For
the past several years, many industry leaders have been promoting the
specification and installation of ventilated ceramic tile facades for exterior
vertical applications. Already a prevalent trend in Asia, Brazil and Europe,
some experts felt these systems would naturally grow in popularity in the
United States.
Stone has a long and enviable reputation for strength and
durability, but unless it is selected, installed, and maintained properly, it
can suffer like any other construction or finishing material.
Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom
Furnishings, will take place from September 30 to October 4, 2008 at the
Bologna Exhibition Centre, and will treat visitors from all over the world to a
one-of-a-kind trade show experience.
With
approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) all but complete,
our industry awaits implementation of the revised ANSI A137.1 tile
manufacturing standard, which better addresses the way ceramic tile is
manufactured, categorized and sold in the United States today.
These
days, you can’t pick up any newspaper or magazine without seeing a headline
about skyrocketing fuel costs and how this situation is affecting the economy,
from consumers cutting back their non-essential purchases to companies
downsizing to increase profitability.
United States ceramic tile distributors and
manufacturers recently participated in the 2nd U.S. China Trade Mission to gain
first-hand information from Chinese ceramic and stone manufacturers, tour
factories and discussed ways of building business partnerships during the U.S.
China Ceramic Forum.
No
material provides a better barrier to humidity or stops water from seeping
through as efficiently as ceramic tile. Its use in swimming pools, spas and
public baths is a clear statement that there is no better solution in such
environments than ceramic tile.
