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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

Honoring Expansion Joints in a Concrete Floor

[fa icon="calendar'] November 10, 2020 8:30:00 AM EST / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Do You Honor Expansion Joints in a Concrete Floor?

You do, right? Honoring expansion joints in a concrete floor is critical to the success of a ceramic tile floor installation.

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Support CTEF on #GivingTuesday

[fa icon="calendar'] November 3, 2020 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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Have you saved December 1st for #GivingTuesday? It's a great way to support organizations such as CTEF...

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Is Your Floor or Wall Flat Enough for Large Format Tile?

[fa icon="calendar'] October 27, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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How prepared are you for installing Large Format Tile (LFT) or Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GTPT) and ensuring you have a surface that is adequately flat?

It's a big deal and worth considering before you get started

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Video Details Hands-on Certified Tile Installer (CTI) Test

[fa icon="calendar'] October 13, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Certified Tile Installer Program

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Have you seen this video by Sal DiBlasi about the hands-on Certified Tile Installer (CTI) test?

If you haven't and you're considering becoming certified, we encourage you to do so. We've even embedded it into this article.

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How To Protect Your Installation With a Tile Edge Profile

[fa icon="calendar'] October 6, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Do you use an edge profile to protect your tile installation? It's particularly valuable when transitioning from tile to another flooring surface material. However, to work, the profile must be installed correctly. Let's explore.

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How to Install Floor Tile When It's Natural Stone Rather Than Ceramic

[fa icon="calendar'] September 29, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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If you're considering how to install natural stone floor tile, be aware that there's a significant difference between natural stone and ceramic tile especially when it's over wood framing.

Unfortunately, many consumers, builders and even some tile installers share the mistaken idea that natural stone tile products may be installed over a wood-framed floor in the same way as is ceramic and porcelain tile. This is completely untrue and will many times lead to a very costly replacement.

Why? Because tiles made from natural stone do not have the same strength as ceramic tiles and they require a floor system that is twice as stiff as what is required for ceramic floor tile.

Let's explore in more detail.

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Nominate a Coverings Rock Star Today!

[fa icon="calendar'] September 15, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF, Certified Tile Installer Program

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Do you know any tile industry Rock Stars? If you do, then nominate them for the Coverings 2021 Emerging Leaders Program, otherwise known as Coverings Rock Stars. You have until December 18, 2020.

Given that we're CTEF, we encourage you to nominate tile contractor Rock Stars today!

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Gridlines vs. Spacers: Which is Better When Installing Tile?

[fa icon="calendar'] September 8, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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When you're installing tile, do you use gridlines or spacers? Why do you do so?

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The TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation

[fa icon="calendar'] September 1, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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If you spend time with anyone involved in the proper installation of ceramic tile, the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation will be the focal point of the conversation.  Why? Because this useful guide assists in clarifying and standardizing installation specifications for tile.

In addition to providing a selection of numbered installation "methods" for differentiating and easy reference, the Handbook includes various product selection guides for ceramic, glass, and stone tiles; guidelines for wet areas; field and installation requirements, and more.

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Five Self-Leveling Underlayment (SLU) Requirements

[fa icon="calendar'] August 25, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Are you familiar with SLU or Self-Leveling Underlayment?

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Prevent Problems: Read the Homeowner's Guide  to Hiring a Qualified Tile Installer
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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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