Level Set® 500 HF Self-Leveling Underlayment
TEC® Products Support Expanded Cancer Care in Southwestern Michigan
Best Practice Tips for Successful High Flow SLU Installations
Use Build My Submittal to collect all documents into one convenient file to support substitution requests
When Danny Fulton, owner of Fulton Tile and Stone in Evansville, Indiana, needed to find the perfect product to adhere gauged porcelain tile panels to the exterior of Big Rivers Electric’s new corporate headquarters, he knew who to call – his contacts at TEC Specialty Products.
Innovations in mortar technology have made it easier to meet the specific demands of a variety of jobs. However, a mortar is only as good as its installer, and forgetting installation fundamentals can result in callbacks and job failures. Help avoid costly mortar missteps with the following four basic – but crucial – techniques.
Generally speaking, there are two types of self-leveling underlayments (SLUs): traditional and high-flow technologies. The most noticeable differences between traditional and next-generation SLUs are the flowability and the smooth surface profile of each product.
Moisture mitigation is an increasingly important step in many large commercial flooring and tile jobs. Because the potential effects of excessive moisture vapor emission rates can be so costly, you should carefully take all jobsite conditions into account prior to the application of a moisture vapor barrier. Use the TEC® Moisture Mitigation Pre-Installation Checklist before beginning your next large installation.
The University of Alabama has been transforming Tuscaloosa’s historic Bryce Hospital into a destination for academic and cultural pursuits. University Hall is one of the buildings in the Bryce complex that benefited from the university’s investment in restoring the hospital campus. The renovated University Hall building houses multiple university programs’ offices.
When the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) decided to renovate 1970s-era Moore Hall-Bartlett Hall complex, the goal was clear, to create spaces in the two dormitories that would meet the needs of students now and into the future. The renovation included a complete overhaul on the seven residential floors in each dorm. In addition to dorm rooms, UAF’s architects took on the challenge of designing gender-neutral bathrooms, complete with separate shower stalls, toilet stalls, and two ADA-compliant stalls per floor. The intent was to have the communal restrooms accommodate every student on every floor.
It doesn’t get much more high-profile than this. Southern Methodist University (SMU) planned to renovate its Meadows School of the Arts—a sprawling connection of rooms and buildings, including a center for the visual arts with studios, classrooms, a performing arts center and an outdoor plaza and courtyard. The most dramatic addition was a remodel of the east entry into a stunning, modern multi-story atrium with a lighted ceiling, expansive windows and grand pillars.
What do you tell your customers who have a concrete subfloor and want to install hardwood? We recommend an engineered hardwood for several important reasons. One, it’s much less sensitive to changes in humidity compared to wood that can swell with moisture and temperature. Two, it can be installed at any grade level – including below grade. And three, it’s better than traditional plank for installing over in-floor heating systems.
When designers lack in-depth knowledge of your trade, it can lead to unrealistic expectations – and ultimately, disappointment. Designers might show building owners pictures and idea boards of concepts that wow the client aesthetically, but miss the boat with functionality and practicality. While it’s nice to work with a designer who has faith in your abilities, the mantra “the installer will make it work” can lead to disgruntled designers, disappointed building owners and frustrated installers.
No longer do 12-inch square tiles reign over the tile world. Common tile sizes have been increasing, and now 12-inch by 24-inch tiles or the 48-inch-long planks are now normal. The misconception is that these larger tile sizes do not affect the methods or equipment needed for the installation. Large format tiles require a bit more planning ahead due to their size.
One of the pains of specifying and installing tile over concrete is figuring out the proper way to keep tile intact despite substrate cracking due to shrinkage.
What mistakes do contractors regularly make when installing ceramic tile? There are several common errors that can be avoided by proper planning. Here's how to avoid mistakes encountered on a regular basis during ceramic tile installations:
Limelight Hospitality rebuilt one of its residence buildings in ski town Ketchum, Idaho, adding safety and design improvements after the structure was destroyed by fire. The modern design includes stunning new tile that elevates the aesthetics and function of the building’s facade and 26 condominiums’ interior spaces. Through a long-standing relationship with the project’s General Contractor, Conrad Brothers Construction, Ben Rivkin, Owner of River Building Group (RBG) was awarded the tile work. Rivkin credits his business success to his team of highly talented craftsmen, hired from as far away as California to join RBG. For the Limelight rebuild, RBG installed tile on the building exterior, in bathrooms for 20 units and one ultra high-end kitchen.
Tile and flooring installations in any type of retail environments need to seamlessly blend aesthetics and function. They should underscore a brand’s identity without distracting patrons while allowing customers to shop safely and conveniently. Follow this guide to make retail flooring installations a sound investment for both you and your customers.
Though grout may seem to be a secondary-to-the-tile functional necessity, it is also the essential design element that finishes the look of a tile installation. Neutral grout colors are still the most common choice, but current trends have elevated grout to make more of a statement. The latest style trends have grout both blending in and boldly standing out. A grout line can be very thin or very wide to make a big impact. The many contrasts in grout aesthetics make perfect sense when looking at the trends that influence grout. Trends in technology, tile and color are driving the current changes in grout installation, style and color palette.
Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GPTP) continue to grow in popularity. They provide a sleek, modern look that appeals to designers, architects and owners. For tile contractors, these projects can be a great way to grow business. However, experienced GPTP installers have learned to carefully consider all aspects of the installation to complete the project successfully.
“Self-leveling underlayment” (SLU) is a bit of a misnomer. Although this type of product is incredibly useful, it does require a thoughtful installer to ensure the best results. Follow these guidelines to prevent issues in your self-leveling underlayment installation.
To commercial and residential building owners, water damage from interior leaks is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind problem until they see evidence such as a water spot on a ceiling. For the flooring contractor that failed to seal openings in flooring material around plumbing fixtures, for example, the damage is also out of sight and out of mind—until they hear from an angry building owner with an immediate callback demand.
There are a few, incorrect myths floating around when it comes to using grout, especially since new products are now available to meet industry demands around tile and flooring. Let’s break down the top ten myths around mixing grout.
Have you encountered a situation where your grout became soft, powdery, discolored or cracked shortly after installation? Perhaps you were installing a very absorptive tile such as an unglazed ceramic, terracotta, or porous stone. Or maybe you were working with a glazed ceramic tile, but the cut edges were unglazed and highly absorptive of moisture. The fact is that when you’re working with these highly porous materials, you may experience issues with grout caused by excessive water loss.