The A137.1 standard, reissued in 2008, was completely revised to better define the characteristics and performance of tile being manufactured today.

Here are just a few of the many improvements made to this standard:

• New and separate table for porcelain tile
• Tile sizing now divided into three categories (natural, calibrated, and rectified)
• Establishment of aesthetic classes
• New procedure for evaluating the mounting of mosaics
• Revised and better-defined sampling plan
• Significantly expanded definitions section allowing common industry terminology to be standardized
• New tables for determining acceptable deep abrasion values
• Listing of all performance criteria on a single page for each tile type (mosaic tile, quarry tile, pressed floor tile, glazed wall tile, porcelain tile)
• New dimensional caps allowing existing sizing specifications to be used for large format tile
• New tables categorizing chemical and stain resistance
• New country of origin requirement
• New procedure for evaluating shade variation
• 50 new CAD drawings of trim shapes
• New letter of compliance certificate

This standard provides quality and performance criteria for buyers, specifiers, installers, manufacturers, and the general public. It is intended for reference or inclusion in the ceramic tile section of project specifications and contracts.

For more information on ordering this publication, visit www.tileusa.com, or call Tile Council at 864-646-8453.