SpecBlazer July 2005

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
October 19th, 2005 Baltimore Maryland	October 20th, 2005 Washington D.C.
There is no fee to attend the seminar. Advanced registration is required. Maximum seating capacity is 150 people. Register early, space is filling up fast! There will be a complimentary full breakfast buffet. Please contact Lisa Schwartz at 1-800-472-4588, ext 146, or lschwartz@chluter.com or visit www.tileseminar.com.
APPLYING THE LATEST STANDARDS AND METHODS OF TILE INSTALLATIONS TILE COUNCIL OF AMERICA (TCA) Become familiar with the new 2005 TCA Handbook and learn how industry standards are developed and used. Discover the history of tile, how it is made, definitions of tile terms, and the latest research within the tile industry. Take a look at the state of the tile industry in our world today and how to find solutions to the tile challenges that you may face. CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR CERAMIC AND STONE TILE INSTALLATIONS SCHLUTER SYSTEMS INC. This seminar will discuss the challenges in traditional floor, wall and exterior tile applications and the new technologies that are now available to address these issues. Discover what lies beneath a healthy tile installation and learn about sound control and heated floor systems for ceramic and stone tile installations.	TILE FUSION - STEPPING INTO THE NEWEST TRENDS IN TILE CROSSVILLE INC. This program will explore tile from mosaics to large format. You will learn about the latest in tile sizes, colors, shapes, and textures, how to install these new products with the proper installation methods and the cost involved with using these various tiles in both commercial and residential applications. Additionally, this program will offer insight on how to select the correct tile for each environment. INSTALLATION OF LARGE FORMAT WALL TILE - CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TEC INC. This AIA presentation will address the key considerations necessary for the successful installation of larger tile on walls. Both installation and service environment issues are identified and discussed. Key topics include identification of market trends and installation references, review of substrate conditions and challenges, tile and setting material selection and performance, and looks at potential service environment challenges, including discussion of mold and mildew.

LEED™ 2.1 Certification Program In November of 2002, the USGBC published the latest Version 2.1 of their LEED™ Program. It is a program developed by the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USBGBC) and has gained widespread support in the commercial and institutional (including governmental) marketplace. The following information is and overview of the LEED™ Program and identifies areas where ConestogaTile products could have a positive impact.
In the latest Version 2.1 LEED™ Survey, there are six separate credit categories encompassing a total of 69 possible points.			A qualifying project can receive LEED™ Certification in four different levels depending on how many "points" they achieve. The four certification levels are:
	Innovation & Design Process Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and Atmosphere Materials and Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Total	5 points 14 points 5 points 17 points 13 points 15 points 69 points		Certified Silver Gold Platinum	26-32 33-38 39-51 52+
The areas where ConestogaTile, as a supplier of ceramic tile and installation products, can directly impact the building's point total are with respect to the categories of Materials & Resources (M&R) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). There are potentially one to six points available based on: The product's recycled material content. The location where the product is manufactured (i.e. proximity to the project site) Regarding the credit for recycled materials content, "post-consumer" means that it has been used by an end consumer and is then recycled at the end of its intended/useful life (a good example is an aluminum beverage can). "Post-industrial" recycled content products are those that contain waste from industrial processes. All of the recycled material contents in ConestogaTile manufacturer’s products are to the most part "post-industrial". To the maximum extent feasible, they recycle scrap-fired tile from their manufacturing processes which formally were disposed of as waste material. In addition, they implement activities and operations which recover and recycle wastewater and glazes and unfired scrap materials by returning them to manufacturing processes. This also meets the guidelines. The single most frequent question asked is "What is the recycled content of our tile products?" ConestogaTile’s products contain varying amounts of recycled materials depending on the manufacturing location. Information on the specific recycled materials' content of any manufactured product can be provided upon request. However, it is noted that the latest revision to the LEED™ criteria is such that a recycled materials content of any percentage will help the project obtain the recycled materials credit. This means that our manufacturers' products, some of which contain up to 61% of post-industrial recycled materials, can add significant value to a project's LEED™ certification effort. For additional information, customers are advised to contact their local ConestogaTile Architectural Representative for details. Additional information may be found at www.conestogatile.com.

CTIOA Report 2005-4-15

By: CTIOA Inc. Floor Membrane Committee

Subject: Floor Crack Isolation Membranes

In the building industry, a membrane usually refers to an underlayment that is a thin product providing separation or transition from one concrete material or application to another. In the ceramic floor tile industry, a membrane refers to an underlayment that is applied between the substrate and the flooring tile or tile assembly. Membranes are used for a variety of reasons so there are many types that are designed for specific functions. The purpose of this report is to identify and define crack isolation membranes and their intended use. Crack protection is limited to minor horizontal planar movement of the substrate (shrinkage cracks) and will not provide protection against vertical movement (structural cracks).

Load Bearing, Bonded, Crack Isolation, and Anti-Fracture Membranes (ANSI A118.12)

Membrane strips are bonded to the substrate and are specifically designed to cover existing shrinkage cracks in the substrate per TCA F125. The membrane strips must cover three times the width of the floor tile used with a minimum width of 6 inches. Check with the membrane manufacturer for the maximum crack width that is covered by their membrane warranty and any limitations. These types of membranes can also be used as "anti-fracture" membranes when they are applied to the entire surface of the substrate. It is only considered "anti-fracture" if it completely covers the substrate per TCA F125A. This is a full coverage membrane designed to manage both existing shrinkage cracks and future ones; it also provides some protection against shrinkage, thermal and moisture expansion/contraction of the substrate.

Sheet membranes bonded to the substrate with some available in a "peel and stick" type of material.
Rolled liquid or trowel applied membranes that are bonded to the substrate with or without fabric. Some require fabric embedded over the entire substrate while others only require it over backer board joints and at all changes in plane. When cured, tiles are typically thin-set directly onto the membrane. Always refer to manufacturers' instructions for performance levels and limitations, and be sure to follow the written instructions accurately to avoid problems.
Some trowel-applied membranes can be used as a bonding agent for tiles as long as the tiles are applied before the membrane sets.
Cork underlayment on Concrete, TCA F135-03: "1/2-inch thick (+/- .010-inch) cork underlayment sheets. Consisting of a mix of pure cork granules combined with polyurethane binder, having a density of between 11.8 and 13.6 lbs. per cubit foot." NOTE: TCA states under F135-03 to use a Type 1 organic adhesive to bond cork underlayment to sub floor. CTIOA warns regarding concrete slabs on grade: "Organic adhesive should never be used to bond sheet type membranes onto a concrete slab on grade because of the potential for moisture problems."

Cleavage Membranes (ANSI A-2.1.8)

This is a full coverage membrane that is not bonded to the substrate with the purpose of separating the entire tile assembly from the substrate. This isolates both the wire-reinforced mortar bed and the tile installation from any instability in the wood or concrete substrate.

Cleavage membranes are designed to separate the tile assembly’s mortar\ bed from the surface of the substrate.
The mortar bed is required to be reinforced and to be of a uniform thickness–1-1/4" minimum to 2" maximum (ANSI, TCA). Mortar beds (reinforced) in excess of 2 inches shall be detailed by the architect. For reference details, refer to TCA F111-03, F114-03 over concrete floors, TCA F141-03 over wood floors.
Membrane sheets approved as cleavage membranes should never be used, nor are they ever recommended by their manufacturers to be used, as a "load bearing, bonded, crack isolation or anti-fracture membrane."

Load Bearing, Bonded, Uncoupling Membranes

This is a full coverage bonded membrane that differs from other "direct bond ‘anti-fracture’ membranes" because it is a thicker material with air cavities pressed into its surface. The patterns are designed to "key lock" the thin-set into its upper surface, while the open air cavities underneath allow for some lateral movement without losing a bond per TCA F147/F148.

Uncoupling membranes are used on problematic substrates to prevent any existing or potential cracks and stresses from transferring to the finished tile assembly. When there are height limitations, the uncoupling membrane is an alternative to using a reinforced mortar bed over a cleavage membrane. For quick reference details, see TCA F147 and F148.
This membrane is a full coverage "load bearing, bonded, anti-fracture" membrane.
The material that forms this membrane is considerably thicker than any of the other membranes.
This single sheet membrane is available with a number of different patterns pressed into it. The intended use of the membrane will determine which pattern should be used. The patterns are designed to "key lock" the thin-set into the membrane’s top surface while providing mesh-covered air cavities underneath to allow for some lateral movement without losing bond.

Moisture Vapor Emission and Membranes

Not all membranes are suitable as vapor barriers and should be used only as per the manufacturers' instructions. Floor membranes are usually classified as either a moisture barrier or as a vapor/moisture barrier. A MOISTURE BARRIER is designed to substantially reduce or eliminate moisture in a liquid state from passing through it, but it is breathable and does allow moisture in a vapor state to pass through it to some degree. A VAPOR/MOISTURE BARRIER does not allow moisture in a liquid or vapor state to pass through it; thus, it is not breathable. In cases where the substrate’s moisture vapor transmission exceeds 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet in 24 hours, consult with the membrane manufacturer for suitability of use. The Marble Institute of America (MIA) recommends that all on-grade applications have a moisture barrier to protect the natural stone against potential moisture problems. Carefully consider all options, as improper use of a vapor/moisture barrier membrane may entrap moisture condensation.

Slip-Sheets

"Slip-sheet" is an incorrect term used to describe all of the above membranes. In the past, the term "slip-sheet" was synonymous with cleavage membranes. Today, "slip-sheet" is a term used by the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) to describe materials such as 15-pound felt building paper, scribing felt or Kraft paper. These products are misused as load-bearing, bonded membranes in order for contractors to reduce material costs. The CTIOA or their manufacturers as an acceptable alternative or replacement for industry-approved "load bearing, bonded, crack isolation, or anti-fracture" membranes do not recognize slip-sheets. This is due to their initial low tensile (shear bond) values and their rapid deterioration when exposed to moisture condensation with high alkalinity that are common with concrete slab on-grade tile applications.

Conclusion

There have been many tragic failures when the wrong membranes have been used or where the membranes and/or the bonding mortars are not compatible, resulting in loss of bond. The reason for most failures where membranes are involved is that an inappropriate or unapproved membrane was used, or it was improperly installed for the kind of application for which it was being used. There are two requirements to consider when selecting the correct membrane to use:

1. Membranes must meet all current ANSI standards.

2. All manufacturers’ instructions must be followed and limitations considered when membranes are installed.

Ceramic Tile Seminars - Architectural and Design Community 4 LUs AND HSW
JOIN US for our second series of the Tile Seminar presented by Tile Council, Crossville Inc., Schluter Systems and Tec Inc. This seminar will take closer look at the contemporary trends of tile and the extensive opportunities that technological advances have created for tile installations. Learn how to use the new 2005 TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation and other tile industry standards as you discover what lies beneath a healthy tile installation. YOU WILL LEARN
The latest tile industry standards and research New methods in the 2005 TCA Handbook Challenging environments, problematic substrates, exterior applications, and radiant heated floors Sound control...the challenges and dynamics	The latest in shower waterproofing technology Selecting the right tile for each environment Identifying the latest trends in tile design and costs Challenges and solutions for installing large format wall tile
The main objective of the seminar is to promote a tile-specific understanding of various applications to ensure the specification of the right system in each particular application. The newest technologies within the tile industry will also be covered and you will be provided with the tools necessary to better understand and specify tile.