Download TSJ March 2012 - Tile and Stone Journal

March 2012
Volume 9 Number 3
Editor
Joe Simpson
tandsjournal@aol.com
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Tile & Stone Journal is published by © Kick-Start Publishing Ltd
ISSN 1744-4276
CONTENTS
DISTRIBUTORS: CRAVEN DUNNILL P44
NEWS
Marketing campaign by national Apprenticeship Service,
RAK sponsors pro-Am golf event, Stott is tiler of the Month,
norcros adjusts forecast, Ancora’s Russian win, and more 4
TTA NEWSLETTER
CE marking, web marketing, ttA Awards dinner and tilezine 18
DESIGN TRENDS
Abdulla Mahmood on the vital importance of raw materials 22
SITE REPORT
Edgbaston teamwork by Schluter and birmingham tile 26
DESIGN RESOURCE
Johnson tiles’ new three-part product library unveiled 28
SITE REPORT
plunkett tiling uses Weber at national Museum of Scotland 32
TILE DISTRIBUTORS
tSJ’s annual survey of the uK’s tiling powerhouses 36
DESIGN TRENDS
Laticrete bonds limestone to Kuwait’s tallest tower 46
MOSAICS & GLASS
Key suppliers and current design trends in the spotlight 50
PROFILE
trade price Stone grows powerfully through the recession 58
PORTFOLIO
What’s new in tiles, tools, natural stone and fixing materials 60
SubSCRiptionS
United Kingdom
£40.00 per annum
Europe
£70.00 per annum
MARCH 2012 TSJ
Rest of the World
£95.00 per annum
3

NEWS & COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT
4 TSJ MARCH 2012
“Undertaking research for this issue of TSJ I came
across many successful community arts projects,
specifically mosaics. This set me thinking about just
how effective such projects are at both helping to
define a community and - perhaps more importantly
- to modify the inhabitants’ attitudes to “their“
physical community.
As a general supporter of 'The Arts' I've come to the
belief that interacting with art can change people’s
attitudes and that “Art” carries far more value than
most people think. However, I think that modern
society has compartmentalised “Art” to such an extent that it now struggles to fill
the role to which it is ideally suited.
Art helps to build healthy communities by challenging preconceptions,
encouraging inter-personnel connections and facilitating interaction.
Community projects, such as public mosaics, draw members of the community
together on a recurring basis to experience art in action, either through
participation or as spectators. Project members get to know each other during
the project, thereby becoming a small, supportive, community. They then share
what they have experienced with friends and family, spreading the benefits.
The interaction comes from the community’s critical reaction to the final work.
Opinions will be voiced, discussions started and debates developed. Sharing a
non-partisan event, like the design and construction of a community mural, allows
non-threatening interactions to take place between what may otherwise be
mutually-antagonistic religious, racial, political or economic groups. The dialogue
generated around the community art project can help, in the future, should more
confrontational differences need to be diffused.
Mosaic is becoming a more and more popular way for communities to define and
project their image. Why not put out some feelers locally - through schools,
voluntary organisations or local councils - and see if there is a community art
project that you, as a member of the UK tiling fraternity, can help?”
Joe Simpson
Campaign to promote apprenticeships
The National Apprenticeship Service
has launched a new marketing campaign
to promote Apprenticeships to
employers, young people and parents.
The campaign stars current and former
apprentices from Bentley, insurance
brokers Blue Fin, BT, builders
Jelson Homes, housing association
Incommunities and SEC Recruitment
It aims to showcase the talents, skills
and commitment of real apprentices in
everyday workplaces. The campaign
will also inform and persuade more companies and individuals to reap the
benefits of Apprenticeships for themselves.
The creatives lead with the strapline ‘Apprenticeships deliver’ and direct
mail, public relations and advertising will focus on themes that define what
organisers have termed ‘a new era for Apprenticeships’: quality, growth,
pride and value.
Ministers have also announced that activity to boost skills in 2012 will
include the first national Skills Show: a UK-only version of WorldSkills
London, which saw 200,000 young people visit the biggest skills competition,
careers and jobs event ever staged in the country last October. Further
details of the Skills Show 2012, which will take place at the NEC in
Birmingham from 15th-17th November, will be announced soon.
Speaking at the launch event in Parliament, Minister for Skills, John
Hayes MP (above), said: "These young people are an inspiration to anyone
looking to break in to their chosen industry. They show how the gold standard
training in the apprenticeship programme can be a launch pad for
careers across all sectors.”
"This exciting new campaign will spread the word that apprenticeships
not only deliver the skills businesses need in order to grow, they also enable
people to build long, fulfilling and productive careers. We are committed
to making it easier for employers to take on trainees, in part by cutting
bureaucracy, raising quality standards and providing cash incentives to
small firms who want to take on apprentices."
Jaine Bolton, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:
“Encouraging more people to take up quality Apprenticeships is absolutely
vital in equipping young people with the skills they need for the future –
and the skills that Britain needs to grow. Quite simply, there has never
been a better time to offer or take an Apprenticeship and our campaign will
help ensure this is known across the country.”
Visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk for further details.

RAK to sponsor Sussex PGA Centenary Pro-Am
RAK Ceramics is sponsoring a special
fundraising centenary Pro-Am in conjunction
with the Sussex Professional Golfers
Union. The Pro-Am will take place on 25th
April, followed by the SPGU Pro only event
on 26th April: both to be held at Cowdray
Park Golf Club, in Midhurst. All funds
raised will be in aid of Macmillan Cancer
Support and the Snowdrop Trust.
Over 100 players will take part in this
prestigious Pro-Am event; teams will consist
of three amateurs with a Sussex PGA
professional. As title sponsor, the line-up
will include two teams from Petersfieldbased
RAK Ceramics. RAK will also host the
19th hole marquee situated next to the
clubhouse; special highlights will include
wine tasting hosted by Petworth-based
Upperton Vineyards, plus presentations of
RAK Ceramics myriad of bathroom and
kitchen products.
Rob Jull, RAK Ceramics Managing
Director commented: “It is a great pleasure
for RAK Ceramics to support an event of
this importance at the stunningly beautiful
Cowdray Park Golf Club. Our chosen charities
have strong links with Midhurst and I
am sure a great two days are in store for
everyone.”
For further information on the centenary
Pro-Am, contact Cowdray Park Golf Club
on 01730 813599 or email enquiries@cowdraygolf.co.uk.
For more information about RAK
Ceramics and the event, contact 01730
237850 or visit www.rakceramics.co.uk
Cover Story: Mapei’s Ultralite Rapid Flex S1 is quick to apply and set
This month’s front cover illustrates the extra coverage gained when using Mapei’s new high yield, flexible
(S1), low dust adhesive; Ultralite Rapid Flex S1. In their 75th anniversary year, Mapei demonstrate their
continued ability and flair to create innovative, first rate products.
The new adhesive, which covers approximately 60% more sq. metres per Kg than conventional Mapei
powder adhesives, offers great value with its extra coverage. It is also lightweight, which in combination
with its greater coverage reduces transport costs and the strain of manual lifting. Ultralite Rapid Flex S1
provides additional significant environmental credentials – containing >30% of recycled materials as well
as possessing Low Dust technology; ideal where dust levels must be kept to a minimum. It is also classified
to BS EN 12004 by Ceram as C2FT S1.
Ultralite Rapid Flex S1 also boasts significant installation advantages. Its innovative formula ensures it is
effortless to mix and apply and offers high grab and non-slip properties. It can be utilised with a bed depth
of up to 15 mm providing a powerful adhesive bond and excellent ‘wetting out’ capabilities. Ultralite Rapid
Flex S1 is also rapid setting, with tiled finishes ready to grout after only three hours.
Ultralite Rapid Flex S1 is ideal to fix ‘thin’ porcelain tiles in addition to standard ceramic, vitrified and
porcelain tiles, mosaics and natural stone tiles to a wide variety of substrate types including concrete,
sand:cement and calcium sulphate screeds and existing tiles. Ideal for application on dry or wet duty installations
including showers and swimming pools, it is also suitable in interior and exterior areas including balconies
and terraces. It is ideal in both domestic and commercial settings and can be used in conjunction with
under floor heating.
For more Mapei product information, or for your local stockist, please call 0121 508 6970. Technical data
sheets can be found online at www.mapei.co.uk.
NEWS & COMMENT
NEWS IN BRIEF
A redundant electricity substation is to be demolished
on land earmarked for a new retail park in Stoke that
could create more than 600 jobs. Johnson Tiles's parent
company, Norcros, has applied to knock down the
substation at the firm's former Highgate Works site in
Tunstall. The application to Stoke-on-Trent City
Council states: "The building is considered to be a hazard
with the potential to attract trespassers on to the
site." Supermarket chain Morrisons wants to build a
new store at the 13-acre site, off Brownhills Road. The
plans also include a petrol station, seven non-food
shops and two restaurants. Up to 350 jobs would be
created at the Morrisons store and petrol station
alone, with a further 180 during construction and
around 100 more at the other units. The site has been
vacant since Johnson Tiles moved its HQ to Harewood
Street in 1999.
Italian tile maker Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola said it
has officially renamed the company Cooperativa
Ceramica d’Imola, North America. The new name is
a result of the reorganization of the North American
division of Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola based in
Imola, Italy. The new structure is designed to allow
Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola to better serve and
respond to the growing North American
market. The company said it is strengthening its distributor
and designer support system with a dedicated
customer service team already located at the North
American headquarters in Miami.
Jet Edge, Inc., a leading
manufacturer of ultrahigh
pressure waterjet
and abrasivejet systems
for precision cutting,
coating removal and surface
preparation, is now
posting used waterjet
equipment for sale on its
website. Jet Edge’s used
water jet equipment inventory includes ultra-high
pressure water jet intensifier pumps, waterjet motion
systems, waterjet parts and accessories, and mobile
waterjet cleaning and cutting equipment. Jet Edge’s
waterjet intensifier pumps feature a reliable tie-rod
design. W: www.jetedge.com
Florida Tile recently announced that it has achieved
certification by Bureau Veritas for inclusion of 40%
pre-consumer recycled content across all porcelain
products made in its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, facility.
Florida Tile reports it has been committed to sustainable
manufacturing practices for decades and
now, as part of the CARES (Creating A Responsible
Environmental Strategy) program, those practices
have been third-party tested and verified. For more
information, visit www.floridatile.com.
MARCH 2012 TSJ
5

NEWS & COMMENT
Advanced digital printing technology used in volume tile manufacturing
also enables limited edition designs and images to be seamlessly repro-
duced onto a ceramic surface. One recent example of this is the ventilated
curtain wall system that was installed by Tau Ceramica at The Royal
Academy of Arts in Tyumen, Russia.
This striking rainscreen consists of 1,080 pieces, each one different, depict-
ing an allegorical scene of the foundation of the city. This digital printing
technology is surprisingly affordable, as artisanal skill and pictorial beauty
are united with the accuracy and speed of industrial production.
BASF showcases build-up concept at SDS
BASF’s UK Construction Chemicals division created an eye-catching optical illusion with its exhibition
stand at the Surface Design Show. The stand highlighted surface preparation systems
and floor finishes from the company’s PCI and Mastertop brands at the leading event for architects
and interior designers.
The stand theme stressed the importance of good preparation in achieving an excellent finish,
highlighting the fact that the company has the product range to assist at every stage.
“I felt we enjoyed tremendous exposure across all business lines and I was delighted with
both the quality of the sales leads and how busy the exhibition was,” stated Business Manager,
Michael Hailwood.
“The consistent attendance by visitors from both retail and commercial backgrounds was
excellent, and there was genuine interest in the BASF product offering, as well as new exposure
for us. Ours was the only stand of its kind exhibiting full system build ups and it illustrated our
breadth of range perfectly,” added Jane Seymour, Project Design Manager.
www.pci.basf.co.uk
CORRECTION: In TSJ, January, Page 45 the photograph, below left, was incorrectly captioned as
“Above: Some of the different components that make
up Schlüter-Kerdi-Shower.” In fact, the photograph
showed PCI Pecilastic U: a universal membrane for isolating,
crack bridging, impact sound reducing and
waterproofing all in one, especially developed for use
under floor coverings made from ceramic and mosaic
tiles, as well as natural stones. The membrane can be
used for almost any application in both indoor and
outdoor areas.
6
TSJ MARCH 2012
HMRC targets building trades to recoup unpaid tax
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that in 2012 it will
target tradespeople working in the home improvement market giving
them an opportunity to come forward and declare unpaid tax. The
campaign builds on previous initiatives aimed at plumbers and electricians,
and will include hundreds of thousands of tradespeople in construction
and building work such as tiling, roofing and joinery.
Mark Herson, Private Client Tax Director at James Cowper comments:
“HMRC’s similar campaign to secure payments from plumbers has so
far generated close to £4 million, so it is no surprise they are utilising
similar tactics with builders. HMRC are using increasingly sophisticated
software to identify those who are not paying sufficient tax and the
chances of going undetected are therefore diminishing.”
“Tradespeople who suspect their tax affairs are not completely up-todate
would be well-advised to take the disclosure opportunity,” continues
Herson. “This could be the underdeclaration of income, overclaim
of expenses or something unrelated to their business. We recommend
that those who believe they might owe tax seek advice from an
accountant or tax adviser before making a declaration. This way the
bill for tax, interest and penalties can be kept to a minimum.”
Weber reports significant sales growth in new
low dust tile fixing and floor levelling compounds
Saint-Gobain Weber has witnessed substantial
sales growth in tile fixing and floor levelling
compounds. Since the introduction of Low
Dust Technology (LDT) in 2009, an advanced
formulation applied to Weber.Set Rapid SPF
tile adhesive and more recently to Weber.Floor
Flex levelling compound, sales have increased
to an unprecedented level. LDT has been
added to the original products after rigorous
research, development and investment by
Saint-Gobain Weber. The addition of LDT dramatically
reduces airbourne dust created during pouring and mixing, while maintaining all of
the original benefits to the contractor.
“Month on month sales gains indicate that our distributor network has taken this new technology
on board and are really behind it,” says James Mead, Head of Product Management,
Saint-Gobain Weber. “Equally tile fixers and flooring contractors are experiencing first hand the
real benefits of these easy to apply, labour saving and technically superior products.”
Weber.Set Rapid SPF with LDT is a rapid setting, flexible cement-based floor and wall adhesive
suitable for interior and exterior use. Ready for light foot traffic and grouting after only two
hours, it is available in light grey and white, and packaged in 20kg paper sacks. It can be used
to fix all ceramic, porcelain and natural stone floor and wall tiles. It is also perfectly suited to
under-floor heating applications and on wooden floors that have been over-boarded.
The high performance Weber.Floor Flex is a cement-based, self-smoothing, fibre-modified,
rapid-setting floor levelling screed with the added benefit of LDT. It is ideally used for correcting
irregularities on difficult surfaces including wood, concrete slabs, ceramic tiles, floating floors
and with underfloor heating. Weber.Floor Flex with LDT is suitable for interior use only, can
build up to 50mm and offers excellent bond strengths even to difficult substrates. It is ready for
light foot traffic after just three hours.
“These products have always been popular, but in the new formulation, with Low Dust
Technology, tile applicators and flooring contractors really don’t want to use anything else,”
continues James Mead.
The company’s manufacturing site at Flitwick, Bedfordshire, is one of the few factories in
Europe with the capacity to manufacture low dust fibre modified products with total consistency
and quality assurance. Local manufacture also affords the shortest route to market.
08703 330070 www.netweber.co.uk

NEWS & COMMENT
St Gobain cautious despite 13.7% rise in profits
French building materials group St Gobain has expressed a cautious
outlook for 2012 after reporting a hike in 2011 profits achieved by
passing the rising cost of raw materials to customers.
"We are targeting moderate organic growth [for 2012], driven
mainly by the increase in sales prices needed to offset the rise in raw
material and energy costs, while operating income and profitability
should prove resilient," stated Chief Executive, Pierre-Andre de
Chalendar.
St Gobain, which produces a wide range of materials including
insulation, roofing, glass bottles and plastic film used in e-readers,
posted organic growth of 5% in 2011. The pace of acquisitions is also
expected to be slower this year than in 2011 as the company awaits
anti-trust green light for two recent deals.
Net profit in 2011 rose 13.7% to Euro1.28 billion, while sales
increased by 5% to Euro42.12 billion, bolstered by price increases to
customers that offset rising raw material prices and energy costs.
Excluding capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs
and provisions, net profit rose 30% to Euro1.736 billion. St Gobain is
paying a cash dividend of Euro1.24 for 2011.
Tyldesley tiler named Tiler of the Month
David Stott, of Tyldesley-based Elite
Tiling, has been named Tiler of the
Month by TilerWorld, the free web
site for tilers and their customers. He
was chosen for his tiling quality and
high standards of customer service,
shown by reviews posted on
TilerWorld.
Stott carries out all types of tiling
throughout the North-West: bathrooms,
kitchens, conservatories and
more. This includes tiling with natural
stone, Victorian flooring, mosaics and
underfloor heating.
His customers would endorse the
TilerWorld award, evidenced by their
comments on the site. Typical is
Mandy from Manchester who said:
“Fantastic job, very impressed with
the whole bathroom. He is also very
clean and tidy, polite and happy to
answer any question.”
David Stott is modest about the acclaim and praised TilerWorld: “It
is great to have a site that’s free for both tilers and customers and
there’s no better way for consumers to compare their local tilers. It
compares well with a site currently being advertised where tradespeople
pay to register, then pay for leads. For customers, an extra
TilerWorld bonus is that they can win back the cost of their tiling.”
A customer using a TilerWorld rated tiler can submit their own rating,
with the incentive of a free prize draw. Each month, one wins
the value of their tiling up to a £1,000 maximum. The ratings are a
key reason for TilerWorld‘s continuing growth. A consumer can list
up to 20 local professionals, compare other customers’ ratings and
request quotes for their own tiling from up to five tilers. As well as
comparing ratings, consumers can see photographs of their work.
www.tilerworld.com
8 TSJ MARCH 2012
MADELEINE HARRINGTON
“With Cevisama over and nobody
that I met feeling particularly
positive about the prospects for
2012, I thought it would be a
good time to look at the statistics
for 2011.
As usual all figures are based on
the UK government trade
statistics and are for the value in £
sterling rather than volume. The
commodity codes do not split out paving slabs so they are
included as well.
Overall imports into the UK continued to decline slightly by
0.8% although this is a much lower rate than in recent years.
Spain and Italy also saw a slowing down of the rate of
decline at 1.2% and 5.3% respectively.
The biggest loser was China with a drop of 47.9% due no
doubt to the EU anti-dumping measures kicking in.
Interestingly the figures for unglazed ceramic into which
porcelain falls actually show a 50% increase in imports
whereas the glazed ceramic imports fell by 68%. So it looks
as though people have switched their supplies of the
cheaper gres products to other countries whereas
porcelain still represents good value for money even with
the anti-dumping measures.
As far as exports were concerned, overall they were up by
14.5% a reversal from the year before when they declined
by 10.1%. This was due to increases to the EU and North
American markets which have traditionally been the
biggest buyers of UK tiles.
According to the Ceramic World Review the market in Great
Britain was 51 million sq. million in 2010, slightly up from 50
million in 2009, and 83.8% of that total was made up of
imports. Again according to the CWR the number of square
metres imported in 2010 was 43 million meaning that the
average price per square metre was £6.47.
If we take the same percentage of imports for value as for
volume it gives us a total market value for the UK of £330
million in 2011 at factory gate/landed prices, a massive
decline since the recession hit in 2007, but it seems that the
fall is bottoming out and perhaps the worst is now over.
Let’s hope so.
If you want a more detailed breakdown of the statistics
please visit my website www.mcmh.co.uk or contact me on
the email below.”
Madeleine Harrington is a director of McMullin Harrington
Limited, a marketing consultancy specialising in the tile
and stone industry. She can be contacted on
madeleine@mcmh.co.uk.

NEWS & COMMENT
Norcros expect full-year profits
will fall short of expectations
Norcros Plc, the adhesive, showers and ceramic tile group, has
announced that full-year adjusted profit will be slightly below its prior
expectations due to weakness in its major markets. The company reported
that revenue for the 18-week period that ended 5th February, fell 3.1%
on a reported basis, and rose 0.9% on a constant currency basis. This
leaves year to date Group revenues 5.6% higher on a constant currency
basis and 4.2% higher on a reported basis than last year.
“Market conditions in the UK and South Africa were particularly challenging
in December reflecting the earlier and longer than expected
Christmas shutdowns in our major markets. However, Group revenues in January showed some improvement
and we are confident that we have maintained our leading positions in our core markets. Revenues in our UK
businesses for the 18 week period were 3.0% lower than last year, with year to date revenues 4.7% higher than
last year,” stated the company.
Johnson Tiles, the UK manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tiles, saw revenues for the 18 week period
increase by 1.1% year-on-year. For the first time, the comparable period last year includes the full revenue
effect of the demise of Pilkington’s Tiles in June 2010. Year to date revenues are 10.3% higher. UK revenues
for the 18 week period were 1.0% higher with share gains in retail outweighing a marginal revenue decline in
trade business. Export revenues were 1.7% higher with supply constraints noted in our interim results beginning
to be overcome.
The Triton shower business saw revenues for the 18 week period decline by 7.8% versus the comparable period
last year. However, trade revenues in January rebounded strongly helped by a major product launch.
Revenues in the UK adhesives business for the 18 week period were 5.0% higher than the comparable period
last year, with year to date revenues 20.6% higher. Housebuilder and other national contract specification wins
noted in Norcros’ Interim report have helped drive further UK market share gains in the 18 week period.
Johnson Tiles South Africa, a tile manufacturing operation, saw third party revenues on a constant currency
basis 20.3% higher reflecting increased business in the DIY retail segment. Encouraging signs of progress have
also been made in manufacturing performance in January 2012 where the benefits of recent management
changes and investment in process improvements are beginning to show through.
Revenues at Norcros’ retail operation, Tile Africa, increased by 6.6% on constant currency basis. This was driven
by price increases and the continuing benefits of the store refurbishment and operational improvement
programmes.
TAL, Norcros’ South African adhesive business, saw third party revenues grow 19.0% on a constant currency
basis, and, as with Johnson Tiles South Africa, has secured additional business with a leading DIY retailer.
“Since the announcement of our interim results in November 2011 consumer confidence has become weaker
and market conditions more challenging. Trading profit for the year is anticipated to be marginally below
the Board's previous expectations although lower cash finance costs and a lower effective tax rate should offset
any shortfall. The Board remains confident that through the ongoing self help programmes and growth initiatives
Norcros will continue to gain market share and make solid progress,” the report concludes.
Norcros shares have lost about 30% of their value in the last eight months.
Ancora supplies Euro-Ceramics new porcelain tile plant
Ancora Group has won the contract to supply equipment for the Euro-Ceramics facility
in Pechory as part of a programme to start up production of polished full-body
porcelain tile. The company, one of Russia's leading ceramic tile producers, has commissioned
Ancora to supply a complete polishing line consisting of a roughing
machine, two polishing machines, a score-and-snap machine, two squaring and
chamfering units and a dryer.
The installed line is able to produce sizes up to 600 by 1,200mm and also create
submultiples, including listellos. The investment will enable the Russian ceramic
company to take the important step of converting to porcelain tile production in
response to growing demand from its domestic market.
"Russia has shown good tenacity, even during the most difficult times for the international
economy," says Ancora Group's Vice Chairman Fabio Corradini. "Our Group
has continued to achieve good results in the Russian and Eastern European markets,
as this order goes to show."
Ancora is the largest third party production centre in the world for polishing, lapping,
cutting and grinding of ceramic tiles.
10 TSJ MARCH 2012
JOSS THOMAS
“Over the last few
seasons, large format
tiles have been very
popular. As with most
trends, I was expecting
this to change at some
stage but, if anything,
demand is getting
greater.
As well as large square
tiles, rectangular
formats seem to be proving popular too - if not
more so. Even in small areas, like bathrooms, big
tiles are being chosen instead of standard 305 by
305mm tiles. Mainstay stones, like Opus Romano
patterns, are proving slow, compared to 900 by
600mm formats. Many customers are using them
on their own; others are using larger formats to
create random length effects with straight grout
lines, so that surfaces carry you through a space -
and the end result can look fabulous.
In design terms, larger formats certainly create a
more contemporary look and a feeling of space –
and they keep grout lines to a minimum. As so
many homes have more open plan areas, stone
tiles are now being used throughout larger,
continuous spaces, rather than different floor
coverings being chosen for different rooms. This
has to be good in terms of sales but it has thrown
up a whole host of new considerations for
suppliers, tilers and customers.
One of the main concerns is thickness. Whilst it’s
largely dependent on the density of the actual
stone, many manufacturers are offering 900 by
600mm formats that are just 12mm thick. If the
subfloor is perfect and where the stone is bedded
correctly, this may be fine, but personally I prefer
anything over a 600 by 400mm to be 15mm thick.
Suppliers also need to think carefully about
packaging and delivery, as tiles of this size are
more likely to move around in a pallet, which can
result in either the framework collapsing or the
tiles getting damaged.
From both a tiler’s and customer’s point of view,
floors intended to accommodate this size stone
need to be flat – especially if it’s a fully rectified tile
being laid. If a floor isn’t level, it’s certainly much
easier to take out the undulations using a smaller
size tile, than it is a super sized stone!”
For more information, call 01993 824200 or
email enquiries@indigenousltd.com.

NEWS & COMMENT
Fila launches The Professional Installers Club
Surface care specialist, Fila has created
a new, exclusive club for tile
installers. The Professional Installers
Club will help support businesses
and reward loyalty with a wide package
of rewards and benefits.
Membership will be open to
installers throughout the UK and
Ireland.
Branded ‘Maestro Trattatore’
(‘Professional Installers’) to reflect
Fila’s Italian roots, the Professional
Installers Club aims to support fitters, promote best practice and increase
product knowledge. An ongoing training programme will include practical
workshops and refresher courses, exploring treatment systems, surface
characteristics and trouble shooting. Members will also have access to
technical and practical support from Fila product experts. Meanwhile, loyalty
will be rewarded with the launch of a tandem incentive scheme, providing
points for purchases which can be exchanged for gifts from Fila’s
Rewards’ Catalogue. In addition, members will also be able to benefit from
exclusive facilities and discounts for legal, commercial and insurance services,
from Fila partner service companies.
For more information and to become a Professional Installers Club member,
please contact Lisa Breakspear at Fila UK on tel. 01584 877286, email
professionalinstallers@filachim.com or visit www.club.filachim.com.
Top hair salon gets the Ultra Tile treatment
The Stafford Francesco Group salon has reopened
following an extension project completed using
primer, leveller, adhesive and grout from the
renowned Ultra Floor and Ultra Tile brands.
Stylish salon brand, Francesco Group commissioned
Stafford Tiles and Flooring Solutions to
complete the 150 sq. metre extension. The existing
substrate required levelling before the tiling
could commence; Saber Systems were subcontracted
to carry out this work. Both companies are long-standing Instarmac customers and regularly
choose to use products from Ultra Floor and Tile. The sub-floor preparation carried out by Saber
Systems Ltd. included priming with Ultra Floor Prime IT AR and the application of Level IT one HDB.
Ultra Floor Prime IT AR is an acrylic polymer emulsion primer suited for use over porous substrates
such as concrete and sand/cement screeds. It will prepare the surface, enhancing adhesion and sealing
it. The bond strength of subsequent cement based levelling compounds and similar cementitious
underlayments to the surface will then be dramatically improved, enhancing durability. Ultra Floor
primers are easy to use and safe to apply, and boast fast drying times.
Ultra Floor Level IT one HDB is a self-levelling base compound designed to smooth undulations in
cementitious floor substrates. It has a working time of 20 to 30 minutes and will set within 2 to 3 hours.
It can be applied at thicknesses from 3 to 50mm and a 25kg bag covers an optimum 5 sq. metres at
3mm. The product is protein and ammonia free, shrinkage compensated and polymer modified.
Stafford Tiles and Flooring Solutions then fitted porcelain floor tiles using Ultra Tile ProRapid RS, a
rapid setting adhesive expertly formulated with exceptional bond strength and flexibility. The adhesive
can be applied at a bed thickness of between 3 to 12mm on walls or floors. It has an open time
of 40 minutes and is set after just two hours drying time.
Ultra Tile FlexJoint in limestone was used to grout the floor. It’s a product suitable for joint widths
from 1mm to 20mm. FlexJoint is specially formulated to provide a hygienic finish that is mould resistant
and water repellent.
Stafford Tiles and Flooring Solutions E: sales@stafstiling.co.uk
Ultra Tile W: www.ultratileadhesives.co.uk.
12 TSJ MARCH 2012
ALAN REYNOLDS
“I was taken to task recently by a
fellow fixer and TSJ reader who
wanted to know why I rarely deal
with tiling issues in my column. I
responded by pointing out that the
journal regularly features technical
articles written by experts covering
many aspects of the fixing process
whereas I know enough about what
I do to scratch a living. Besides,
writing about the mechanics of a
working day would drive me to
distraction.
One of the consequences of working on your own is the
amount of time you spend locked in your head thinking about
everything and nothing. Once you open that tub of adhesive
in the morning and the auto-pilot kicks in you’re off; time
ceases to have any meaning, talking to yourself is a given,
music from the radio fuses into background static and the only
interruption: command control with tea and biccies – if you’re
lucky. Is it any wonder we need a good forty minutes to come
down at the end of a day before we can hold a coherent
conversation with the missus?
Writing about the thoughts that pass through my mind whilst
I’m buttering the back of a large format tile is one of my few
remaining pleasures. It allows me to visit friends and places
long since past or vent my spleen on the economic
shenanigans that have driven big companies and sole traders
alike to the wall.
Maybe if I wasn’t such a thinker life would be a lot simpler.
Non-thinkers are unencumbered with reminiscences, flights of
fancy or regrets. They answer questions readily enough but
rarely ask them, keeping conversation and mental traffic to a
minimum resulting in peace and contentment.
I know quite a few people thus blessed and I envy their black
and white take on life. I admire their self-discipline and I’m
convinced that if I could emulate them I would get a lot more
work done.
But I digress. Someone asked about tiling issues. The only
thing of any consequence that comes to mind is the ‘Warmup
Loose Wire System’ I installed recently. In distant times of
plenty I gave electrical under-floor heating a wide birth as a
point of principal. Invariably the kit would have been supplied
by someone else who pocketed the mark-up leaving me with a
few measly hours day-work and all the responsibility if the
installation failed. More often than not the system would have
already been installed by an electrician who had forgotten to
prime the floor or properly tape down the element.
Nowadays I don’t have that luxury which is why it was such a
relief to come across the ‘Warmup System’. The clarity of the
fitting instructions was hugely impressive and the kit simple to
install. The spacing grid was particularly helpful considering
the floor had more angles than a government spin doctor. I
could go on but I don’t want to embarrass them. Suffice to say
that, whilst I didn’t earn anything extra for installing the
system, I did at least get the tiling job.”
Alan Reynolds is the proprietor of Wilmslow Ceramic Tiling.
01625 434093 alan.reynolds23@ntlworld.com.

NEWS & COMMENT
Ceramic roof image set to brand 30th Cersaie
A 3D image of two red tiles leaning against each other to form a roof symbolising the world
of architecture and interior design is the design concept that will be used for the 2012 edition
of Cersaie, the international exhibition of ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings which is
scheduled for 25th to 29th September 2012. The image for the 30th edition of the show was
created by Grazia Piccininno, a student attending the degree course in Event Design,
Management and Communication at the University of Genoa’s architecture faculty.
A simple but powerful idea that underscores ceramic tile’s increasingly important ability to
adapt to the most varied demands of the market, the poster design originates from the competition
Beautiful Ideas. Based on the concept of Ceramic Evolution, it explores ceramic tile
in terms of an increasingly rapid evolutionary process that nonetheless revisits the compositional
languages of the past.
Cersaie 2011 covered 176,000 sq. metres, hosted 965 exhibitors (including 265 foreign companies
from 31 different countries) and attracted 113,165 visitors, 0.8% up on 2010. These
figures confirm Cersaie as the leading international exhibition for ceramic tiles and bathroom
furnishings. Visit www.cersaie.it for more information.
Movement joints benefit new medical facility
A new medical facility which is set to make the North East of England a world leader in organ transplants has been built
using market leading tiling protection products from Schlüter-Systems. The new Institute of Transplantation at
Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital is a £30 million premises which will substantially increase the number of life-saving
transplants in the region. Whilst patients, family, friends and employees walking through the centre’s main reception
and atrium area can expect the highest quality of organ transplants, what they won’t know is they will be walking on
the highest quality of tiling protection products after movement joints from the Schlüter-Dilex range were installed by
P Plunkett Tiling Contractors, based in Northumberland.
Geoff Williams, Managing Director at P Plunkett, comments: “This project saw us install movement joints from
Schlüter-Systems over four months at this new medical facility and we’re very pleased to be involved in the construction
of such an important building for the north-east. What we particularly like about Schlüter-Systems is that their
products are so readily available. Such is their vast range that you can easily source any size of product you require and
have bespoke packages tailored to your individual project requirements.”
Ian Knifton, Divisional Manager at Schlüter-Systems, comments: “The Institute of Transplantation is a state-of-theart
medical premises that will provide hundreds of organ transplants for patients each year, as well as attracting the
leading medical professionals from all over the world. Not only will the multi-million pound project see the use of cutting
edge medical technology but it already features cutting edge tiling technology after the installation of movement
joints from our Schlüter-Dilex range. These offer secure protection for surfaces subjected to high mechanical stresses
caused by continuous use, making it particularly ideal for busy locations such as this atrium and reception.”
Movement joints from the Schlüter-Dilex range offer secure edge protection and maintenance free solutions for surfaces
exposed to continuous pedestrian and vehicular traffic. All profiles are installed at the same time as the tile covering
and a wide variety in various material combinations are available, depending on the mechanical or chemical
stresses expected on the covering.
The new Institute of Transplantation at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle will incorporate cardiothoracic transplant surgery,
general transplant surgery and renal transplant surgery all under one roof and will also include four large operating
theatres, a 300-bed ward, an outpatient unit and a training lecture theatre.
P Plunkett Tiling Contractors 01661 836 960 www.plunketttiling.co.uk.
Schlüter-Systems 01530 813396 www.schluter.co.uk.
14 TSJ MARCH 2012
LISA BREAKSPEAR
“Quarry tiles are a popular
surface option both indoors
and outside. Made from clay
or shale, they’re available in a
range of earthy tones, from
beige to dark red. To protect
the whole surface and
promote easy maintenance, a
series of simple steps should
be taken: and always follow
the product manufacturer’s
recommendations carefully.
A pre-seal isn’t necessary on unglazed quarry tiles but pregrouting
protectors provide added benefits. Waterrepellent
protectors, like Fila’s PRW200, are designed to
give protection between laying and grouting, and they
make the removal of grout residues much easier. They also
speed-up drying time after the initial wash - and other
subsequent treatment stages too.
Acid cleaning products should be used for the initial clean.
Always look out for a ‘buffered’ acid formulation, like Fila
Deterdek, as these products don’t give off harmful fumes
and won’t damage aluminium or steel trims and profiles.
Detergents like Deterdek also remove grout residues whilst
cleaning the surface. Remember to give products a few
minutes to act, before using a green pad or sponge to
remove residue, and then rinse with clean water.
The importance of this initial wash should never be
underestimated. It removes residues of adhesive, grout
and accumulated dirt. If it isn’t performed correctly, the
application of subsequent protective treatments will be
severely compromised.
In terms of sealing an unglazed quarry tiled floor, quality
water-based products provide lots of benefits. They’re
odourless, require a shorter drying time and have less of an
environmental impact. Natural impregnators, like Fila W68,
provide resistance to stains without compromising the
natural look of the tile. Outdoors, I’d strongly recommend
application of a water-repellent formulation; Fila options
include water-based HP98, or Fila ES82 which can be
applied prior to application of solvent-based Filafob for
additional stain protection. Indoors, wax finishes can also
be applied, to give a natural, satin, shiny or high-shine
effect.
In terms of ongoing maintenance, pH-neutral cleaning
products should always be used. They will lengthen the life
of the impregnators and finishes and will ensure that the
quarry remains protected, in terms of practicality, longevity
and aesthetics. Normal household cleaners will breakdown
the surface protection provided and cause surface
staining. ”
Lisa Breakspear is Sales & Technical Director of Fila UK.
For more information on Fila’s range of surface care
products, please contact Fila UK on 01584 877286 or visit
www.filachim.com.

NEWS & COMMENT
NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS
Builder’s merchant chain Jewson has offered to sell off 22 branches to ease competition concerns
raised by its recent acquisition of rival merchants Build Center. Jewson, part of French
multi-national Saint-Gobain, has 510 general builder's merchants in the UK operating under
the Jewson and Gibbs & Dand' brands, against Build Center's 149 branches, trading primarily
under the Build Center brand. The OFT concluded that the merger would not give rise to competition
concerns nationally because sufficient competitors would remain in the market.
However, it did consider that the deal raised substantial competition concerns in 22 local areas
in England, Wales and Scotland. This was because there were few remaining general builder’s
merchants in these local areas and the OFT was concerned that builders and other tradesmen
might see an increase in prices for building materials as a result. In order to address these concerns,
Jewson has offered undertakings to divest at least one branch in each of the 22 affected
local areas to restore pre-merger competition levels.
RAK Ceramics has expanded its sales team with Ian Cunningham and Alvin
Biggs joining the Petersfield-based firm from within the bathroom sector,
bringing a wealth of industry experience to their new sales roles. Business Sales
Manager, Ian Cunningham (top left) joins with 20 years’ experience gained at
national merchants, independents, distribution and manufacturing companies.
In his new role, Cunningham will work within the national merchant and key
account sector. He will promote RAK’s extensive portfolio, with an emphasis on
tiles, shower enclosures, mirrors and sanitaryware.
Alvin Biggs (left) joins RAK from Sloegrin and Dietsche UK, bringing 8 years’
experience gained in senior sales management and marketing positions. In his
new role as Sales Development Manager – Merchant Sales, Biggs will establish
a nationwide distribution and retail network for showers, mirrors and cabinets,
as well as unbranded RAK sanitaryware, for Rob Jull Agencies.
Rob Jull, Managing Director commented: “Last year was a fabulous one for the
RAK brand, with sales increasing by 30%. With the introduction of a myriad
of new products, and the expansion of our dedicated sales team, we’re looking
to exceed our customers’ expectations even further; in terms of both quality and design, as well as close
sales support to our industry partners; the backbone of our business.”
The Tile Association has announce that it has been awarded funding of up to £75,000 by
Construction Skills to further qualify the workforce within the industry. The ‘Qualifying the
Workforce Funding’ is available from Construction Skills to Trade Associations and Unions that
represent a directly employed workforce of over 5,000 people, or with an ability to influence a
larger non-employed workforce. The funding is there to support TTA members in the tile fixing
and retail sectors seeking a level 2 or higher NVQ in Wall & Floor Tiling or the new Tile Retail
Diploma at a rate of £450 per employee.TTA is also offering £2,000 in funding to Tile Fixing
members who successfully employ an apprentice who completes their apprenticeship and
achieve an NVQ level 2. The £2,000 is paid over a two year period and is in addition to the funding
the employer can receive from Construction Skills. www.tiles.org.uk
Art on Tiles, the bespoke hand painted tile company, is planning a weekend tile
painting course for 28th and 29th July at the Art on Tiles studio near Arundel in
West Sussex.
Starting with blank, unglazed ceramic tiles, attendees will learn all the techniques
needed to create single-décor tiles in the Delft tradition whilst taking in
a brief history of this fascinating and enduringly fashionable craft.
Skills taught include, glazing, pricking out and transferring designs and the
fairly exacting demands of painting onto raw glaze using the traditional natural
pigments. A huge range of designs is available to choose from, many in the most recognisable blue created
by cobalt on white tin-glaze, and some in a wider range of soft, natural colours which are also traditional.
Places are strictly limited and are available for £160 per person, including all materials, tools and
refreshments. To find out more and to book readers should go to http://www.artontiles.co.uk/handmade-tiles-courses.
16 TSJ MARCH 2012
SEAN MCPHEAT
“If you had the chance to listen in to
the sales people who make the least
sales, and learn from them what not
to do, would you take it? You bet your
Granddad's last Werther's Original
you would!
I've been gathering information that
sums up what the worst sales people
out there actually do, and it makes
sad, depressing, hands-in-the-air,
can't-believe-it reading.
Here are the first three of the seven of the biggest mistakes sales
people make in trying to win business.
1. Fuzzy Preparation. It's amazing how many salespeople simply
wing it and don't have the ability to state exactly what they are
aiming for in the call. Imagine that the client says to you "In one
minute, tell me what benefits you can uniquely bring to my
business and how much better it will be if we partner up."
Could you do it? Yes, of course you could. Because you're wellprepared
and your thinking is clear. You resist the temptation to
simply fly by the seat of your pants, because you know what would
happen if you did. You remember the saying ... "An amateur
practices until he gets it right; a professional practices until he
never gets it wrong."
2. The second big mistake is having a poor structure to the call. If
you want the client to remember you, have some pearls of wisdom
to discuss with your client at strategic points in the conversation.
Get some ideas to illustrate your points. Paint those pictures with
words so the client knows exactly what you want them to
remember afterwards. If you have a poor structure, they will get
lost easily and have no inclination to take their interest further.
3. Mistake three is having nothing memorable to say. Have you
ever watched a film and the next day couldn't even remember the
title? I have. Many times. I always say I won't make the same
mistake again, and I'll read reviews before going. But I'm always
driven by the trailer, grabbed by the highlights. Then I realise that
the trailer had all the best bits and I have to sit through two other
hours of drivel.
Many salespeople make the mistake of just delivering drivel, with
no highlights, nothing that stands out and makes the customer
think: "Wow, this is great, I have to know more about this!" Have
something memorable in your delivery that stands out. Otherwise
the client will have to work it out for themselves. And that might
not be possible. When asked "Who was that salesperson you saw
yesterday, Frank?", you don't want them to say, "You know what, I
don't remember!"
Next issue I’ll cover major mistakes from Four though to Seven.
In the meantime, happy selling!”
Sean McPheat is Managing Director of MTD Training. For further information please
contact: 0800 849 6732 www.mtdsalestraining.com

TTA NEWSLETTER
Book your place for the TTA Awards
The Minoli Team being presented with the Award for Excellence in Distribution in 2011. The Tile Association website www.tiles.org.uk
Judging is now underway on the entries for
The Tile Association Awards 2012. The shortlist
will be announced in the next few weeks.
There has been a record number of entries
across the 22 categories which celebrates the
people, businesses, products and projects in
the tile industry.
In the meantime places at the Awards
Dinner are selling fast. As always the event
promises to be an exhilarating night of excitement.
Whether you are an award winner or
not, you’ll experience the glitz and glamour of
Las Vegas!
Tickets to the 2012 TTA Awards Dinner are
available at £125 each or just £995 for a table
of ten.
Hotel rooms are available locally at specially
negotiated rates for guests attending the TTA
Awards Dinner.
Full details can be found in the Awards 2012
section of the TTA website www.tiles.org.uk.
Book now to avoid disappointment.
18 TSJ MARCH 2012
Web exposure continues
to benefit TTA members
In a difficult economic climate membership of
The Tile Association continues to provide support,
benefits and work referrals for its members.
At the end of 2011 website statistics for
www.tiles.org.uk highlighted the success of
the ‘Directory’ and ‘Find a Member’ sections of
the TTA website, with both continuing to benefit
both consumers and TTA members.
In 2011 hits to The Tile Association website
peaked at a staggering 831,905 per month,
with over 304,374 visits to member’s pages.
Average usage of the ‘Find a member’ section
of the website increased year-on-year by an
incredible 541%.
In a recent TTA survey Steve Hughes of TTA
member Toms Tile and Stone commented:
“The prime benefit I get from the TTA is work
referrals. In this day and age many are suspicious
of traders they do not know and TTA
listing gives a high degree of confidence that
they will get a quality job done. More and
more people are using the internet and the
TTA website for this purpose.”
It is evident that consumers continue to
benefit from the exceptional service provided
by TTA members, and view The Tile
Association website as the first point of call
when embarking on any tiling project.
In the 2011 survey, Nick Hackett of TTA
member Arrow Tiling said: “The main benefit
for Arrow Tiling being a member of TTA is the
assurance customers have when they know
you are an award winning member of a reputable
governing body they can trust.”
For over a decade The Tile Association has
represented the whole of the UK wall and
floor tile industry under one organisation. It
has more than doubled in size since originally
formed and continues in Its mission is to promote
professionalism and technical standards
in the tiling industry, as well as provide
technical support to both members and their
customers.
CE Marking of wall and floor tiles
to become mandatory under
Construction Products Regulation
In July 2013 CE Marking of all construction
products, including wall and floor tiles, will
become mandatory under the requirements
of the Construction Products Regulation.
CE Marking will have an effect on all sectors
of the tile industry and it is important to
understand the obligations of this new regulation
so that you can plan ahead.
To ensure its members understand the
changes to product certification and the
importance of slip testing, The Tile
Association will be hosting a seminar in conjunction
with SATRA Technology Centre on

TTA NEWSLETTER
the 30th May 2012 at SATRA Technology
Centre, Kettering.
The seminar, entitled ‘Construction Products
Regulation – Important changes to product
certification and an introduction to slip testing’
will be invaluable in achieving greater
understanding and awareness of the changes
the industry will be facing.
Slip, in particular, is an important characteristic
of flooring products and although
included within the essential requirements of
the CPR a broader understanding of the different
methods available and how results are
classified will allow those attending to market
products more successfully.
There will be an opportunity for attendees
to see demonstrations of both the pendulum
and the ramp after the seminar close at 15.00.
The cost to attend the Seminar is £80 plus
VAT per person to include refreshments.
Contact info@tiles.org.uk to receive a booking
form to reserve your place at this important
event, which is exclusively open to Tile
Association Members only.
Tilezine reaches landmark
1,000th subscriber
Tilezine, the e-news source published by TTA,
has reached the milestone of 1,000 subscribers.
Since its launch less than two years ago,
readership has grown from zero to 1005 readers
with another 1500 visiting Tilezine's website
every month to catch up on the latest
industry news.
Tilezine was launched with the aim of being
a free electronic newspaper for the tile industry
and we are delighted that so many see
Tilezine as THE place to find out latest news.
TTA exhibits at Ecobuild
The Tile Association will be at Ecobuild, the
world’s biggest event for sustainable design,
construction and the built, which runs at
London’s ExCeL exhibition Centre from 20 –
22 March 2012.
We look forward to welcoming you to our
stand S752
20 TSJ MARCH 2012
Many benefits of TTA membership
The Tile Association offers a number of membership
benefits to all members. This is a listing
of all the benefits on offer and how to make use
of them.
Credit information: Regular credit information
meetings are held in the north Midlands
and Surrey; details of which are issued to all
Manufacturer, Agent, FSO and Distributor members.
Credit checks can be carried out for members
FOC on request. The checking is carried out
using an online facility and information will be
supplied by email only. If you prefer to undertake
your own online credit checks RiskDisk
offer discounted credit checking facilities for
members. Contact them on 01623 869 882.
Currency exchange: Competitive rates on
currency exchange when purchasing product
from outside the UK. Contact Currency Matters
Ltd on 0800 458 6736 and provide your membership
number.
Debit and credit card rates: Under an
arrangement with Barclays Merchant Services
the following rates are offered to TTA members
on debit/credit card machines: Terminal Rental
£15 + VAT per month; 1.2% for personal cards,
1.8% for company cards, and 20p per item.
Existing Barclay’s customers should contact
their local BMS helpline. Other members should
contact Barclays Merchant Services on 0800
616161 quoting their TTA membership number.
Directory and website listings: TTA member’s
names and contact information are listed
in the TTA Directory and on the website, together
with tile ranges and services offered.
Member’s details are issued daily to potential
customers. Jan 2012
Employment: TTA members can take advantage
of free advice on employment law, industrial
relations, wage awards for specialist contractors,
by telephoning Croner Consulting on
0844 249 9873. Please say that you are a TTA
member when calling. You may be asked for a
password: contact the TTA office.
General information: The TTA can offer help
and assistance with most matters relating to
running your business. Contact the TTA for help.
Generic promotion: The Tile Association is
actively promoting the use of wall and floor tile
to all tile customers. PR cover includes national
press, trade and consumer magazines, radio and
TV programmes.
Health and safety: For advice, please call the
health and safety helpline on 0844 249 9874.
Please say you are a TTA member when calling
and provide the required monthly password,
available from the TTA office.
Insurance: Under an arrangement with The
Clear Group, members can take advantage of
discounts in the region of 10-15% on the following
insurances:
• Public Liability for the self employed Latent
Defects Insurance Performance Bonds Property
Public, Products & Employers Liability •
Engineering Insurance for fork lift trucks, etc.
• Commercial Vehicle/Fleet insurance Marine
Cargo Insurance
• Commercial Legal Expenses
For further information contact Peter Crouch
or Katie Magri on 02076182920. Please say you
are a TTA member when calling. Non VAT-registered
fixers are eligible for £1m public liability
cover. (This excludes members in N. Ireland).
Proposal forms are available from the TTA office.
Legal advice: Under an arrangement with
NSCC TTA members can have access to free legal
advice on any matters relating to their businesses.
An initial telephone consultation will be free
of charge, further advice or help may be chargeable.
For further information contact Wedlake
Bell on 08442499871. Ask for the NSCC helpline
and provide the necessary monthly password,
available from the TTA office.
Retention recovery: Under an arrangement
with Stellar Recovery, TTA specialist contractors
have discounted rates on recovering Retentions
owed to them. For further information contact
Darren Brook at Stellar Retention Recovery Ltd.
Tel: 0844 335 8352 or email: darren@stellarretentionrecovery.co.uk
Sector meeting: Meetings for all TTA sectors
are held around the country on an ad hoc basis.
Details are issued as appropriate.
Technical matters: Members can contact the
Tile Association for technical advice.
Independent Technical Inspections can also be
offered at discounted rates by contacting the
TTA office.
Tile & Stone Journal and Contract Flooring
Journal
Copies of Tile & Stone Journal and Contract
Flooring Journal are issued free of charged to all
TTA Members. TTA administers the scheme
direct with the publishers on member’s behalf.
TTA publications: TTA members receive free
copies of the Annual TTA Directory and technical
publications that apply to their sector.
PoS: Point of Sale material is also available.
Please contact TTA for a publications order form.
The Tile Association
T: 020 8663 0946
F: 020 8663 0949
E: info@tiles.org.uk
W: www.tiles.org.uk

DESIGN TRENDS
Above: RAK Ceramics
manufactured and supplied
tiles and slabs for staircases,
bathroom vanity units and
staircases for Radisson
Edwardian Hotels’ 4 star Mercer
Street Hotel refurbishment in
London’s Covent Garden.
Paradox porcelain floor tiles,
with their highly contemporary
semi�polished metallic finish,
where chosen by the designer
to add ambience and give a
luxury look to floors
throughout the hotel.
22 TSJ MARCH 2012
Careful raw material selection
is the key to product performance
In the third in a series of exclusive articles for TSJ, Abdulla Mahmood, Head of
Marketing & Communications at the world’s largest tile manufacturer, RAK
Ceramics, looks at the impact of the raw materials used in the manufacturing
process on the technical performance and aesthetic appeal of tiles.
Today’s discerning tile buyers demand products
of the highest quality. They also demand variety
and product ranges that keep pace with consumer
trends. In order to fulfill these demands, the
ability to source quality raw materials is key to
ensuring that the product performs to the level of
excellence required – and that it fulfils aesthetic
demands too.
One raw material that has a major influence on the
quality of a tile is the pigment. Pigments are used to
create aesthetic decorative effects in ceramic tile surface
glazes. In unglazed porcelain tiles, often known
as ‘through body’ tiles, colour pigments are used
throughout the body of the tile.
Insoluble and inorganic, pigments are black, white
or coloured they are mixed with a base glaze to create
the desired colouration. Premium quality materials
exhibit a number of important characteristics, including
thermal and chemical stability, which ensure that
a tile is durable and that tones are consistent.
As well as achieving different aesthetics, different
pigments are used for different application environments.
They’re also selected according to their PH
value, which defines their density, refractive index,
hardness, colour and firing efficiency.
Selecting the best quality pigment available is a
very challenging process, so quality-driven manufacturers
must be committed to making significant

DESIGN TRENDS
Top right Radisson Edwardian
Hotels, RAK Ceramics’ floor
tiles were used in Radisson
Edwardian Hotels Mercer Street
Hotel refurbishment in
London’s Covent Garden.
Above: Modern tile production
is dependent on exacting raw
material standards.
24 TSJ MARCH 2012
investments in this area. If poor quality pigments are
used, major variations in tone can occur. Colours may
also fade, especially in direct sunlight. The quality of
the other raw materials will also have a great bearing
on the end product. For example, clays, feldspar,
quartz, sand and carbonates.
Obtaining raw materials from suppliers who maintain
their own mines and processing plants is the
ideal scenario, as quality standards can be carefully
controlled. Having access to locally-sourced materials,
such as clay and limestone, can also create significant
cost savings that can be passed on to the customer.
At RAK, we source our raw materials from Europe,
the Far East, Asia and the UAE. Each supplier has to
pass stringent quality standards to ensure that we’re
able to maintain our global track record in terms of
quality and performance.
All incoming raw materials must adhere to agreed
and approved specifications. Before bulk orders are
placed with any supplier, we follow a meticulous procedure
that includes thoroughly studying the supplier’s
profile and product specifications. The supplier is
also required to submit a small sample for preliminary
laboratory trials. If the material passes the rigorous
lab tests, a larger quantity is requested for semiindustrial
testing. If strict benchmarks are fulfilled, a
full container is then ordered for final bulk commercial
trials. It is only after this stage of negotiation that
bulk orders are placed, in accordance with ISO
9001:2008 and in-house quality control and assurance
standards.
As well as taking great care to ensure that all raw
materials are premium quality, customer education is
also vital. Highlighting the importance of sourcing
quality ingredients enables consumers to make the
right purchasing decision. This, in turn, has a
favourable impact on our industry as a whole -
increasing expectations and reinforcing the importance
of quality throughout the supply chain.
Established in 1991, RAK Ceramics is the world's largest
manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles. Its product
portfolio also includes ceramic sinks, sanitary ware, brassware
and acrylic baths, with products currently exported
to more than 150 countries.
For more information, contact Kevin Jackson, UK National Tile Sales
Manager, on 07891 475364 or email kevin.j@rakceramics.co.uk. Or
RAK Ceramics UK: 01730 237850 www.rakceramics.co.uk

SITE REPORT
Edgbaston cricket ground, where products from Schlüter-Systems have been installed.
Schlüter-Schiene and Schlüter-Reno finishing threshold profiles, and Schlüter-Dilex movement joints,
were all recently installed in the entrance area at Egbaston cricket ground.
The entrance area at Edgbaston cricket ground, where products from Schlüter-Systems were installed.
26 TSJ MARCH 2012
Good all round
performance
at Edgbaston
Products from the Schlüter-Schiene and Schlüter-Reno range of finishing
threshold profiles along with movement joints from the Schlüter-Dilex
series were recently installed around the stadium entrance, toilets and
players changing rooms at Edgbaston cricket ground, offering the perfect
protection and ensuring England players and fans should be able to enjoy
this summer’s matches against the West Indies, Australia and South Africa
without worrying that the tiling beneath their feet will disappoint.
Carl Stokes, Divisional Manager, says: “Thousands of cricket fans will be
able to watch the England team at Edgbaston this summer but what they
won’t know is that our products have ensured the perfect delivery when it
comes to tile protection. Using our extensive range of movement joints, edging
and transition profiles and decorative tile trims provides customers with
a whole host of different options when it comes to creating the perfect,
long-lasting tile installation and ensures there will be no sudden collapses.”
“Much like the greatest all-rounders in cricket can perform well in all
aspects of the game,”continues Stokes, “the Schlüter-Systems portfolio is
effective in a whole range of different installations, allowing our customers
to edge ahead, rather than edge behind with their tiling project. No matter
the size of the job, distributors and retailers can be on the front foot and
offer tried and tested solutions to their customers.”
“Products from Schlüter-Systems are amongst the most regular we use in
projects and we find them particularly straightforward to install and very
effective, “ says Rob Meechan, from Birmingham Tile & Mosaic, which
installed these products.
Schlüter-Schiene is the original finishing threshold profile and offers the
perfect protection. It finishes tiled surfaces and protects the outer edges of
ceramic and natural stone floor coverings from mechanical impact. The
threshold strips of the Schlüter-Reno series create a smooth transition
before adjoining floor coverings at different heights, protecting the
exposed tile edge. All profiles are available in a range of heights and finishes
such as brass, aluminium, anodised aluminium, stainless steel and
brushed stainless steel and contribute to the aesthetic and lasting appearance
of the floor covering.
Movement joints from the Schlüter-Dilex range offer secure edge protection
and maintenance free solutions for surfaces exposed to continuous
pedestrian and vehicular traffic. All profiles are installed at the same time
as the tile covering and a wide variety in various material combinations are
available, depending on the mechanical or chemical stresses expected on
the covering.
Schlüter-Systems also supplies a range of tile trim profiles that are
designed to provide a decorative finish and protect exposed tile edges for
wall corners, skirting and tiled edges. The products in the Schlüter-Jolly,
Schlüter-Rondec, and Schlüter-Quadec and Schlüter-ECK ranges create not
just a decorative finish, but also a highly durable finish. With numerous
material, heights, colour and finish options available, the sky really is the
limit when it comes to creativity with these profiles.
Birmingham Tile & Mosaic Co 0121 707 4505 www.btandm.co.uk
Schlüter-Systems 01530 813396 www.schluter.co.uk

DESIGN RESOURCE
Johnson Tiles marks new product launch
with three-part interactive display concept
Stoke-based tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles has created a visually-engaging showcase of its past,
present and future with the launch of three new interactive spaces at its Tunstall head offices.
Above: The new tile library at Johnson Tiles.
Above: The Minton Two room focuses on trends.
28 TSJ MARCH 2012
Stoke-on-Trent ceramics manufacturer Johnson
Tiles may be over 100 years old but it’s set to
showcase its past, present and future with the
launch of three new interactive spaces at its
Tunstall head offices, including one which will act
as a hub to celebrate British design and creativity
in the North West.
The new spaces – to mark the launch of the company’s
new Vivid & Tones tile range for the high street -
are designed to take visitors on a journey demonstrating
just how far the company has come, reflecting
its modern, forward-thinking approach and commitment
to innovation in the tile industry.
The ‘Minton One’ meeting area – complete with
state-of-the-art multimedia facilities and a centrepiece
table topped with the company’s new Slim
Porcelain tiles - tells the story of the history of
Johnso n Tiles since its launch in 1901, under the
ethos of ‘honouring the past by looking to the
future’.
The ‘Minton Two’ room focuses on trend and it’s
where Johnson Tiles is inviting designers in the
region to display their products to demonstrate
innovation, not just in the ceramics and tile industry
but across any material.
The area already features sofas by bespoke design
company James UK, which use fabrics sourced from
another British design firm Camira, and Johnson
Tiles is hoping the space will attract other small
design companies.
‘Minton Two’ is also where Johnson Tiles’ Design
and Development team will give its retail and contract
clients an idea of what’s coming in the industry,
including latest products and new trends to inspire
their projects.
The third space is 'The Tile Library' displaying many
of Johnson Tiles’ most popular ranges, including its
new Vivid & Tones tile range, and has been created
to make tile selection easy with workbenches and
numbered board displays to match up Johnson Tiles’
extensive range.
As visitors travel around the spaces, they’ll also
view some of Johnson Tiles’ recently completed projects
and a heritage tile display, showing the historic
work and modern techniques n ow applied by the
company.

DESIGN RESOURCE
Above: James UK’s furnishings have been used in one of Johnson Tiles’ new spaces.
Above: Some of the many samples in the tile library.
Above: The Minton Two space.
30 TSJ MARCH 2012
Above: Colourful samples abound in the new tile library.
Darren Clanford, Creative Director at Johnson Tiles,
spearheaded the project. He says: “The ceramics and
tile industry is hugely exciting in terms of design and
innovation, and we wanted to reflect this at our
headquarters by really showing people what we can
do, what we have done and where we’re going in
future years.
“We’ve been around a long time but we’re not an
old-fashioned company. Many of the desi gns and
solutions we offer are so contemporary and modern,
you wouldn’t think they would be possible to
achieve.”
“The new interactive spaces are truly inspiring.
We’re especially excited about Minton Two which
will not only show off our own design capabilities
but those by other local companies, helping to
spread the message that the North West is at the
forefront of innovation in design.”
Stephen Dixon, Managing Director of Johnson
Tiles, adds: “We’re really shouting about what we
can do through these new spaces, it’s an exciting
time for us as a company as we launch our new
range. The spaces give us the flexibility to adapt and
change what we’re showcasing as the industry
moves into the future.”
James Harrison, from James UK, says: “It’s a privilege
for our furnishings to be used in one of Johnson
Tiles ’ new spaces. Displaying our products in such a
creative setting really shows them off, it’s great for
us as a small design company that our sofas will be
seen and actively used by the many retail and contract
clients which Johnson Tiles has.”
www.johnson-tiles.com

SITE REPORT
Above: The light and lofty
Grand Gallery, relieved of the
burden of housing commercial
facilities, has been returned to
its original exhibiting function.
Photography: Paul-Riddle.com
32 TSJ MARCH 2012
Low dust restoration programme
at National Museum of Scotland
Plunkett Tiling was contracted to undertake 3,000 sq. metres of work to the
entrance hall, Grand Gallery, and the show-piece staircases leading off the
Gallery, fitting natural Jura Beige limestone tiles using Weber adhesives.
Saint-Gobain Weber’s innovative Low Dust and
Mould Stop Technologies have been used by P.
Plunkett Tiling Contractors Limited of
Northumberland in the restoration programme of the
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. This project
has now achieved the Andrew Doolan award for
The Best Building in Scotland 2011.
The £47 million, three year project by Gareth Hoskins
Architects of Glasgow, has seen a complete reconfiguration
of the internal space. The museum is now
accessed at street level by a new vaulted entry hall
rather than the original flight of stone steps leading
from Chambers Street.
The floor of the new hall, which accommodates the
shop, café and rest rooms, provides a wonderful new
space which mirrors the floor plan of the Grand Gallery
above. The vaults are compressed and dark while the
Grand Gallery is light and lofty and now, relieved of the
burden of housing commercial facilities, is returned to
its original exhibiting function.

SITE REPORT
Plunkett Tiling specified 40
tonnes of Saint-Gobain
weber.set rapid SPF with Low
Dust Technology to
dramatically reduce airborne
dust created during the project.
Plunkett also used weber.joint
fine flex, a water-repellent,
mould resistant, flexible tile
grout in this application.
34 TSJ MARCH 2012
In transforming the vaulted entrance hall, previously a
mess of storage areas, the entire sandstone floor was
reduced by over a metre, requiring extensive underpinning
of the walls that take the load of the Grand Gallery.
Plunkett Tiling, one of the largest tiling contractors in
the UK, was contracted to undertake 3,000 sq. metres of
work to the entrance hall, Grand Gallery, and the showpiece
staircases leading off the Gallery, using natural
Jura Beige limestone tiles. This stone is one of the hardest
limestones quarried today, offering ultimate durability
at roughly 20mm thick, and can be used in any
premium commercial project. It is unique in that the
Jura mountains of Germany are in one of the few
regions with a very high concentration of fossils and
ammonites which can be seen in the cross section of
the tile.
Steven Allsopp, Contracts Director of Plunkett Tiling,
is delighted with the contribution his team has made in
the restoration of Robert Matheson and Francis
Fowke’s 1866 Victorian creation. “We had six of our
most experienced and skilled fixers on this project
working full time for nine months. We have laid 2,500
sq. metres of 20mm thick limestone slabs to the
Galleries, fixed to a sand and cement screed, and 90mm
thick limestone stair treads which were drilled and fixed
to steel. There are radial features on six half landings
which took very precise application,” says Allsopp.
Plunkett Tiling specified the use of 40 tonnes of Saint-
Gobain Weber.Set Rapid SPF with Low Dust Technology
(LDT). LDT dramatically reduces airborne dust created
during the pouring and preparation of products and
contributes to a more comfortable and cleaner environ-
ment for tile contractors and their customers. Plunkett
also used Weber.Joint Fine Flex, a water-repellent,
mould resistant, flexible tile grout for interior and exterior
use, in this application. It is ideal in situations where
some movement or vibration is expected. It is also
enhanced with Saint-Gobain Weber’s Mould Stop
Technology for lasting protection from mould growth.
Both products are manufactured in the UK at Saint-
Gobain Weber’s three manufacturing locations in
Ballyclare, Northern Ireland; Flitwick, Bedfordshire and
Telford, Shropshire.
“Having capacity to manufacture locally is good on all
counts,” says Rachel Appleyard, Product Manager at
Saint-Gobain Weber. “We can maintain product quality
and consistency while ensuring the shortest route to
market, which is good for our environmental impact
and competitive pricing policies.”
The alteration of the museum’s interior space is part
of the plan to encourage discovery starting from the
top of the building. Only 5% of visitors ever explored
the top floor which is now accessed by new stairs, glass
lifts and escalators which invite visitors to follow them
upwards.
In addressing the overall brief and to increase public
space by 50%, some 80% of the exhibits will now be
displayed for the first time in the grand National
Museum of Scotland.
P Plunkett Tiling Contractors
01661 836 960 www.plunketttiling.co.uk
Saint-Gobain Weber
0870 333 0070 www.netweber.co.uk

TILE DISTRIBUTORS
Aberdeen Tile Distributors
01224 582332
ABS International
01704 550090
AG Ceramics
01438 315400
Albert & Michael Heath
0800 980 8453
Amazing Tiles
020 8838 4900
Apex Grange Ltd
14 Little Mundells, Mundells Industrial Centre
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1EW
T: 01707 338800 F: 01707 338811
E: sales@apexgrange.com W: www.apexgrange.com
Apex Grange are an established company who supply the tile and natural
stone industry with all aspects of adhesives and tooling. They have
become synonymous within the industry for supplying the professional
contractor with all of their requisites except for the tiles themselves.
Apex Grange make daily deliveries to sites within the M25 with their
own fleet of vehicles, ranging from 15 tonne lorries to Transit vans. The
rest of the UK is catered for by a national courier service.
Apex Grange are main UK distributors for: Ardex; Mapei; Schluter;
Wedi; HardieBacker; Sait, and many more.
Armatile
02837 527007
Atlas Ceramics (South)
01425 621173
Azurra Mosaics
0845 090 8110
BC Ceramics
01634 373939
Bellahouse Ltd
Registered Office, Upper Lanes Farm
Bridle Stile Lane, off Carter Lane, Queensbury, Bradford
West Yorkshire BD13 1NW
Tel: +44 (0)1274 816708 Fax +44 (0)1274 816927
enquiries@bellahouse.co.uk www.bellahouse.co.uk
36
TSJ MARCH 2012
Procurement by the pallet
TSJ surveys an extensive selection of specialist tiling distributors
serving retailers in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Bellahouse Ltd was established in February 2006. A family run company
whose directors between them have over 35 years’ experience in the
ceramic tile industry. Quality, price and service are the three essential
elements in our business. In order to sell the best high end products at
such low prices, a considerable amount of time and cost has been spent
visiting and negotiating with many and varied suppliers from around
the world. We believe our products offer exceptional value for money.
Engineered quartz, granite, travertine, porcelain, marble and glass represent
the best and most fashionable materials for walls and floors.
Bellegrove Ceramics
Bellegrove House, Salisbury Road
Watling Street, Dartford, Kent DA2 6EF
Tel: 01322 277877
Lawmoor Street, Glasgow G5 0TY
Tel: 0141 429 0011
sales@bellegroveceramics.plc.uk
www.bellegroveceramics.co.uk
Bellegrove has been a national distributor of ceramic tiles and associated
products for over 50 years. During this time the company has supplied
products to most sectors of the ceramic tile market including
retailers and distributors, architects and developers, designers and
house builders, contractors and specifiers. As part of the Italian manufacturing
group, Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti, Bellegrove offers the
widest range of quality porcelain and ceramic tiles direct from its own
factories: exceptional tiles combining the essential elements of quality
and design with dynamic styling at affordable prices.
Bernard J Arnull
020 8965 6094
Boyden & Co
020 8683 6000
Bristol Tile Co Ltd
Tel: 0117 965 8000
Camglass
Little Hallingbury Park, Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire CM22 7RR
Tel: 01279 739256
info@camglass.co.uk www.camglass.co.uk
Established in 1991, Camglass imports glass, tiles and sanitaryware.
Our warehouse stocks an extensive range of natural stone, ceramic and
porcelain, including also holding a substantial supply of glass. Due to
the convenience of its location it enables the opportunity for immediate
despatch. At Camglass we are passionate about working to the highest
of standards, we meticulously select only the best from reputable suppliers.
With the support from our exclusive suppliers we can offer sole
distribution rights to a variety of products.
Capitol Tile Supplies
02476 633336
Ceramexcel
01698 744044
Ceramic Tile Warehouse (Camberley)
01276 678845
Ceramique Internationale
0113 231 0218
Colchester Tile Supplies
01206 844161
Cosmo Ceramics
0141 420 1122
Craven Dunnill
01746 761611
CTD Group
0191 276 1506
Dantotsu Ltd
01924 401189
Discount Tile Supplies
01474 351560
Distribution Supplies Ltd
30 - 36 Ivatt Way, Westwood Industrial Estate
Peterborough PE3 7PN
Tel: 01733 33033 www.distribution-supplies.co.uk
Distribution Supplies Ltd. is a specialist importer of quality ceramic wall
and floor tiles from key manufacturers located throughout the world.
Our speciality is China & we buy in huge quantity therefore achieving a

TILE DISTRIBUTORS
very low cost price, which enables us to offer a trade selling price that
would be similar to buying from most factories direct! Our customers
are able to buy from us at ex-factory prices on a single pallet basis delivered
to their premises without concerns about importation costs.
We stock massive quantities at our Peterborough and Cambridge
warehouses and can offer excellent continuity of supply with pallets
delivered ‘next day’ if required. We have over 1,000,000 square feet of
storage space and carry over 3,000 pallets of tiles.
Our product portfolio of first quality ceramic wall tiles covers virtually
the entire spectrum from mosaic's through to 325 by 650mm with listellos
and decors. We also stock a large range of ‘stand alone’ listellos
and dados. Our floor tile range is equally impressive covering sizes from
150 by 150mm through to 600 by 600mm with ceramics, porcelains,
terracottas, travertines and slates.
Distribution Supplies Ltd are able to supply a single pallet to a full
trailer at just 24 hours notice with the benefit of an ex-factory price
delivered to the customer from our warehouse. We currently have suppliers
in Brazil,Spain,Turkey,Italy,China,India,Indonesia and France
We have over 20 years’ experience in the bulk supply market with a
particular expertise in direct container consignments.
Domus Tiles
020 8481 9500
Doramics
00 353 1 8429744
38
TSJ MARCH 2012
DTW Ceramics
02392 799007
A & C Dunkley
01202 526206
East Midlands Ceramics Ltd
Southglade Business Park, Hucknall Road
Nottingham NG5 9RA
Tel: 0115 977 0155
emc@emctiles.co.uk
www.emctiles.co.uk
East Midlands Ceramics, now in its 32nd year of business, has established
an unrivalled reputation for servicing the needs of its trade, contract
and commercial partners. Operating from central flagship premises
in Nottingham, the company is ideally placed to service and distribute
within the Nottingham, Leicester and Derby regions.
EMC Tiles has a dedicated Trade Service Centre to keep its tile fixers and
commercial customers up to date - and organizes regular training sessions
to keep professionals in touch with new products and standards.
EMC Tiles’ comprehensive portfolio of products meets the demands of
all domestic and commercial sectors. The company works closely with
architects and designers to source the right products for all applications
and offers a wealth of experience and expertise associated with tile
development and related materials.
Selected suppliers: AET, Arkim, Ascot, BASF, BCT, Blustyle Ceramica,
Bright Ideas, Cinca, Co-Em, Co-Operative d'lmola, DeVi, Dolce Vita, Dom
Ceramiche, Duro UK, Edimax, Faro, Fioranese, Gardenia Orchidea,
Geocell, HG, Ibero, Impex, Johnson Tiles, La Faenza, Mapei, Marengo,
Novogres, Original Style, Pavigres, PCI, Pilkington's Tiles, Rubi, Schluter,
Self, Sichenia, Thermonet, Tomecanic, Versace, Waxman, Weber.
Euro Services Ltd (ESL)
Head Office, Unit 2c, Twickenham Trading Estate
Rugby Road, Twickenham TW1 1DG
Tel: 020 8744 1122
Fax: 020 8744 0099
eslceramic@euroroserviceslimited.co.uk
www.eurotilesandstone.com

ESL has been in business for over 30 years, and is the original bulk pallet
distributor throughout the U.K. and Ireland. Our product portfolio is
continually being updated to keep abreast of new trends and styles our
products cover the complete spectrum, from basic whites to high quality
Polished Porcelain, Natural Stone and Mosaics. The company is
proud of its core strategy of sourcing value-added product at highly
competitive prices from exclusive factory relationships.
ESL has over 60,000 sq. ft of warehousing based in Essex and can deliver
next day to any mainland address. We have three showrooms based in
Twickenham,Stevenage and Braintree where you can view our extensive
portfolio.There are over 100 fully tiled display settings across the
three sites. ESL employs eight of the most experienced sales managers
in the country. Our own brands are Colour Tiles and Sunshine.
Euxton Tile Supplies
01257 273111
Factory Tiles
01825 768733
Focus Ceramics
01932 854881
HTW -
Hampshire Tile Warehouse
01252 333333
H & E Smith Ltd
01782 281617
International Tiles
01626 366600
KDP Tiles
02380 270775
The London Tile and Mosaic Co.
Saffron Wharf, 18, Shad Thames. London SE1
T: 0207 871 0003 F: 0207 118 0139.
E:- info@londontileandmosaic.com
W: - www.londontileandmosaic.com
The London Tile and Mosaic Co. is the showpiece for Mansell and
Wells ltd and prides itself in having the most innovative range of
tiles at the most competitive prices in the UK. Three floors of
porcelain, ceramics and mosaics. The UK’s largest importer of
glass tiles and mosaics. Specialising in Mosaic. Murals and special
order commissions. The company carries over 2000 tons in stock
TILE DISTRIBUTORS
With additional branches in Hertfordshire and Australia, the company
has become truly global and uses its purchasing power to
bring some amazing products at realistic prices to the marketplace.
M2 Direct Ltd
0113 273 2104
Mansell & Wells
01442 252560 Fax: 01442 254393
Marabase
01234 364002 (See Quality Tiles)
Middlesex Tile Centre
Newport Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 8JX
T: 020 8848 7391 F: 020 8569 1050 / 020 8561 5435
W: www.wilsonwylie.co.uk E: mtc@wilsonwylie.co.uk
MTC is the retail arm of Wilson & Wylie Contracts Limited, a well established
name in the tile industry with a history spanning over 85 years.
MTC really is a ‘one stop shop’ for the tile industry. We are stockists of
MARCH 2012 TSJ
39

TILE DISTRIBUTORS
BAL, Mapei and PCI adhesives, grouts and ancillary products, Schlüter
accessories and Rubi tiling tools. We also have direct accounts with all
of the UK’s manufacturers and European tile agents, ensuring that no
product is out of our reach!
We are situated in Hayes, close to the M4, M25 and M40 motorways,
making us easily accessible to customers from London and all the surrounding
areas. We also have our own transport, meaning that direct
delivery within the M25 can be offered to the customer.
Miles of Tiles
01926 312777
Minoli
01865 77 82 25
N&C Nicobond
0208 586 4600
National Tile
00 353 42 933 7678
Nationwide Ceramics
01773 745797
Novatile
01384 270786
Olympus Tiles
020 7511 6210
Pacesetter 1981
01624 622045
Parkside Tiles
01162 762532
Prospec Tiles
0115 939 5903
Pure Adhesion
01423 815416
QPC Ceramics
0118 959 4066
Quality Tiles
01234 217300.
Reed Harris
0207 736 7511
Rogers Ceramics
01293 612057
Rovic Tiles
01732 763167
Rustica
01235 834192
40 TSJ MARCH 2012
Shackerley (Holdings) Group
01257 273114
Sidcup Tile King
020 8309 0482
Siramics
01706 351122
Solus Ceramics
0121 753 0777
Square Foot Ceramics
020 8397 6284
Stokes Tiles
0114 2512670
Strata Tiles
0870 608 8878
Studio Ceramics
01636 673527
Surface Tiles
020 8481 9588
Swedecor
01482 329691
Taylor Tiles
01792 797712
The Ceramic & Stone Company
01564 773202
The Natural Tile & Stone Company
01579 362264
Tile Merchants
Unit 39 Pony Road, Horspath Industrial Estate
Cowley, Oxford OX4 2RD
T: 01865 600098 F: 01865 711710
We pride ourselves with having one of the most comprehensive
selections of the latest cutting edge designer ranges of porcelain
and ceramic tiles, in addition to a range of well over 100 different
specialist mosaic sheets in glass/stone and metallic combinations.
We have comprehensive mosaic brochure which we would be
pleased to send you upon application, and we have a unique
counter display unit that displays every single mosaic model
which we would be happy to supply FOC to selected outlets. We
have a comprehensive national salesforce and we would be happy
to visit and client to introduce our ranges and to discuss pallet
offers and better than ex factory prices in many instances. We are
also happy to discuss regional exclusivity on a product by product
bases and we can offer a full portfolio of white wall tiles in nearly
all finishes and all size combinations. To arrange a visit or simply
to make a product enquiry just contact us!
Tile North East
01670 716767
Tile Store
08452 606025
Tiles UK
0161 872 5155
Tilestyle
+ 353 1 855 5200
Trade Price Stone Ltd.
Hilton Business Park, The Mease
Hilton, Derbyshire DE65 5FJ
T: 01283 734990 F: 01283 734744
W: www.tradepricestoneltd.co.uk
E: sales@tradepricestoneltd.co.uk
Trade Price Stone are the UK’s leading importers of Brazilian Slate
and Portuguese Limestone. Stocking up to 30,000 sq. metres at
any one time and averaging six containers of stock per week, we
are well placed to deliver, ex-stock, a full range of products in a
range of size and colour options including mosaics.
Situated in the heart of England we are perfectly placed to
deliver outstanding products, at amazing prices, often on a Next
Day basis. We also offer a range of free services to support our
trade only customers including:
• The best trade prices
• Monthly offers by Newsletter
• Free samples of all products (100 by 100mm)
• Full product and after sales support
• Samples direct to you or your client with your logo on all documentation,
so it looks like you sent it
• Full catalogue of valuable Point of Sale products without our
branding.
• The same with deliveries; all branded with your logo and contact
details
• Timed delivery roll out, reducing the risk of theft from site for
larger projects.
• Free sample pallet with full sized sample of every product.
• Samples beautifully packaged. All we charge is the P&P.
Trademark Tiles Ltd
01487 825300

TILE DISTRIBUTORS
Travertine Direct
0845 604 45 34
Tyne Tees Ceramics Ltd
Office & Warehouse Address: Unit F20,
The Avenues, 11th Avenue North,
Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead NE11 0NJ
Tel:-0191 491 0555
Fax: 0191 482 6298
sales@tyneteesceramics.co.uk
http://www.tyneteesceramics.t83.net/
New Showroom Address: Unit 14, Perth Court
11th Avenue North, Heam Valley Trading Estate
Gateshead NE11 0JY
Tel: 0191 491 0555
Fax: 0191 482 6298
With over 28 years in business; family run firm Tyne Tees Ceramics pride
themselves on an unrivalled product portfolio and a friendly professional
service.
They are the largest independent distributor on the north east and
service the North East, Scotland, Yorkshire & Cumbria from their depot
on the Team Valley.
Sourcing and importing ceramics, porcelain, mosaics and glass from
some of the most prestigious factories in Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Supplying developments such as Lumley Castle & Coombe Abbey;
Tyne Tees Ceramics and firmly secured their place as one of the North’s
leading firms.
There new showroom is now located at Perth Court on the Team
Valley, with rages to suit all.
Selected suppliers; Aurellia, C.I.R, CE.VI.CA, Colorker, Del Conca, El
Barco, Gambarelli, Keraben, Metropol, Mosavit, Pastorelli, Serenissima,
Tau Ceramica, Zirconio
Verona Stone
10 Armley Road, Leeds
West Yorkshire LS12 2DR
T: 0113 244 4984 Fax: 0113 244 4787
E: sales@veronastonecompany.com
W: www.veronastonecompany.com
Verona are leading distributors of natural stone tiles and mosaics, glass
mosaics, porcelain and sealants. For over 10 years Verona has consistently
supplied 1st select and commercial quality stone, glass and
porcelain at fantastic prices.
Although Verona’s pricing is extremely competitive on room-lot size
orders they offer significant further discounting on pallet deals and
bulk-stock mosaic orders, for example, Honed and Filled travertine in
pallet lots delivered for £9.95 per square meter, or ’10 box’ deals on
contemporary glass mosaics from £2.95 per sheet, delivered. In fact, all
orders over £75 are delivered free of charge, with a premium next day
42 TSJ MARCH 2012
service available for last minute orders.
Verona supports their retailers with high quality merchandising and
branding including several bespoke stands and a modular glass and
stone mosaic stand, supported with quality POS merchandising and a
high quality brochure. Verona’s area managers work closely with their
customers in order to ensure that every square foot of shop floor space
displaying Verona’s catalogue is optimised to maximise sales potential.
In 2012 Verona Stone Company have improved their infrastructure by
acquiring additional warehousing and are significantly expanded their
catalogue; bringing in over 75 new lines including a comprehensive collection
of porcelain in various sizes and finishes and an expanded glass
mosaic catalogue, all at incredible prices.
Walls and Floors
Henson Way, Kettering NN16 8PX
01536 410484
www.wallsandfloors.co.uk
salesoffice@wallsandfloors.uk.com
Walls and Floors Limited, is the leading UK independent national tile
distributor. We import and stock the widest range of tiles for both
domestic and commercial applications. Products include ceramic, natural
stone, porcelain, mosaics, and quarry tiles. We source globally and
can provide the most competitive prices on products from Spain, Italy,
Portugal, Turkey, India and the Far East. We also supply all the leading
UK manufacturers’ tiling products, from our main distribution centre in
Northamptonshire, with our fast and efficient nationwide delivery service.
Our customer portfolio extends from national DIY stores to independent
tile merchants, from house builders to architectural practices.
This is all underpinned by our excellent management and support staff
to maintain our service to all our customers.
Selected Suppliers : BCT, Johnson Tiles, Rubi, BAL, Bostik, Genesis,
Mapei, Norcross Adhesives, Ceramica Vilar Albaro, Settecento, Tau
Ceramica, Gambarelli Group, Marrazi, STN Ceramica, Porcelanosa
Group, Pamesa Ceramica, Pavigres Grupa, Halcon Ceramicas, Versace,
Villeroy & Boch
Waxman Ceramics Ltd
01422 311331
World’s End Tiles
0207 819 2100
Yorkshire Tile Company
0113 279 4611
Not listed?
Send your details by e-mail to the editorial department.
tandsjournal@aol.com
Villeroy & Boch is distributed by Walls & Floors. The range shown above is Classic Glam.

TILE DISTRIBUTORS
PROFILE: Craven Dunnill
TSJ shines the spotlight on Bridgnorth-based distributor Craven Dunnill.
Craven Dunnill is a distributor of ceramic wall and floor
tiles plus relevant ancillary products. It has its headquarters
at Bridgnorth, which includes a 760 sq. metre, showroom
and 2,600 sq. metre warehouse and distribution
centre.
Prime manufacturers represented and stocked by
Craven Dunnill include Colorker, Edimax, Imola Ceramic,
Johnsons including Minton Hollins, Mapisa, Marazzi,
Tagina, Venus Ceramica, Vitra plus ancillary products from
BAL, Bostik, Dunlop, Profix, HG Systems, DEVI underfloor
heating, Schlüter Systems, Genesis and PTC.
Craven Dunnill also works closely with its sister company
Craven Dunnill Jackfield, which manufactures bespoke
tiles and is well known in the restoration sector.
Key sectors
Craven Dunnill distributes to Retailers is in the west of
England and Wales. It also offers a comprehensive,
national service to the commercial/contract sector
including new home developers, architects, designers,
building and flooring contractors. Services available
include a full CAD design service for architects and
designers, exclusive product, stock holding, daily on-site
delivery, extensive showroom with a trade sales counter.
The company has recently announced a new service, in
association with its sister company Craven Dunnill
Jackfield, which provides the technical expertise and
project management skills for the making and installation
of bespoke murals and decorative panels.
New products
The company offers a wide selection of over 10,000 wall
and floor tiles in its Renaissance Collection, which are regularly
updated and all of which are held in stock. In 2011
alone the company introduced over 60 new series of tiles
across the spectrum of glazed and unglazed porcelain,
decorative wall tiles and mosaics, the latter proving particularly
strong for sales during 2011. The most recent
new product introductions include:
Weekend is the new lifestyle range of ceramic wall tiles;
the range combines the latest fashionable brick shaped
tiles 300 by 100mm with undulating, plaster effect texturing,
soft neutral palette and innovative micro mosaic
effect (Struttura), in an understated satin finish.
The Delft range of wall tiles from Craven Dunnill has a
refreshing, natural appeal with delicate, overlapping
leaves strewn across the 600 by 300mm tiles. Creating a
subtle, decorative element to either a bathroom or
kitchen, the Davinci tiles come in either beige or white
and are complemented by the Delft field tiles (600 by
300mm) or Vermer ribbed tiles (600 by 200mm); there is
also a matching floor tile 450 by 450mm in glazed porcelain
called Rodin.
44 TSJ MARCH 2012
The Lefka range of wall and floor tiles from Craven
Dunnill combines the practicality of porcelain with the
popular appeal of delicately veined, cross-cut stone,
which has the appearance of fine sand drifting across the
surface. It is available in five different sizes from 600 by
600mm to a narrow 600 by 50mm and comes in three
tones: white, gold and walnut.
The Sands porcelain tile collection has the exact
appearance of natural English volcanic slate, similar to
that quarried in the hills of the Lake District, and is available
as 758 by 453mm floor tiles in four versatile colours:
Dark sand, Ivory Sand, Brown Sand and Grey Sand.
Wood-Ker is another new addition to the extensive
Craven Dunnill tile collection and is the latest, prestige,
wood-effect ceramic tile. The delicate detail of the surface
pattern and shading achieve a highly realistic sawn
wood-grain effect. Available in 1,000 by 144mm ‘planks’,
Wood-Ker is made from glazed porcelain and comes in
four colour options: Brown, Nut, Cream and a warm Grey.
Recent developments
The Craven Dunnill showroom has undergone a major
refurbishment with a dedicated mosaic area on two
floors, which features over 350 different ranges and
lifestyle room settings; the company has also introduced
small sample cards for its mosaic collections, which are
available to its retailers. The Showroom opening hours
have also been extended to include Saturday afternoons
and Sundays.
In January 2012 David Talbot was appointed Technical
Consultant, to support Craven Dunnill’s strategy to offer a
comprehensive contract design service.
David has over 25 years’ experience in the commercial
tile market; he previously worked at Johnson Tiles Ltd
handling numerous aspects of the contract tile market,
including commercial design, technical specification, in
addition to providing contract marketing experience in
products, support materials and sales for the UK and
export markets.
He will work closely with Marketing and Sales Director
Steve Whitehurst and Craven Dunnill’s sales team, to
deliver a complete technical tile service for specifiers and
architects in all sectors of the contract market, including
house developers, social housing, leisure and specialist
projects such as murals.
The company introduced an online blog in 2011
www.cravendunnill.co.uk/blog which provides additional
and current technical information to its retailers and
customers.
Craven Dunnill
Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 6AS
T: 01746 761611 E: sales@cravendunnill.co.uk
W: www.cravendunnill.co.uk
Wood Ker in Nut from Craven Dunnill's
Renaissance Collection
Sands in brown from Craven Dunnill's
Renaissance Collection.

DESIGN TRENDS
Stone cladding with a
twist for iconic new tower
The Al Hamra Tower is not only Kuwait’s tallest building at
412.5 metres but also the world’s tallest sculpted building
with an exterior façade of 258,000 sq. metres clad in
mechanically-adhered limestone, reports Ron Treister.
Above: With an exterior façade
covered with 258,000 sq.
metres of limestone, the Al
Hamra tower is said to be the
world’s tallest direct-adhered
stone-clad structure.
46 TSJ MARCH 2012
The recently completed Al Hamra Tower is not only
Kuwait’s tallest building at 412.5 metres; it is also
the world’s tallest sculpted building. Offering a massive
construction area consisting of 180,000 sq.
metres, the integrated, mixed-use development has
been built at a cost of US$950 million in the centre of
Kuwait City.
The building has 75 state-of-the-art storeys dedicated for
offices, in addition to a mammoth mixed-use complex featuring
a mall with three basements, three shopping floors and a
cinema floor containing nine IMAX theaters.
Having an exterior facade covered with 258,000 sq. metres
of limestone - enough to tile all of New York City’s Central Park
- Al Hamra is the tallest direct-adhered stone-clad structure on
the planet. During the lengthy planning of the building's construction,
there was understandable concern over the structural
integrity of the spiral cantilevered concrete shear walls if
clad with thick, mechanically-attached stone panels.
Rather than changing the design aesthetic, engineers and
architects developed a creative solution; installing limestone
tiles on the exterior walls of the lower floors and a meshmounted
trencadis-style limestone tile system on the exterior
walls of the higher floors, achieving the same “look” at a fraction
of the weight. The Laticrete System was ultimately selected
to make this design solution come to fruition.
Richard Goldberg, AIA, CSI, a consulting architect with
Professional Consultants International, and one of the world’s
foremost experts regarding direct-adhered exterior tile and
stone wall cladding, was contracted to provide technical consulting
services to both Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading
Company, Kuwait and SOM Architects, New York City.
“Our engineers conducted cutting-edge computer modeling
of the tile cladding assembly using finite element analysis.
We utilised Abaqus FEA commercial computer software, commonly
used in the aerospace industry, now economically feasible
in architectural building design,” states Goldberg.
“This software provided accurate, robust simulations of the
behaviour of the proposed direct-adhered composite stone
cladding assembly under extreme thermal expansion, concrete
shrinkage, and wind loading typical of the unique geographic
location. Most important, this technique allowed us to
confidently specify the adhesive mortar and grout products
with the necessary physical properties.
“We were also asked to analyse and review a number of
direct-adhered stone façade installation systems,” Goldberg
continues. “After a highly detailed evaluation process, we

DESIGN TRENDS
Above: Rather than change the
design, engineers and
architects developed a creative
solution; installing limestone
tiles on the lower floors and a
mesh-mounted trencadis-style
limestone tile system on the
higher floors. The Laticrete
System was ultimately selected
to make this radical design
solution a reality.
48 TSJ MARCH 2012
selected the Laticrete System. There were many reasons for
this which included the quality of the products to be used, the
strong warranty programme that Laticrete offers, and most
important, the fact that the Laticrete materials offered certified
product test data of key physical characteristics which enabled
us to conduct computer modeling simulations.
“This was a very challenging project for us due to the fact
that it was going to be the tallest structure on the globe with
direct-adhered stone exterior cladding,” says Sujit Singh,
General Manager of Laticrete RAK. “We had many meetings
with the architects, contractors and façade specialists. The
finite element analysis was conducted before a final decision
on the Laticrete products was announced ... there were many
other competitive product manufacturers vying to get this
unique project. One key to Laticrete being awarded the contract
was our commitment in assuring the quality by training
and inspection during installation. There were many challenges
on this project including the building’s extraordinary
height and also, having installation occur during hot weather
where the mercury reached as high as 500C!”
The Trencadis Gaudi limestone was bonded to the exterior
concrete walls of Al Hamra Tower with Laticrete 254 Platinum
(white), a one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set mortar. “We
selected this product for many reasons, one being its high
shear-bond strength and balanced shear modulus properties,”
added Goldberg.
Once the thin-set cured, the subsequent grouting process
on the Al Hamra Tower’s exterior was implemented with
Laticrete 1500 Sanded Grout, a premium, factory-prepared
product designed to be mixed with water. Formulated from a
blend of high-strength Portland cement, graded aggregates,
polymers and colour-fast pigments, Laticrete 1500 Sanded
Grout provided The Tower’s outside walls with grout joints
that were dense, hard and highly durable… made from a
product that could withstand the incredibly high heat index
existing in Kuwait City.
Singh commented that Laticrete 1776 Grout Enhancer was
used in this project, as well. “Laticrete 1776 Grout Enhancer is
used in place of water to provide a dense, colourfast grout
joint that inhibits stain causing bacteria, mould and mildew
growth with Microban®. This was necessary for the Al Hamra
Tower’s limestone cladding, as it works perfectly with Laticrete
1500 Sanded Grout.”
The Al Hamra Tower is without question, a world-class, signature
architectural project. When it is completed and can be
seen from miles outside of Kuwait City either inland or from
the Arabian Gulf, people will comment on how its initial
appearance seemingly curves to its highest point like a “curled
newspaper”.
Visitors and tenants will be welcomed by a soaring, 20-plus
meter high lobby, which frankly, will have to be seen firsthand
for one to experience its awesome, futuristic designs. Very
soon, The Tower’s facilities will be open, which will include six
levels of retail; a rooftop garden positioned atop the retail sector;
the largest business center in Kuwait; the very posh, Sky
Lounge restaurant; 40 rapid elevators to reach those very high
floors; two “refuge floors” designed to be used in case of an
emergency… and, a multi-story parking facility, as well. All of
this, housed within a building that has an exterior professionally
covered via the largest and quite possibly the most spectacular
direct-adhered limestone cladding project found to
date on this earth.
“We at Laticrete are proud to be able to contribute to a project
as ambitious as the Al Hamra Tower,” stated Erno de Bruijn,
President, Laticrete International. “Some of the world’s premier
architects, engineers, consultants and contractors were
called upon to make this construction dream a reality. We
know it will stand tall as a major architectural statement for
decades to come. Because of that, we are very confident that
the Laticrete products which were specified for The Al Hamra
Tower will perform at optimal levels as long as the building is
in use.”
Laticrete
T: 0871 284 5959 E ahedley@laticrete.com
W: www.laticrete.com

MOSAICS & GLASS
The decorative drama is in the detail
Mosaic tiles are an enduring and versatile element in an interior designer’s toolkit, able to
accommodate curved shapes, act as a decorative border, pixilate images or patterns to create a
feature wall, or set against natural stone or ceramic tiles as a striking splashback. TSJ profiles the
leading suppliers and analyses the techniques used to get the best from glass tiles and mosaics.
Right: Venetian Glass Mix from
Craven Dunnill's Renaissance
Collection.
50 TSJ MARCH 2012
Craven Dunnill has more than doubled its mosaic collection
in the last 12 months to over 350 different designs,
as homeowners become more adventurous and embrace
the creative opportunities mosaics provide.
A few strips of distinctive mosaics can transform the
plainest of field tiles into a chic, accent wall, mosaics can
turn a practical basin splash-back or bath surround into an
exotic feature, create a bijoux decorative element, in what
otherwise would be a mundane bathroom, and introduce
the attractive option of curvaceous shower walls – the
possibilities are endless and many are featured as lifestyle
room-sets in the Craven Dunnill showroom at Bridgnorth.
New mosaic ranges from Craven Dunnill’s Renaissance
Collection include Buttons Lustre Glass and Emprador
Mix: a combination of glass with a lustre glaze and polished
marble available in three colourways:
Cream/Moss/Hazel, Lustre glass and Emprador Stone,
Lustre Glass and Crema Stone in 300 by 300mm sheets.
Other new arrivals include Venetian Glass: multi toned
Murano glass available in three colourways: Amber, Dark
Fusion (blue) and Earth Mix. Venetian glass has individual
tesserae 25 by 25 by 5mm mesh mounted on a 327 by
327mm sheet.
ESL also reports the growing popularity of mosaics over
the last few years and highlights the fact that there are
now many different versions on the market: from ceramic
through stone to glass and metal, plus mixed materials.
ESL Ceramics & Stone range includes Kenya polished
marble and glass mosaic sheets in a variety of different
sizes bin square and rectangular brick and bar formats.
Dimensions are 15 by 15, 25 by 25, 15 by 48 and 10 by
40mm.
In 2012 The Mosaic Company celebrates 21 years of
supplying the UK tile industry with the finest ceramic and
glass mosaic tiles sourced from leading manufacturers
around the world.
Despite the economic downturn, the company has continued
to invest in new ranges and points of sale, as well

as maintaining high levels of stock from which they aim to
supply over 95% of orders with next day delivery.
With the company’s core range of ceramic and glass
mosaics firmly established, the new additions strongly
feature glass mosaics with iridescent and metallic glazes
in the size 23.5 by 23.5mm under the Aqua Luxe heading.
They claim to stock one of the largest ranges of anti-slip
mosaics currently available in the UK and have recently
added six new 45 by 45mm full body porcelain mosaics
with riven surface which attain and exceed DIN 51097 category
C, making them eminently suitable for showers and
wetrooms and retailing from a highly competitive £40 per
sq. metre, plus VAT.
The company is also able to undertake bespoke tile
murals, the most spectacular of which adorn the walls of
the prestigious Emirates Stadium in London in the form of
the Arsenal Logo, as well as providing mosaic tiles for the
award winning Monaco Garden at the 2011 Chelsea
Flower Show and to the gold medal winner for Best Show
Garden at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2011.
The full range of products are available to view on the
company’s easy to navigate website www.mosaiccompany.co.uk
and, for customers unsure of their purchase, the
company was one of the first in the UK to offer a free sample
service.
Mapei on installing glass mosaics
When installing glass mosaics it is important to carefully
consider the conditions under which the mosaic finish
will be subjected, the type of substrate to which they will
be fixed and also the type of backing to the glass mosaic.
Glass mosaic can be either pure coloured glass or clear
glass with a coloured backing visible through the glass
body thus achieving the desired colour of the final mosaic
installation.
The type of coloured backing will influence the type of
adhesive necessary to bond the mosaic. For example, if the
backing coat is sensitive to alkaline conditions then a cementbased
adhesive will need to be avoided. Equally if the backing
coat is moisture sensitive then a water-based adhesive should
not be used, this would exclude the use of both paste adhesives
and cement-based adhesives. In these cases a reaction
resin adhesive such an epoxy or polyurethane (or epoxypolyurethane)
adhesive should be selected.
It is also important to note that where mesh is used to
produce mosaic sheets, the mesh and the adhesive used
to bond the mesh to each tesserae should not cover more
than 25% of the rear of each tesserae. The adhesive must
also be compatible with the service conditions envisaged.
It is essential to check with the manufacturer of the glass
mosaic that they will be suitable for their final intended
use. The service conditions to which the mosaic will be
subjected to once in full use can vitally alter the type of
mosaic chosen. This is particularly important in wet environments
and can be critical in under water situations
such as swimming pools, spas and fountains.
The substrate type should be chosen carefully when a
mosaic finish is part of the design. Naturally the substrate
must be appropriate for the service conditions. It must
also be extremely flat as the mosaic will tend to follow
every contour, consequently highlighting and exaggerating
every imperfection in the substrate. Where boards are
used then particular attention must be paid to the joints
within these boards which must remain stable and rigid.
A glass mosaic finish is aesthetically very pleasing to the
eye and also to the touch. With modern adhesive and
grout technology they can be fixed in a variety of styles.
For example the visual attractiveness of coloured pure
glass mosaics can be further enhanced by bonding and
grouting in a coloured material. Mapei Kerapoxy Design
MOSAICS & GLASS
MARCH 2012 TSJ
Above: Glass has the ability to
reflect and refract light giving a
3D effect throughout the depth
of the tile or mosaic. This desirable
effect can be enhanced by
bonding glass mosaics with a
highly colourful and decorative
adhesive such as Mapei’s
Kerapoxy Design. It is available
in eight striking shades. These
base colours can be used alone
or blended with either silver or
light gold Mapeglitter to create
a sparkling finish.
51

MOSAICS & GLASS
Left from top left: Five stages in
the grouting of glass mosaic
tiles using Ardex EG8.
Ardex EG 8 is a cement/epoxy
hybrid grout and adhesive that
combines the chemical resistance
of an epoxy-based grout
with the ease of application
associated with cement based
grouts.
Ardex EG 8 has excellent
resistance to most chemicals
but, unlike traditional epoxy
grouts, Ardex EG 8 is easy to
apply, requires no special tools,
and can be cleaned off the tile
surface up to 45 minutes after
application.
Ardex EG 8 has been formulated
to resist chemical attack
and to provide a durable, abrasion
resistant waterproof finish
that is hygienic and impervious,
making it ideal for use in:
• Swimming Pools
• Hydrotherapy and spa baths
• Domestic and commercial
food preparation areas where
chemical resistance and
hygienic joints are required
• Hospitals
• Bathrooms & showers
Once hardened, Ardex EG 8 is
resistant to aqueous salt solutions,
chlorine water, commercial
cleaning agents, alkalis and
a wide range of dilute mineral
acids. Ardex EG 8 can also be
used as a floor tile adhesive or a
mosaic wall tile adhesive in
areas where a chemically resistant
adhesive bed is required.
Available in grey and white,
Ardex EG 8 can fill joint widths
from 2 to 12mm, and can also
be used externally and with
underfloor heating systems.
52 TSJ MARCH 2012
will permit the installation of glass mosaics in wet rooms,
swimming pools and many other features. And to further
glamorise the design Mapeglitter can be added to
Kerapoxy Design to provide an eye-catching sparkle.
Kerapoxy Design can also be used to fix mosaics to GRP
substrates.
Of course glass mosaics can also be fitted using traditional
adhesives such as Mapei Adesilex P10. Where the
coloured backing is based on a resin or the mosaic is used
in underwater situations, then it is recommended that
Mapei Isolastic is added to the adhesive. This will increase
the strength of the bond and ensure many years of service.
To complete the installation it will be necessary to grout
the joints between the tesserae. As mentioned earlier, an
epoxy grout may be used not only to create aesthetic
effects but also where a hygienic finish or greater chemical
resistance is required. For general grouting a cementbased
material is usually adequate such as Mapei
Keracolor FF.
To ensure a successful glass mosaic installation will
stand the test of time, the appropriate measures should
be made, as briefly outlined above. In order to get the
best possible result, technical assistance such as Mapei
representatives can offer, can ensure the correct and best
quality products are utilised. Mapei can also offer a site
visit when required. For further details of product information,
literature and samples please contact Mapei on 0121
508 6970 or info@mapei.co.uk. Technical data sheets can
be found at www.mapei.co.uk.
Original Style’s opulent Mosaics Collection offers a variety
of striking shades and innovative textures guaranteed
to transform a wide variety of interiors. Original Style has
worked with interior designers from around the world in
order to produce the collection, meaning that an Original
Style design will not only look visually stunning, but will
also mirror current design trends. All tastes and styles
have been catered for, and as a result there is a mosaic to
suit every type of interior.

MOSAICS & GLASS
Above: The Mosaic Company provided mosaic tiles for the award winning Monaco Garden at the 2011
Chelsea Flower Show. Designed by Sarah Eberle and built by Peter Dowle Plants & Gardens, the garden
illustrates the interaction between architecture and landscape that characterises Monaco's spectacular
scenery. The garden shows how landscape and architecture can interact to provide sustainable
solutions to support high density living, including the use of vertical green walls and planted
roofs. The rear portion of the garden contains a structure of varying heights that represents a section
of a high rise building. This area leads to a courtyard with access to a small balcony above a cantilevered
planted roof, providing an area that is protected from the sun’s rays.
54 TSJ MARCH 2012
Materials on offer in the Elite range include shimmering
Mother of Pearl and Eastern Light, a dazzling mosaic created
using 24 carat gold leaf.
The lustrous Glass range of mosaics offers a sophisticated
colour palette, which includes the glistening White
Lady and the dark and intense Pacha.
Further materials available in the Collection include
Natural Stone, Wood, Metal and the ever practical
Porcelain.
Original Style is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of
mosaics and the company offers innovative and attractive
display options. Original Style has opportunities to
become a stockist in selected areas.
The safety of customers in hotels is a constant concern
and involves the development of specific products to
minimise the risk of accidents. At the same time, in order
to improve their offer, hotels are building wellness spaces
on their premises, creating specific needs.
Water is key player in its various applications in these
areas, requiring high hygiene and, hence, effective cleaning.
Also, according to leading manufacturer Reviglass,
the floors have to comply with Class C of the new
Technical Building standards on the slipperiness.
Reviglass has been manufacturing glass mosaics in
Spain since 1985 and claims to have the widest range of
products on the market in different sizes and with new
original mounting systems. Reviglass also manufactures
what it claims is the only soft anti-slip mosaic on the market
(patented) that meets the C standard of slipperiness,
as well as being easy to install and maintain.
The company offers the possibility of customising the
decorations and applying the anti-slip treatment on the
product of customer's choice even on 12 by 12mm
mosaics; a format in which Reviglass has become a specialist
manufacturer.
Above: The Chromatic range from Waxman Ceramics is an ultra
modern glass mosaic with a vibrant glitter effect. This mosaic
range is perfect for adding modern decoration to any tile or for creating
a feature wall.
All Reviglass products are made with 100% transparent
recycled glass, without water consumption and polluting
discharges, thus making the products highly environmentally-friendly.
There are three key factors influencing today’s interior
design trends: sustainability, economics and glamour.
Mosaic and glass can play to all three.
Mosaics made using recycled glass, or from ceramic tiles
with a significant recycled content, are an ideal way to satisfy
the green building lobby. Mosaic is also a sensible
way to maximise the design impact of precious and rare
natural resources such as marble.
Due to the state of the economy, home owners are seeking
out value-for-money décor options. Mosaic can provide
one solution by providing a little of the wow factor
when used to provide an accent against low cost plain
tiles. Mosaic can also be used to frame architectural features
such as alcoves and niches, or provide high impact
splashbacks behind kitchen worktops, vanity units or
basins.
Finally, in terms of ceramic tiles, Glamour manifests itself
in high gloss marbles, burnished metallic glazes, rich lustres
and strong deep colourways such as crimson, purple
and umber. Mosaic plays to this trend via high value
metallic glazes. They can either be used on their own to
create opulent wetrooms and striking kitchen features, or
as decorative stripes and borders to accent ceramic tiles,
stone and other decorative finishes. Slip-resistant glass
mosaic floors are also popular in this market sector.

MOSAICS & GLASS
Above: Buttons mosaics from Craven Dunnill's Renaissance Collection.
56 TSJ MARCH 2012
Left: New Mosaic at Cedern Rd,
Elborough Village, Somerset.
The artwork, installed at the
stone circle in Cedern Avenue,
was designed by children from
the village, and put together
during workshops at Hutton
Village Hall.
Quita Allender, who worked
on the project through North
Somerset Play Forum, said:
“Some log hops for children to
balance on have recently been
installed at the top of the hill
as well, plus some large wooden
mushrooms in the little
copse there.”
“The idea is to give children a
place to play and to imagine in,
without spoiling the appearance
of the hill by putting in
conventional play equipment.”
During the past 52 years, self-taught mosaic artist Phil Evanoff has
quietly amassed a staggering body of work in the basement of his
home in Ohio, USA. Evanoff, a 96-year-old retired chemist, has
made more than 600 mosaics, each with thousands of intricately
placed fragments of tile, glass or seashells. The mosaics reflect his
wide-ranging interest in art and nature from throughout the world.
He has re-created Bulgarian Christmas cards, African cliff drawings,
an Aztec calendar stone and even the Vincent van Gogh painting
Starry Night. His first mosaic re-created a famous cave drawing of
bulls from Lascaux cave in southwestern France. For the past 52
years, Evanoff has averaged one mosaic a month, although his output
ebbs and flows. He has finished as many as 25 in a year and
gone as long as two years without creating a work.
Taking a 35-year-old ceramic wall sculpture apart tile by tile is not
Amy Green's idea of art restoration. But that's exactly what she's
been doing to Frank Matranga's 1977 art work, a curvilinear mosaic
made of glazed clay tiles and glass that's been removed from the
entrance of the Diamond Bar Library on Grand Avenue, Diamond
Bar near Los Angeles, USA, in order to re-create it at the town’s new
library on Copley Drive.
Green, co-owner of Silverlake Conservation, has been cleaning,
restoring and sometimes touching up Matranga's work piece by
piece. The 9ft by 8.5ft art wall was taken down piece by piece, each
tile given a number that corresponds to a computerised grid for
orderly reapplication. "There's a little bit of sacrifice but it is far
better than destroying the mural," Green said. For instance, some
of the work had to be slightly trimmed to fit the new wall space in
the future children's reading garden, she said. Matranga agrees
with the process and has been helping every step of the way.

Above: Gnosis, a US design firm specialising in the creation of
hand-made mosaics, has introduced the Stretch collection, in ten
different patterns. The Stretch mosaic patterns, which date to
ancient Rome, are adaptable to either classic or contemporary
styles. “We are very excited about these patterns because they
have become the most classic exemplars of mosaic surfaces,” said
Sandra Ghaoui, President at Gnosis. “These mosaic floor tiles have
made their way through classical architecture and yet today, in my
view, they make the most elegant mosaic floors known to man.”
The Stretch mosaic surfaces are crafted in a single piece regardless
of the surface size, making a truly organic pattern with the imperfections
expected in mosaic made by the hand of artisans. The
mosaics, mesh mounted for an easy installation, are available in
hand-polished finishes. www.gnosis-mosaics.com
Above: Egypt by Alttoglass
MOSAICS & GLASS
SELECTED MOSAIC & GLASS SUPPLIERS
Alloy Design +61 2 9565 2422 www.alloydesign.co.au
Alttoglass +34 964 577878 www.alttoglass.com
Appiani +39 0422 502617 www.appiani.it
Ardex 01440 714939 www.ardex.co.uk
Azzura 0845 090 8110 www.mosaics.co.uk
Bisazza 20 8253 9200 www.bisazza.co.uk
British Ceramic Tile 0845 055 1258 www.britishceramictile.com
Ceramgres +39 0422 396366 www.ceramgres.com
CP Group 0845 519 7039 www.cpgroupuk.com
Classical Flagstones 01422 307930 www.classical-flagstones.co.uk
Craven Dunnill 01746 761611 www.cravendunnill.co.uk
ESL 020 8744 1122 www.euroserviceslimited.co.uk
Ezarri +34 943 164140 www.ezarri.com
Genesis 01642 713000 www.genesis-aps.com
Gnosis +1 (877) 221-1517 www.gnosis-mosaics.com
Grespania 0121 457 6900 www.grespania.com
Halcon 07983 714261 www.halconceramicas.com
House of Mosaics 0845 423 8720 www.houseofmosaics.co.uk
Jasba 01480 474717 www.mosaiccompany.co.uk
Lucedentro +39 059 550 617 www.lucedentro.com
Mapei UK 0121 508 6970 www.mapei.co.uk
Morpheus Glass 01695 624182 www.morpheusglass.co.uk
Mosaic Tile Shop 01536 314738 www.mosaictileshop.co.uk
Mosaic Company, The 01480 474717 www.mosaiccompany.co.uk
Mosaic Miro +31 (0)73 612 7454 www.mosaicmiro.com
Mosavit +34 964 380000 www.mosavit.com
Mridul +91 11 232 19957 www.mridul.com
N&C LiveTile 020 8586 4600 www.livetile.com
Onix +34 964 776287 www.onixmosiaco.com
Opiocolor +33 492 603222 www.opiocolor.com
Original Style 01392 473000 www.originalstyle.com
Reviglass +34 94 368 1118 www.reviglass.es
Sicis +39 544 469711 www.sicis.com
Stoneset 01884 820029 www.stone-set.co.uk
Trend +39 0444 338711 www.trend-vi.com
Vetro Mosaics +11 323 585 6368 www.vetromosaico.com
Vetrocolor +39 0577 920229 www.vetrocolor.it
Villiglas +43 4237 23033111 www.villiglas.at
Vitrogres 01480 474717 www.mosaiccompany.co.uk
Waxman 01472 371723 www.waxmanceramics.co.uk
MARCH 2012 TSJ
57

PROFILE
Stone stockholding proves a success story
“Trade Price Stone’s specialises in Brazilian slate and Portuguese limestone, holding thousands of
sq.metres in stock. TSJ reports on a business that is booming in the face of the economic downturn.
Above: Trade Price Stone’s
website includes a section
specifically dedicated to
retailers.
58 TSJ MARCH 2012
Ahealthy order book during 2011 and into 2012 has seen a
respected supplier of natural stone materials to the building
and construction sectors almost treble its warehousing capabilities
with the move to a new 25,000 ft2 facility at Hilton Business
Park in Derbyshire from its 10,000 ft2 warehouse in Burton,
Staffordshire to help manage demand.
Speaking of his order book for 12,500 sq. metres of Brazilian slate to supply
to tilers and retailers, Simon Lloyd Jones, Director of Trade Price Stone
Ltd, explains: “The unit in Hilton Business Park offered easy transport links
to national arterial roads and the motorway network and a significantly
improved working environment for my staff.”
“Trade Price Stone’s success flies in the face of the recessionary storms
that have been buffeting many organisations operating in the building and
construction sectors, but there are some factors behind it. We specialise in
the import and retail of Brazilian slate and Portuguese limestone, holding
many thgousand sq. metres in stock at any one time. We have developed
a niche and a reputation for quality and cost-effective, timely, delivery and
product that can enhance any environment, from a large shopping centre
or office block to a kitchen, bedroom, lounge or bathroom.”
Trade Price Tile’s success goes beyond offering a variety of slate finishes,
including Antiqued, Honed, Chipped Edge and uniquely designed mosaics.
Customers can see stock holding of products dynamically, in real time, via
the www.tradepricestoneltd.co.uk website and also click through to see
when shipments are due to support planning of developments.
Lloyd Jones also engages in proactive marketing campaigns – mail and
internet-based – to keep the Trade Price Stone brand at the forefront of
existing and prospective customers’ minds.
“Routes and channels to markets have changed significantly since I set up
the company in November 2007, building upon 15 years’ experience in the
natural stone trade,” explains Lloyd Jones. “Our customers include contrac-
tors, architects, specifiers, interior designers, retailers and so on, and they
are fluent in the use of websites, emails, social media like Facebook and
Twitter and so on. Staying on top of our game has meant that we have to
be equally adept so we have developed strategies for social media and
direct mail campaigns.”
Trade Price Stone believes in letting the beauty of its products, such as the
Brazilian slate it offers, speak for itself. One of the strands of its marketing
activity therefore includes sending tailored samples of tiles to targeted
individuals and organisations.
Lloyd Jones adds: “We are able to show our customers what we are offering
as well as telling them. Don’t get me wrong, face-to-face is still a significant
element of our communication program, but it can prove challenging
to meet up as our customers are so busy. This way they have the chance
to see and appreciate the features and benefits of our products at their
leisure and also take the samples on site or to show their end customers for
discussion.”
Point-of-sale material is also proving to be an effective marketing tool for
Trade Price Stone. “For us, PoS means the options of a suite of posters, sample
boxes and, product sheets that can be delivered to or downloaded and
displayed in retailers’/merchants’/tilers’ facilities and hopefully support
sales for them as well as us,” comments Lloyd Jones.
“One strategy which is proving particularly successful is our ability to ship
samples direct to our customers’ end customers either in a plain brown box
with no branding of any sort, including reference to Trade Price Stone or
with only the trade customer branding on it. In fact, we have the facility to
extend that further and, if they wish, we add the trade branding and
address details to delivery notes and manifests, with no mention of Trade
Price Stone, thus protecting our customers’ interests, margins, etc.”
“All these initiatives are designed with the objective of helping to drive
the ‘decision to buy’ process. And, let’s not forget, the products we sell are
first class. Natural stone is a cost-effective, low maintenance, easy-down
option that accommodates huge footfall, is easy to maintain and looks
stunningly beautiful. Our customers benefit from being able to offer their
clients an opulent finish which they have specified at trade price. This is
supported by our perfect locations from where we can provide a ‘roll out’
service to suit any given project.”
Trade Price Stone has its quality accreditations on the website so that
trade customers can reassure themselves that the products will perform
well. The firm’s customers, who order thousands of tonnes of stone, regard
Trade Price Stone as a silent partner, shipping product - from one unique
piece of material, such as a hand-split slate tile measuring almost any size
the project demands, to a few tiles or a few crates – directly to site to speed
up delivery. It is against this background, however, that the firm has only
increased haulage prices once since last year.
“We work hard and consider all avenues to make trading with us as
straightforward as possible,” concludes Lloyd Jones. “This, I believe, combined
with our knowledge of natural stone and reputable supply chain,
goes a long way towards explaining our success to date. The firm is also
optimistic about the future because we have many more exciting plans to
unveil over the next 12 months that will support our ambitions and those
of our trade customers too.”
01283 734990 www.tradepricestoneltd.co.uk

PORTFOLIO
3D shapes boost Rako’s Concept range
Concept Plus is a development of Rako’s successful and highly versatile
Concept range. Suitable for both bathroom and kitchen applications,
the range has an adaptable and modern appearance. With the addition
of new vivid tiles in all seven colour combinations, the range has
been given new design impetus. Soft concave tiles in 200 by 60mm,
and facetted geometric decors in 250 by 100mm create new scope for
design. Mosaics have also been added to the offer, cut so that they can
also be used as borders. 200 by 400mm large decor tiles with scored
joints are also now part of the Concept Plus range , creating the
appearance of a striped decor once laid.
Concept Plus basic wall tiles are available in 250 by 333mm and 200
by 400mm. Curved decor tiles are 200 by 60mm. Facetted decor tiles
are 250 by 100mm. The paper-mounted mosaic tiles are 300 by
300mm. Matching floor tiles are available in 333 by 333mm.
www.rako.eu
All the charm and elegance of natural stone
All the charm and elegance of natural stones are captured in
Peninsula, a new porcelain stoneware range from Century that is
designed to create classic and sophisticated environments. The modular
formats, with natural finishes and edges, and four colours distinguished
by strong shading, make Peninsula an elegant design solution
in both residential and commercial environments.
The mass-coloured fine porcelain stoneware range represents the
most advanced quality in ceramic products for flooring. In fact, the
slabs obtained from this manufacturing procedure are billed as exceptionally
resistant and compact. The body used to make Peninsula contains
40% recycled material, as certified by Bureau Veritas, and is,
therefore, compliant with LEED standards. It also holds ANAB-ICEA
certification for green building.
The range comes in four colours: Perusia, Heraclia, Antium and
Agrigentum. The modular formats are 500 by 1,000, 500 by 500, 250
by 500, 250 by 250 and 333 by 333mm: all with a natural finish and
natural edges. Special pieces and decors include sheeted mosaic,
sheeted tozzetti and skirtings.
www.century-ceramica.it
60 TSJ MARCH 2012
RAK launches Listello decorative tile borders
RAK Ceramics has launched its new range
of Listello decorative glass and porcelain
tile borders. Designed to co-ordinate
with RAK’s popular Lounge tile and slab
collection, the borders can be used to create
stylish, decorative features on both
walls and floors.
Six designs are included as part of the
new Listello range. Each border measures
300 by 49mm with options including
polished black or beige with rectangular
glass stud inset; polished ivory or dark
grey with two square glass stud insets
and polished black or dark grey, with continuous
square glass stud insets.
The complementary Lounge tile range
includes square and rectangle designs, with both polished and matt finishes. Colour
options include ivory, beige, light grey, dark grey, brown and black in 300 by 300, 400
by 400, 900 by 450, 300 by 600 and 600 by 600mm formats. A mixed-tone black, grey
and ivory mosaic is also included within the range. Lounge slabs are also available in
ivory, beige, dark grey and black.
01730 237850 www.rakceramics.co.uk
The Classic Collection of decorative wall tiles: quintessentially British
The Winchester Tile Company has
unveiled its latest Classic Collection of
decorative wall tiles; a quintessentially
British range that also offers a host of
complementary field tiles and mouldings.
The Farmyard Animals range offers a
host of hand-crafted panels (like Chicken
Coop as shown here), which can either
be installed in their entirety (40 tile sets)
or customers can opt for their preferred
individual elements from each design.
The range of creatures includes chickens,
hares, geese and goslings. A stunning
Hedgerow decorative panel (22 tile set)
completes this collection. The designs
are also available in full colour or sepia
on off white or grey on pure white backgrounds,
resulting in a number of design
permutations.
Nature lovers will be delighted with the
beautiful swooping and soaring swallow
decorative tiles - destined to be classics!
Alternatively, for an authentic garden
scene, opt for the popular bugs range,
with new designs including bees and
dragonflies; and partner these eyecatching
hand painted flying insects
with the popular Designer Flowers
range. The Classic Collection offers wall
tiles in both 105 by 105 by 10mm and
127 by 127 by 10mm sizes.
01392 473005
www.winchestertiles.com

New porcelain range captures the density of cement
Nextra from Monocibec is a fine porcelain range that captures the
density of cement, expressing all its strength with unprecedented
smoothness. The five colours (Bianco, Avorio, Grigio, Piombo and
Nero) are available with natural or polished surface finishes and can be
used in both residential and commercial environments. Nextra is
available in four formats: 450 by 450, 300 by 600, 600 by 600 and 800
by 800mm. The range is Bureau Veritas-certified for the presence of
40% of recycled materials and ANAB-ICEA-certified.
www.monocibec.it
Everbuild and Feb ranges in new A4 catalogue
Moving away from the previous A5
style publication, Everbuild
Building Product’s new World Class
catalogue is A4 in size and reflects
a change in direction for Everbuild.
The company felt that their size
and presence in the market was not
accurately reflected in the old catalogue.
So, in its place, Everbuild
has produced a glossy, 188 page
catalogue packed full of products,
including brand staples such as
PinkGrip, Forever White, Wonder Wipes and Geo-Fix; as well as
some exciting new products such as Everbuild’s brand new range of
premium wood stains and varnishes.
With a cleaner design, the World Class catalogue is neat, simple to
navigate and ideally set out so as to make the experience of browsing
through it as pleasant for the customer as possible. In another
new move, all product codes, bar codes and vital statistics are now
listed underneath each individual product.
The catalogue also includes the full Feb range for the first time.
Everbuild acquired Feb, the concrete and mortar admix specialists,
in 2009. Everbuild feels that the time has come to bring the two
brands together, making this catalogue a one-stop shop for users’
building and DIY needs.
To request your copy of the new Biggest Ever Everbuild Catalogue
call 0113 240 3456 or email your request through to:
reception@everbuild.co.uk.
PORTFOLIO
Wheels will achieve precise cuts in all types of tile
The DSM20 is the latest tool in Dremel's range of Versatile Tool Systems.
This compact saw has a powerful 710W motor and makes cuts up to 20mm
deep in the most common materials from tile to plastic, metal and wood.
The Dremel DSM20 will make short work of any maintenance or repair projects
with its excellent line of sight and abrasive cutting wheels helping to
achieve precise cuts in all types of tile.
The Dremel DSM20 makes a beautifully clean cut compared with toothed
wheels, thanks to its abrasive wheel technology. Extremely precise, it
requires no lower guard mechanism - according to EN norms all tools
equipped with tooth-bladed wheels require this, but not when using abrasive
wheels.
A very versatile tool, the Dremel DSM20 is capable of performing precise
straight cuts, flush cuts close to the surface and plunge cuts with no kickback.
In particular, its plunge cutting ability is second to none with the lack
of teeth on the blades easily plunge cutting into different materials.
It is easy to operate using just one hand for most cuts and its abrasive
wheels allow for both push and pull action, whichever is more convenient.
Additionally, it is extremely easy to change accessories using the shaft lock
button. The 710W worm gear driven motor runs at 17,000 RPM, ensuring
there is sufficient power for any task the DSM20 is required to perform,
including tough applications. It also has a depth guide adjustment, making
it possible to cut through most materials up to 20mm.
The tool is suitable for installing cabinets, cutting drywall and wood, plus
a wide variety of repair and maintenance work. It will make short work of
tiling and plumbing, kitchen and bathroom installation, and flooring.
The Dremel DSM20 comes with a range of accessories and attachments
supplied as standard in the tool-kit:
• A 77mm Multi-Purpose Carbide Wheel, for soft and hard wood, plywood,
composites, laminate flooring, drywall, PVC and plastic
• Three 77mm Metal Cut-Off Wheels, for cutting copper pipe, coated wire
shelving, metal, sheet aluminium and other materials
• A vacuum cleaner attachment to keep the workplace clean and line of sight
clear
• A Straight Edge Guide, which aids in ripping materials up to 17cm wide
• A 2 by 4 Cutting Guide, which fits over 37mm x 86mm timber helping to double
the DSM20's cutting depth
The kit also comes with a welcome DVD and a sturdy, spacious storage
case. The Dremel DSM20 will be available at B&Q priced £119.98.
www.dremel.co.uk
MARCH 2012 TSJ
61

PORTFOLIO
Super-strength wax-removing cleaner
Surface care specialist, Fila has
introduced a super-strength
wax-removing cleaner -
FilaMax. A water and solvent
mix formulation, FilaMax is a
non-flammable product
designed to remove existing
and unidentified protective
coatings, grease, wax and accumulated
dirt. It can safely be
used on terracotta, quarry tiles,
porcelain, glazed ceramics, concrete, polished and unpolished marble
and agglomerates, providing a thorough clean without compromising
the natural surface.
Available in five litre cans, FilaMax is cost effective and easy to use,
providing 20 sq. metre coverage per litre with a 1:5 dilution. Once
applied, the product should be left to act for a few minutes before
cleaning the surface with a brush or single green-disc. Residues
should then be swept or vacuumed before rinsing the surface.
01584 877286 www.filachim.com.en
Santa Margherita, the Italian
manufacturer of marble and
quartz sand and resin agglomerates,
has introduced Second
Life: a new material with up to
90% recycled content. The
Second Life range is available in eight colours: Carbone, Argilla,
Cenere, Sabbia, Gesso, Corteccia, Basalto and Lava in two standard
slab sizes: 3,050 by 1,400 by 12mm, 20mm and 30mm. It also comes
in various tile formats including 300 by 300 by 12mm, 400 by 400 by
12mm and 600 by 600 by 12mm; as well as 500 by 70 by 10mm skirtings.
Four finish options are available: polished, honed, brushed and
antique. With Second Life, Santa Margherita offers the market an
engineered stonerange that is capable of meeting several criteria of
the LEED building system.
www.santamargherita.net
EvolutionStone by Marazzi is the original interpretation of seven valuable
natural stones characterized by the perfection of ceramic technology.
Produced in large size, Serena, Piasentina, Ardesia, Malaga,
Luserna, Quarzite and Pierre Bleue are obtained by means of an innovative
cutting-edge industrial process with an ecological approach.
Made in porcelain stoneware with double loading, and can be used for
both interior and exterior environments in home or high-traffic commercial
contexts. The different surface structures allow for installation
solutions with indoor-outdoor continuity.
www.marazzi.it
62 TSJ MARCH 2012
Lapicida’s new Antique English collection brings
together the UK’s most charismatic traditional stones
Lapicida has reinforced its reputation for antique floors with a new Antique English
collection that brings together some of the most charismatic of the UK’s traditional
native stones. The selected stones come with their own provenance and many are
extremely rare, such as the 19th Century Limestone floor recovered from the Bishop’s
Palace in Ripon. Composed of square tiles, it has an unusual ecclesiastical design that
is also found in Durham Cathedral. The collection also includes a distinctive herringbone
floor, shown bottom right.
Lapicida’s services extend far beyond the stone. Reclaimed stone comes in irregular
sizes and thicknesses: not ideal for today’s homes. However, Lapicida’s customcut
service can transform random flags into regularly-dimensioned pieces without
affecting their beauty. If required, stone can be hand-selected to achieve a specific
spectrum of colour. Another element of this bespoke service sees Lapicida combining
different native stones into highly decorative patterned floors to order.
Lapicida’s hi-tech workshops also have a sustainability factor; extending the use of
old stone by transforming it into a range of different products. The First Face (bottom
left, floor) retains all the patina of the antique stone but has a uniform thickness.
The Second Face (bottom left, left wall) produces a wholly uniform tile for walls or
floors; while the Reverse Face (bottom left, right wall) creates an excitingly irregular
wall tile.
01423 400 500 www.lapicida.com