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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification


Recent Posts

Have You Explored WhyTile.com?

[fa icon="calendar'] March 11, 2025 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installation + Design

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Have you had a chance to explore WhyTile.com? Since we updated this article in 2018, the site has added several new features that are sure to inspire you! So, if you haven't yet, you'll definitely want to. And, if you haven't recently, then you'll enjoy what's new.

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How Do You Celebrate National Tile Day?

[fa icon="calendar'] February 23, 2025 8:30:00 AM EST / 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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The Top Ten Requirements for a Quality Tile Installation

[fa icon="calendar'] February 18, 2025 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps, Hiring a Tile Installer

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What does it take to ensure that you have a quality tile installation? Based on our experience, knowledge, and work with the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook, we have identified ten requirements. 

Note that these aren't all industry requirements. However, they all contribute to a quality tile installation.

Here they are.

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Installing Large Format Glass Tile in a Shower: 10 Steps to Follow

[fa icon="calendar'] February 4, 2025 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Photo by Custom Spaces Design - Look for bathroom design inspiration

If you're installing large format glass tile (per ANSI A137.2, any tile larger than 3” x 3” or nine square inches) in a shower, do you know what steps to follow and questions to ask? As mentioned in previous articles, installing tile in showers requires careful preparation given the extreme environment working showers create. Large glass tile can add to the complexity.

>> See How to Deal with Tile Discoloration in a Shower

In this article, NTCA Technical Trainer Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 shares his advice on how to prepare for this project which involves 3x12 glass tile (aka subway tile) which is considered a large format for glass.

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15 Tile Installation Resolutions for 2025

[fa icon="calendar'] January 7, 2025 8:30:00 AM EST / 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 2025?

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

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It's #GivingTuesday! Please Support CTEF

[fa icon="calendar'] December 19, 2024 4:46:25 PM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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Today, December 3 is #GivingTuesday. Will you support CTEF? 

We're celebrating tile installation training, education, and certification, and honoring all those who make CTEF's work possible. 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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CTEF Online Auction: Thank You!

[fa icon="calendar'] December 17, 2024 5:00:00 PM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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The 2024 CTEF Online Auction is over, and we can't thank you enough for being involved and helping CTEF raise $18,862.00!

These funds are critical to supporting the invaluable work CTEF does through its tile installation certification programs and continued education programs.  

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CTEF Online Auction: 12/2 through 12/7. Mark Your Calendar!

[fa icon="calendar'] November 26, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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Are you getting ready to stock up on tile installation tools, products, and materials? If yes, please mark your calendar for the December CTEF Online Auction.

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NTCA Reference Manual: An Invaluable Tool for the Tile Industry

[fa icon="calendar'] November 19, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Are you familiar with the NTCA Reference Manual? It's an invaluable tool for the tile industry and a well-respected companion document to the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation and ANSI standards. 

Here's an interview with Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) so you can learn more.

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Top 15 Tips for #BecomeaCTI Success

[fa icon="calendar'] November 5, 2024 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF, Certified Tile Installer Program

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What are your top tips for becoming a CTI? 

The CTEF Certified Tile Installer program is regularly described as the toughest 25 square feet you'll ever have to tile. It's intense, but not impossible if you're prepared.

To that end, here are our 15 top tips for success, including advice from Mark Heinlein CTI #1112. We invite you to share yours and we'll add them to the list.

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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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