training & education
NTCA Leaders visit GPTP training in Jackson, Miss.
BPI staff, attendees get hands-on
experience with GPTP panels and slabs
The NTCA Training team has been busily crisscrossing the country this year to bring workshops, regional training programs and custom programs to locations around the country.
In late July, NTCA Technical Trainers Robb Roderick and Ryan Hysell brought the gauged porcelain tile panels and slab program to a group of industry pros and company staff at Building Plastics, Inc., (BPI) in Jackson, Miss.
This popular program teaches new tile industry standards and methods for installing Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels and Slabs (GPTP/S). It discusses how it is made, where it can be used and the special tools, setting materials, and techniques required to install it, among other essential aspects of working with these panel and slab products.
This was an important training to BPI’s Tile & Stone Manager Jeremy Veach. “We saw the porcelain panel trend coming years ago,” Veach said. “The original plan was to go after countertop fabricators. The plan did not go as we had hoped so we changed gears. The new strategy was to get back to our roots and start getting the tile installers trained. With our new strategy and NTCA’s new training programs it was perfect timing for a powerful combo! NTCA‘s training programs are the best around, especially on panels. It is a well-oiled machine. The trainers are always professional, organized, and knowledgeable.”
Del Crum, an Account Manager for BPI, added, “The techniques and methods taught are solid for a beginner with panels or an experienced installer. The NTCA instructor was very effective and clear on explaining how to prep substrates (floor and walls), proper layout, handling, cutting, adhesive application and installation.
“We had several architects and interior designers observe different phases of the class,” he continued. “I believe it was very helpful for them to better understand the how and why and now hopefully where they will be able to take advantage of using GPTPs on their future projects!”
Mindy Clarke, who has worked for Stone Source for 19 years, affirmed “large porcelain panels are going to be a big thing in this industry. The training was very informational as far as installation and industry standards. The best part was actually being able to work with the material, from using suction lifters for picking it up, putting on the panel table, getting to score and snap the panel, spreading the thinset and installing the panels.
“You never know how much goes into an install when you’re in the showroom selling the materials,” she added. “The training class was an eye opener.”
Vendors, attendees and BPI staff all took part and benefited from the hands-on lessons in handling GPTP panels and slabs.
Fifty-four years of NTCA leadership
A special aspect of this program was that Bart Bettiga, NTCA Executive Director and Joe Tarver, NTCA Executive Director Emeritus both attended, hopping over from the nearby NTCA headquarters in Jackson.
“It was special to have Joe and Bart at the training,” said Roderick. “They came for cutting, scoring, and snapping. They made it fun and competitive, and were there for the ‘graduation ceremony’ at the end.”
NTCA Trainers – the new and the OG! (l ro r): Robb Roderick, Joe Tarver and Ryan Hysell.
Tarver was impressed with the hands-on participation by all attendees, including the men and women on the staff. “It also brought to my attention the broad scope of NTCA’s educational and training programs,” Tarver said. “I’ve done hundreds of workshops in the past and all of them addressed the products and installation requirements of that particular time. I’m particularly impressed with the ability of NTCA to keep pace over the years with the ever-changing requirements of methods, products and tools to professionally install everything from 4-1/4" white bodied wall tile to 5' x 10' porcelain panels. It’s been a daunting and challenging endeavor.”
Bettiga noted that between Tarver and himself, there was 54 years of NTCA leadership watching the event. “We were equally amazed at the quality of the training provided by NTCA and our associate supporters, the professional approach taken by BPI to host the event, and the diverse and engaged participation by the attendees. The growth of large-format porcelain tile, panels and slabs is due in part to the support of the distributors and manufacturers of NTCA training programs. BPI has played a significant role in the Southeast in helping to grow the market for these outstanding products.”
To discover an NTCA workshop or training program near you, and take advantage of this stellar educational opportunity for a range of topics, visit www.NTCATraining.com. Learn about the workshops and training programs and view an interactive training map that makes it easy to plan your attendance at one of these standards-based programs.
Tile design and installation: the perfect collaboration
The NTCA had the pleasure of being part of an exciting and insightful workshop on August 15 in Nashville, Tenn., titled “Tile Design Trends and Installation – What Every Industry Pro Should Know.” Hosted by Louisville Tile, the event brought together celebrity designer Jennifer Farrell and NTCA Training Director Mark Heinlein, who shared their expertise on the critical intersection of design and installation in the tile industry.
This workshop, which evolved from a collaboration between NTCA and Coverings over a decade ago, emphasized the importance of merging great design with standards-based installation. The goal was clear: to ensure that the vision of the design team can be fully realized by understanding the practicalities and limitations of tile installation.
Jennifer Farrell shared a lively exploration of the latest tile design trends. From the bold statement of oversized porcelain slabs to the evolving charm of faux wood floors, she highlighted the ever-changing landscape of tile design. Farrell also emphasized the power of grout in storytelling, the textural illusion of tiles that mimic materials like cane and rattan, and the striking impact of deep dimensionality.
A call to arms for designers and installers
On the flip side, Mark Heinlein dove into the technical aspect of where design meets the realities of manufacturing and installation. His take on warpage, facial dimensions, and the intricacies of grout joint width underlined the essential components that can make or break a tile project. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to industry standards, including the very important installation requirement for substrate preparation spelled out in ANSI A108. Heinlein’s session wasn’t just a technical deep dive; it was a call to arms for designers and installers to work closely together from the very beginning.
One of the key takeaways was the importance of understanding the different types of pressed floor ceramic tiles –Natural, Calibrated, and Rectified – and how each type requires specific handling and installation techniques. Heinlein stressed the importance of pre-planning and verifying the installation standards in ANSI A108, which takes the type of tile being installed into consideration. Heinlein also showcased EJ171, which is the industry standard guideline for movement joints in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation and lists all parameters for installing them.
But it wasn’t all about the nitty-gritty details. The workshop emphasized the need for ongoing communication between designers and installers. Farrell and Heinlein both championed the idea that there’s nothing simple about tile work. From substrate preparation to selecting the right adhesive and ensuring proper cure times, every step requires meticulous attention and collaboration. Utilizing qualified labor, who know how to leverage industry resources like the TCNA Handbook and NTCA Reference Manual, is crucial to achieve a successful outcome.
Celebrity designer Jennifer Farrell and NTCA Training Director Mark Heinlein presented the “Tile Design Trends and Installation – What Every Industry Pro Should Know” workshop at Louisville Tile in Nashville, Tenn. in August to enhance communication and collaboration between designers and installers.
The session concluded with a strong message: pre-planning, early communication with the qualified tile contractor, and constant collaboration among all parties involved are key to bringing a design vision to life. Whether you’re a designer dreaming up the next big trend or an installer making that vision a reality, this workshop underscored the importance of working together from start to finish.
In a world where the smallest details can have the biggest impact, this Nashville workshop served as a reminder that when designers and installers join forces, they can create something truly extraordinary.
Jennifer Farrell explored tile design trends in products like oversized porcelain slabs to the evolving charm of faux wood floors, including the power of grout in storytelling. An attendee talks with (l to r) Heinlein, CTEF’s Brad Denny and Farrell.
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“The greatest challenge the tile industry is facing today – and will continue to face in the foreseeable future – is the lack of qualified installers. We currently see more professional tile installers retiring each year than are being replaced by new, young installation talent. “It is imperative that, as an industry, we do a good job with three very important things.
First, we must publicize and communicate widely to members of the younger generation, who are just now hitting the workforce, that tile installation is a great vocation, a true lifelong respectable career, where you can earn a good living. Second, we must make quality training readily available, effective, and affordable for anyone wanting to enter the tile installation vocation. This includes the younger generation of both men and women as well as those who are a bit older looking to make a switch to a more substantial line of work. And third, we need to get tile installation back into the high schools as a trade that can be mastered, so graduates can immediately hit the workforce in a meaningful career as a tile installer.”
– Scott Maslowski, Senior Vice President of Sales, Dal-Tile LLC