NTCA Honors Outstanding Installations

Chicago, IL, April 24, 2007--For the fourth year in a row, TileLetter magazine, the official publication of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), honored outstanding installations and skilled tile and stone contractors in both residential and commercial categories. The 4th Annual TileLetter Awards ceremony attracted a crowd of about 250 people immediately after Coverings 2007 show hours last night at McCormick Place. Winners in both residential and commercial categories receive cash prizes and will be featured, along with their installations, in future issues of TileLetter magazine. Grand prize winners received $1,500; award of merit winners received $1,000; honorable mentions winners received $750 and special recognition winners received $500. Winning projects and contractors in the residential category this year were: Grand Prize -- North Scottsdale Residence, Scottsdale, Ariz.: Artcraft Granite Marble and Tile Company, Mesa, Ariz. This project included a pool, spa, fountain, master shower and stair landing. Highlights were piece-by-piece installation of 1x1 mosaic tiles; grout color matching and extensive waterproofing in this project that took 14 months to complete. Award of Merit -- Chiesa Residence Entry Hall, New Hope, Pa.: Schlichter Tile and Marble Contractors, Pipersville, Pa. Expert book matching of statuary 24x24-inch marble tiles impressed the judges in this project. Honorable Mention – Heritage House Shower, Lander, Wyo.: Red Canyon Tile & Stone, Lander, Wyo. Graceful curving forms, precise installation of 1x1 mosaic tiles and hand coving were featured in this elegant, doorless shower. Special Recognition – Sargeant/Miller Remodel, Forest Lake, Minn.: Century Tile, Inc., St. Paul, Minn. Creative use of a range of materials and precision fabrication in the master, guest and pool bath earned this project honors. Winning projects and contractors in the commercial category this year were: Grand Prize – Hemsted Office Building, Redding, Calif.: Eric Ross Tile Co., Redding, Calif. An ambitious exterior cladding system to withstand extreme temperatures wowed judges as did attention to detail in the lobby, restrooms and drinking fountain areas. Award of Merit – Walter Payton Health & Wellness Center: CraftCroswell/Majors JV, Jackson, Miss. Porcelain and natural stone adorned this project at Jackson State University, crowned by a waterjet-cut stone medallion with compass points 65-feet in each direction. Honorable Mention – 1030 Swabia Court Lobby Transformation, Durham, N.C.: Neuse Tile Service, Youngsville, N.C. Concentric circles of ¼-inch aluminum-backed marble panels transformed the floor in this office building from drab to dynamic. Special Recognition – Wynn Resort, Lake of Dreams, Las Vegas, Nev.: Superior Tile and Marble, Las Vegas, Nev. The monumental 50 ft. x 80 ft. water feature at Wynn Resort required expert application of stone and installation materials under a tight deadline. TileLetter Awards judges included Davis Leichsenring, Holland Tile; Kent Klaser, Klaser Tile and Marble; Joe Kerber, Kerber Tile and Marble, and Bob Scavone, Jr, Total Flooring Contractors, who selected winning projects based on installation excellence. Recipients received trophies from NTCA president Frank Canto, president of Craig Tile in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Darek Marino, owner of Marino Tile and Marble in Colorado Springs, Colo., the first contracting company to ever sponsor the TileLetter Awards program.