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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

From Bullnose to Metal Transition Profiles: CTI Hands-On Test Evolves

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 12, 2024 10:15:00 AM / by Brad Denny posted in About CTEF, Certified Tile Installer Program

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CTEF has evolved the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) hands-on test with a transition from bullnose to metal transition profiles. In this article, I'll share perspective on the change as, by now, you may have seen and heard about it.

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Why a Tile Installation Mockup is Really Necessary

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 27, 2024 8:30:00 AM / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps, Installation + Design

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Do you build a tile installation mockup for your customers? If you don't, we strongly encourage you to consider doing so.

Here's why.

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How Do You Celebrate National Tile Day?

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 23, 2024 8:00:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installation + Design

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Are You Inspired by Tile?

We are and that's why we're excited to join in on the National Tile Day celebrations by sharing with you highlights from current tile trends.

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Addressing Low Grout Joints with Tile Installation Standards

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 6, 2024 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Have you looked at the photos in this article and noticed a real problem?  They all demonstrate low grout joints which do not meet the tile industry standards.  To meet these standards, the grout must adequately fill the space which obviously these examples do not. 

And yet, when the person who took these photos shared them with his builder on the job site, the builder did not believe that any standards existed or that there were any organizations that develop them.

Have you found yourself in a similar situation?

If yes, here's how to deal with low grout joints and understand tile installation standards.

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Are Credit Card Grout Joints Specified? Check Tile Industry Standards.

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 23, 2024 8:30:00 AM / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Yes, credit card joints - as in grout joints the thickness of a credit card - are popular, but given tile industry standards, they aren't possible, appropriate, or even recommended.

Many installers have had customers who have seen tile installations in a magazine or brochure which is exactly what they want in their homes. Unfortunately, the “look” they want to achieve with credit card thickness grout joints most likely will not be possible using the tile that has been selected.

Let's explore why.

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15 Tile Installation Resolutions for 2024

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 2, 2024 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Happy New Year! Are you ready to make tile installation resolutions for 2024?

If you're already in the know, think of these resolutions as a refresher. And, if you're new to the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation and the Certified Tile Installer Program, then consider this your introduction to a bold, new standards-based, methodical approach to installing ceramic tile.

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Take the CTI Hands-on Thanks to TEC! TISE24

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 5, 2023 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team

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Are you ready to take the CTI Hands-on Test at TISE24? If yes, you are in for a treat thanks to TEC!

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It's #GivingTuesday! Please Support CTEF

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 28, 2023 8:00:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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Today, November 28th is #GivingTuesday. Will you support CTEF? 

We're celebrating tile installation training, education, and certification, honoring all those who make CTEF's work possible, and counting on your support for the new CTEF Egg Harbor City, NJ training facility!

Will you participate? Will you join this Global Generosity movement with us to raise funds and awareness for tile installation certification and education? 

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Beginning, Intermediate Training Classes Qualify for FCEF “100 in 100”

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 21, 2023 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF, Tile Education & Training

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Do You Know About the '100 in 100'?

It's a wonderful program that the Floor Covering Education Foundation recently announced. If you're new to tile installation, you can benefit from it.

You'll find details below, including CTEF training programs that are eligible.

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Back Buttering Tile: How Important Is It?

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 7, 2023 8:30:00 AM / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Do you back butter your tile?

Back buttering tile is a highly opinionated and widely debated topic among tile installers. Although it's recommended for natural stone tile, it's not always necessary or required to get adequate mortar coverage on ceramic and porcelain tile. So, how important is it?

To begin this discussion, we first need to define several words.  According to the NTCA Reference Manual:

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Certified Tile Installer Mike Corona says,

You don't become a tile installer or a business owner overnight. It takes time, enthusiasm, pride, reliability, respectfulness, a willingness to learn, and dedication. No two jobs are the same; each one has its own unique nuances. As a qualified installer, you need to be able to communicate how to deal with those nuances and qualify yourself to not only meet but exceed expectations. Being qualified will exponentially increase your value and you will have endless opportunities.

Mike Corona CTI #923 Corona Marble and Tile

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Mike Corona CTI #923
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