During Coverings 2017, Visalia Ceramic Tile, Inc. joined forces with Kim Lewis Designs during the yearly Installation Design Showcase. What made this Installation Design Showcase different was that it featured the live installation of tile in three tiny houses on the Coverings show floor. In this case, the team completed the Retro Bungalow Tiny House.
We caught up with Visalia Ceramic Tile's Sam Bruce to ask him about his company and what tiling a tiny home at Coverings was like.
Scott Heron CTI #182 of Precision Tile Company, Inc. in West Columbia, S.C., is thoroughly committed to quality tile installations. Not only is he a CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI), but he has also achieved the distinction of holding three certifications in the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program.
Scott is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com.
If you're wondering how to become more efficient when setting tile, consider becoming not just a Certified Tile Installer (CTI), but also going for Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT).
That's what Juan Sauceda CTI #64 who is also ACT-certified did and discovered.
Juan is a superintendent and tile installer for Neuse Tile Service and the next Certified Tile Installer (CTI) to be featured in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com.
Do you love to watch Home Improvement shows like HGTV? For many, they are a wonderful source of design ideas and inspiration especially for complex spaces such as bathrooms and showers. In the case of Jeremy Waldorf CTI #1185, these shows are also an opportunity to observe the quality of the tile installation.
Jeremy is owner/operator of Legacy Floors in Howell, Michigan. He is the next Certified Tile Installer (CTI) to be featured in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com.
>> See Jeremy Waldorf: owner/operator Legacy Floors - Certification offers customer extra value, bolstered by education and experience
To support the mission of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), Kevin Insalato of California Flooring in the Chicago area has started officially promoting tile installation certification with focus on the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program.
Kevin is as passionate about quality tile installation as Scott Carothers is (see Why Scott Carothers Cares Intensely About Tile Installation Certification and Education). Only fitting that he should join forces with CTEF to help develop the Regional Evaluators program for tile installation certification. We caught up with Kevin to learn more.
CTEF owes special thanks to Coverings for its generous and long time support. In fact, that's why you will now notice Coverings listed as an Elite CTEF Sponsor when you explore becoming a CTEF Sponsor.
If you aren't familiar with Coverings, here's perspective on the show and the critical role it plays in the tile industry.
According to Steve Keator CTI #455, being a Certified Tile Installer (CTI) means providing tile installation that truly satisfies the greatest expectations for quality. Steve is the next Certified Tile Installer (CTI) to be featured in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com.
Did you attend the Remodeling Show | DeckExpo | JLC LIVE (R|D|J) on Oct. 6 and 7 in Baltimore, Maryland? If you did, you had the opportunity to see proper tile installation firsthand, and ask questions of installation experts, Scott Carothers from CTEF and Mark Heinlein from NTCA (pictured above).
>> See Why Scott Carothers Cares Intensely About Tile Installation Certification and Education
>> See Mark Heinlein on 5 Benefits of Being a Certified Tile Installer
Interested in differentiating your business? Try tile installation certification. This article highlights J&R Tile, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, which has successfully differentiated its business through the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program.
We caught up with Erin Albrecht, J&R Tile Director of Operations and daughter and niece of the company co-founders, to learn more.
Having members of the tile industry come together to address installation issues, new product introductions and customer questions makes the work of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation really exciting. Ultimately, this truly kicks tile industry education up a knotch or two and more.
Take Karl Parker CTI #1188 who believes strongly in industry education. Karl is the next Certified Tile Installer (CTI) to be featured in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com.
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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The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) provides education and installer certification for professionals working in the ceramic tile and stone industry.
The CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program is the only third-party assessment of installer skill and knowledge that is recognized by the tile industry.