CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

Are you familiar with the Global Monumental Hand-Print Tile Industry Mural Project?

It's a massively big project, conceived by the Tile Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and the preservation of ceramic surfaces. The mural honors all who participate in and contribute to the tile industry and supports Tile Heritage's vital tile industry archiving work. 

Will you participate? 

Have you saved December 3rd for #GivingTuesday? It's a great way to support organizations such as CTEF...

Are you familiar with Total Solutions Plus (TSP)? It's a yearly event that brings together the ceramic tile industry to network and learn from one another. It's also a testament to the high level of collaboration that exists within the entire industry.

No wonder you see "Partners in Progress" prominently highlighted!

Did you know you can find free online prep courses on the CTEF website so you can start preparing to become a Certified Tile Installer?

Here's what: If you're wondering what it takes to become a Certified Tile Installer (CTI), you've come to the right place. We have just completed an eight-video online prep course that illustrates tile installation best practices that are expected of Qualified Labor. 

Are you involved in apprenticeship programs, vocational and/or trade schools for tile installation help? If your answer is no, why not?

Let's discuss the present and future of tile and the need for Qualified Labor.

When you're hiring a tile contractor, you expect to have the work done right the first time. Unfortunately, you don't always have the benefit of seeing the contractor's work beforehand and realizing what you need to avoid (see How Not to Install Tile on Floors, Walls and in Showers).

That's why we've put together these warning signs to help you avoid hiring a tile contractor who is poorly qualified and more of a tile "placer." (Definition: tile placer - a person who does not have the skills, knowledge and experience to install the job correctly.)

That way, you can rest assured that the beautiful tile installation in your mind's eye has every opportunity to become reality and bring you delight for years to come.

Are you familiar with Tile Money? Created by tile contractor Luke Miller, this podcast/YouTube channel is all about helping other tile contractors run a successful and profitable tile business:

"Tile Money is the source of business knowledge and advice for today’s Tile Contractor."

If you understand that all tile assemblies move and that movement (expansion) joints are mandatory, you also know that they are the only way to ensure success.

However, do you think installing movement (expansion) joints in tile installations are a pain in the #?&? If so, here are two quick and easy ways to install high-quality and long-lasting movement joints.

Are you wondering how to leverage your Certified Tile Installer (CTI) status in your business? This well-earned professional distinction offers tile installation professionals many benefits as Mark Heinlein, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Trainer and Presenter and CTI #1112, explains in this article. 

Our recent blog article titled "Should Tile Installers Become Certified?" has generated robust conversation on the CTEF Facebook page since it was published on September 3rd. It has also raised questions that need to be addressed about the qualifications for both the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program and the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program.