Tile Council releases new guidelines on installation

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) recently released the latest edition of its TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation. According to FloorDaily.net, both the National Tile Contractors ASsociation (NTCA) and the Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) said they were pleased with several aspects of the 2012 handbook.

"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," reads the TCNA Tile Initiative. "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."

The Tile Council was established in 1945 with the intention of expanding the ceramic tile market in North America, through the development and patenting of innovative installation materials and methods, according to TileUsa.com. The language in the handbook was approved by a majority of committee members and submitted in a joint effort between the NTCA and the TCAA.

The NTCA and the TCAA have both released statements expressing their support for the information in the new edition of the handbook about specifying certified tile installers for projects in order to minimize installation failures and call-backs for contractors. Eliminating these stains on the industry would benefit the credibility of contractors across the board.

With these updated guidelines from the handbook, clients who enlist contractors to install bathroom tile flooring can be sure that the installation process will go smoothly and professionally. Contractors can lead their clients into choosing the right bathroom tile, perhaps opting to go with the Tumbled Natural Stone Field Tile from Dal-Tile Corporation for a more rustic and earthy look and feel.

Similarly, clients looking to install a ceramic tile floor in their kitchen can be assured that their contractors adhere to the strict guidelines of the handbook. With a wide variety of ceramic tile choices, it's important to help your clients pick the right ones, such as Mosaic - Shaw Ceramic by Shaw Industries.