NTCA schedules October regional training and workshops

Flowood, Miss.—The National Tile Contractors Association will host eight regional training programs and 22 free evening workshops in October.

NTCA designed the events to help installers strengthen standards-based skills through hands-on training and instruction. Industry experts and NTCA trainers will lead the programs.

Regional training programs

NTCA’s daylong Regional Training programs give installers practical experience with tools, materials and installation techniques.

The training follows ANSI standards and methods outlined in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation.

October programs will focus on two topics:

• Interior Installation of Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs (GPTP/S)
• Substrate Preparation and Tile Industry Standards for Installation of Large-Format Tile (LFT)

NTCA limits each class to 20 participants to allow for individual instruction and hands-on practice. Registration requires a $50 fee, which NTCA returns after participants complete the class.

Free workshops offer additional training

NTCA will also host 22 free workshops in October. Each three-hour program combines classroom instruction, live demonstrations and small-group interaction.

The workshops also include catered networking time, prizes and giveaways.

Workshop topics include:

• Tile Matters: Best Practices for the Pros
• Failures, Could it be Me?
• Tile Technology: Membranes
• Tile Technology: Adhesives
• Foundations of Wet Areas

NTCA designed the training primarily for contractors and installers. However, the programs are open to the entire tile industry.

Workshops marked with an AIA designation include content that qualifies for continuing education credit. Those components also serve architects, designers and specifiers.

NTCA encourages attendees to use its online calendar to find nearby programs and registration information. Space is limited for regional training programs and workshops. 

To view the full schedule visit here.

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Retailers cite their go-to hardwood lines

Look-alike luxury planks, rigid core floors and laminate might be dominating the headlines today, but strong sales activity in the hardwood sector proves there’s still robust consumer demand for the genuine article. In this feature, retailers cite some of their top-selling hardwood lines this year.

AHF Products: Bruce Natural Choice

“The visuals, available in low gloss and high gloss levels, are great. It gives you the solid wood look despite its 5/16-inch thickness. Good value.”

Emmanuel Gaxiola
ADVANCED WOOD FLOORS, San Antonio

Anderson Tuftex: Artisan Oak

“It’s more of an upscale, rustic look that’s being installed in some of the higher-end homes here in the Midwest. It reflects that vibe that people are looking for right now.”

Chris Willging
THORNTON FLOORING, Rapid City, S.D.

Johnson Hardwood: Nordic Collection

I like the full breadth of the line. They offer premium red and white oak, 7.5 and 9.5 inches wide and longer, which is very popular in my area. It’s a good fit for any project, residential or commercial, regardless of budget.”

Mike Merabien
FLOOR DEPOT, San Jose, Calif.

Hallmark: Avenue Collection

“The Avenue collection does very well in my store. It’s really suited for high-end homes that have an open floor plan concept.”

Anthony Samperi
EXCEL FLOORING, Webster, N.Y.

Mirage: Bluum Collection

“Our customers love the new White Oak Smooth Bluum Collection, with Iris and Petunia emerging as standout colors. It’s what our customers are asking for today— warmer, softer, more natural tones that feel current while still having a timeless quality.”

Valerie Saccomanno
PRESTIGE FLOORING & INTERIORS INC., White Plains, N.Y.

Mercier: LivUp

“It’s the only hardwood we have in our showroom where you can pick your species, size and color.”

Stephanie Schuler
CARPET ONE, Grand Forks, N.D.

MSI: McCarran

“The stain on those European oak finishes is just amazing. We just worked with a contractor that finished a $1.5 million dollar home with the product. It’s taken off like a rocket.”

Dan Morin
LAVALLEYS BUILDING SUPPLY, Dover, N.H.

Provenza: Affinity

“Our customers love it for its stunning range of colors and textures, which bring a warm and inviting feel to any room. Additionally, its durability and easy maintenance have made it a consistent favorite.”

David Chambers
NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART, Omaha, Neb.

Tarkett Home:  L’Artisan

“It comes in a very unique, 3-inch-wide-plank herringbone combo, which allows us to do a lot, design-wise, with our custom builders. Not your run-of-the-mill herringbone design.”

David France
BREWERS CARPET ONE/FLOORING OPTIONS, Sarasota, Fla.

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Lions Floor partners with Material Bank to expand A&D access

Paramount, Calif.—Lions Floor has partnered with Material Bank to expand its presence within the architecture and design community.

The partnership gives design professionals easier access to Lions Floor products. Architects and designers can discover products, review information and request samples through Material Bank.

The move also supports Lions Floor’s investment in resources for the specification process. The company aims to make product sourcing easier for design professionals.

“Material Bank gives us an opportunity to introduce Lions Floor to an even broader community of architects and designers at the point where material decisions are being made,” said Randy McKellar, vice president of marketing at Lions Floor. “We have continued to expand our product portfolio with a strong emphasis on design, performance and value and this partnership makes it easier for design professionals to experience our products firsthand and consider Lions Floor for their upcoming projects.”

Expanding product access

Material Bank provides a centralized platform where design professionals can search and compare materials from hundreds of brands.

Users can organize product selections by project and request physical samples. The platform also connects Lions Floor with activity tied to potential projects.

That connection allows the company’s sales team to provide additional product information and specification support when needed.

Lions Floor offers hard-surface flooring for residential, commercial and professional applications. Its portfolio includes SPC, WPC, laminate, glue-down luxury vinyl plank and Loose Lay flooring.

The collections combine wood-inspired visuals with performance-focused construction and a broad selection of styles.

“Getting the right product into the hands of a designer quickly can make a significant difference during the specification process,” McKellar added. “Material Bank strengthens that connection while giving us another way to support the design community and ultimately our retail, commercial and distribution partners.”

The partnership also supports Lions Floor’s broader effort to build awareness within the A&D community. It gives professionals more tools to evaluate and specify the company’s products.

Material Bank serves architects, designers and other design professionals through its material search and sampling platform. It features products from hundreds of brands.

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Moisture issues persist despite ‘better’ products

From adhesives with built-in moisture protection to sheet membranes, liquid-applied systems and epoxy systems, more moisture control products are on the market today than in our industry’s history. Yet, moisture-related flooring failures persist, causing us to examine where the real risk lies.

Moisture issues rarely trace back to the control product itself. More often, they result from installer errors or shortcuts that go undetected until weeks or months after the job is finished and the warping, peeling and buckling begin. Successful moisture control includes testing the slab, matching the moisture-control system to conditions and correctly executing the installation. When any step is compromised, even the most sophisticated moisture-control product does not guarantee success.

Here’s a closer look at why:

Rushing or skipping slab testing. The abundance and effectiveness of moisture control products have given some contractors the false confidence that they can eliminate moisture testing without consequence. But before any product is applied, the slab must be tested to ASTM F710 and F2170 standards.

Choosing the wrong solution. Selecting an appropriate moisture-control system starts with understanding what the product is designed to do. Self-leveling underlayments (SLUs), for example, are valuable tools for correcting surface irregularities and creating a smooth, flat substrate. But they are not moisture-mitigation products. An inexperienced or undertrained installer may assume that because an SLU creates a continuous layer over the slab, it also provides moisture protection. It does not. In a typical installation, the SLU is applied after the moisture-mitigation system.

The same mistake can occur when contractors choose a moisture-control solution based on speed and cost. For instance, an adhesive with built-in moisture protection may appear to be a quick, inexpensive choice because it does not add steps to the installation process. However, moisture-resistant adhesives do not stop vapor transmission. They are formulated to tolerate higher moisture conditions without breaking down and losing their adhesive properties; they are not vapor barriers.

Faulty execution. Even when the right moisture-control system is selected, improper installation can undermine performance. For example, a liquid-applied system may be easily rolled, brushed or squeegeed onto the slab, but thickness is critical, and insufficient film is a common failure point. Epoxy systems, which provide a higher level of moisture protection, are even more demanding. A contractor can select the right product based on accurate moisture testing and still experience a failure if the installation crew does not understand the system’s preparation, application or coverage requirements.

Complexity is not a reason to compromise. More involved moisture solutions increase project costs, extend timelines and require broader skill sets, but that doesn’t make them the wrong choice. The objective is to select the system the slab requires and ensure the crew is properly trained to install it correctly. There are no shortcuts to successful moisture control.

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David Gross is executive director of INSTALL, the leading organization for floor covering installation training and certification in North America. Prior to this role, he was a full-time instructor for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Training Fund, where he achieved Level III Advanced Instructor Certification. Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA and is a BCSP Certified Safety Professional with more than 30 years of hands-on flooring installation experience.

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Gerflor adopts Unilin Technologies’ ClickControl system

Wielsbeke, Belgium—Gerflor signed a licensing agreement to use Unilin Technologies’ patented ClickControl technology. The company will integrate the system into its flooring production process.

Unilin Technologies designed ClickControl to automate quality control and improve profiling operations. The technology aims to increase accuracy, efficiency and safety during quality assurance.

ClickControl automatically measures the precision of milled click profiles on floorboards. The system then verifies those measurements to help manufacturers maintain consistent product quality.

“Quality is at the heart of Gerflor’s strategy and ClickControl is a great example of how advanced technologies can support that ambition,” said Olivier Ceysson, R&D innovation and strategy director at Gerflor. “By integrating this solution into our production process, we can further enhance our quality assurance capabilities and ensure even greater consistency across our flooring products.”

Automated quality control

ClickControl measures flooring profiles without damaging the floorboard. Traditional quality control methods can require manufacturers to cut samples for inspection.

The technology also provides operators with feedback on milling-line adjustments. That information can help manufacturers optimize profiling settings during production.

“We are delighted to welcome Gerflor as a ClickControl licensee,” said Floris Koopmans, president of Unilin Technologies. “Gerflor’s decision to adopt our technology demonstrates the value that intelligent quality control brings to modern flooring manufacturing. We look forward to supporting their teams in achieving even greater levels of precision, efficiency and consistency in production.”

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Mohawk helps renovate Children’s Development Academy

Roswell, Ga.—Mohawk partnered with Sunshine on a Ranney Day to renovate the Children’s Development Academy. The project created refreshed, functional spaces for the school’s growing community of children, teachers and families.

The Children’s Development Academy is a nonprofit preschool serving low-income working families in metro Atlanta. The school serves up to 200 children each year, ages 12 months through 5 years. Its mission focuses on affordable early education for underserved children and support for their families.

“Sunshine on a Ranney Day and the Children’s Development Academy share a commitment to creating environments where children and families can thrive and we are proud that Mohawk could play a part in bringing this project to life,” said Victor Abelairas, president of resilient at Mohawk. “It is exciting to see these organizations come together to make a meaningful difference in the community.”

Renovation expands classroom space

Sunshine on a Ranney Day worked with Crosby Design Group and Randall-Paulson Architects on the renovation. The team updated a portion of CDA’s original building, which dates to the 1970s.

The project included updates to the lobby, hallways, community rooms and bathrooms. The team also converted an existing conference room into a classroom for 1-year-olds. The additional classroom will help CDA meet growing demand and reduce its waitlist.

“We love our partnership with Mohawk,” said Holly Ranney, co-founder and president of SOARD. “Every time we share a project we are working on that will help the community, Mohawk jumps in—which is what it is all about.”

SolidTech supports high-traffic spaces

The project used Mohawk’s SolidTech flooring in the main community room and classroom. Mohawk selected the flooring for its durability and performance in active, high-traffic environments.

SolidTech features 100% waterproof construction and EasyClean stain protection. Mohawk designed the flooring to withstand everyday wear while maintaining its appearance and performance. Real Floors Commercial completed the installation.

“SolidTech was a great fit for the Children’s Development Academy because it offers the durability and easy maintenance needed for spaces that see so much activity every day,” Abelairas said. “We are proud to provide flooring that will have a lasting impact.”

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How RSAs can control the customer experience

The economy continues to present headwinds for flooring retailers. While many are experiencing challenges—less foot traffic, increased costs, uneven sales—there’s one important thing you, the RSA or store owner, can always control: the customer experience.

When customers walk into your showroom, the ultimate goal is to help them buy a floor they’ll love. But that goal should include making the experience easy and enjoyable, because it’s a real opportunity to differentiate your business from competitors. We all know what it’s like to have an exceptional customer experience: a restaurant, a car dealership or even a smooth experience with an online order. People notice and remember a great experience—just like they notice and remember when the experience is not so great. By differentiating your business with high-level service, you create the potential to win repeat business and generate positive word of mouth, on top of making the initial sale.

So, let’s establish what customer service means in your showroom:

1. The environment and product assortment

2. You!

A flooring purchase can be daunting for homeowners. It’s often a significant investment, and there are a lot of options. Your expertise about products, installation and trends will instill confidence.

Your people skills are just as important. The ability to ask the right questions, to listen and to communicate effectively are essential to learning what customers need, which is the best way to guide them to a floor they’ll love.

Bottom line: You have an opportunity to make a big impression with every single customer who walks through the door.

Conversation and inspiration

While most homeowners looking for a new luxury vinyl floor are thinking about style and color, your first order of business should be helping them understand the differences between the gluedown, loose lay and rigid core formats, then determining which is best for their project. That conversation is essential for ensuring a successful installation—i.e., a floor that looks and performs as expected.

There are a number of considerations to explore when determining the right format: Where is the floor being installed, and what are the site conditions? Are they interested in a custom lay pattern or design elements such as borders or inlays? Is it important to avoid expansion gaps and transition strips?

Helping her choose the right style, color

Once the installation format is determined, you can turn your attention to helping the customer select the right style and color. Some customers have a good idea what they want, but for those who don’t, be prepared to provide inspiration beyond what they’re seeing in the displays. Have visual resources like catalogs and magazines handy. Piece together a mood board with paint swatches and materials. Online visualizers are an excellent tool for helping customers envision what a floor will look like in fully furnished space.

No two customers are identical, but you can provide all of them with the same great experience by asking, listening and using your expertise to guide them to the perfect floor for their situation.

You have an opportunity to make a big impression with every single customer who walks through the door.

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Julie Thomas is the senior retail channel marketing manager for Karndean Designflooring, serving the company and its retailer partners with a unique combination of expertise in interior design, color theory, merchandising and residential flooring.

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