Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178290
Sika Canada has offered the Canadian market elastomeric wood loor adhesive and sound dampening systems for over 10 years, he adds. "From full-spread adhesives for both solid and engineered looring, to sound dampening systems that meet Canadian standards, the SikaBond® line saves the installer time and money with a simple installation process and ease of trowelability." Innovative Tile Designs Toronto-based Olympia Tile and Stone recently began importing stone slabs from around the world in up to 400 different colours. "They are mostly used for countertops, but we also have customers requesting them for looring, cut into larger size tile formats," says Romeo Occhiuto, sales manager for the stone slab division. As a less expensive alternative to cutting from slab, the company has introduced new colours in its tile division to match those carried in the stone slab selection. That means customers who want a tile that matches their countertops can have it, in popular contemporary or classic colours offered in engineered quartz, limestone, marbles, travertine, slate and granite. "This is all a big part of a growing business and we expect it to become bigger with more consumers appreciating natural stones," Occhiuto says. Tile manufacturers will be excited about DalTile's reveal Ink Jet technology, which allows in inite design variability. "With this new process, tile design and decoration is easier, less time-consuming and less costly, giving manufacturers the chance to increase their range of products and designs while remaining competitive," says Estelle Davis, general manager of business and product development for DalTile Canada Inc. Used for both commercial and residential market segments, the Ink Jet technology can create realistic duplication of natural stone products without the cost and maintenance requirements. "The visual is so accurate that it's dif icult to distinguish the difference between the real product and the tile," Davis says. "The technology is based on a digital design system, so the possibilities are endless and the system can be programmed to do whatever the manufacturer wants." That means photographs, artwork, designs, logos or virtually any other images can be turned into elaborately decorated wall or loor coverings. "It's made a huge impact on what manufacturers can create," says Davis. ■Hard Surface Flooring p.20-25Hard surface.indd 25 APRIL 2012 /25 3/26/12 2:19:01 PM