Presented by
Gerald Sloan
National Tile Contractors Association
NTCA is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this
program will be reported to CES Records for
AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members
are available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or
dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific
materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of
this presentation.
2
Learning
Objectives
• Discuss the American National Standards for the most
common tiles installed in today's market
• Identify causes of job-site problems and how to avoid
them
• To understand the limitations for proper installation of
large format tile
3
With the conversion to thin-bed methods,
installation has become a
knowledge-based trade
• Evaluation/remediation of
substrate issues
• Engineering (load)
considerations a factor
• Many products and
manufacturers to address a
multitude of thin-bed
considerations
A137.1 Standard
• More than 30 pages
• Outlines performance for:
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Mosaic Tile
Quarry Tile
Glazed Wall Tile
Pressed floor tile
Porcelain tile
What is A137.1?
Purposes:
• establishes minimum
acceptance criteria for
ceramic tile mfrs. (quality
control)
• reference standard for
buyers and specifiers
• A137.1 labeling conveys
what’s in the box
9 Non-Destructive Tests
• Evaluation for facial and
structural defects
• Facial dimensions
• Warpage
• Wedging
• Thickness
• Coefficient of friction
• Mounting (mosaics)
• Color uniformity
• Shade value
12 Destructive Tests
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Bond strength
Breaking strength
Chemical resistance
Stain resistance
Deep abrasion
Visual abrasion resistance
Thermal Shock resistance
Crazing resistance
Moisture expansion
Thermal expansion
Resistance to freeze/thaw
Water absorption
Definitions
• Natural tile: tile that is not sized, nor sorted
mechanically
• Calibrated tile: tile that has been sorted and boxed
based on its facial dimensions
• Rectified tile: tile that has had all edges mechanically
finished to achieve a more precise facial dimension
Remember
there are no tile police
• Both the handbook and
ANSI Standards are
Voluntary Standards
• There is no compliance
requirement
TCA
There are also
Voluntary International Standards
• ISO (International Standards Organization)
• ISO 13006-Standards for Ceramic Tile
• There are 17 tests under ISO 13006 similar to and in
some cases the same as ANSI
• Two areas of disagreement are Freeze/Thaw and Slip
Resistance
GENERAL CURRENT CONSENSUS
ANY ONE SIDE 15
INCHES and larger IS
“Large Format”
Standards Development
ASTM C627 Test Method
Accessibility:
Flatness and Lippage
• A flat tile installation requires a flat substrate
• Designate trade responsible when substrate does not meet
flatness requirements:
• 1/4˝ in 10´ and 1/16˝ in 1´
• 1/8˝ in 10´ may be required for large format tile
• no more than 1/32˝ difference between modular substrate
edges
• Or, specify a mortar bed or self-leveler method
New language addresses
grout joint size
• For requirements on workmanship, cutting, fitting
and grout joint size refer to ANSI A108.02 section
4.3.8
 To accommodate the range in facial dimensions of the tile
supplied for a specific project, the actual grout joint size may,
of necessity, vary from the grout joint size specified. The
actual grout joint size shall be at least
3 times the actual range of facial dimensions of the tile
supplied. Example: for tile having a total variation of 1/16” in
facial dimensions, a minimum 3/16” grout joint shall be used
 1/16” minimum grout joint size
LIPPAGE
LIPPAGE
Minimizing Lippage
• Specify wider joints for more gradual changes
• Off-set patterns can sometimes result in more
lippage
• Beveled/cushion-edge tiles can minimize effects of
lippage
Medium bed thinset?
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No Standards
Manufacturers vary on maximum thickness
½ inch to ¾ inch
Not intended to be used for true up
Designed to hold more weight
IMPORTANT EDITORIAL ADDITIONS
SUBSURFACE TOLERANCE
• Thin-set is not intended to be
used in truing or leveling the
work of others
• The subsurface typically should
not vary by more than 1/16"
over 1’-0", nor more than 1/32˝
between adjoining edges
(where applicable: e.g. sheets
of plywood or between
adjacent concrete masonry
units).
MOVEMENT
ACCOMMODATION
Thermal Expansion
• Growth due to raised
temperature, such as
direct sunlight or steam
room applications
• Growth varies by type
of tile
• Growth is cyclical – may
occur several times in a
single day
Moisture
Expansion
• Growth due to moisture
exposure
• Irreversible and
long-term growth
• Exteriors and other
areas of high moisture
are critical
Both can cause “Tenting”
…thanks to
contractor
associations
Specifier needs to
SPECIFY which
method applies in
the contract
– full or partial
coverage!
Thin-set coverage requirement is
80% interior / 95% exterior and wet areas
QUESTIONS?