. With the launch of sister site Trades Hub, Rowe is connecting tradesmen and women from even more trades by providing additional content
from a number of selected trade media. A big component of Trades Hub is the addition of hundreds of blogs written to help trades folk become better and their jobs, run their companies more efficiently, and develop the next generation of skilled trades workers. This new platform brings together even more experts from such trade fields, including construction, plumbing, and HVAC. Several blogs are being supplied by BNP Media. Specifically, Trades Hub is dedicated to providing high quality trades-focused content, centralized information, and business- and career-building news and stories. In short, Trades Hub will be collecting all kinds of blogs, articles, and news stories relating to the trades, by the trades, and for the trades.
Calendar 17th Annual FIANA Convention Sept. 15-17, Kansas City, MO 1 (888) 88-FIANA www.fiana.org
GreenBuild 2011 Oct. 5- 7, Toronto, Canada (800) 795-1747 www.greenbuildexpo.org
Minnesota Tile Festival Sept. 17, Minneapolis, MN (612) 781-6409 www.handmadetileassociation.org
2011 Total Solutions Plus Nov. 9-12, Phoenix, AZ www.tile-assn.com
Cersaie Sept. 20-24, Bologna, Italy www.cersaie.it
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For more events and training/ educational opportunities, visit www.tilemagonline.com.
July/August 2011
Daltile’s sales regions competed in a variety of fun team-building events resulting in a donation of $21,000 to seven noteworthy charities.
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ollowing its National Sales Meeting in late March, Daltile’s sales regions competed in a variety of team-building events that resulted in a donation of $21,000 to seven noteworthy charities. Key vendor partners including, Noble Company, Color Fast Caulk, James Hardie, MAPEI, Laticrete International, Custom Building Products and Protecto Wrap agreed to donate $3,000 on behalf of each of the seven competing teams to Daltile’s charities. Following the 2011 Daltile National Sales Meeting, Daltile will present these charitable gifts on behalf of each Regional team. This year’s honorees include: Make-a-Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Surfers Healing, American Diabetes Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters National. Those in attendance consisted of over 600 Daltile stakeholders, including sales service center managers, sales representatives, architectural sales representatives, regional vice presidents, regional operations managers, regional sales managers and Daltile corporate members.
Porcelanosa wins IIDA design award for ‘distressed wood’ tile
Cersaie to usher in the age of the ‘sustainable trade fair’
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n its continuing efforts to reduce the show’s environmental footprint, organizers of Cersaie has launched a three-year project — Cersaie for Sustainability — with the goal of reducing energy requirements and the production of waste, making this 29th edition of the show the first trade fair outside the environmental sector to focus strongly on sustainability. The project will be pursued in cooperation with BolognaFiere and will consist of six initiatives, some of which will already be implemented this year, with the goal of initiating an ongoing process of improvement in Cersaie’s credentials as a sustainable trade fair. Beginning with the 2011 edition of the show, FSC certified ecofriendly paper will be used for all
publications and printed material. As for communication, the institutional stand will be reorganized as a “green area” for publicizing the initiatives and results achieved by the sector in terms of sustainability. There will also be a focus on visitor transport through an agreement with Trenitalia to apply special fare reductions on the highspeed rail line to and from Bologna. Cersaie 2012 will focus on water, electrical energy and waste. The waste produced in the pre-exhibition set-up stage will be monitored this year, then in 2012 a program will be introduced to encourage the separate collection of paper and plastic. This will include providing a larger number of collection points, setting up separate waste collection islands and launching a program to convert waste into building materials. Last but not least, the project will focus on electricity and water consumption. On the basis of variables measured at this year’s show, initiatives to reduce consumption will be introduced in 2012. Cersaie 2011 will be held in the Bologna exhibition center from September 20-24 in Bologna, Italy. For more information, visit www.cersaie.it.
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orcelanosa has been recognized by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), with a first place award in the category of flooring for porcelain hardwood. The new Alaska grey tile design from Porcelanosa’s PAR-KER® Porcelain Hardwood collection was awarded with the Award of Excellence for its “distressed wood” look and design. “Besides being environmentally friendly and highly resistant to bacteria and allergens,” the tile can be used in any setting or application, due to its inability to scuff and warp like traditional hardwood flooring and durability to withstand the natural elements, the company notes. Further, Porcelanosa is expanding of its Orange County location in Anaheim, CA, with a major renovation that is expected to more than double the size of its showroom from 4,000 to over 10,000 square feet.
Registration now open for Total Solutions Plus
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he Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) invite everyone in the tile industry to register for the second annual Total Solutions Plus, November 7-11, 2011 in Chandler, AZ.
Total Solutions Plus integrates each association’s meeting into a single, industry-wide event, providing educational sessions tailored to meet the needs of distributors, contractors and manufacturers, networking opportunities, and table top exhibits! The 2011 Total Solutions Plus schedule includes a keynote presentation by Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell. Lutrell is the author of The Lone Survivor, the “harrowing story of four Navy SEALs who journeyed into the mountainous border of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Operation Redwing.” For more information on Total Solutions Plus and to register, visit www.ctdahome.org/tsp/2011.
July/August 2011
Clayhaus, modwalls ink exclusive distribution deal
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ortland, OR-based handcrafted artisan tile maker Clayhaus Ceramics has entered into a partnership with modwalls®, whereby modwalls becomes the exclusive distributor of “Clayhaus for modwalls®,” a line of Clayhaus product domestically produced for the chic online dealer. The Clayhaus for modwalls product line consists of a collection of ultra-mod 2”x8” smooth glazed ceramic tiles in seven classically modwalls colors. The partnership has also introduced the “Symbols” collection with three colors of “Plus” shape tile that can be mixed and matched to create a completely custom ceramic tile installation. Additional “Symbols” shapes are in development. “This collaboration makes perfect sense for us,” said Megan Coleman, Clayhaus co-founder and director of sales and marketing. “Modwalls’ brand presence and market penetration fits perfectly with our customers’ appreciation for mid-century architecture and modern design.” www.TILEmagonline.com
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The Perfect Combination By Kolyn Marshall
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ep, this summer is the summer. The home is getting dragged into the twenty-first century whether it likes it or not. Say good-bye to the classic avocado green stove and matching refrigerator and say hello to high efficiency windows, ergonomic appliances, and energy efficient lighting. All of these are easy targets when looking at renovations because they are out in the open and are items we see every time we walk into the room. But, what about the floor? How about bringing the floor into the twentyfirst century? Is that even possible? Although a lot of the techniques used to install a tile or stone floor are the same as they were 50 years ago, modern tile floors
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do offer a wide range of improvements over their earlier predecessors. Today’s tile floors are installed in ways which not only allow them to look their best, but use product and tools which give them the ability to do more than simply look nice. They become a functional part of the room. Installing tile and stone floors have taken large leaps forward from the days of our grandfathers. Prefabricated cement backerboards and other substrate composites provide stability, required for tile and stone floor coverings. But, modern home construction is much more than simply providing a beautiful home. Today’s homeowners want beauty and efficiency.
July/August 2011
The secret is to be able to do both. Electric radiant floor systems offer a low cost, high impact solution to the age old cold floor. Designed with the floor construction in mind, most electric
Above: Open weave formats, ultra-small wire diameters, and smart controls are just a few features present in today’s electric radiant systems.
Mat systems generally allow for quicker installations, especially in larger rooms.
radiant floor systems are integrated directly into the thinset below the tile. Open weave formats, ultra-small wire diameters, and smart controls are just a few features present in today’s electric radiant systems. Open weave formats allow the thinset to bond directly with the tile and the underlayment. This simple feature provides the necessary 85% or greater coverage while keeping the overall thickness as thin as possible. The wire diameter is also a key element in keeping the floor profile thin. New wire manufacturing methods provide resistance heating cables as small as 1/8” diameter. This small diameter wire means very little change in the amount of thinset required for the finished tile floor covering. Electric radiant floors come in either a prefabricated mat, where the wire is set into a mat at predefined spacing, or as a loose cable. Both options have their advantages. Mat systems generally allow for quicker installations, especially in larger rooms. Loose cable systems tend to take a bit longer to install, but offer the flexibility of being able to be “shaped” to a room’s profile. This is ideal when dealing with custom rooms, such as master bathrooms, which have odd angles, curves, or several recesses. Most mat products operate around 12 Watts/sf while most cables provide anywhere between 10 to 15 Watts/sf by varying the wire spacing. To keep the installation simple, most products are available in either 120 or 240 volt systems. There are a few which are available in a 24 volt format. These low voltage systems usually require additional electrical components, such as step-down transformers and larger amp capacities at the breaker. Choosing and installing the electric radiant system and setting the
SunTouch Mats
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UnderFloor Mats
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Loose cable systems tend to take a bit longer to install, but offer the flexibility of being able to be “shaped” to a room’s profile. This is ideal when dealing with custom rooms, such as master bathrooms, which have odd angles, curves, or several recesses.
Modern electric radiant floor systems provide a key element in enhancing the overall beauty of tile and stone floors without complicating the installation process. Tile and stone naturally add visual accents to the room. Now, by incorporating a bit of twenty-first century magic, they can also add the much desired warmth, as well. Electric radiant and tile, the perfect combination. TILE tile is just part of what makes a modern radiant system special. The other half is the control. New “smart” controls do much more than simply turn the system on, they react to the system’s needs. Smart controls monitor the floor’s temperature and regulate the on/off cycling. Program in a target temperature, a start and end time, and the control takes care of the rest. This “smart” feature equates directly to increased operational savings. Systems run only when needed, resulting in lower utility consumption and a more consistent floor temperature.
About the Author: Kolyn Marshall has been in the radiant heating and snow melting industry for over 16 years. Over the last 16 years, he has been a regional sales director, national training director, and currently holds the position of Director of Strategic Marketing for Watts Radiant. His years of design and field experience bring a unique perspective to design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
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July/August 2011
Radiant Guide
Company Name: Calorique Radiant Heating Phone: (800) 922-9276 Fax: (508) 291-2299 URL: www.calorique.com Email Address:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: Peel & Heat Complete for tile floors Radiant floor warming; Radiant ceiling heating; mirror defoggers; laminate floor warming; propagation mats.
Company Name: Easy Heat Phone: (800) 537-4732 URL: www.easyheat.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: EasyHeat Makes Floorwarming Systems Safer with New GFCI Equipped Thermostats EasyHeat floorwarming systems are a comforting addition to any home, providing a warm touch on cold days. EasyHeat has upgraded its entire line of floorwarming thermostats to include built-in Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter safety (GFCI). Dubbed the G Series, the new thermostats are identical in size, functionality, use of the floor temperature sensor, and mounting configuration to existing EasyHeat thermostats, making installation simple. EasyHeat G Series thermostats are available in 120V and 240V, in programmable or nonprogrammable designs.
Company Name: LATICRETE Phone: (800) 243-4788 Fax: (203) 393-1296 URL: www.laticrete.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: LATICRETE® Floor HEAT LATICRETE offers the most comprehensive floor warming program in the industry – backed by a complete system warranty. Projects can be laid out in minutes online and custom drawings returned to you the next day! Nationwide availability coupled with an innovative design provides for a fast, easy and dependable installation. Layout and quote in minutes; Receive custom layout details next day; Simple to install.
Company Name: NuHeat Industries, Ltd. Phone: (800) 778-9276 URL: www.nuheat.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: Nuheat pre-built mats (standard or custom) are typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Paired with Nuheat’s 7-day programmable thermostats, the Nuheat system will add comfort to a room. New is the Heated Shower Mat with capabilities to warm the shower bench. Nuheat pre-built mats are installed by securing (1/16 on an inch) them into place under 2 layers of thinset and then installing the tile above.
Company Name: MP Global Products, LLC Phone: (402) 379-9695 Fax: (402) 379-9737 URL: www.QuietWalk.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: QuietWalk – recycled underlayment for laminate & wood floors; QuietWarmth – radiant heat underlayment
Company Name: SunTouch Phone: (888) 432-8932 Fax: (417) 831-4067 URL: www.suntouch.com Radiant Floor Warming Products: SunTouch®; WarmWire®; UnderFloor™; LoudMouth™; SunStat™; and CableTrowel™ SunTouch Floor Warming Systems SunTouch is an electric floor warming system that will put an end to cold floors. The systems are safe, easy to install, and economical to operate. They work great in new construction or remodeling and in projects of any size.
Company Name: Thermosoft International Corporation Phone: (877) 249-6422 Fax: (847) 279-8845 URL: www.warmfloorsource.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: WarmWalk™ Warmsulate™ WarmStep®
Company Name: Tyco Thermal Controls Phone: (800) 545-6258 Fax: (800) 527-5703 URL: www.raychemquicknet.com Email:
[email protected] Radiant Floor Warming Products: Raychem QuickNet Floor Heating System Raychem® QuickNet® is an electric floor heating system that provides uniform heating for tiled areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. The easy-to-install QuickNet system consists of the self-adhesive heating mat and programmable QuickStat®-TC thermostat.
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Tile of Italy News By Kristin Coleman
Ceramic Tiles of Italy: Spring Trends for 2011
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imilar to fashion, cars, or furniture, the Italian tile industry is known as a world leader in design and technology and stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and cutting edge appeal. After finishing a series of spring tradeshows in the U.S. including Coverings, AIA and ICFF, it’s clear that Italian ceramic tile manufacturers are creating not only new design opportunities through visually striking products but also added value with fully expanded collections. From a graphic perspective, graffiti-inspired tiles and bold colors are popping up everywhere. However, collections that bring architectural fluidity to a project – from tiles that can be used for indoor and outdoor environments to full ceramic systems and a full range of color options – are also an important emerging trend.
the trade. One example of producing a more spacious feel is cladding the floor inside and out with the same material. On an industry scale, Italian tile companies are helping designers achieve this by developing collections with a wide range of surface options
Inside & Out Seasoned designers know how to create the illusion of space through the use of color, material and other tricks of
Right: The aptly named “Velvet” tile by Casa Dolce Casa may look like stone from Venice, but feels like its namesake.
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July/August 2011
– from natural and smooth for indoor to rough or ribbed for outdoor. This is particularly useful in residential or hospitality settings where rooms have both interior and exterior areas. This indoor/outdoor trend comes just in time for spring renovations. Laminam’s large format (1m x 3m) “Collection” tiles are ideal for covering interior and exterior surfaces. Marazzi’s new “EvolutionStone” collection features large porcelain tiles that can be laid seamlessly between indoor and outdoor environments and in both residential and commercial contexts. Monocibec’s sustainable “Ontario” collection sports a very convincing wood-look and is available with a GRIP or ribbed GRIP finish featuring an R-11 non-slip surface.
Top Left: Mirage introduced two equally bold collections, “Lab_21” (pictured) and “Oxy,” that feature stenciled patterns, oxidized metals, subway maps and manhole covers. Bottom Left: Monocibec’s sustainable “Ontario” collection sports a wood-look. It’s available with a GRIP or ribbed GRIP finish featuring an R-11 non-slip surface.
Soft to the Touch Another growing trend this spring is the emergence of tiles with an ultra-soft finish. The aptly named “Velvet” tile by Casa Dolce Casa may look like a stone from Venice but feels like its namesake. Similarly, “Velvet Stone” by ABK and “Crystal” by Rondine just beg to be touched. Meanwhile, Sant’Agostino’s “S.Wood” tile features a smooth, natural touch and low impact on the environment since the company offsets all of its CO2 emissions. In addition, Coem’s sandstone-inspired “Pietra Serena” tile is available in a “silk” version. Urban Throughout modern history, counter-culture has been a source of inspiration for all factions of the creative community. Now Italian companies, too, are turning to the streets with a new crop of graffiti- and concrete-inspired tile collections. From the monochromatic shades and rough-hewn textures of raw cement to the asymmetrical and multi-layered graphics found in street art, the urban look is everywhere. Refin meticulously studied industrial areas to create its “Graffiti” collection, which reinterprets cement in porcelain stoneware. The large-format “Frisia” tiles from LaFaenza are perfect for minimal-styled lofts with an intriguing cement effect. “Eclipse” by Marca Corona features the industrial charm of cement in 6”x24” tiles. In addition, “Concreta” by Marazzi, “Transit Slim” by Ragno and “Urban Touch” by Fioranese all present a unique spin on concrete. From a graphic perspective, Mirage introduced two equally bold collections, “Lab_21” and “Oxy,” that feature stenciled patterns, oxidized metals, subway maps and manhole covers. Similarly, Leonardo turns street art into décor with its new “Word Up” tiles. Also of note is DesignTaleStudio’s brand new “Beside” collection designed by Massimiliano Adami. Turning to the tile’s B-side for inspiration, where the “Made in Italy” stamp can be found, Adami glazes the backs of tiles and cuts them up into a random patterns that resembles a patchwork of spray-painted mosaics. Ascot’s “Oldwood” and Sadon’s “Woodland” are two more faux wood tiles that have an exterior version for greater flexibility. Imola’s “Colosseum,” Tagina’s “Wire,” Emilceramica’s “Anthology” and Del Conca’s “Nat” and “Docet” collections are also appropriate for indoor and outdoor settings.
Color Explosion! After the cold winter months, Italian tile manufacturers, like fashion designers, are eager to inject some color into their spring collections. Vogue just added 11 new tones of color to its “Cristalli” collection, which already included a range July/August 2011
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Left: “Area25” by Mosaico+ is features recycled glass content (95%) in a wide range of bright and bold colored offerings.
of 18 colors from pistachio to papaya. LaFaenza’s “Venier” and Cisa “Ume” are available in a range of intense colors that lend personality to any interior. “Tango” by Sicis is a rich
combination of bold color, floral motifs and strong geometrics. FAP’s boiserie-inspired “Inspira” line is available in a range of warm, soft hues such as Powder Pink, Dove Grey and Coffee. Part of the charm of Attivissimo’s “Tappeto” terrazzo tiles is the option to choose from 29 proposed colors while Epoca’s “Design Positive” line features 8”x20” tiles in 42 colors, from orange to aquamarine blue. “Area25” by Mosaico+ is impressive not only for its high amount of recycled glass content (95%) but also its range of bright and bold colors. In addition, Francesco de Maio just introduced a hand-made through-body ceramic tile that is available in a multitude of colors while Palagio is offering a range of colorful terracotta tiles suitable for turnkey rainscreen wall cladding facades. Please visit www.italiantiles.com for additional information, product updates, projects and promotional activities. TILE
CTIOA Ceramic Tile Institute of America Inc. 12061 Jefferson Blvd. Culver City, CA Phone 310-574-7800 Fax 310-821-4655
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Ralph Williamson Southwest Dir.
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July/August 2011
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Tile of China News
ExpoBuild China 2011: “Innovation & Design”
T
he recently concluded ExpoBuild China 2011, held concurrently with Ceramics China, Marble & Stone, Expo Light, Hotelex and China Clean, presented four days of premium products to fulfill the demand of the hospitably industry. Under the concept of Hotelex + Design & Deco, the multitiered exhibition shared a total area of 165,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 domestic and overseas suppliers and 80,000 global visitors in attendance. Now in its 19th year, ExpoBuild China showcased products from within the building material industry, such as interior decoration, doors, windows, floors, glass, coating, lighting etc. The exhibition achieved a thrilling close, featuring international brands and attracting high-quality of visitors from designers, hotel/real estate developers, architects etc. Ceramics China, now in its 12th year, showcased premium and innovative products of ceramics, tiles, mosaic, glazes, marble and stone. Supported by the China Building Ceramics & Sanitary
Ware Association, the exhibition was deemed a success as indicated by the quality of visitors from the design, architecture, interior design, real estate development fields.
Top Right: Opening Ceremony at ExpoBuild China 2011.
Right: Tile of Spain branded manufacturers, Aparici and Onix, enjoy the flow of visitors to their exhibits.
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2011 China International Building & Interior Design Festival Also held during the ExpoBuild China was the 2011 China International Building & Interior Design Festival, organized by the China Institute of Interior Design, Interior China Design magazine, and Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co., Ltd. With the theme of “New Eco Live,” the festival addressed the relationships among green, energy-saving building and interior design, building materials. Participants experienced various display
Left: The multitiered ExpoBuild China exhibition shared a total area of 165,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 domestic and overseas suppliers and 80,000 global visitors in attendance.
areas and conferences emphasizing the festival’s message: • Eco-building & Urban Development Forum: New Urbanism – Architectural Spaces with A Story to Tell, 2011 Design Trend Release. • 2011 Low-Carbon Summit on Sustainable Development: Witness the Rise of Chinese Emerging Designers Leading Low-carbon Fashion.
• Area Dialogue & 2011 Golden Bund Award Ceremony • Conversation with Chinese and Foreign Designers: The Flexibility of Space - a Strategy for Future, Retail Space Design and Brand Strategy — Tongji University-Politecnico di Milano EMDM Program Seminar. • The Grand Opening of the Dealers Committee of China Building Ceramic
& Sanitary ware Association and the 2nd C.O.C.A Century Oro Ceramics Award Ceremony. • Building Design Pattern against the Background of New Policies on China Real Estate — Times House Seminar 2011 & The Fifth ‘Kinpan’ AwardWinning Artworks Display ExpoBuild China 2012 will be held April 9-12 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Shanghai. For more information, please contact
[email protected] or visit www.expobuild.com.
CeramBath enjoys substantial influx of visitors, new technology By Gregory Zhao, International Affairs Commissioner, China Ceramics City & China Ceramics Industry Headquarters
Far Left: CeramBath products showcased on the fashion catwalk. Top Left: Show attendees explore the various offerings presented during Cerambath. Bottom Left: An example of the available showrooms.
O
n April 18-22, the 17th China International Ceramic & Bathroom Fair Foshan (CeramBath) opened in the three venues — China Ceramics City, China Ceramics Industry Headquarters, and Foshan International Conference & Exhibition Center. According to the attendance records, there were 68,941 show visitors, a dramatic increase of nearly 60% from the previous spring session. 50
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Technology Goes with Environmental Protection Since the theme “Technology Goes with Environmental Protection” was initiated during the 16th CeramBath event, “green,” “eco-friendly” and “low carbon” have become key words in China’s ceramic industry. As such, the Chinese government, industry and media have enthusiastically responded to the event’s continued
July/August 2011
focus on environmental protection and encourage the ceramic industry to build a green environment for the future of the ceramic and bathroom industry. Also during the spring show, CeramBath’s website (www.cerambath. org) launched with great success. As a convenient platform for information, the website will facilitate and speed up the development of e-commerce. TILE
Tile of Spain News
by Amanda Eden, Tile of Spain representative
Tile of Spain Demonstrate Range of Innovation, Design at NeoCon 2011
D
esign. Technology. Innovation. Sustainability. Tile of Spain branded manufacturers exemplified these key tenets through the latest product innovation displayed at NeoCon 2011. From June 13-15, visitors to booth #7-8086 at Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart found a multitude of resources in ceramic and porcelain tile for corporate hospitality, healthcare, retail, government, institutional and residential interiors. Spanish tile companies and products on display included: • Ceramica Elias offers a variety of products manufactured through both handmade practices and contemporary innovation. The various grades of roughness and flamed surface differ in each tile, enabling Elias to create beautiful, warm atmospheres for both interiors and exteriors. The Proven a Series appears as an aged, worn product
with a very rustic appearance. Available in three colors to evoke the look of traditional terracotta fired in moruno kilns, where products were partly burnt, under-fired and wellfired, depending on kiln conditions. Elias also offers a variety of meshmounted mosaics in a variety of design and format.
• One of Keraben’s newest introductions is the Transit Collection. With a stylized 33x97 format and attention to the latest market trends, the new collection stands out for its soft color, lending living spaces greater spaciousness and continuity. • Natucer earned the Alfa De Plato Award for its new architectural collection LifeArq, innovative wall solutions for architecture and urban environments. A study of light and space resulted in four classes of ceramic, each with a specific characteristic and function designed to satisfy the needs of the construction and design markets for an active and dynamic society. The collection includes Bamboo, narrow porcelain columns in a variety of colors that when grouped together create a sunshade or can be used for architectural solutions. Colors include
Right: Keraben’s newest introduction, the Transit Collection, features soft colors — lending living spaces greater spaciousness and continuity.
July/August 2011
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Top Right: Roca Tile Group, known for its commitment to sustainable products and manufacturing practices, displayed new products that offer a wide range of design including Rock & Rock. Bottom Right: Ceramicas Cas offers the Sevillanos Series, a new collection emulating classic appeal for residential space. With a wide range of pattern and design, the series conjures the look of classic Spanish motif.
Frost, Dark, Crimson, Yolk and Gem. Format is 3.1” diameter x 11.5” and 3.1” diameter x 2.8”. • Roca Tile Group, known for its commitment to sustainable products and manufacturing practices, displayed new products that offer a wide range of design including Rock & Rock. This unique double-press, through-body porcelain collection, includes the large format 24”x48” sizes and offers stone texture technology. The collection is available in crema, gris and negro. • Dune showed an expansion of its popular Megalos series which creates a wall of waving motion in white or silver 11.8” x 23.6” format. Dune’s Emphasis Collection features vivid colors and glossy finishes. The collection includes micro tessels that allow for both floor and wall use. • The newest collaboration between Saloni and Roberto Verino is the Contempora Collection. This white body, rectified tile offers a wide range of wood plank looks that accomplishes the most rustic chic to sleek contemporary. • El Barco offers the Orion Series from CeramINK Collection. Through the use of advanced digital printing technology, the collection offers a contemporary take on the classic look of stone. • Azulcascais from Land Porcelanico takes its name and inspiration from the natural stone, typically found in Portugal. This full-body, technical porcelain tile, is available in formats 45x90, 22.5x90, 30x60 and in colors ivory, moss and graphite. • Ceramicas Aparici flawlessly captures the look of concrete to meet minimalist design needs. This rectified porcelain tile is double-fired for ultimate durability and is available in both standard thickness and Aparici’s slim tile option, SLIM4. Novocemento is available in formats 45x90, 22.5x90 and 30x60 and in colors Marfil, Gris, Brown and Negro. • Ceramicas Cas offers the Sevillanos Series, a new collection emulating classic appeal for residential space. With a wide range of pattern and design, the series conjures the look of classic Spanish motif. • TAU Ceramica’s newer ceramic collection is inspired by the most spectacular marble materials to offer interior designers elegance and exclusivity. The Breccia, Livorno and Colonna collections are as timeless, majestic and beautiful as the material by which they are inspired. The predominant
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feature of all three models is spectacular sparkle and a very natural yet technically complex finish. Colonna is directly inspired by the noble material used to build the square of the same name in Rome, best-known for the majestic Aurelian column. The marble used for the Colonna series is greyish in colour and is available in a lapped 45x45 format, with 60x60 amber, beige, grey and ivory versions. • Using the best methods of manufacturing from natural clays and firing at high temperatures, Industrias Ceramicas Brancos offers Gres Bisbal, a klinker material with high durability, non-slip and frost resistance. For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, by calling (305) 446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info. TILE
Tile Products
199 DUPONT
DuPont formulates StoneTech to enhance, protect stone New from DuPont is StoneTech Professional Paver Sealer and Enhancer. The water-based, low-VOC and lowodor sealer works on a variety of masonry surfaces, including concrete pavers. Circle 199 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS 197 TEMPLE-INLAND
Temple-Inland offers new 3’ x 5’ GreenGlass® Tile Backer panel Temple-Inland has added a new 3’ x 5’ panel size to its GreenGlass fiberglassfaced gypsum tile backer board. Available in two thicknesses — ¼” and ½” — GreenGlass features at least 90% recycled content. Produced with the TemShield® Mold Protection System engineered into its gypsum core, the product meets the IBC and IRC coderecognized standard (ASTM C1128) for wet-area tile substrate. Circle 197 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
196 MP GLOBAL PRODUCTS
MP Global’s QuietWarmth debuts eco-friendly radiant heating MP Global Products’ eco-friendly QuietWarmth® is an acoustical and insulating underlayment and supplemental heating system incorporating non-metallic electric radiant heating elements. Composed of 77% post industrial/pre-consumer fibers, the underlayment is offered in two on-the-shelf sizes - 3’ x 5’ and 3’ x 10’ – and two special order sizes of 1.5’ x 5’ and 1.5’ x 10’. Circle 196 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Custom Building Products launches SpiderWeb uncoupling mat SpiderWeb™ Uncoupling Mat is a waterproof, vaporproof uncoupling membrane that can be used for cracksuppression in most tile, porcelain or natural stone installations. It can also be applied over “challenging substrates,” such as installation over green concrete (young) and single ply 19.2” (49 cm) supported floors, the company notes. www.custombuildingproducts.com
200 BRAXTON-BRAGG
198 LATICRETE
Braxton-Bragg now offering Tavy spacer, tile puck Braxton-Bragg now offers the “4-Corner View” Tavy two-sided tile spacer, as well as the Tavy Tile Puck. The tile spacer boasts a circular design that prevents the spacer from bottoming out into the cement or adhesive. The Tavy Tile Puck, designed to help installers check if tiles are level or not, is an all-in-one hockey puck-shaped tool that integrates an omni-directional level. Circle 200 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Laticrete intros eco-friendly Grout Channel Refurbishment kit In keeping with its eco-friendly program, Laticrete has launched the Grout Channel Refurbishment Kit, allowing Laticrete sales representatives and customers in the field to “simply pop out the discontinued grout color channels” and replace them with the six newly launched colors available, avoiding the disposal of outdated grout channel kits. Circle 198 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
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Ad Index Use the Free Information Card on opposite page to receive free information about products and services mentioned in TILE Magazine. Find the Free Information Number at the bottom of the ad or editorial item and circle the corresponding number on the Free Information Card.
Company Name
pg. no.
RS no.
Company Name
pg. no.
RS no.
American Marazzi Tile ..... 34, 60 (972) 232-3801 www.marazzitile.com
11
MAPEI Corp. ..................... 3, 33 (954) 246-8888 www.mapei.com
34
Arizona Hot Dots ....................25 (480) 451-3687 www.azhotdots.com
120
NAC Products .........................24 (800) 633-4622 www.nacproducts.com
13
Bode USA ........................... 2, 36 (714) 772-3388 www.bodestone.com
2
Omega Products ............... 31, 59 (800) 600-6634 www.sienaproducts.com
1
Cersaie 2011 ............................47 www.cersaie.it
100
Original Mission Tile ..............25 (52) (444) 817-3929 www.originalmissiontile.com
124
Certainteed ......................... 5, 35 (800) 233-8990 www.certainteed.com
18 Ornamental Tile Works ..........25 (847) 599-9208 www.ornamentaltileworks.com
121
Pearl Abrasive Co. ...................16 (800) 969-5561 www.pearlabrasive.com
10
CTEF .......................................28 (864) 222-2131 www.tilecareer.com
Prospec ....................................21 (800) 738-1621 www.prospec.com
12
CTIOA.....................................46 (310) 574-7800 www.ctioa.org
Stonexchange ...........................58 (305) 513-9795 www.stonexchange.net
135
Custom Building Products ...... 11, 13, 15, 17, 30 (800) 272-8786 www.custombuildingproducts.com
TCNA ......................................57 (864) 646-8453 www.tileusa.com
16
Foshan China Ceramics City, Ltd ...............49 (86) (757) 82727011 www.eccc.com.cn
90
Florida Tile ................................7 (800) 352-8453 www.floridatile.com
19
Hakatai Enterprises .................25 (888) 667-2429 www.hakatai.com
130
HCP Industries........................24 (800) 982-1550 www.hcpindustries.com
14
LATICRETE ............................42 (800) 243-4788 www.laticrete.com
84
Temple-Inland Forest Products ........................ 19, 32 (800) 231-6060 www.templeinland.com Watts Suntouch .......................41 (888) 432-8932 www.suntouch.com
20
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Editor’s Note: The Advertiser’s Index is provided as a service to our readers. No liability is created nor accepted for any inadvertent errors or omissions.
July/August 2011
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2011 Classified Rates Contact Sharon Ward for more information 847-405-4017
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Tile Q&A By Dr. Jyothi Rangineni and Eric Astrachan
Antimicrobial Tile: An Overview
W
hether at home, work, or school, a healthy and hygienic environment is important and highly desirable. Microbes and germs are a daily threat, and the control of microbial growth and contamination is a critical step towards a healthier environment. Most microbes happily settle on solid surfaces, and their subsequent growth and accumulation lead to the formation of complex communities known as biofilms. Biofilms act as a landing place for more microbes leading to larger and potentially more harmful microbial colonies which can cause damage to structures. The damage or “fouling” from these microbes could range from discoloration or bad odor to corrosion. Biofilms can also attract more dangerous microbes that can cause serious infections and diseases. Antimicrobial tile and tile coatings,
which are relatively new to the marketplace, can provide an efficient defense against microbes. Q: What does antimicrobial mean? A: As an industry professional or as a consumer, it is very important to understand such terms. According to
Right: Most microbes happily settle on solid surfaces, and their subsequent growth and accumulation lead to the formation of complex communities known as biofilms, which can lead to larger and potentially more harmful microbial colonies to form.
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the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), antimicrobial products are substances or mixtures of substances used to destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate objects and surfaces. Antimicrobial tiles disinfect, sanitize, reduce, or mitigate growth or development of microbes while protecting surfaces from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime. The EPA classifies antimicrobial products as public health products if they control microbes which cause infections in humans and animals and as non-public health products if they only control microbes which cause infections in animals. Public health products are further classified as sterilizers, disinfectants and sanitizers based on their percentage of killing action, which varies from 98% -100%.
Q: How do antimicrobial tiles and tile coatings work? A: Microbial contamination can be easily controlled on tile by normal cleaners, which act as disinfectants. However, once the disinfectant is removed, contamination can recur. Active antimicrobial surfaces can provide continuous antimicrobial efficacy throughout the day to help inhibit the spread of bacteria and other microbes. Antimicrobial tile and tile coatings require three ingredients: an active ingredient, a carrier for that active ingredient, and a mechanism to release
installers and in some cases by the consumer. Q: What is the advantage of antimicrobial tiles? A: Strong worldwide population growth points to the importance of more infection control in restaurants,
public transportation systems, shopping areas, hospitals, and other public areas. The importance of clean, bacteria-free environments cannot be underestimated, and to ensure this, the highest standards in prevention are critical. Substituting antimicrobial tiles for other surfaces supports a healthier environment.
ANSI STANDARDS . . . 24/7
Quality Antimicrobial tile and tile coatings require three ingredients: an active ingredient, a carrier for that active ingredient, and a mechanism to release the active ingredient from the carrier.
the active ingredient from the carrier. Most commonly used active ingredients are quaternary ammonium salts, metal ions (such as silver, zinc, or titanium), triclosan and other bacteriostatic and fungistatic chemicals. Q: How are antimicrobial tiles made? A: The active ingredient and carrier are often applied as a glaze during the tile manufacturing process. Once the tile is coated with the antimicrobial product, the firing of the glaze fixes the coating onto the tile surface. Alternatively, antimicrobial tile coatings are available that can be applied on tiles by trained
. . . for Installation, Materials, & Ceramic Tile
Purchase yours today! Snap this image with your phone to go to the TCNA website
Tile Council of North America 864-646-8453 / www.tileusa.com
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Product Marketplace
THRESHOLDS AND WINDOW SILLS IN STONE Stock Materials: Travertine, Crema Marfil, White Carrara, Absolute Black and Pure White. Stock Designs: Standard ¼” or Hollywood (Handicapped) Bevel ADA Thresholds, Shower Curbs and Corner Shelves. Stock Dimensions: Window Sills: 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 11”, 12” wide by 36”, 56” and 74” long Thresholds: 2”, 4”, 4 ½”, 5”, 6” wide by 36” long. All prefabricated and ready for shipment in Florida. STONEXCHANGE 9635 NW 13th Street Miami, Florida 33172 T: 305 513 9795 F: 305 513 9932 www.stonexchange.net For details circle #135 on the Free Information Card.
OUTSTANDING LIGHTWEIGHT CRACKISOLATION MEMBRANE IS A SNAP TO INSTALL Mapeguard™ 2 is a “peel-andstick” membrane that is 35% lighter than previous generations and offers high-performance, in-plane crack isolation up to 3/8” (10 mm). This semi-rigid sheet easily cuts to size and positions without losing its form. This membrane is the ideal solution for crack isolation in flooring installations for high traffic, commercial settings and multi-story buildings. Mapeguard 2 helps prevent existing or future in-plane floor cracks (with movement up to 3/8” [10 mm] wide) from transmitting through grout, ceramic tile or natural stone. It also reduces impact sound (footsteps, dropped objects, etc.) and airborne sound (voice, TV, etc.) transmission through floors when installed under ceramic tile, stone or wood floor coverings. www.mapei.com. For details circle #141 on the Free Information Card.
TILE OF SPAIN Schools, airports, healthcare. For a space that never rests, ceramic tile is poised to be on the job 24/7/365. Characteristics like durability, easy maintenance, hygienic properties and low lifecycle cost create the perfect package of benefits for these demanding venues. For more information, contact Tile of Spain: (305) 446-4387 or www.spaintiles.info. For details circle #140 on the Free Information Card.
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Q: What is the efficiency and durability of antimicrobial tiles? A: Various test methods are available to test the efficiency of antimicrobial tiles. Tile Council of North America (TCNA) runs ISO 22196 (Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastics surfaces – modified for ceramic services) and ISO 27447 (Test method for antibacterial activity of semiconducting photocatalytic materials) to test for antibacterial activity. TCNA also offers ASTM G-21 (Standard practice for determining resistance of synthetic polymeric materials to fungi) for testing against different molds. Traditionally a tile surface is regarded as durable and easy to clean. The durability of antimicrobial tiles can be determined by doing a simple abrasion test preceded and followed by the aforementioned antimicrobial testing. TCNA can provide ASTM C1027 (Standard test method for determining visible abrasion resistance of glazed ceramic tile) testing in conjunction with scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging to detect removal of the antimicrobial coating. In Conclusion Although antimicrobial tile products are fairly new to our industry, with the growing concern about general health and hygiene, the use of such products is expected to grow. By its nature, tiles contribute to good air quality and create healthy and hygienic surfaces; antimicrobial qualities are yet another feature to consider when choosing floor and wall coverings and a benefit that ceramic tiles can provide. TILE
About the Authors Eric Astrachan, Executive Director of the TCNA, Inc., has 34 years experience in international business with the past 16 years in the ceramic tile industry in manufacturing, installation, Eric Astrachan Dr. Jyothi research, and association Rangineni management. Presently, he is chairman of the TCNA Handbook Committee, Co-Secretary of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Accredited Standards Committee A108, and Head of Delegation representing ANSI’s vote in ISO TC-189 (International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee on ceramic tiles). Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, the Board of the Responsible Solutions for Mold Coalition, and the Board of Governors of the international trade show Coverings.
Dr. Jyothi Rangineni is a Research Scientist at Tile Council of North America. She is responsible for research and development of new testing standards for TCNA members and TCNA’s Product Performance Testing Laboratory. Dr. Rangineni has over 10 years experience in research and experimental design in Microbiology.
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Archaeology
digital design definition Made in the USA
More realistic than natural travertine. Archaeology by Marazzi. Seeing is believing.
Treasures from the past inspire Marazzi’s Archaeology, a luxurious travertine look recreated using the latest advances in digital print technology.
Chaco Canyon
Babylon
Crystal River
Troy
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