SpecBlazer April 2006

ConestogaTile presents...

The NTCA Road Show

During the first week of October, ConestogaTile presented the NTCA Road Show to over 600 attendees representing 250 dealers, contractors and architectural firms. This wonderful educational opportunity focused on the current hot topics of tile installations. The program included the nationally acclaimed NTCA Road Show, product demonstrations by Aqua Mix, Laticrete International and Schluter Systems, and 17 tabletop demonstrations from various ceramic tile installation manufacturers.

The show was truly a road show. It began on Monday, October 2^nd,in Harrisburg, PA, and then moved during the next three days to Baltimore, MD; Dulles, VA; and finally ending in Charlottesville, VA.

“The tile industry continues to see many improvements and technological advances to the installation products and methods, and we want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn about these changes,” said Jim Vogel, President of ConestogaTile. “We had a full day of seminars and demonstrations that spanned into the early evening. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the crowd as they took the time and opportunity to listen to the programs.”

The NTCA Road Show is offered nationally by the National Tile Contractors Association. The NTCA program was customized to include topics on waterproofing systems, porcelain and glass tile installations, changes to the 2006 TCA Handbook, challenges in wood sub-floor installations, new and innovative tools, and installing in-floor heating systems.

In addition, Laticrete International discussed what is mold and what solutions are available to help prevent mold, Schluter Systems showed new methods in ceramic tile shower installations, and Aqua Mix explained how to care and maintain natural stone tile installations.

Also on hand to offer advice and demonstrations were manufacturer representatives from NuHeat, Georgia Pacific Dens-Shield, W.R. Bonsal, Fin-Pan Util-A-Crete, Barwalt Tools, SuperiorBilt Tools, MK Diamond Saws, Imer Saws, Armeg Tools, ColorFast Caulks, The Noble Company, Rubi USA, StarQuartz Grouts, and Pearl Abrasives.

Since about 1980, these one-stop, one-evening training sessions have been wowing contractors and helpers with the industry's latest materials and installation methods. The NTCA addressed what's new, what's old, what works and what doesn't. The NTCA team, accompanied by industry experts, delivered an evening of food, fellowship and fun. This was the most intense, fast-paced technical presentation in the business. Please plan on attending future education programs sponsored by ConestogaTile. We make it our goal to keep you at the leading edge of new products, tools and installation systems available in the marketplace. Our Director of Architectural Services, Howard Pryor, CCS, CTC, CCTS, is working on developing a brand new AIA Certified Power Point Presentation on what is in store for the new upcoming 2007 TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Tile. Please contact your ConestogaTile representative for more information.

StarQuartz Introduces Quartz-Lock Grout

StarQuartz Industries, Inc., has introduced Quartz-Lock Grout. It is a urethane quartz-based tile grout. Patented urethane technology is combined with colored quartz aggregate that gives rich color to the product and provides excellent finish properties. Compared to epoxy products, it is easy and fast to work with for the installers.

Quartz-Lock is a single-part product and requires no mixing. It comes ready to use out of the bucket and can be resealed in its original container. Quartz-Lock ensures perfect color matching in 21 hues since there is no field mixing, and the color is guaranteed not to fade. It is water-soluble for easy cleanup. Quartz-Lock is stain resistant, mildew resistant, chemical resistant, and self-sealing.

Curt Russell is President of this Baltimore-based StarQuartz Industries company. He feels that urethane-based grout will eventually replace epoxy grouts in the non-cement segment of the grout market. He says that distributors are finding that Quartz-Lock Grout is outperforming epoxy grouts and is easier to install. Please contact your ConestogaTile representative for more information on this new unique revolutionary product.

What's Up With Porcelain Tile?

The truths and myths about porcelain tile

With increasing frequency, people are asking for porcelain tile, and the porcelain industry is growing at a rapid pace to keep up with the demand for this product. However, many people don't necessarily know why they want porcelain. Why choose porcelain tile over another ceramic tile of high quality?

Many people are under the impression that there is ceramic tile and there is porcelain tile. The fact is, "ceramic" describes something that is made from earth materials and fired at high temperatures, fusing the clay particles together. Porcelain tile fits this description, and therefore, is a type of ceramic tile.What defines porcelain tile is in the manufacturing process. Specifically, porcelain tile is made from extremely compact dry-pressed materials of higher quality than other types of ceramic tile, pressed under very high pressure, fired at higher temperatures and for a longer period of time. Because of this process, it is more dense with extremely low porosity, .5% or less water absorption. It is this characteristic that qualifies it as "porcelain". This is also what makes it frost resistant and therefore, suitable for outdoor use.

Another common misconception is that with porcelain tile the color is all the way through; however, this depends on whether you're talking about a "through-body" porcelain or “glazed” porcelain tile. A glazed porcelain tile, as implied, has colored glazes applied like other ceramic tiles. Thus, if chipped, it will show just as much as with any other tile.

As with other tiles, there are different qualities of porcelain tiles which will determine their suitability for various applications. Slip resistance is one factor that may change depending on the glazes applied, and the quality of the glaze will determine whether the tile is suitable for only light traffic or if it can be used in commercial applications.

If it is desired to install the tile with very narrow grout lines, then it is important to look at a "rectified" porcelain. This means that the tile has been machined after the manufacturing process so that it meets very close size tolerances.

There can be significant size variations in non-rectified tile so that close spacing (1/8" grout joint) is not possible. It is never recommended to butt these tiles together with no grout joint. ConestogaTile carries a complete line of

porcelain tiles, both glazed and unglazed. We represent over seven manufacturers of porcelain tile products. Please contact your ConestogaTile representative for more information.

ISO Certified Standard

Florim USA recently participated in a weeklong audit to renew their ISO certification. They remain the only U.S. tile manufacturer to be in compliance with ISO 9000. During the audit process, an independent auditor comes in to thoroughly review aspects of their business — from customer requirements to manufacturing to customer satisfaction. The auditor identifies any "non-conformities" that the company must then fix in order to retain ISO certification. Participation in this annual audit is a great opportunity for them to review all aspects of their business on a regular basis and to continually grow and improve.

ISO certification is based on standards established by the International Organization of Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 157 countries. ISO 9000 provides the minimum requirements necessary to develop a functioning quality management system. Meeting ISO requirements was one of many reasons that Florim USA created a Quality Department earlier this year. The sole focus of this department is to help insure consistent quality throughout their organization.

Royal Mosa Terra XXL

The design industry’s ongoing infatuation with slab products has pushed many manufacturers to come out with larger and larger tiles to more closely resemble slab stone and poured products. One of the largest and most unique new lines is Royal Mosa’s Terra XXL line. Terra XXL is available in sizes that a few years ago would have seemed unthinkable. The new tiles come in extremely large sizes such as 36” x 36” and even

24” x 48”. These new lines will be arriving in the US market in the next couple of months and are already being installed in high profile jobs throughout Europe such as a new Armani store in Paris. If you would like to learn more about these tiles and other large tiles available through Conestoga Tile, please contact your local sales representative.

Bonsal introduces Versatile B-6000

Bonsal American, one of our major setting material suppliers, has just introduced a revolutionary advanced polymer-based waterproofing and crack isolation product called B-6000. B-6000 eliminates the conditions which promote mold and mildew growth when applied directly beneath the tile. It has a quick drying formula, and this means that installers may begin their installation of tile in just four hours. B-6000 is so flexible and elastic that it can be applied over practically any substrate. This product exceeds the ANSI 118.12 standard for crack isolation and also exceeds the ANSI 118.10 standard for waterproofing. Please contact your ConestogaTile representative for further information.

Selecting the Right Notched Trowel:

Due to today’s larger tiles, the issue of adequate coverage has become more and more important. Because of this increased size, it has also become more challenging than ever to achieve 80% coverage. One key to getting proper coverage is the use of the correct trowel. In order to achieve the needed 80% coverage, there are several types of trowels which can be used.

V-Notch trowels: A V-notch trowel with a larger notch will create ridges which will flatten more easily to ensure maximum coverage.

Euro Notch trowels: Notches on the Euro trowel are cut in waves so that the peaks will spread easier and evener than the conventional square notch trowels.

When choosing a trowel, one should always consider the depth of the notches. The larger the tile, the larger the notches should be. This way you can get more thin-set coverage on the tile. No matter which type of trowel you choose to use, it is also important that the thin-set is spread in straight lines rather than arcs. This makes it easier to flatten the ridges left by the trowel. Without proper coverage, large format tiles are much more likely to crack or to come loose

from the substrate. By using the correct trowel and troweling technique as referenced in the TCNA Handbook, you can avoid costly problems down the road.

Vitrium Glass Expands Its Offering

The word unique is nothing unusual for the makers of Vitrium glass tile products. First introduced by ConestogaTile five years ago, Vitrium’s New Hope collection offered a wide selection of vibrant colored, clear, seemingly textured glass tile in sizes ranging from 2”x 2” to 12” x 12”. New Hope was revolutionary, hand painted and textured all on the back of the tile. Three years ago, two new collections were introduced, Oceana and Kente. While the Oceana provides a swirled look imitating soft water currents, Kente offers a linear look with both vertical and horizontal lines, almost an oriental appearance.

The most recent series from Vitrium is the Reed collection. This series offers a single direction lineal look which, depending on the designer’s choice, can be installed in a single direction or alternated, giving a quilted or interwoven pattern appearance. As with the previous collections, Reed has the textured look but is actually a smooth surface because the coloring and texturing is on the back surface of the tile. This allows for easy maintenance and a smooth surface for horizontal working surfaces. Like the previous collections, it also has unique color offerings.

All four lines can be used in wet areas including swimming pool and exterior vertical applications. Vitrium has developed a setting system for installation that, when used, provides maximum strength, minimum shrinkage and non-sag qualities.

A service just announced by Vitrium, available October 1, 2006, is the custom mesh mounting of all four lines of tile. The tile size for mounting is limited to 2” x 2” only, but each mat can be a combination of any of the four series in any colors available. The mat size can be ordered in 6” x 12” or 12” x 12”. Contact your ConestogaTile architectural representative for more details on this exciting and ever-expanding glass product line. ConestogaTile offers not only outstanding quality products, but is ready and able to assist you in providing the proper specification details to assure a top quality installation.