As promised in our recent blog please see photo of the complete bathroom remodel by Collins Tile and Stone in South Riding, Virginia. This photo was featured in "The Latest News" from Crossville Tile Inc. Crossville's "Savoy" makes a splash in this remodeled bathroom with beadboard and wall accents.
Collins Tile and Stone is pleased and excited to be one of 3 contractors in the country to be invited by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) to complete a live installation at this years Coverings Trade Show and Conference in Orlando, Florida. Coverings is a premier international trade show and conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in tile and natural stone. It has grown to be the largest and most important show of its kind. Coverings features 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracts more than 33,000 distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who cover this vital and growing industry. Coverings is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative products in the world related to tile and stone. The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four days.
Stay tuned for details on the Collins Tile and Stone installation!
For more info on Coverings check out their Facebook page and web site!
!http:////www.facebook.com/CoveringsShow
http://://www.tile-assn.com/Events/Coverings.aspx?mid=118
Buck and Dana
Collins Tile and Stone began this job by removing the carpet in the den area, priming the concrete floor with Laticrete 86 and leveling the floor with Laticrete 84 self leveling mortar. A Laticrete floor warming system (240v) was installed as was a dedicated 20 amp circuit. The 18 x 18 Continental Slate (Brazilian green) is from Daltile and the tile is set with Laticrete 4XLT high performance medium bed mortar specifically engineered for large format tiles. The floor is being grouted using Laticrete SpectrLock Pro Premium 100% solid epoxy grout. Stay tuned for the final pictures as a stain grade 5 1/8" base molding and stain grade shoe molding are being installed. Collins Tile and Stone lead installer Abraham Cardenas and apprentice Adrian completed the installation. The epoxy grout is being installed by Steve Keator (project manager) and apprentice Charlie Edens. Steve will install the base and shoe molding as well. Photos of the finished product to come soon!
In a complete bathroom remodel the existing tub was removed and will be replaced with a walk-in shower which begins with the installation of a Schluter 32 x 60 offset shower pan. The shower walls were constructed using Schluter Kerdi board and anchored to the wall using Schluter ZSD's. The River Rocks on the shower pan are from Architectural Ceramics in Falls Church. The wall tile is a 12 x 36 porcelain from Porcelanosa and the floor tile is the same in a 12 x 12. The shower trim is a combination of Schluter Jolly and Rondec. You will notice the brushed nickel Rondec that trims the curb and Rondec and Jolly are used on the wall. Collins Tile and Stone (Certified Tile Installer) Peter Rivera is the lead installer on the project. Stay tuned for more photos!
Collins Tile and Stone Certified Tile Installer Steve Keator (project manager) along with Certified Tile Installer Peter Rivera installing a Jacuzzi Elara (72L x 42W x 26H) from their Luxury Collection. This is one of the largest Jacuzzi's in their collection. This bathroom is currently underway in Vienna Virginia.
The framing was assembled by Steve as well as the relocation of the drain and water supply lines. Steve is shown installing a new cable drain. The tub is enormous and wall modifications were required to set the tub. The deck of the tub is waterproofed using Schluter Kerdi. The shower walls have been rebuilt using Schluter Kerdi board which is waterproof and vapor retardant. The shower pan and drain are also from Schluter as well as the underlayment/uncoupling membrane, Schluter Ditra. 
The project is about 50% complete with the installation of the tub and the floor tile almost completed. Stay tuned for more photos as the project nears completion.
Collins Tile and Stone Certified Tile Installer, Peter Rivera, and apprentice Carlo working on Susan's new Crossville tile "Savoy" bathroom, in South Riding, Virginia.
The bead board pictured is ceramic and the tile has the look of a handmade, hand-glazed tile. The main floor and shower pan tile are limestone. The soaking tub is from Kholer.
Next steps are (2) recessed medicine cabinets from Oak Harbor and the installation of double wall sconces. Then the vanity and finish plumbing will be completed. Stay tuned!!
Collins Tile and Stone is pleased to share the news of the newly established partnership between The Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) and National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)
TCAA, NTCA Establish Historic Partnership to Elevate Tile Trade
Joint promotion of association recognition programs offer opportunity to demand installation excellence.
From Left: Bart Bettiga-Executive Director: NTCA, Nyle Wadford-President: NTCA,
Carole Damon-Executive Director: TCAA, John Trendel-President: TCAA
The Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA) and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) are pleased to announce a major initiative that will take place immediately. In an attempt to raise the level of integrity and professionalism in the tile trade, and to present project owners, builders, architects, and design professionals an opportunity to demand installation excellence, the two associations have agreed to mutually promote and market their company recognition programs. This partnership is unprecedented in the tile trade, and as such, carries with it historical significance.
The TCAA “Trowel of Excellence” and the NTCA “Five-Star Contractor” programs have separately been acknowledged in the tile industry as worthy efforts to recognize companies that demonstrate a proven track record of success and ethical business practices. By promoting the two programs together, the top companies in each association that successfully complete the criteria for acceptance into these exclusive groups will be presented with unique opportunities for marketing and business development.
“The word quality just shouts out!” said John Trendel, president of the TCAA. “The only two nationally-recognized ceramic tile trade organizations joining forces to offer building owners and architects rigorous certification of member companies cannot help but raise the level of quality for their ceramic tile installations,” he said. “Building owners and architects will have an unsurpassed level of comfort that their projects will have the highest levels of quality at the national, regional, and local level.”
“I’m excited and energized by our partnership with NTCA to jointly promote these two outstanding programs,” said TCAA executive director Carole Damon. “By working together to increase the professionalism and expertise of tile-installation companies and giving architects and project owners a road map for selecting the right tile contractors for their projects, we take a giant step toward ensuring quality craftsmanship in every installation and increasing consumer confidence in the durability, beauty and value of tile. It’s a win-win for everyone in the industry and we’re proud to be part of this effort.”
Leaders of both the NTCA and TCAA have been working on this initiative for several months, and have established several goals and objectives they hope to accomplish. To be clear about the strategy, the group has included several representatives from some of the top tile- and installation-material manufacturers in the U.S. industry.
“I am excited about what has been accomplished to date and I’m looking forward to where this leads in both our associations' efforts to acquire work for our membership,” said NTCA president Nyle Wadford. “The synergy produced from the allegiance of labor and manufacturing for the benefit of both, once again demonstrates the power of unifying for similar goals within the industry.”
Perhaps the most important goal currently set forth to be accomplished is to create an opportunity for those individuals involved in the specification of tile and stone to demand installation excellence. Language is currently being developed for consideration in several important standards that will provide them with this quality option.
“For far too long, we have heard the complaints about the quality of installation on certain projects in our trade,” said NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga. “In our current economical times, we have seen the emergence of unqualified companies being hired and performing work that they were incapable of successfully completing. By presenting this option for excellence to architects, design professionals, and residential and commercial project owners, we are elevating our trade to the level it deserves.”
The associations will continue to grow and develop this initiative. Currently, there are approximately 50 companies in the two programs that have been approved in the recognition process. This number is expected to increase as the awareness of this effort becomes clearer. Additional goals underway include the specification on national accounts, incentive programs from manufacturers who recognize the groups’ efforts, and jointly-promoted educational efforts to the architectural and design community. The leaders of both associations will continue to work closely to further develop these plans in 2012.
For more information on the TCAA Trowel of Excellence Program: http://www.tcaainc.org/trowel-of-excellence.php
For more information on the NTCA Five-Star Contractor Program:
https://www.tile-assn.com/Member/FiveStar.aspx?mid=84