The 2011 TCNA Handbook has been released. BIG Changes.

Now a robust 296 pages - up from last year's 86 pages

The 2011 TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation has been released.
 
Note that the title of the handbook now includes “GLASS” and “STONE TILE”.
 
The contents of the new handbook (which is now a robust 296 pages) includes “PRODUCT SELECTION GUIDES”  (pages 7-26) for ceramic tile, glass tile, natural stone tile, setting materials, grouts, backer boards, membranes and additional products included in tile installations. These sections include a wide array of design considerations, limitations, cautions and other common inherent qualities of the materials contained therein. In many cases, information that was only available in the ANSI manual is now included in the handbook (e.g. adhesive mortar coverage rates, grout joint size and tile pattern requirements, etc…). This makes it easier to research issues as it minimizes cross-referencing to the ANSI manual.
 
The handbook also includes a section on “GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS” (pages 28 & 29) along with a rating systems guide.
 
An expanded and comprehensive “FIELD AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS” section (pages 30-37) deals with substrate, lippage, mortar coverage requirements and includes a section on wet area guidelines. You will also find the “FLOOR TILING INSTALLATION GUIDE” in this section (page 37). This is the section that outlines the TCNA service ratings for floor applications by installation method.
 
One of the most important additions to the new handbook is the inclusion of “ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS” (pages 38-41) which are designated as follows:
 
Res1 (Residential Dry)
Res2 (Residential Limited Water Exposure)
Res3 (Residential Wet)
Res4 (Residential High Humidity, Heavy Moisture Exposure)
Res5 (Residential High Temperature > / = 125 degrees F)
Res6 (Residential Exterior)
 
Com1 (Commercial Dry)
Com2 (Commercial Limited Water Exposure)
Com3 (Commercial Wet)
Com4 (Commercial High Humidity, Heavy Moisture Exposure)
Com5 (Commercial High Temperature > / = 125 degrees F)
Com6 (Commercial Exterior)
 
A description of the conditions is included with each designation. Each tile installation method will typically have more than one corresponding environmental classification. For example, method F103 (exterior plaza deck method) has both Res6 and Com6 as environmental classifications.
 
Waterproofing membrane is optional in most of the methods / classifications. However, specific applications such as shower pans, steam rooms and specific methods (e.g. F-122 and F-122A) require mandatory waterproofing.
 
This section includes a chart where one can glance at the installation method and determine which environmental classification applies for either tile or stone applications.
 
The last section before the methods for ceramic and glass tiles begin is a section on “USING THE TCNA HANDBOOK FOR SPECIFICATION WRITING”. This section helps the design professional ‘put it all together’ – by having them consider the application method, service rating, environmental classification, weight of the installation method, materials to be used, preparation by other trades, movement joint requirements, cross reference to applicable ANSI materials and installation standards, limitations, etc.

Here at Laticrete we have ordered a supply of the 2011 TCNA Handbooks as well as the 2011 ANSI Handbook.  Send me an email if you would like a set of these handbooks - hbrothberg@laticrete.com
 
Over the next few weeks I'll post info here on this Blog regarding some of the methods in the new TCNA handbook. Let me know if you have specific questions or concerns.