Are you ready to stock up on tile installation tools, products, and materials? If so, please mark your calendar for the Spring 2026 CTEF Online Auction scheduled for June 8 through 14.
Do you spend time ensuring that your tile layout is centered and balanced, with no small cuts? I hope so, since this is the most effective way to ensure that a tile installation has a professionally installed appearance.
Coverings is always an inspiring event. Not only do you get to see firsthand the newest tile product introductions, but you also get to experience what makes the tile industry so unique: collaboration with CTEF to support the highest standards of tile installation knowledge and experience, CTI hands-on tests.
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You've probably noticed that this blog focuses heavily on proper tile installation methods and techniques. At the same time, all of us involved in the CTEF Mission intensely admire timeless tile installations that truly delight the senses.
We abhor tile installation failures and encourage every opportunity to celebrate greatness in design and execution. That's what you regularly experience during the yearly Coverings show, the premier United States exhibition of ceramic tile and stone.
As beautiful as tile is when it is first created, the result must also delight the senses, perform functionally while doing so beautifully, and generally withstand the test of time and usage.
To that end, this article celebrates a few of those inspiring, timeless tile executions. You'll also learn about several highlighted during Coverings 2020.
For a beautiful and long-lasting tile installation, you need to ensure that every facet of the job is completed properly according to tile industry standards and best practices. The key element here is the foundation of the installation, and that's where underlayment for tile solves a multitude of problems.
Tiling over a water problem will not make the problem disappear. Rather, you need to find the source of the water leak before installing any floor surface, including tile.
Trade shows can sometimes blur together. Booth numbers, bright lights, handshakes, quick conversations in the aisle. But every once in a while, a week stands out for the right reasons.
TISE 2026 was one of those weeks.
Does Tile inspire you?
It inspires us intensely, and that's why we're excited to join in the National Tile Day celebrations by sharing with you highlights from tile trends we love.
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Perhaps tiling an elevator isn't at the top of the average homeowner's list of tile installation questions, but it is one that matters to owners, architects, designers, and tile contractors involved in multi-story buildings - including residential ones - with elevators.
In this article, we specifically address a question about using tile for an elevator floor, sharing with you how Mark Heinlein CTI #1112, and Robb Roderick CTI #727 responded in their role as National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Trainers.
Does the word flat have the same meaning as the word level when it comes to floors and, more importantly, tile installation? If we look in various dictionaries, flat and level can have almost the same definition, which can be confusing.
