Introduction to Tile Industry Standards, Methods and Best Practices Presented by National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PDT
Location: Room N246
This National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) AIA accredited presentation will provide a comprehensive review of the essential standards and publications within the tile industry. Understanding industry standards, reviewing actual specifications, and examining finished projects. We will then examine current industry concerns for potential failures and how to prevent them. We will begin a review of ANSI tile standards used in specifications and concerns design professionals and owners should have when actual tile does not meet ANSI standards. We will discuss the TCNA Handbook and installation information that needs to be provided by the design professional. The session will conclude by showing how to use ANSI and the TCNA Handbook to achieve successful tile specifications and installations.
AIA: 1 LU|HSW
Learning Objectives:
Understanding that specifying ANSI does not mean that the project will meet ANSI standards. Handmade tiles and products meeting ISO standards only do not meet ANSI standards and may require additional work by the tile contractor to be installed per industry standards. We will discuss the differences and considerations needed when the specified tile does not meet ANSI standards.
The TCNA Handbook outlines field and installation requirements, and correct products to use in wet areas/exteriors to properly waterproof including environmental exposure classifications, specifier information, qualified labor language, and industry recommended installation methods. When systems are patched together without following an industry recognized method, there is a chance that the shower can leak, hold water, or lead to mold growth in the shower and surrounding areas.
Ensure third party testing of tile installation materials and system specified for the project. Don’t assume that all materials / tiles can be used interchangeably together with successful results. Job site failures, installed per specifications, will be used to demonstrate this issue and importance of testing before the project begins
Movement joints are essential to every tile installation. Industry standards state it’s the design authority’s responsibility to identify location, type of movement joint to be installed. Understanding industry guidelines for movement joints, why they are required and how to install them can lead to a successful tile installation. When these are not specified tile may buckle, disengage from adhesive, and potentially cause tripping hazards or fall off walls/ceilings and cause harm to building occupants.
