Tile Council Releases New Installation Handbook

Jackson, MS, July 5, 2012 -- The Tile Council of North America has recently released the 2012 edition of its TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation.

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) said they are pleased that the new edition carries important information about specifying certified tile installers for projects in order to minimize installation failures and call-backs.

The TCNA Tile Initiative says, “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. How good the finished installation looks, how well it performs, and how long it lasts are in their hands. 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 TCNA Handbook language was approved by a majority of committee members, and was submitted by a joint effort from representatives of the NTCA and TCAA.

In addition, the International Masonry Institute recently worked closely with ARCOM to have similar language approved in MasterSpec, the guide specification system designed for engineers, architects, specification writers and owners.
 
Also, MAPEI has assisted NTCA and TCAA by producing appropriate wording for a master specification to accompany the 150 methods published in the TCNA Handbook.