Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/175815
Talking Tile TILE MANUFACTURERS MAINTAIN THEIR STRONG POSITION IN THE WALL AND FLOOR COVERING INDUSTRY by Lauren Kramer A As tiles continue to grow larger and thinner, they remain a popular choice of looring and walls in both residential and commercial settings. Recent trends include the use of textured tiles, stone and glass combinations, and tiles that have the appearance of cement and wood. At Ames Tile and Stone in Burnaby, B.C., there has been increased demand for large-format tiles, particularly in sizes 18 by 36, 24 by 48 and 24 by 24 inches. "Our most popular sizes are the 12 by 24 and 18 by 18," says Priscilla Cheung, marketing project lead for the company. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Ames is trying to encourage its target audience of architects and designers to further their tiling education by participating in the Terrazzo Tile & Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) program. "It gives them more knowledge about tile basics and their application, so that when they come to purchase they're more aware and are better informed about what works for certain applications and what doesn't," she explains. Ames has become a market leader through the extensive application of product knowledge and technology, modernizing the way tile is sold. In 2011, the company introduced the industry's irst mobile app, Ames Mobile, allowing customers to streamline their daily project needs from mobile devices. "The combination of education and technology will be the leading factors in revolutionizing the industry," Cheung notes. At Daltile, tiles that emulate the look of wood constitute one of the year's biggest style trends. "Porcelain tile that realistically mimics the look of various types of hardwood allows for the beauty of wood with the durability and ease Tile p.28-33Tile.indd 29 of maintenance of porcelain tile," says Steve Butkovich, company spokesperson. "This provides unlimited application options, including high-traf ic areas and rooms exposed to high moisture levels, such as the kitchen and bathroom." Rectangular-sized tile in loor and wall applications, speci ically long, linear plank sizes, are also popular. On the walls, consumers are opting for dimensionality, using mosaics and wall tiles to create visual relief and bring depth to their design projects. In the commercial market, Daltile has seen the use of colour remain dominant, particularly in the hospitality and education segments. "Commercial clients are also mixing mediums in an effort to reduce material costs by integrating value products coupled with stone or glass in design," Butkovich says. Despite the challenging economy, sales at the company were stronger than anticipated, both internationally and domestically. "We believe this was because of two factors: remodelling in select commercial segments as well as multi-family housing was more active From Olympia Tile, Evolve series (above) and Uonuon series (below). OCTOBER 2012 /29 9/11/12 11:43 AM