Bolstered by the improving construction and housing markets, the U.S. economy and ceramic tile industry continued to expand in 2013.
In the residential market new home starts increased for the fourth straight year and were at their highest annual level since 2007. The 925,000 units started in 2013 represented an 18.5% increase from the previous year.1
U.S. Tile Consumption Overview U.S. ceramic tile consumption through 2Q 2014 was 1.21 billion sq. ft. (-1.1% vs. 2Q 2013 YTD). If the trend continues for the remainder of the year, this would be the first year-over-year decline in consumption since 2009. The following...
The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) is pleased to announce the growing number of product lines qualifying as porcelain in its certification program.
Launched in 2008 this program directly benefits manufacturers, distributors, and end-users, which are all impacted by the misrepresentation of non-porcelain tile as porcelain. Currently 23 companies have PTCA-certified tiles, and to date 970 different series have been tested with 245 failing and 725 qualifying for certification. Clearly there is a high-need for this service.
The EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) for ceramic tile made in North America debuted at Coverings 2014.
This EPD comprises a comprehensive analysis of over 95% of the ceramic tile produced in North America, based on data collected by PE International and submitted to UL Environment for certification. Both PE International and UL Environment are well-established leaders in the field of sustainability assessment and validation.
At Coverings 2014 nine beautiful benches tiled by TCNA members were on display in TCNA’s booth and the Art Tile Courtyard. These creative works of art were installed over Wedi corporation bench forms donated by TCNA and Wedi.
Six members of Tile Council of North America, Inc. (TCNA) donated beautifully tiled benches to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada (BGCSNV) at Coverings 2014 in Las Vegas, NV.