Jobsite Hazards

A Tile Guys sent me this photo from his jobsite in FL

A Beautiful Stone Facade

Click on the photos for a larger view

New Mexico Court of Appeals Annex at UNM Pamela B. Minzner Law Center
14000 square feet of 12” x 24” Uxmal Travertine and 20000 square feet of 24”x24” Teakwood stone tile

A beautiful & skillfully installed three story stone facade

LATICRETE 254 Platinum
LATICRETE HydroBan
LATICRETE® PermaColor™ Grout

Installed by
Rays Flooring Specialists Inc.
Alburquerque, NM
http://www.raysflooring.com


Laticrete Technical Support by Tim Evans

Some Tilework is Art

"We work with Laticrete products and recommend them for installing our mosaics"

Mixed-Up Mosaics
New York, NY
(212)243-9944
www.Mixed-UpMosaics.com

Shelves In A Shower

"Plumbing fixtures are Danze, this shower is like 4 yrs old now, owner has had us back for 2 other projects, then asked about installing these shelves.

What I did was polish up the edges of some travertine, drilled approximately 1" deep hole with a small bit, the hole accepted an electro-galvanized roofing nail ( head cut off ), then I 310'd them into the travertine. Went to the job site and marked level lines, drilled holes for plastic anchors, and 310'd those in, then I 310'd the back sides of the shelves and inserted into the anchors holding them level while it cooked, and cleaned it while it cooked, cleaned it a bit more with just a razor blade and an alcohol rag, then sanded latex matching caulk to cover joints.

First set I've done like that, but in hind sight, I would like to have a better anchor / pin set. I just used what I had for times sake.

BTW, the pic shows my jar of 310 on the shelf, all of you that have it know how much that jar weighs, there really ain't much material used yet out of that jar."

Brian Bolt
BC Tile & Marble Works
http://bctile.com/default.aspx

Laticrete Service

"I just wanted to say thanks for everything. Also thanks for what you guys are doing for this industry. Laticrete's level of service has given me something to reach for in my own business."

Tim
www.tilemyshower.com

Racing Under Green

The son of a Laticrete distributor in Denver races in this Volkswagen “Racing Under Green” series.

Check the YouTube video … look for the Laticrete logo on the hood of one of the cars …!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHaIVGou8U

Visitors To Laticrete Today

Elmo entertained some visitors to Laticrete today from Mexico....!

The gentleman on the left is a "Mosaic Artisan" from the Kolorines Glass Mosaic Tile factory, Giuseppe Semeraro. He is responsible for their Mosaic training programs. He teaches mosaic artists at the Mosaics in Mexico school. You can read about him here: http://www.mosaicsinmexico.com/Faculty.asp

The gentleman on the right is the Commercial Manager of Laticrete Mexico. Click here for information on Laticrete Mexico.

We had a lovely set of meetings and hands on demos ... and conversations with our visitors about beautiful mosaic projects that they have been involved with that have been installed with Laticrete. We also chatted a bit about the benefits of the Laticrete "One Step Method" for installing Kolorines Glass Mosaic tiles ...!

It Is NOT Just About Product

Good products are important.

But how they are "supported & serviced" really makes a difference.

I received a message from a tile contractor today:

"Just to let you know my Rep Jeff for Wisconsin is top notch. I had some questions the other day and he responded immediately. Laticrete's customer service is AWESOME!! Thanks a bunch for having a great staff!"

Musky Mike
Corrado Custom Tile

A top down approach to tiling

Laticrete 255. Read more here.

Carry only one product onto the jobsite for virtually all applications with this versatile lightweight mortar that replaces mastic, multipurpose and medium bed mortar.

LATICRETE 255 MultiMax™ is reinforced with Kevlar® for unmatched non-sag performance and adjustability of large format tile and stone on walls.

Builds up to 3/4" (18 mm) without shrinkage for floors without any slump, sag or lippage.

Incredibly lightweight consistency allows for easy troweling onto the substrate with minimal effort. A 40 lb. (18.2 kg) bag of LATICRETE 255 MultiMax provides the same coverage as a 50 lb. (22.7 kg) bag of standard thin-set mortar.

Mixes with water for maximum strength and performance. Inhibits the growth of stain-causing mold and mildew in substrates with Microban® antimicrobial product protection.

The Holiday Parties Have Started

A couple of Laticrete guys at the D & B Tile holiday party in Orlando, FL

Tony Campos & Rob Smith

Tony is a Laticrete CSR - Contractor Sales Rep
Rob is the Regional Sales Manager for the SE USA

Honor Your Father and Your Mother

The Fifth Commandment:

Honor your father and your mother

Waterjet Creation

Some pretty incredible stonework gets created with waterjet equipment.

This installation is at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center ...... part of a new tenant improvement project in anticipation of the grand opening. This piece involved removing a cracked terrazzo floor and replacing it with beautiful natural stone.

This waterject cut stone medallion was produced by Creative Edge. It was installed using the Tuscan Leveling System to provide a "plumb & true" surface by craftsmen from Tiede-Zoeller with LATICRETE System materials.

There are 13 “rings” surrounding the center, 400 pieces of stone with 70 inlaid lights.

This is a very sharp looking project, high-end all the way.

Need to Measure Slab, Screed or Mortar Bed Moisture Content ...?

Before installing membranes or tile on fresh or "green" slabs, screeds or mortar beds it is sometimes important to know about "Moisture Content."

More Info here.

Some Tile Installers Use Laticrete Because ....

SpectraLOCK .... The "Stainless Grout." Never needs sealing.

Some tile installers use Laticrete because the results speak for themselves ...

"I know that one of my local suppliers it talking about switching from xxx to Laticrete. That would be great, I really like the product line and use it when I can. I know the price points are a little higher than xxx. That doesn't bother me ....."

Why does this tile installer feel this way about Laticrete ....?

Product Preferences

Some Tile Installation Companies feature Laticrete ... on their websites and on their jobsites.

Here's a quote from Jim McLaughlin's website:

"Most homeowners give little or no thought to the 'stuff' behind the tile.
As a professional I know this 'stuff' is critical to the success of each and every installation.

Just as we take no short cuts in our methods, we also use the best materials available.

We proudly feature Laticrete tile & stone installation materials including SpectraLock 'stainless grout.' "

Click here to visit his website.

Feedback From a PTK Attendee

"Thanks for making this seminar happen! I think everyone had a great time and learned quite a bit. On the drive back none of us could say enough good things about Mike Werner. Bernie, Mark, and Lou were all great as well.

I think the most valuable information I got out of the seminar was from Mike, and his advice on selling a lifetime system warranty to the customer. Stress the lifetime warranty-and then premium installation materials are a much easier sell. Also learned some good technical info and troubleshooting tricks from Mark, aka Encyclopedia Brooks.

It was also really nice how professionally and ethically the information was presented. I've been to a few other seminars of this nature sponsored by other manufacturers and they often are a little heavy handed with self-promotion and belittling of the competition. Much respect to Laticrete for not going there!

Anyway, thanks again. Next time you're in Seattle dinner and drinks on us!

Matt Black
Madrona Tile
Seattle, WA

Another Email That Put A Smile On My Face

"You guys certainly go out of your way! I can't say I have ever had this level of service from a manufacturer of anything. What a 'stand up' company."

At Laticrete Our People Are Empowered

Here is the message that Laticrete's Owners provide to our Laticrete people:

1. Is it right for the consumer?
2. Is it right for our company?
3. Is it ethical?
4. Are you willing to be accountable for it?
5. Is it consistent with our company's basic beliefs?

If the answer is "yes" to all five, don 't ask – just do it!

Mobile Tagging: Interactive 2D Barcode Reader

Start looking for a Microsoft Tag on Laticrete packages, Advertisements, Editorials

Microsoft Tag is a breakthrough technology that transforms everyday things in the real world into live links to online information and entertainment.

Read more here.

From your mobile phone, simply snap or scan a Tag image anywhere you see it – in editorials, advertisements, product packaging, signs and storefronts – and gain instant access to Websites, videos, reviews, schedules, contact information, social networks, discounts, promotions and more!

All you need to do is download the free Tag reader on your web enabled camera phone and when you see a Tag, snap or scan it to interact with the world around you in new ways!

Does your mobile phone have a camera ....?

You can download Microsoft's Tag Reader in 2 ways

Use your mobile browser
Open the internet browser on your mobile phone and visit http://gettag.mobi

Send a link to your mobile device
It's easy. Enter your phone number here - US numbers only

With the right products you CAN install tile right down to ...

The issue of cold weather arriving …and installing tile & stone.

Every year around this time we send out a COLD Weather Advisory.

Click here for a copy.

An interesting and RATHER important section of the Laticrete Technical Data Sheet about installing tile & stone in cold weather points out that:

“The use of Laticrete 4237 Latex Additive in thin-sets and LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix in thin-sets, grouts, plasters, stuccos and other portland cement mortars allows work to continue in cold weather without costly delays or damage. Frost, ice and thermal shock do not damage Laticrete Latex Fortified Mortars after placement. Installations can be made at temperatures as low as 35°F (2°C).”

So, the moral of the story ....?

You CAN install tile and stone in cold weather at far lower temperatures that most people believe.

Yes, I know that some "Standards" call for warmer temperatures than we advocate ... but "Standards" are written by committees who often COMPROMISE in order to meet the lowest performance product produced by committee members ...

Some of us can "do better ...!" Some of us produce products that are stronger, higher performance or more versatile. (Am I bragging here ..?, Am I being obnoxious ..?)

Am I advocating ignoring standards ...?

NO.

Just pointing out that with the right products some of us can do "more" than what the "Standards" call for.

What is the lowest temperature we can set tiles over a very thick slab floor ...?

Reminder ...

It is NOT just air temperature that is important ...

Remember that the SLAB or surface temperature is often the key issue.

Go purchase a $30 infrared hand held thermometer. take it to jobsites.

I buy these and give 'em to Laticrete reps & technical support people. And tile & stone contractor friends as Christmas gifts !

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=IR-THERMOMTR&cpc=SCH

In cold weather ... and in hot weather it is often very helpful to measure Slab / Surface temperatures before beginning work applying SLU, waterproof membranes, thinsets, grouts, etc ...!

A Tile Guy's Christmas Gift List

"All I want for Christmas is some HydroBan and a Laticrete wrap for my truck "

Some SERIOUS stuff about Green

Some rather interesting information from KIRBY DAVIS CSI, CCTS, CDT, LEED AP who is a Laticrete Senior Architectural Specialist:

"A new Green Building Product Coalition is forming between the Construction Specifiers Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency and GREENBLUE. By bringing together building product manufacturers, the coalition hopes to help optimize materials, products and supply chains to be better utilize raw materials, maximize renewable energy use, and reduce waste in the manufacturing process and packaging. The focus of the coalition will be to encourage the use of building systems that support an overall goal of sustainability versus the use of individual green products. This approach to identifying green will open the door for architects to identify systems with long life cycles versus products with a single environmental attribute.

I am coming across more and more of these types of directives focused on true environmental responsibility at the manufacturing level – everything from packaging sustainability to reducing the CO2 footprint through energy use and even a huge focus on environmental product declarations (EPD’s) as classed by ISO. A lot of these musings seem to be nebulous and without a lot of weight to support the findings. The GBP Coalition however, is composed of enough diversified groups to truly be able to offer a transparent platform for the building community to work together towards sustainable systems growth.

GREENBLUE
GreenBlue was founded in 2002 and was originally a nexus of projects at McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) http://www.mbdc.com/ , the private sustainable product and process design consultancy co-founded by American architect William McDonough and German chemist Michael Braungart in 1995. They are also responsible for the Cradle to Cradle program.
A little more about Greenblue - They are involved with a lot of big name corporations through their project called the Sustainable Package Coalition http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/current_members.asp"

Art in the Form of a Mosaic Fountain

Rockville Town Square
Rockville, MD

Yes, all installation materials were Laticrete - waterproofing membrane, thin-set, grout.

Maverick Mosaics
bonnie@maverickmosaics.com
Visit her Facebook page and post a comment!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vienna-VA/Maverick-Mosaics/170738660283

A Nice Testimonial Email This Morning

"Thank you for the sample of 310. It is a great product. It works great for setting shelves and soap dishs. I have also used it to repair just about everything around my house.

I am going to speak to the local distributer, Conestoga Tile, today. I am looking to try some Permacolor grout and your unmodified thinset on a Kerdi shower project I am starting this week. I will let you know what I think of the products. Again, thank you for your time.

P.S. Your customer service is great. Do you know how hard it was to get any service from Hydroment?

Ryan"