A standard is born: World’s first standard for glass tile

New method, new requirements for coefficient of friction of tile floors

Quality is the bottom line: Proficiency programs for contractors and installers

TCNA launches newest industry online resource: TCNAtile.com

Unveiling the Green Squared® Standard and Green Squared® Certification

Tile and the environment: Why tile’s always been the natural choice!

tcna ti leinitiativethe

2012

Digital Version 2012.2

Eric Astrachan

Executive Director Tile Council of North America

Welcome to this first edition of the TCNA Tile Initiative with seven articles on new standards, industry research, and TCNA initiatives in the North American tile industry.

In November 2011 the tile industry standard for sustainability, Green Squared® (ANSI A138.1), was unanimously approved, culminating years of research, manufacturing outreach, and input from green building professionals. Our article provides an easy-to-digest overview of this complex standard.

Paralleling the development of Green Squared, TCNA developed Green Squared certification, based on third party manufacturer audits available worldwide. In the green arena rife with conflicting and confusing claims, Green Squared certification offers transparency and proven sustainability. Read our article for the full impact of this program. The article immediately following, Tile and the Environment, discusses the many environmentally-preferable qualities tiles and installation materials have always had.

This year we also announced the world’s first glass tile standard. With so many ways to make glass and so many aesthetic options, standardizing glass tiles was a dream years before it came to fruition. Our article explains the common essentials and introduces the aesthetic options that make up the artistry and originality of this medium.

Also this year, the standard dramatically changed for how our industry measures and reports the coefficient of friction of a tile surface. Our article explains what this most important change means and dispels common misunderstandings. This is a must-read for building owners and anyone involved in specifying or selling floor tiles.

In our article on installation quality, we discuss the importance of matching the installers’ skills to the project’s requirements. This year, for the first time, the TCNA Handbook addresses this critical topic. Before accepting the lowest bid on your next project, read our frank discussion of the changes taking place in the installation trade and the excellent programs already in place to prequalify contractors and certify installers.

Last in our supplement we introduce TCNA’s newest industry online resource, www.tcnatile.com. Front and center are four separate blogs on industry issues. Updated several times per month, we encourage everyone to check back regularly.

We hope you find this 1st edition useful, and we look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions for 2013.

Sincerely,

ContentsTile...The Natural Choice

02ANSI A138.1, the Green Squared® StandardGreen Squared is a multi-attribute, total-system approach to sustainability and the first standard of its kind for building materials. It defines sustainability by outlining requirements for tile, powder goods, liquid and paste installation products, and panel and sheet installation products.

04Green Squared® CertificationVerifying tile and installation products are sustainable is easy. Just look for the Green Squared Certified logo, indicating third party audited conformance to the Green Squared standard.

06Tile and the EnvironmentWhether because of recycled content, low life cycle cost, indoor air quality, or a host of other attributes, learn why tile and its installation materials have been the natural choice for centuries.

NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

This publication and all of the information it contains are provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied. All implied warranties, including, without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement, are hereby expressly disclaimed.

Publisher has not performed any independent analysis in connection with any of the information contained herein, and expressly disclaims any obligation to obtain and include information other than that presented herein. This information does not purport to address safety issues or applicable regulatory requirements associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this information to review any applicable codes and other regulations and any site specific conditions in connection with the use of this information. Publisher expressly makes no representations or warranties regarding compliance with any applicable statute, rule or regulation.

Under no circumstances will publisher be liable to any person or business entity for any damages, including without limitation any and all direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages, resulting, in whole or in part, from any use of, reference to, or reliance upon this publication, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing limitation of liability is a fundamental element of the use of this information and the information would not be offered by the Publisher without such limitation.

A Standard is Born: World’s First Standard for Glass Tile, ANSI A137.2From bubbles and creases to thermal shock resistance, our discussion of ANSI A137.2 outlines the performance and aesthetic requirements for this popular tile type. 12

Quality is the Bottom Line: Proficiency Programs for Contractors and Installers

New language in the TCNA Handbook points to including labor qualifications in specifications. Prequalify contractors and installers to make sure your next project is in the right hands.22TCNA Launches Newest Industry Online Resource: www.tcnatile.com

The new TCNA website is a hub of information and activity. Blogs, FAQs, article archives, digital downloads, and online ordering are there for your convenience and totally searchable. Bookmark and stop by regularly for the latest industry information.

28

Coefficient of Friction: New Method, New RequirementsIntroducing the DCOF AcuTestSM: After years of research, a new and significantly improved method for measuring COF and a new threshold value are in place. Learn how these crucial changes impact your tile specifications.

16

New Product Standards

Industry News

ANSI A138.1, the Green Squared® StandardAmerican National Standard Specifications for Sustainable Ceramic Tiles, Glass Tiles, and Tile Installation Materials

Bill Griese, LEED AP BD+C

Standards Development and Green Initiative ManagerTile Council of North America

Ceramic tiles have a history of sustainability, long before sustainability became the buzzword it is today. Tile’s inherent durability, and the perpetuity of the natural materials out of which tiles are manufactured, have made ceramic tiles the natural choice for centuries. As consumer demand for sustainable products grew, though, myriad green programs emerged, causing marketplace confusion and sometimes selection of products or systems sustainable in one aspect but not very green overall.

Our response? Green Squared® (ANSI A138.1), a multi-attribute, total-system approach to sustainability. Add third party certification to the Green Squared standard, and product specification for green projects is as simple as checking the Green Squared website for certified products.

Even more exciting, Green Squared goes beyond today’s capabilities by giving credit to products that raise the bar through innovation. As such the standard allows for evolution in the sustainability landscape.

For more information on Green Squared, Green Squared certification, and TCNA’s Green Initiative, contact Bill Griese at bgriese@tileusa.com.

New to the tile industry is its first all-encompassing standard for sustainable products, Green Squared® (ANSI A138.1). Approved

by the ANSI A108 Committee toward the close of 2011, Green Squared provides a means to define and measure the sustainable attributes of tiles and related installation materials.

A Multi-Attribute Approach

ANSI A138.1 is modeled after other respected green building product standards, and it was written by an ANSI Accredited Standards Committee representing green building stakeholders, tile consumers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and many other relevant interests. Since being green today involves much more than use of recycled materials, energy efficiency, or any other single attribute, Green Squared takes a multi-attribute approach to sustainability by establishing criteria to address both environmental and social issues. These criteria establish a consistent approach to the evaluation and determination of product sustainability, and are in accordance with North American green building practices, expectations, and leading initiatives.

Green Squared: Five Standards in One

ANSI A138.1 is five standards in one, covering a variety of products including ceramic and glass tiles, powder goods (grouts, mortars, etc.), liquid and paste installation products (trowelable membranes, liquid polymer additives, etc.), panel installation products (backer boards, underlayments, etc.), and sheet installation products (crack isolation membranes, waterproof membranes, etc.). This allows the industry to offer installed systems of sustainable products, the first offering of its kind by any building material industry.

Establishing sustainability criteria for products throughout their full life cycle, Green Squared is divided into five sections: Environmental Product Characteristics, Environmental Product Manufacturing and Raw Material Extraction, End of Product Life Management, Progressive Corporate Governance, and Innovation.

Mandatory and Elective Requirements

Some criteria within the standard are mandatory while others are elective. To conform to the standard, a product must meet all mandatory requirements and a specified number (depending on the product type) of a wide range of elective requirements. As such, the standard addresses the full range of issues most important to the North American green building community.

ANSI A138.1 | The Green Squared® Standard | 3

Products Covered by ANSI A138.1

Ceramic Tiles: porcelain, pressed floor, quarry, mosaic and glazed wall Glass Tiles: cast, fused, and low-temperature-coated

Dry Powder Installation Materials: cement based mortar and grout, etc.

Liquid and Paste Installation Materials: mastic and epoxy adhesives, epoxy grouts, pourable and trowelable membranes, etc.

Panel Installation Materials: backer boards, panel underlayments, etc.

Sheet Installation Materials: membranes and underlayments, etc.

Environmental Product Characteristics

Recycled Material/Reclaimed Manufacturing Waste

Environmental Product Manufacturing and Raw Material Extraction

Particulate Emissions Reduction

Indigenous Raw Materials Responsible Combustion and Fuel Usage

Sustainable Packaging Raw Materials Sourcing and Extraction

Durability and Performance Integrity Outsourced Manufacturing and Packaging Services

Indoor Air Quality/Low Emissions Restricted Leachability of Lead and Cadmium in Glazes

Cleaning and Maintenance Continual Environmental Improvement /Pollution Prevention

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Conservation/Reduction of Utility Usage

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) Renewable Energy Usage

Sound Abatement Waste Diversion and Minimization

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Reuse or Recycling of Incoming Shipping Materials

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

Progressive Corporate Governance

Social Responsibility Strategy

End of Product Life Management

Verification of Product as Clean Fill Labor Law Compliance

Collection and Reuse of Post-Life Product Environmental Regulation Compliance

InnovationExceptional Conformance to Criteria Within the Standard Health and Safety Regulation Compliance

Innovative Attributes /Technologies Beyond Standard Criteria Voluntary Participation in Health/Safety Programs

Continuous Community Involvement

Compliance with the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides for Packaging and Labeling

Annual Sustainability Reporting

Certified Green Facilities (LEED® or Green Globes)

Sustainability Criteria of Green Squared (ANSI A138.1)

GREEN SQUARED and the GREEN SQUARED logo are service marks of the Tile Council of North America.

Third party certification begins with an audit carried out to ensure conformance with a publicly available specification such as Green Squared®. Rather than a company self-declaring their product meets the standard, it invites an independent certifier to verify its product’s conformance. In the realm of sustainability, third party certification is in high demand and often required. TCNA developed the Green Squared certification program to meet that demand.

Under the Green Squared program, tiles and related installation materials can be certified by an authorized third party if found to meet the stringent set of multi-attribute sustainability criteria in ANSI A138.1. As such, Green Squared product certification allows specifiers and consumers alike to easily determine which products meet the standard. As the Green Squared program gains traction, we can expect increased market distinction between

certified products and those whose sustainability claims are based solely on self-declaration.

To aid this process, TCNA deciphered the complexity of Green Squared into a unified, rigorous, and consistent set of criteria for certification entities to follow. Titled Green Squared® Certification Program Criteria, this is provided by TCNA as a publicly available document.

Authenticity and Credibility

The Green Squared framework for product evaluation and certification is in accordance with ISO Type 1 environmental labeling and declaration requirements (ISO 14024). With so many brands of green today, Green Squared certification provides authenticity and conveys that the product certified is the real deal. In a marketplace wary of unsubstantiated product sustainability claims, Green

Green Squared® CertificationCertified Conformance to ANSI A138.1

Squared third party validation is provided by well-known and widely recognized certification bodies: NSF International, Scientific Certification Systems, and UL Environment.

One Industry, One Standard, One Mark

Green Squared certification enables specifiers and consumers to choose products knowing that their sustainability needs are being met. If a tile or installation material is labeled with the single easy-to-recognize Green Squared Certified mark, it means an independent third party evaluation has been made and the product conforms to the Green Squared (ANSI A138.1) standard.

LEED, IgCC, CHPS, ICC-700, and Government Green Building Programs

As Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) evolves, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) is turning to industry for reference standards and certifications. Green Squared is similar in application to those programs which were recognized by LEED Pilot Credit #43 in other industries, under which the use of certified products contributed toward points for LEED certification. As products become certified in the tile industry, we fully expect Green Squared Certified products to be recognized similarly.

In addition to LEED, Green Squared certification is especially timely with the continued growth of other initiatives including the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), the National Green Building Standard (ICC-700), and government green building programs in general.

GREEN SQUARED CERTIFIED and the GREEN SQUARED CERTIFIED logo are certification marks of the Tile Council of North America.

Green Squared® Certification | 5

Green Squared Certification Bodies

UL Environment

NSF International

Scientific Certification Services

Green Squared Certified Mark

Use of this mark is allowed only when an authorized third party has independently certified a tile or installation material to be in conformance with ANSI A138.1.

Life Cycle Costs for Floor Finishes

Floor Finish Installed Cost*

Life Cycle Cost*

Expected Life (y)

Cost Per Year*

Quarry Tile $ 6.83 $16.13 50 $0.32Glazed Ceramic Floor Tile $ 7.00 $16.30 50 $0.33Glazed Porcelain Tile $ 8.34 $17.64 50 $0.35Mosaic Tile $ 8.20 $17.50 50 $0.35Unglazed Porcelain $ 8.30 $17.60 50 $0.35Natural Hardwood $ 9.31 $20.80 50 $0.42Travertine-Turkish $12.50 $21.80 50 $0.44Marble $21.00 $30.30 50 $0.61Laminate $ 8.84 $17.77 25 $0.71Man-Made Hardwood $ 9.58 $18.51 25 $0.74Portland Cement Terrazzo $14.88 $24.27 30 $0.81Stained Concrete $12.40 $24.60 25 $0.98Carpet $ 3.22 $ 6.50 6 $1.08Resin Terrazzo $ 8.50 $16.53 15 $1.10Sheet Vinyl $ 6.90 $13.90 10 $1.39Poured Epoxy $ 8.18 $15.18 10 $1.52VCT $ 3.91 $18.35 10 $1.83

The tile industry has long prided itself on being able to offer environmentally friendly products and practices. The inherent properties of tiles and installation materials have always made them the most sustainable surface covering option.

Life Cycle

Durability and reduced impact: Durability is the first step toward sustainability; all environmental burdens of a product are reduced if it only has to be installed once.

Life cycle cost: Not only does ceramic tile add value to a building, but over a building’s life, the total cost of tile is less than the costs of other floor finishes. An independent study by the construction cost consulting firm Scharf-Godfrey compared various ceramic tiles to twelve other floorings. To arrive at a per-year cost for each flooring option, the costs of installation, custodial maintenance, and removal were considered. As shown in the table below, all ceramic tile options cost less than $0.40/square foot per year, while carpet and vinyl are significantly more expensive due to their shorter usable life.

*Per Square Foot

Tile and the EnvironmentWhy tile and installation materials have been the natural choice for centuries

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is a hot topic and for good reason. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to a wide variety of health problems and are a significant cause of “sick building syndrome.” Inherently, ceramic tile products do not emit any VOCs. Why? Tile products are fired at temperatures usually in excess of 2000°F, burning off any organics during the manufacturing process. There are also adhesives, grouts, and backer boards available that emit zero or close to zero VOCs. Some carpet, vinyl, and wood flooring may claim low VOCs, but none can compare to zero.

Recycling

Recycled content in tiles and installation materials: Improvements in recycling technology allow tile and installation material manufacturers to use larger quantities of recycled materials than ever before. Many tile manufacturers recycle significant amounts of pre-consumer and post-consumer waste, including glass, ceramics, and other inorganic materials otherwise bound for landfills. Manufacturers of installation materials also use significant amounts of recycled materials, including rubber, plastic, glass, and other waste products.

Closed loop waste reclamation: Pre-consumer waste is the waste generated by the manufacturing process; reclaiming and reusing it is vital to minimizing waste overall and to maximizing materials and resources used for manufacturing. High levels of responsibly recovered pre-consumer waste including dust, powder, unfired scrap, and water are commonly reincorporated into tile and installation materials. Many factories are so efficient at waste reclamation they are effectively closed loop facilities. Reducing waste to zero and fully utilizing all inputs is paramount to sustainability and is “the holy grail” in efficient manufacturing.

Tile and the Environment | 7

Regional Availability

With tile manufacturers located in every region of the United States, tile and installation products made with local raw materials are widely available, avoiding the need to ship products thousands of miles to reach U.S. consumers. In many cases, natural materials are mined within a 500-mile radius of both the manufacturing facility and the job site. This regional availability greatly reduces the energy consumed by transportation and its associated air emissions.

Comfort and Energy Reduction

By their nature, tile products have exceptional thermal mass. This allows for a more stable and comfortable interior environment and when coupled with a radiant heating system, the savings can be substantial.

Ventilated tile facades, which allow ventilation between the structural exterior and the tile facade, also improve energy efficiency and comfort. Creating a natural chimney, hot air against the building naturally escapes in the summer, and moisture is removed in the winter making the insulation more effective. Energy reductions of 20% to 30% have been observed.

In fact tile finishes can contribute to the energy efficiency of a building in several ways, lowering the building’s energy footprint and reducing yearly operational costs.

On the leading edge of technology, some ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturers are fusing photovoltaic cells to tiles. Such technology and others in development are increasingly sophisticated and may offer new sources of renewable energy.

Exterior Contribution

Fade resistance, frost resistance, durability, and cleanability are all attributes that make ceramic tiles the perfect choice for exteriors. Light-colored tiles on site hardscaping, as opposed to traditional paving materials, can lower an area’s heat absorption, or heat island effect.

Cleanliness and Sterility

Inherently, ceramic tiles are inhospitable to dust mites, mold, germs, and bacteria and desirable for people with allergies or asthma. Additionally, many products, including tiles, backer boards, and cement materials, have built-in mold and mildew protection. Antimicrobial technologies in the tile industry are also rapidly expanding.

Low Maintenance

Tiled surfaces are stain resistant and in many cases stain proof. This means maintenance is a breeze! Ceramic tiles are easily cleaned, often needing only warm water and not the chemicals and cleaners needed to maintain other flooring. Many grouts are stain resistant, and there are several non-emitting, eco-friendly grout sealers available.

Innovation

Manufacturers of tile and installation materials continue to find new ways to lower energy use, reduce material consumption, improve human health, and lower other environmental burdens. Check with manufacturers regularly for details on new environmental technologies as they are constantly evolving.

Tile and the EnvironmentWhy tile and installation materials have been the natural choice for centuries

Green Building and Design

There are multiple standards and rating systems for architects and designers to reference when designing green buildings. The most notable are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), the National Green Building Standard (ICC-700), and Green Globes. These standards and rating systems provide a number of ways for tiles and installation materials to be incorporated into green buildings.

Recycled content: Pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content in tiles and installation materials can contribute to the building’s total recycled content.

Regional materials: Most green-building standards and rating systems require a specified percentage of the construction materials to be manufactured within a specified radius of the project location. In North America, tiles and installation materials are manufactured in nearly every region, providing many indigenous options for green-building designers and architects.

Heat island effect: Often green buildings in urban areas are required to satisfy requirements aimed at reducing the potential heat island effect. To help meet such requirements, light-colored tiles can serve as good hardscaping alternatives to traditional paving materials.

Building reuse: Tile finishes are among the few surfaces that can be salvaged in a major renovation. Reusing a previously installed surface in a project is commonly acknowledged in green-building standards and rating systems.

Low-emitting materials: Green-building standards and rating systems require floor, wall, and ceiling materials to be low-emitting or non-emitting.

Tile and the Environment | 9

Since tile is inherently VOC-free, ceramic, glass, and porcelain products automatically conform to those requirements. Installation materials can also contribute as they typically meet VOC criteria.

Indoor air quality management plan: Since tiled surfaces are inherently non-emitting, their use can simplify construction and pre-occupancy air quality management plans.

Innovation: Most green-building standards and rating systems acknowledge the use of products with innovative technology and sustainability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, refer to the Green Building Standards and Rating Systems Guide in the TCNA Handbook and visit www.TileTheNaturalChoice.com. Also check with manufacturers for technical data sheets and more specific information on how their products can contribute to conformance with green building standards and rating systems. It is expected that Green Squared will be acknowledged by many of these programs as awareness of Green Squared Certified products develops.

Product Performance Testing Laboratory

ASTM

ISO

Tile, Stone, &

Installation Materials Testing

ANSI

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Put the industry’s leading laboratory testing team to work for you!

Tile Council of North America 864.646.8453 / www.tileusa.com

Ceramic Tile • StoneInstallation Materials & Systems

Research • Product Development

As glass tiles have grown in popularity, more and more companies are marketing glass tiles from around the world. But with no standard for the performance of glass tiles until now, quality problems and installation failures occurred. There was no way to tell which glass tiles would stand up to the conditions of the desired application. Would the surface of the tiles hold up under walking traffic? Would they be stable under the rapid temperature swings of exterior installations? Consumers and specifiers needed a way to differentiate these things, they needed a product standard.

Because glass tiles have performance and aesthetic properties very different from ceramic tiles, a separate and unique standard was required. Adopted at the close of 2011, the ANSI A137.2 glass tile standard categorizes and defines glass tile types and establishes aesthetic and performance standards for each glass tile type and size. The three primary types of glass tiles are cast glass, fused glass, and low-temperature-coated glass. Each type is available as large format, mosaic, and miniature mosaic tiles.

Glass Tile Types

Cast glass tiles are formed by pouring molten glass into a mold and allowing it to cool. This produces a wide variety of through-body colors, shapes, and sizes. The surfaces of cast glass tiles can be smooth or wavy with inherent folds, bubbles, and creases. This look is uniquely achieved through the casting process and is well-suited for installations where an organic or less-structured look is desired.

Fused glass tiles are typically made from sheet glass units that are altered through heat. During manufacturing, different materials and glazes are fused to the sheet glass units, usually in multiple stages, to create a variety of colors and patterns. Fused glass tiles can be smooth, textured, uniform, or non-uniform.

FPO

Ryan Marino

Standards Developmentand Laboratory EngineerTile Council of North America

Seemingly overnight, consumer demand for glass tiles shot through the roof, with magazine cover after magazine cover featuring the shiny, reflective squares in every hue imaginable. While few people today remember the glass tile craze of the ‘70s that collapsed under the weight of installation and product issues, a dedicated cadre of glass tile manufacturers were bound to not let that happen again. The importance of consistent manufacturing and product performance could not be overstated.

Defining aesthetics is never easy, and determining acceptable physical properties where necessarily different from ceramic tiles required reevaluating fundamental assumptions and developing new test protocols. After hundreds of hours of research, collaboration between the leading glass tile producers and TCNA culminated in the passage of ANSI A137.2, the definitive standard for glass tiles. Today with setting materials uniquely formulated for glass, together with A137.2 and recent standards for installation, the future of the glass tile industry is indeed bright. For more information on ANSI A137.2, contact Ryan Marino at rmarino@tileusa.com.

A Standard is BornWorld’s first standard for glass tile, ANSI A137.2

Low-temperature-coated glass tiles are made from sheet glass units altered at temperatures lower than used for fused glass tiles. Typically, a heat-transferred decorative coating is applied to the back of transparent sheet glass units, producing a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Glass Tile Size Categories

Large format glass tiles: Glass tiles with a facial area greater than 8.95 in2 and less than or equal to

A Standard is Born | World’s First Standard for Glass Tile, ANSI A137.2 | 13

576 in2. For cast glass tiles, the facial area must be less than or equal to 144 in2.

Mosaic glass tiles: Glass tiles with a facial area greater than 0.68 in2 and less than or equal to 8.95 in2.

Miniature mosaic glass tiles: Glass tiles with a facial area less than or equal to 0.68 in2.

Each glass tile type is further categorized as “standard” or “natural.” For example, there are natural cast glass tile mosaics and standard cast glass tile mosaics. Standard tiles must meet specific sizing tolerances while natural tiles do not, a reflection of the different looks standard tiles and natural tiles are intended to provide.

What Constitutes an Aesthetic Defect?

With cast products, inherent properties resulting from the casting process add to their beauty and individuality. However this process, if not well-controlled, can also introduce defects. For example, small bubbles within the tiles can be enchanting, while bubbles at the surface leave a chipped and perhaps sharp edge. ANSI A137.2 standardizes these properties and establishes appropriate aesthetic attributes and what are defects.

With fused and low-temperature-coated products, consumers expect greater uniformity. As a result, the aesthetic criteria for these products are different than those for cast glass tiles.

Bond Strength

Since glass tiles are used in a variety of installation environments including accent walls, pools, entryways, and fountains, ANSI A137.2 sets minimum bond strength requirements, which are evaluated in dry and submerged testing. The standard specifies the testing substrate and mortar to be used, eliminating two significant variables so

that the tiles themselves and all relevant backing materials are thoroughly evaluated.

Mounting Criteria

With so many glass tiles being sold as mounted assemblies, mounting criteria for glass tiles are critical. Whether evaluating proper joint width for aesthetic and functional reasons, or choosing between face- or back-mounting, the standard approaches mounting quality from many angles.

ANSI A137.2 recommends that glass tiles intended for submerged applications be face-mounted to prevent problems stemming from improper coverage or backing material failure. For back-mounted and edge-mounted products, manufacturers must clearly state for which areas their mounted tiles are suitable.

The tile installer can only adjust the individual alignment of face-mounted tiles.

Breaking Strength

While decorative by nature, glass tiles must still meet strength requirements, especially since many products today are used on floors. Since differently-sized tiles respond to loading in different ways – under excessive load, small tiles might be crushed where larger tiles might break – ANSI A137.2 has a different breaking strength test method for each size category: Large format glass tiles are subjected to modulus of rupture (MOR) testing; mosaic glass tiles are subjected to breaking strength testing by the triangular point load method; and miniature mosaic glass tiles are subjected to compressive stress testing.

Thermal Shock Resistance

One regularly misinterpreted issue with glass products is their performance when subjected to rapid, drastic temperature swings. Imagine cold rain falling on hot tiles around a pool for a sense of this issue. In ANSI A137.2, the thermal shock resistance test method uses temperatures from 60°F to 160°F, a 100°F temperature swing. Passing this test is mandatory for all glass tiles except those intended for dry interior wall applications only. This important requirement is aimed at reducing glass tile failures due to thermal shock. Translucence

Glass tiles are produced in a wide range of opacity, from completely opaque to transparent. Whether or not one can see through the tiles is extremely important when selecting installation materials and in determining how the tiles are installed; thus, opacity criteria are established in ANSI A137.2. The more transparent the tiles, the more important it is for the setting materials to be consistent in color, and many mortars made for glass tile installations are super white to enhance the brilliance of the glass. Additionally, the installer must take care to use

A Standard is BornWorld’s first standard for glass tile, ANSI A137.2

ANSI A137.2 was approved in 2011 by the ANSI A108 Committee. This much-needed standard is an invaluable tool for producers, suppliers, specifiers, and contractors alike. Print and electronic copies can be purchased from TCNA. To order this standard, go to www.tcnatile.com or call (864) 646-8453.

perfectly blended mortar so small clumps cannot be seen through the tiles. The installer must also carefully coat the backs of translucent tiles. It is easy to see that the extra care needed for installing glass tiles (especially translucent tiles) generally requires a more knowledgeable contractor with highly skilled installers.

Recycled Content

Three categories have been established in the standard for manufacturers to declare the total

recycled content in a given glass tile product. Category 1 requires 25 percent or more, Category 2 requires at least 40 percent, and Category 3 requires at least 60 percent.

The processes for manufacturing glass tiles allow for recycled materials to be easily incorporated. Recycled content can come from several sources including curbside pick-up, recycling centers, scrap from bottling companies, and scrap from other glass companies.

A Standard is Born | World’s First Standard for Glass Tile, ANSI A137.2 | 15

New Test Method: BOT-3000 (Tribometer)

Previous Test Method: Pull Meter

A major change is underway regarding the coefficient of friction for tile, the frequently cited and specified measurement of a tile’s frictional resistance and the parameter most closely related to traction and slipperiness.

The commonly specified and often misunderstood value of 0.60 static coefficient of friction (SCOF), determined by the ASTM C1028 test method, has been superseded by a new method, new test conditions, and a new threshold value, all of which can be found in the 2012 edition of ANSI A137.1, the American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile.

The previously mandated method determined a tile’s SCOF using a 50 lb. weight, a Neolite sensor and a strain gauge. The new method, titled the DCOF AcuTestSM, determines dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) with a sophisticated instrument called the BOT-3000, a type of tribometer1 specific for flooring applications.

FPO

Katelyn Simpson

Laboratory ManagerTile Council of North America

When it comes to coefficient of friction (COF), a measurement that relates to traction and tile slipperiness, confusion abounds about the many different methods for measuring it, what a COF measurement actually means, how to compare or use COF values, and whether or not there is a certain COF requirement. Research at TCNA and in Europe aimed to put these questions to rest and led to standardizing a new method for measuring COF: a method that is more accurate and repeatable and not influenced by the operator of the measurement device.

With the switch to a better method for determining COF, backed by solid data, a consensus emerged around a COF requirement for tiles that will be walked on when wet. Project specifiers can now more easily choose the right tile for the job, which should be a welcome improvement with the increasing emphasis being placed on floor safety.

For more information on coefficient of friction, contact Katelyn Simpson at ksimpson@tileusa.com.

Coefficient of FrictionNew Method, New Requirements - Introducing the DCOF AcuTestSM

1A tribometer is an instrument that measures parameters in the field of tribology such as frictional forces, coefficient of friction, and the effects of lubrication.

The ANSI A108 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) responsible for American National Standards for ceramic tile, comprised of representatives from all segments of the tile industry, made this important change, which is effective immediately. This article addresses the issues, methodology, terms and criteria relevant to this change.

In the context of people walking on tile floors, static friction (from which SCOF is determined) is the frictional resistance you push against when you start in motion. A slip occurs when you push off with more force than the surface can resist.

Dynamic friction (from which DCOF is determined) is the frictional resistance you push against when you are already in motion. Similar to static friction, a slip occurs when you push with more force than the surface can resist. That can happen when the angle of the force changes (i.e. the ratio of the tangential and vertical forces change) or when the floor surface becomes more slippery.

Neither SCOF nor DCOF is a property of the flooring alone, but rather a relationship between the shoe sole (or whatever is in contact with the floor) and the flooring surface. When contaminants are present,

they can alter that relationship reducing the friction between the surfaces.

The BOT-3000 is an automated portable device (similar to the GMG 100 and GMG 200 devices used in Germany) that closely correlates with the German Ramp (a laboratory-only device), which is considered by many the “gold standard” for measuring surface traction.

Unlike all other tribometer measurements, which at best only indirectly link to human ambulation and the potential for a person to slip, the German Ramp determines coefficient of friction and the potential for slip with a person walking on a ramp as the surface becomes increasingly steep. Lubricants such as soapy water and oil can be added to simulate contaminated conditions. The BOT-3000 and the GMG devices correlate more closely with the ramp than all other tribometers across a wide variety of surfaces.

The DCOF AcuTest method, which is now included in ANSI A137.1, determines DCOF under wet conditions using slightly soapy water, or more specifically, water with 0.05% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in solution. SLS is a wetting agent that allows

Coefficient of Friction | New Method, New Requirements | 17

water to spread in a thin film, similar to that found when a slip occurs or when a floor is being cleaned. This is necessary because in actual installations residual soap can remain on the floor after cleaning and can re-emulsify when water is spilled or tracked-in creating slippery conditions. In fact many tiles when clean are hydrophobic, which means water beads on their surface, so establishing a thin film typically requires a wetting agent.

It is important to note that the results from the old SCOF method cannot be directly compared to the new DCOF method. First, the frictional resistance between two objects at rest (for example a shoe sole and a tile surface) is different and higher than that measured when motion is already taking place. Second, the new test method uses 0.05% SLS solution, which is more slippery than the de-ionized water used in ASTM C1028. Third, the new method applies less force to the test sensor than the force applied in ASTM C1028. These differences and others make it impossible to compare directly between the two methods.

While the ASTM C1028 test method has been specified for many years, contrary to popular belief, there has never been an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) SCOF requirement for tile surfaces. This misunderstanding stems from an outdated appendix (section A4.5) in which a 0.60 SCOF recommendation (not a requirement) was made. This document never set a requirement and didn’t specify the test method for measuring SCOF. With over 10 devices available claiming to measure COF, all giving different values, it was impossible to interpret this recommendation and the recommendation was subsequently withdrawn in 2004. In fact there are no industry standards that reference 0.60 SCOF when testing per ASTM C1028, although this value is often specified for commercial projects. However, with the switch to the DCOF AcuTest, the 0.60 SCOF value is no longer relevant to how tiles will be measured.

There are many reasons the switch from ASTM C1028 to the DCOF AcuTest was made. Most important among all the relevant criteria considered was that the ASTM C1028 method is affected by a surface tension phenomenon called “stiction.” Similar to how two plates of glass with water between stick to each other, stiction can affect the ASTM C1028 reading when the smooth Neolite sensor is used on smooth or polished tiles, giving a value that is artificially high in comparison to the traction the surface provides. For this reason and others, the C1028 method cautions that the SCOF value should never be used to predict slip resistance. Similarly, ANSI A137.1 cautions that DCOF alone should not be the only factor in determining the appropriateness of a tile for a particular application.

Some guidance is provided for the specifier now though, which was not in the previous version of ANSI A137.1. The 2012 version states that tiles suitable for level interior spaces expected to be walked upon when wet shall have a wet DCOF of 0.42 or greater when tested with the BOT-3000 per the procedure in the standard (i.e., per the DCOF AcuTest).

Coefficient of FrictionNew Method, New Requirements - Introducing the DCOF AcuTestSM

2The German research considered was extensive and can be found in the following publications: (1) Boenig, Stefan. Experimental Investigation to Determine the Standardized Limits of the Coefficient of Friction When Walking (Archive Number D468), University of Wuppertal Department of Safety Technology, 1996. (2) Skiba, Reinald. (1988). Sicherheitsgrenzwerte zur Vermeidung des Ausgleitens auf Fuessboeden, Zeitschrift fuer Arbeitswissenschaft (Journal of Occupational Science), 42, 47-51. (3) BGI/GUV-I 8687, 2011, “Bewertung der Rutschgefahr unter Betriebsbedingunen“, German National Institute for Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). (4) Sebald, Jens. (2009). System oriented concept for testing and assessment of the slip resistance of safety, protective and occupational footwear. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS GmbH.

This value stems from extensive research at the University of Wuppertal in Germany and at TCNA. Researchers at the University of Wuppertal studied human subjects walking on force plates to find the relationship between the tangential force and the vertical force needed for reliable traction (this relationship defines the coefficient of friction). They then considered many different slippery conditions, different ways people could move on a surface, and accident statistics over many years to recommend to the national insurance body a DCOF value of 0.42 for level flooring (when measured using the German Ramp).2

In various studies at TCNA, researchers found a strong correlation between SCOF measurements using the BOT-3000 with de-ionized water and measurements made using the C1028 test method. In a further study of over 300 tile surfaces, TCNA researchers found that 0.60 SCOF measured with the BOT-3000 using de-ionized water correlated on average with 0.38 DCOF when tested with SLS solution.

Considering both the TCNA research and the years of research in Germany, the ANSI A108 Accredited Standards Committee decided to include an additional measure of safety over the current widely used SCOF value of 0.60, and revised ANSI A137.1 to include a threshold DCOF value of 0.42 (when measured per the DCOF AcuTest method) for level interior spaces expected to be walked upon when wet.

Remember though this does not mean all tiles with a DCOF over 0.42 are suitable for all projects, as type of use, traffic, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations are also important and must be considered by the specifier.

Section 6.2.2.1.10 of the ANSI A137.1 standard explains this in more detail and is included in its entirety below. References to Section 9.6, 9.6.1, and 9.6.2 refer to the test procedures given in those sections in the ANSI A137.1 standard.

Section 6.2.2.1.10 Coefficient of Friction - Reprinted from ANSI A137.1:

The coefficient of friction (COF) measurement provided in this standard is an evaluation of a tile surface under known conditions using a standardized sensor material prepared according to a specific protocol. As such it can provide a useful comparison of tile surfaces, but it does not predict the likelihood a person will or will not slip on a tile surface.

There are many factors that affect the possibility of a slip occurring on a tile surface including by way of example, but not in limitation, the following: the material of the shoe sole and the degree of its wear; the presence and nature of surface contaminants;

Coefficient of Friction | New Method, New Requirements | 19

the speed and length of stride at the time of a slip; the physical and mental condition of the individual at the time of a slip; whether the floor is flat or inclined, and how the tile surface is used and maintained; and the COF of the tile, how the tile is structured and how drainage takes place if liquids are involved. Because many variables affect the risk of a slip occurring, the COF shall not be the only factor in determining the appropriateness of a tile for a particular application.

Unless otherwise specified, tiles suitable for level3 interior spaces expected to be walked upon when wet shall have a wet DCOF of 0.42 or greater when tested using SLS solution as per the procedure in section 9.6.1. However, tiles with a DCOF of 0.42 or greater are not necessarily suitable for all projects. The specifier shall determine tiles appropriate for specific project conditions, considering by way of example, but not in limitation, type of use, traffic, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations.4

Some specifiers find it useful to compare dry DCOF measurements to wet DCOF measurements to assess the risk of a slip when transitioning from dry to wet conditions. If dry DCOF measurements using the BOT-3000 are desired, the testing procedure found in section 9.6.2 shall be followed. Alternatively, a dry static coefficient of friction (SCOF) measurement can be made per the ASTM C1028 test method.

When wet SCOF measurements of tiles previously tested per ASTM C1028 are desired for direct comparison to historical values, the C1028 test method shall be followed. While BOT-3000 wet SCOF measurements with a Neolite sensor and distilled water generally correlate overall with ASTM C1028 measurements, results on individual tiles

may not correlate, and therefore, cannot be directly compared.

The presence on installed tiles of water (including standing water as can exist on floors which are not properly sloped for drainage or on exterior tiles immediately after a rain storm or on which snow is melting), oil, grease, and/or any other elements which reduce traction, creates slippery conditions where the risk of a slip cannot be completely eliminated. Tile installations with exposure to such elements require extra caution in product selection, use and maintenance. The risk of a slip can be diminished but not eliminated in these installations by installing tiles with a structured/textured surface, mosaic tiles or certain extruded unglazed quarry tiles. The specifier shall follow manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations for these products.

When tested using SLS solution as per the procedure in section 9.6.1, tiles with a wet DCOF of less than 0.42 (including by way of example, but not in limitation, polished tiles), shall only be installed when the surface will be kept dry when walked upon and proper safety procedures will be followed when cleaning the tiles.

3Tiles appropriate for ramp applications shall be chosen for the specific properties and use of the ramp and require a wet DCOF greater than 0.42 if the ramp will be used under wet conditions. Specifier shall determine tiles appropriate for specific project conditions, considering by way of example, but not in limitation, type of use, traffic, grade of ramp, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear, and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations.4The COF of installed tiles can change over time as a result of wear and surface contaminants. In addition to regular cleaning, deep cleaning and traction-enhancing maintenance may be needed periodically to maintain DCOF values.

Coefficient of FrictionNew Method, New Requirements - Introducing the DCOF AcuTestSM Start with ANSI Standards . . .

Quality Follows

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It wasn’t all that long ago that the now 300-plus-page TCNA Handbook was only a 25-page booklet. This was in the 1960s, ‘70s and early ‘80s, when there were only a few methods of setting tile—bonded mortar beds and unbonded mortar beds. For several reasons, the resulting installations were likely to be problem-free, and indeed, many of them are still around today.

First, mortar beds were, simply stated, good. They helped tile installations withstand building movement and the installer created the substrate, for a nice flat finish. Second, because mortar bed methods had been in use for hundreds of years, the knowledge and understanding of how to properly execute them was high. Third, there was a culture of tile setters, a fraternity of sorts, of the tradesmen who knew how to turn a pile of sand and a couple bags of cement into the substrate, setting material, and grout. Anyone who could do this was, by necessity, thoroughly trained, and the industry benefitted from this built-in training and quality control mechanism.

Fast forward to today. Even though mortar bed methods are still recognized as the best choice for many scenarios, most jobs are being specified with thin-bed installation methods because these thinner, lighter installations are faster and less expensive to install. They are also less expensive to design for; floors don’t need to be recessed, lighter duty framing materials can be used, and the installation is 75 percent lighter than if a mortar bed were specified. This has allowed tile installations to be more affordable and more readily available to everyone.

But what else happens when a labor-intensive, highly skilled method of installation is almost completely supplanted by methods that don’t require years of training? The built-in competency requirement diminishes. Outside of a few state licensing programs, very little is in place to make sure a tile contractor knows industry standards and best practices and has good installers. The consistent uptick in tile consumption over the last fifty years attracted workers and business owners who recognized a growth industry with few obstacles to getting started, and many good companies and installers entered the trade, but at the same time

20 | The Tile Initiative 2012

Stephanie Samulski

Project Manager Tile Council of North America

It’s not possible to overestimate the importance of securing qualified contractors and installers. The difference between trained, experienced installers and inexperienced installers is noticeably reflected in their work. The tile contractor, in addition to being ultimately responsible for the installers, must supply materials and manpower, limit risk and liability for the property owner, and collaborate with the general contractor on any jobsite issues that could compromise installation performance, appearance, cost, or completion date.

Together, contractor and installer take the installation from drawings and specifications to reality, marrying the field conditions to the selected materials and patterns. When certification and proficiency requirements are utilized to ensure only fully qualified contractors and installers are engaged, the transformation from construction site to finished space can be as dramatic and seamless as a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into butterfly. We look forward to the expanded use of programs that identify contractors and installers with the skills and experience required to consistently deliver quality installations.

For more information on installation issues, contact Stephanie Samulski at ssamulski@tileusa.com.

Quality is the Bottom LineProficiency programs for contractors and installers

Below: Competition pools require precision mortar bed work to meet exact dimensional requirements. Photo courtesy of the International Masonry Institute.

“Because tile is a permanent finish, the lowest bid should not be the driving factor, but

rather who is the most qualified to perform the scope of the

work specified.”~

New Language in the2012 TCNA Handbook

less-skilled workers and less-qualified business owners set up shop as tile contractors too.

The perception popularized by television shows, internet blogs, YouTube, and the like–that tile setting is so easy you can do it yourself–is a fallacy that oversimplifies the craft. While materials exist now that make it look easy and allow nearly everyone to attach tiles to a floor or wall, knowing the right materials for the project and installing them properly to last the life of the building is in some ways even more difficult today than it was when only mortar beds were used. With all the improvements to setting materials through the years and the changes to how buildings are constructed, tile setting has gone from a skill-centric trade to a knowledge-centric trade. Knowing what will work over the life of the building requires real expertise.

Quality is the Bottom Line | Proficiency Programs for Contractors and Installers | 23

The skill level among tile installers in North America varies greatly. An installer on a jobsite today could have gone through the formalized training of a traditional apprenticeship program, followed by a lifetime of experience working on a wide range of projects. Or, the installer could be a day laborer with little to no training at all. Most are somewhere in between, with their knowledge and skill based on how long they’ve been in the trade, the type of projects they’ve worked on, and how they were trained.

To evaluate installer skill level, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) administers a certification test to determine if an installer has the basic knowledge and skills required for basic installations. The test includes in-person observation and evaluation of the individual tile setter’s ability to install correctly and a written test based on industry standards. Only installers who receive a combined score of 85% are recognized as CTEF Certified Tile Installers. By providing evaluations based on national industry standards and best practices, consumers are provided a mechanism for finding skilled installers.

For more information about CTEF Certified Installers, please visit www.tilecareer.com.

22 | The Tile Initiative 2012

Below: A CTEF evaluator carefully inspecting a test module to determine if the installer will be certified.

Industry associations have responded with programs that define and certify the skills and credentials installers and contractors should have. The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) tests installers for basic knowledge and skills in thin-bed installation, while apprenticeship programs train installers in thin-bed and mortar bed methods over the course of several years, culminating in the installer earning recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as a Journeyman Tile Layer.

Most apprenticeship programs in the tile industry are administered by the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union (BAC) and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), although some non-union contractors administer their own DOL-recognized apprentice-to-journeyman programs. Other programs focus on identifying quality tile contractors, such as the Five Star Contractor program, offered through the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Trowel of Excellence program, offered through the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA). These

Third Party Installer Certification

Scott CarothersCTEF Executive Director

Quality is the Bottom LineProficiency programs for contractors and installers

Over time it has become apparent that aggressive policies for on-the-job safety are needed to minimize risk and delays on construction sites. More and more, general contractors and project owners are beginning to see risk reduction as a long-term benefit that protects company assets and keeps insurance rates low, rather than seeing safety as a burdensome expense. Hazard protections and corrections often take little effort or expense, while an accident can have a negative and sometimes life-altering effect. Reducing accidents also reduces the need to train replacement workers.

Workers should be able to identify site risks, know how to protect against and avoid hazards, and feel empowered and even obligated to correct unsafe practices or situations. To do this, a tile contractor must train supervisors and workers in common construction risks in general and particularly those risks to tile setters. The tile contractor should also have a policy requiring corrective action when a hazard is identified, and an understanding or expectation that installation may necessarily pause or halt to address a major safety concern. The tile contractor should hold weekly safety meetings to keep workers informed about site-specific issues and to provide an opportunity for workers to communicate concerns.

Actively enforcing safety has some additional benefits. Workers are more likely to do a better job when they feel valued and know the company is looking out for their well-being. Frankly, these companies have higher morale and attract and keep better installers.

For these reasons, the NTCA supports requirements for tile contractors to have an active safety policy to bid or secure work, and NTCA Five Star Contractors are committed to an injury-free work site. Five Star Contractors are required to enforce safety, believing safety is a necessity and a cornerstone of a quality tile contracting firm. For more information about the NTCA Five Star Contractor program, please visit www.tile-assn.com.

NTCAFIV

E S

TAR CONTRA

CT

OR

A Few Words on Safety

Bart BettigaNTCA Executive Director

programs provide benchmarks for quality and a mechanism for making an informed decision when selecting a tile contractor. TCAA, NTCA, and CTEF promote these programs to communicate to the A&D community the important role the installer and contractor have in turning quality products into quality installations.

“By working together to increase the professionalism and expertise of tile installation companies and giving architects and project owners a road map for selecting the right tile contractors for their projects, we take a giant step toward ensuring quality craftsmanship in every installation and increasing consumer confidence in the durability, beauty, and value of tile,” says TCAA Executive Director Carole Damon. TCAA Past President John Trendell agrees, adding that rigorous evaluation and certification of companies with a proven track record of success and ethical business practices “should give building owners and architects an unsurpassed level of comfort that their projects will have the highest level of quality.”

Currently, about fifty companies have earned Five Star or Trowel of Excellence recognition, and CTEF has certified more than seven hundred installers.

Collaboration among TCAA, NTCA, and CTEF, along with the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and representatives from some of the top tile and installation materials manufacturers, produced a first-ever reference to installer and contractor qualifications in the 2012 TCNA Handbook, the industry specification guide for tile installation methods. The newly added language suggests project specifications require references and a portfolio to ensure the installer and contractor have successfully completed work of similar size, scope, and complexity. It also recommends researching bidders’ training, state license, certifications, and other credentials.

The new TCNA Handbook language makes the additional point that installation skills are difficult to teach, learn, or evaluate without a hands-on component, and certifications and recognitions, whether for installers or contractors, are not

Quality is the Bottom Line | Proficiency Programs for Contractors and Installers | 25

When selecting a tile contractor, the financial stability of the company is an important consideration. Only a fluid and fiscally responsible contractor can provide the manpower needed for the job; maintain a skilled workforce and invest in continued training and education; pay for all materials, supplies, and equipment needed for the job; and implement safety programs and protocols, and provide adequate insurance against worker injuries and property damage. All this adds up to a tile contractor that can finish work within the agreed-upon schedule, meet safety and workmanship requirements, troubleshoot and mitigate problems that arise on the job, warranty the tilework, and protect the owner or general contractor (GC) from liability issues.

For larger projects, a tile contractor’s bonding capacity can be looked at for the size and type of work the contractor can secure. A payment bond guarantees the tile contractor can acquire all the materials, while a performance bond guarantees the contractor will complete the project. A bond is usually limited to one specific project, but a GC or owner can also look at a tile contractor’s aggregate bonding capacity, which accounts for all the tile contractor’s current projects and financial obligations. Financial stability can also be demonstrated through third party assessments such as an audited financial statement, a Dunn and Bradstreet report, or an FMI score.

Regardless of the size of the project, the tile contractor must have the financial capacity to fund the work in all aspects and to refrain from cutting corners, which would sacrifice quality. This is why financial responsibility is a pillar of the Trowel of ExcellenceTM program of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA). In addition to meeting other quality requirements, Trowel of Excellence contractors have demonstrated their financial responsibility as follows: by documenting their operation as an installation firm under the same name for at least five years, disclosing their annual revenue, and by submitting a certificate of insurance or bonding instrument. For more information about the Trowel of Excellence program, please visit www.tcaainc.org.

Contractor FinancialResponsibility

John TrendellTCAA Past President

meaningful unless they include a mechanism for failing or excluding those whose skills or abilities miss the mark.

With the possibilities for materials and applications so limitless–pools, glass tiles, exterior facades, mortar beds, shower pans, large format tiles, epoxy grouts–matching installer ability and contractor experience to the project at hand is an important task that homeowner and general contractor alike must undertake. “A home or any building today is one of the few things still made entirely by hand and every aspect of a tile installation relies on the tile contracting company and its installers. How good the finished installation looks, how well it performs and how long it lasts are in their hands,” the new TCNA Handbook language reads. “It is for this reason that the Handbook Committee and the Tile Council of North America strongly recommend using installers who have demonstrated their commitment to their craft and taken the time to stay current with the latest materials and methods. Because tile is a permanent finish, the lowest bid should not be the driving factor, but rather who is the most qualified to perform the scope of the work specified.”

Quality is the Bottom LineProficiency programs for contractors and installers

Peace of MindChoose Green Squared Certification to know that

your tile products are TRULY SUSTAINABLE!

Products labeled “Green Squared Certified” have been verified through a stringent third party process to meet ANSI A138.1

For more information — contact TCNA at 864-646-8453 or visit www.tilethenaturalchoice.com/GreenSq.html

Product Sustainability Certification for the Tile Industry

One Industry, One Standard, One Mark

DJ Liefer

Marketing and Communications SpecialistTile Council of North America

It was a daunting task but it had to be done. TCNA completely revamped its website, and the vast improvements to functionality and content couldn’t be more exciting. The overarching goal was to structure the new site as a hub for the industry, a user-friendly, interactive place where one can easily find relevant, current, accurate information and purchase publications and tile testing.

We’ll keep the site infused with up-to-the minute information through several blogs and regular updates on industry news, events, and issues. Also the member and product locators were dramatically improved to make it easier to connect with TCNA members and find their products.

The new site will better serve the tile industry and is the first place to check for current and critical industry information. All the new content with site-wide search functionality makes TCNA’s programs and initiatives more accessible to all.

For more information on the new TCNA website, contact DJ Liefer at djliefer@tileusa.com.

Trade Issues

Stay current by checking out our press releases and topic-based blogs: lab blog, installation blog, sustainability blog, and industry issues blog. TCNA staffers and guest authors populate these blogs, creating the definitive source for current and critical topics in the tile industry. Want to participate? Send a request through the “contact us” page.

Resources

Got a question? Check out our FAQs and our archive of articles. We’ve been writing for industry magazines and compiling answers to common questions for years. Topics include new standards and changes to standards, installation questions, and everything in between. All pages are printable.

Product locator: Click on a product type and see all the manufacturers of that type of product with their contact information and links to their websites.

Publications

Order printed and electronic versions of industry standards and other publications. Newly available for purchase are single sections of our standards and other publications as electronic downloads. For example, a single Handbook method may be purchased for a fraction of the cost of the entire book. Need floor methods but not wall methods, or material guides but not installation details? Various compilations are also available at discounted prices. We’ve even listed Handbook details by type and number for your convenience and everything can be downloaded immediately with a credit card. If you are logged in as a member, your member price will be shown in the shopping cart.

Laboratory Testing

Order laboratory testing from the TCNA lab. We’re known for fast turnaround times and competitive rates. We’re so confident of our rates and service, all our prices are available on our website. See the menu of tests we offer, with helpful test descriptions, required sampling, and pricing. If you are logged in as a member, your member price will be shown in the shopping cart.

TCNA Launches New Websitewww.tcnatile.com is the newest industry online resource

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Member Access

TCNA members, using their company email account, can login and access member-only pages. Staff of TCNA members will find information about TCNA initiatives in development. We invite all employees of our members to sign up and participate.

Every member will have administrator access set-up for the representatives you assign. When you have new products to link in the product locator or new contact information, your administrator can immediately access your member information and update it. The administrator can also update who from your company is assigned to TCNA Committees.

At the committee level, in addition to your company administrator, one or more committee representatives from each company can be set-up to add or change the committee contact information to make sure we communicate with everyone you want involved in our committee activities. These settings also allow access to committee-only pages on the website for specific committee projects.

TCNA Mexico

This tab takes you to the TCNA Mexico website for information specific to TCNA activities in Mexico. This portion of our website is in Spanish with on-the-fly computer translation to English. Find information on TCNA Mexico installer training and certification, the TCNA Mexico pavilion at Expo Cihac, and many other initiatives organized through our office in Monterrey, Mexico.

LockLizard

Say hello to LockLizard, our intellectual property protection software. Used by leading companies around the world, you’ll need the free LockLizard viewer software to open electronic versions of our standards or other copyrighted materials. This is available for free at www.locklizard.com and also can be automatically downloaded with purchases from our website.

Languages

Parlez-vous français? Our new site can be read in more than fifty languages through G-translate software, and TCNA will continue to manually translate important static content into Spanish.

TCNA Launches Newest Industry Online Resource | www.tcnatile.com | 29

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2012 Regular Members

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) is a trade association representing North American manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), the Tile Council has a leadership role in promoting the use of ceramic tile and in developing North American and international industry standards. Additionally, towards the goal of expanding the ceramic tile market in North America, the Tile Council regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, offers professional training, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.

Our member companies help sustain the publication of this document and other technical literature—look for the “Member of Tile Council of North America” logo on their products.

For more information regarding the Tile Council of North America, or for links to TCNA members, please visit www.tileusa.com.

A.C. Products Co.Phone: 330-698-1105Fax: 330-698-5292

Alcobe CeramicosPhone: 52-55-58454502Fax: 52-55-58509707

American Marazzi Tile, Inc.Phone: 972-226-0110Fax: 972-226-2263

American OleanPhone: 214-398-1411Fax: 214-309-4457

Ceramic Expressions Phone: 800-425-2115Fax: 509-536-4072

Ceramica San LorenzoPhone: 562-222-2345Fax: 562-222-2347

CesantoniPhone: 52-47-89854200Fax: 52-47-89850396

Crossville, Inc.Phone: 931-484-2110Fax: 931-484-8418

DaltilePhone: 214-398-1411Fax: 214-309-4457

Daltile MexicoPhone: 52-81-81248145Fax: 52-81-81248334

Dirk Elliot Tile CompanyPhone: 888-245-7248Fax: 877-874-5672

Endicott Tile, LLCPhone: 402-729-3323Fax: 402-729-5804

Epro Tile, Inc.Phone: 866-818-3776Fax: 866-343-8453

Florida Brick & Clay Company, Inc.Phone: 813-754-1521Fax: 813-754-5469

Florida Tile, Inc.Phone: 859-219-5200

Florim, USAPhone: 877-FLORIM1Fax: 931-245-7823

GranitiFiandrePhone: 630-285-1110Fax: 630-285-1109

InterceramicPhone: 214-503-5500Fax: 214-503-5555

Interstyle Ceramic & Glass, Ltd.Phone: 604-421-7229Fax: 604-421-7544

Iris USPhone: 800-323-9906Fax: 866-398-4747

Ironrock, Inc.Phone: 800-325-3945Fax: 330-484-4880

Jeffrey Court, Inc.Phone: 951-340-3383Fax: 951-340-4149

Ken Mason Tile (also known as BCIA)Phone: 562-432-7574Fax: 562-436-3110

LamosaPhone: 52-81-80474000Fax: 52-81-80474046

Metropolitan CeramicsPhone: 330-484-8453Fax: 330-484-3584

Mohawk CeramicPhone: 214-398-1411Fax: 214-309-4598

Mosaicos Venecianos de MexicoPhone: 52-77-73202160Fax: 52-77-73296640

NitropisoPhone: 52-44-48320100Fax: 52-44-48320100

Oceanside Glasstile CompanyPhone: 866-OGT-TILEFax: 760-929-5860

PorcelanitePhone: 52-55-52469912Fax: 52-55-55965866

Pratt & Larson CeramicsPhone: 503-231-9464Fax: 503-231-0471

Quarry Tile CompanyPhone: 509-536-2812Fax: 509-536-4072

Ragno USAPhone: 888-297-2466Fax: 972-725-3127

Seneca Tiles, Inc.Phone: 800-426-4335Fax: 419-426-1735

Sonoma TilemakersPhone: 707-837-8177Fax: 707-837-9472

StonePeak Ceramics, Inc.Phone: 312-506-2800Fax: 312-335-0533

Summitville Tiles, Inc.Phone: 330-223-1511Fax: 330-223-1414

Vitromex USAPhone: 800-848-4146Fax: 210-490-5305