Tile Today Issue 88 | Feb 2016

TILE TODAY 88

FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL

CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS: NEW RECORD LEVELS IN 2015 TILE TRENDS 2016: MORE OF THE SAME WITH A SUBTLE TWIST. HOW MANY TILERS WILL WE NEED IN 2025?

ADHESIVE SELECTION GUIDE 2016

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88

contents

TILE TODAY

ARCHITECTURE & SPECIFICATION 44 Architile Interview: Roberto Dreolini, Disegno Australia 54 What is BIM? 58 How many tilers will we need in 2015?

MARKETS AND TRENDS 08 Ceramic tile imports: new record levels in 2015 15 Tile Trends 2016: More of the same with a subtle twist 30 Personalising ceramic tile design INTERVIEWS 64 Tim Parsons, CTA/Miracle Sealants 72 A’nge Kokkaliaris, Aqua-Seal Stone + Tile Solutions 76 Raewyn Hughes, Ardex Australia INSTALLATION & TECHNICAL FORUM 52 A comprehensive tiling guide: a commission by the Australian Tile Council 70 Some considerations when using cement sheet 78 Adhesive Selection Guide 2016 90

Advertisers Index

READ ON THE GO: Scan code to view the latest FREE digital versions of the magazine on our website. Simply click on the front cover once you have scanned the code.

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NO TOOLS NEEDED EASY REMOVAL The New Tuscan SeamClip The Tuscan SeamClip™ is the world’s first one-piece tool less joint levelling system that will greatly assist in the installation of porcelain, stone, ceramic, marble, granite and large format tiles on floor or wall from 3mm - 13mm in thickness.

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FOREWOR D

Under new management

MEET THE TEAM

When the industry learned in mid 2015 that Tile Today was closing its doors there was an immediate uproar. Fortunately for everyone, the Melbourne based Elite Publishing Co came to the rescue and this, issue 88 of Tile Today, is the first under its new management.

Elite Publishing is a well established (32 years old) and much respected business magazine publishing company with a number of magazines in its stable. These include Flooring magazine and Supplier Woodworking Magazine as well as several digital magazines for the furniture, bedding and woodworking industries.

Vicky Cammiade Publisher

Tile Today was originally the brainchild of its previous publisher, Anthony Stock, who arrived in Australia in the late ‘80s having had a strong career in the tiling industry. His experience included working as a contracts manager for Val-Fix Ltd, one of London’s largest tiling contractors and, at a later date, operating his own supply and fix tiling business in NW London.

While Anthony has decided to wind back his commitment to publishing, his strong interest and passion for the industry means he will continue his involvement with it and, fortunately for us, that includes continuing to write for the magazine as contributing editor.(email: anthony.stock@elitepublishing.com.au) For Elite Publishing, this is a new and exciting venture and we are all looking forward to a long and successful association.

Jennifer Curtis Group Managing Editor

Jennifer Curtis, Group Managing Editor Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd

Anthony Stock Contributing Editor

Ashley Cooper Group National Sales & Marketing Manager

The ALLMARBLE series by Marazzi.

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M AR K ETS

Ceramic tile imports: new record levels in 2015

By Peter Halliday

Highlights • Total imports increased by 9% to 43.281 million square metres • Only four countries now supply 90% of imports • China increases market share to over 66% • Italian and Spanish imports increase by 13% • New South Wales makes up over 37% of the Australian market encouraged an upturn in European imports over the last two years.

Glazed tiles (HS Code 6908) represented 84% of all import volume, and 79% of the value of imports. Unglazed tiles (HS Code 6907) represented 16% of the total, a decline from 17% in the previous year. Glazed ceramic tile imports totalled 36,190,491 square metres with a declared customs value of AUD$367,362,457. This was an increase of 3.29 million square metres over the 32,899,957 square metres with a declared customs value of A$291,657,126 imported during 2014.

Fig. 1 Australian Dollar Exchange Rate 2013 -2015 1.1000 1.0000 0.9000 0.8000 0.7000 0.6000

-­‐2

M

ar

Ja n-­‐

20 1

3 01 ay 3 -­‐2 0 Ju 13 l-­‐2 Se 013 p-­‐ 2 No 013 v-­‐ 20 Ja 13 n-­‐ 2 M 014 ar

-­‐2 M 014 ay -­‐2 0 Ju 14 l-­‐2 0 Se 14 p-­‐ 20 No 14 v-­‐ 20 Ja 14 n-­‐ 2 M 015 ar -­‐2 M 015 ay -­‐2 0 Ju 15 l-­‐2 Se 015 p-­‐ 2 No 015 v-­‐ 20 15

0.5000

M

T

welve months ago, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that ceramic tile imports had reached record levels during 2014.

New records in import levels have now been set in 2015 on the back of the building boom, which continued throughout the year. Imports rose by an impressive 9% during 2015 which followed on from a similarly impressive 15% increase in 2014.

Ceramic tile imports rose from 39,635,250 square metres in 2014 to 43,281,009 square metres in 2015.

The declared customs value of tile imports increased by 24%, which followed a 26% increase in 2014. The total value of ceramic tile imports in 2015 was AUD$464,476,306.

The larger percentage increases in value compared with import volume reflects the significant deterioration in the value of the Australian dollar over recent years against foreign currencies in which ceramic tiles are typically purchased, notably the US dollar and the Euro. There is also evidence of an increase in imports of higher value, larger format tiles, sintered slabs and panels.

Figure 1. graphically illustrates the slide in the value of the Australian dollar, comparing the value of one Australian dollar against the US dollar and Euro over the last three years.

Note the sharper decline in the US dollar exchange rate, which in turn has

Unglazed ceramic tile imports in 2015 totalled 7,090,518 square metres with a declared value of AUD$97,113,848. This was up by 355,225 square metres on the 6,735,293 square metres with a declared customs value of AUD$84,122,813 imported during 2014. Figure 2. and Figure 3 show a breakdown by the destination state of the two HS categories in square metres and percentage of total imports.

The full table of total ceramic tile imports including country of origin and destination state can be seen in Figure 4. Four counties supplied almost 90% of all tile imports to Australia. China supplied the vast majority with 66.2% of the total market share while the next largest source, Malaysia, supplied 10.2 percent. Italy supplied 9% and Spain 3.7%. All four countries increased exports above the total Australian market growth. The growth of this top four was at the expense of countries whose imports declined

USD

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

8 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

EUR

M AR K ETS

Fig.2 Ceramic Tile Imports 2015 (Square Metres) by HS Category HS Category

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Total M2

Customs Value AUD

AV $/m2

HS6907 Unglazed

2,549,589

91,739

1,733,410

441,135

768

1,725,860

548,017

7,090,518

97,113,849

$13.70

HS6908 Glazed

13,531,064

547,333

7,131,747

1,819,411

206,899

8,412,512

4,541,524

36,190,491

367,362,457

$10.15

Grand Total

16,080,653

639,072

8,865,158

2,260,547

207,667

10,138,373

5,089,541

43,281,009

64,476,306

$10.73

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Total M2

Customs Value AUD

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Fig.3 Percentage of State Total HS Category

New South Wales

Northern Territory

HS6907 Unglazed

16%

14%

20%

20%

0%

17%

11%

16%

21%

HS6908 Glazed

84%

86%

80%

80%

100%

83%

89%

84%

79%

Western Australia

Total M2

% Total m2

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Fig. 4 Total Ceramic Tile Imports 2015 Square Metres by State Country of Origin

State of Destination New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria 950

1,840

5,627

0.0%

133,061

206,997

20,937

857,433

817,390

3,908,293

9.0%

93,321,531

70,557

1,307

Israel

2,837

Italy

1,554,181

38,873

412,482

Japan

8,102

903

2,329

Jordan

2

Korea, Republic of

45,646

100

Lithuania Malaysia

1,383 1,074,880

54,193

1,198,774

Mexico

3,122

5,098

Morocco

1,841

220

Netherlands

1,864

New Zealand

1,840

Pakistan

215

366,791

Saudi Arabia

891

2,750

7,215

Seychelles

240 483

South Africa

3,352

Spain

705,352

Sri Lanka

81,565

Switzerland

291

Taiwan

3,226

Thailand

414,154

Tunisia

2,900

Turkey

52,752

United Arab Emirates

388,528

United Kingdom

26,704

United States of America

17,991

Viet Nam

135,690

950

188,302

36,467 6,516

1,048 1,742

236,454 122,603

6,182

27,743

60,554

8,114 35

4,896 19,255

60,848

37,340

288

2,426

960

11,894

0.0%

142,554

998

156

3,215

0.0%

248,980

13,998

0.0%

477,198

237

2,138

17,811

635

13,379

0.0%

145,204

215

0.0%

3,443

285

0.0%

6,613

131,271

0.3%

2,085,481

2,072

2,963

0.0%

31,401

1,037

1,037

0.0%

15,675

628

868

0.0%

17,899

1,841

5,231

0.0%

74,729

21,212

24,564

0.1%

270,700

65,101

12,400

433,203

219,233

1,601,318

3.7%

29,115,086

16,819

383,406

607,638

1.4%

5,719,661

740

1,031

0.0%

101,256

90

102

1,266

5,731

0.0%

173,094

1,054

201,055

177,973

10,350

10,983

454,875

0.0%

33,992,900

2,906

119,333

0.1%

1,383

10.2%

Serbia Singapore

45,746 4,396,251

425

9,683

1,608,653 5,127

312,422

285 31,983

0.2% 0.0%

1,387,109

Poland Portugal

83,198 2

2,082

12,134 10,242

36,926 1,875 1,200

20,996

57,021

1,060,175

2.4%

8,070,007

2,900

0.0%

58,376

279,652

0.6%

3,516,094

93,284

22,731

581,267

1.3%

4,988,609

52,438

267

90,428

0.2%

1,317,819

25,817

0.1%

340,420

33,213

290,335

0.7%

2,627,129

64,476,306

$10.73

1,729 20,334

Grand Total

16,080,653

639,072

8,865,158

,260,547

207,667

10,138,373

5,089,541

43,281,009

State Share

37%

1%

20%

5%

0%

23%

12%

100%

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

10 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Customs Value AUD

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M AR K ETS

Fig.5 Top 10 Source Countries 2001 - 2015

Ceramic Tile Imports 2001 -­‐2015 50,000,000 45,000,000 40,000,000

Square Metres

35,000,000 30,000,000 25,000,000 20,000,000 15,000,000 10,000,000 5,000,000 -­‐ China

2001

2002

Malaysia

2003 Italy

2004 Spain

2005 Thailand

2006 Sri Lanka

2007

2008

2009

United Arab Emirates

2010

Indonesia

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

such as Indonesia (-26%), Thailand (-27%), Vietnam (-26%).

Imports from Italy increased by 13% in 2015. While Italy supplied 9% of all Australian imports, it accounted for 20% of the total import value. The average price per square metre from Italy rose only by 3% in 2015, one of the smallest increases from any source country; however, at AUD$23.88 per square metre, the average price is the highest of any of the top 10 source countries. Like Italy, imports from Spain also increased by 13% in 2015.

Spanish imports accounted for 3.7% of total imports and 6% of the total value. The average price per square metre of Spanish imports rose by 22% to AUD$18.18.

Imports from Thailand dropped by 27% in 2015 which followed a 9% drop in the previous year. Imports from Sri Lanka fell by 28%; however, imports had increased by 60% in 2014, which catapulted Sri Lanka to sixth largest supplying nation to Australia, overtaking Indonesia. Imports from Turkey increased by 10% in 2015.

Figure 5. shows historical import volumes over the last 15 years, highlighting the top 10 source nations.

Figure 6. shows total ceramic tile imports by destination state since 2010 while figure 7. shows the state percentage of national total imports and Figure 8 shows the percentage change on the previous year.

When analysing the 2015 import figures, every state increased imports over 2014 except Northern Territory.

While the overall national increase

was 9%, New South Wales again increased imports at a rate higher than the national average. South Australia experienced a significant rise in imports, increasing 13.4% over 2014, while Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland were within one percent of the national increase. Western Australia was well below the national average at 1.1% increase, reflecting, in part, the end of the mining boom and its associated impact on the local economy. New South Wales accounted for 37.2% of all imports (up from 36.4%), Victoria 23.4% (unchanged), Queensland 20.3%, Western Australia 11.8%, South Australia 5.2%, Northern Territory 1.5% and Tasmania 0.5%.

The total Australian market size for ceramic tiles in 2014 can now be estimated at around 49 million square metres once local production is included. This represents a usage of 2.1 square metres per head of population. ■

Fig. 6 Total Ceramic Tile Imports Calendar Year

New South Wales*

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Total M2

2010

11,919,529

460,314

8,569,680

2,189,254

278,247

8,259,896

4,341,119

36,018,039

2011

11,777,954

365,113

7,645,293

2,288,794

197,135

9,195,169

4,346,110

35,815,567

2012

11,636,414

410,709

6,625,784

1,931,324

157,121

8,085,630

3,743,340

32,590,322

2013

12,161,585

508,742

7,000,476

1,992,126

182,316

8,502,425

4,091,458

34,439,127

2014

14,409,415

663,506

8,056,465

1,993,568

188,544

9,290,549

5,033,204

39,635,250

2015

16,080,653

639,072

8,865,158

2,260,547

207,667

10,138,373

5,089,541

43,281,009

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Total M2

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Fig. 7 State Share of imports Calendar Year

New South Wales*

Northern Territory

2010

33.1%

1.3%

23.8%

6.1%

0.8%

22.9%

12.1%

100%

2011

32.9%

1.0%

21.3%

6.4%

0.6%

25.7%

12.1%

100%

2012

35.7%

1.3%

20.3%

5.9%

0.5%

24.8%

11.5%

100%

2013

35.3%

1.5%

20.3%

5.8%

0.5%

24.7%

11.9%

100%

2014

36.4%

1.7%

20.3%

5.0%

0.5%

23.4%

12.7%

100%

2015

37.2%

1.5%

20.5%

5.2%

0.5%

23.4%

11.8%

100%

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Total M2

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Fig. 8 Percentage Change on Previous Year Calendar Year

New South Wales*

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

2010

19.5%

20.4%

18.4%

0.0%

8.4%

13.6%

22.9%

17%

2011

-1.2%

-20.7%

-10.8%

4.5%

-29.2%

11.3%

0.1%

-1%

2012

-1.2%

12.5%

-13.3%

-15.6%

-20.3%

-12.1%

-13.9%

-9%

2013

4.5%

23.9%

5.7%

3.1%

16.0%

5.2%

9.3%

6%

2014

18.5%

30.4%

15.1%

0.1%

3.4%

9.3%

23.0%

15%

2015

11.6%

-3.7%

10.0%

13.4%

10.1%

9.1%

1.1%

9%

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

14 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

TI L E TR END S Basaltine Magnum by Metro Tiles (QLD) provides a perfect example of the advances made in large format tile production, coupled with slim tile technology. These 1000 x 1000 x 6mm tiles highlight the capacity of manufacturers to accurately replicate the appearance of other popular finishes and surfaces. The product is available in three colourways: Crema, Gris and Moka.

(Courtesy Metro Tiles, QLD).

1

More of the same, with a subtle twist Tile trends 2016

By Anthony Stock

I

n Issue 35 of Ceraspana magazine published by ASCER, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association, a prominent editorial featured the following sentence: “Constant innovation applied to the ceramic tile manufacturing process, especially the arrival of digital printing, has led to a proliferation of ceramic coverings that faithfully reproduce the look of other materials found in nature”.

The truth of this statement is qualified by the wide availability in our market of ceramic tiles, which effectively replicate the appearance of natural materials like stone and wood (Photo 1).

Any attempt to predict the outstanding ceramic tile trends in the Australian market in 2016 must include porcelain products, which look like stone or wood. However, European and Asian manufacturers are equally fascinated by the challenge of faithfully imitating the appearance of man-made materials such as concrete.

Visitors to Cersaie 2015 in Bologna, Italy will have noted the development of a new trend focused

on the imitation of another manmade product, brick. (Photo 2).

Concrete and brick are not materials to be found in nature.

They are, however, like stone and wood, finishes and surfaces we see, touch and traverse every day in residential, commercial and public spaces. As such, they are ubiquitous products that compete with tile, and are frequently specified by architects.

This is the prime reason why many tile manufacturers are committed to imitating these hard wearing, tried and tested surface finishes.

The second reason relates to the simple fact that well chosen, correctly installed and maintained ceramic replications of these products outlast the original products they seek to imitate. In fact, many ceramic products can survive Brick, stone, timber, cement and concrete surface finishes feature prominently in every facet of our built environment, hence the recent emergence of convincing ceramic replications of brick in matt and gloss finishes. (Courtesy Colortile, NSW).

2

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 15

T IL E T REN D S

Timber look ceramic tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes and surface finishes. Everstone recently introduced the attractive Recupera series.

These attractive Hexagonal glazed porcelain Italian tiles are produced in a 240 x 277mm format in brown and light colour tones.

(Courtesy Everstone).

3

The bottom line The new Infinity collection of 300 x 600mm wall tiles comprises 12 designs in 24 colourways, including the contemporary Geo design. (Courtesy Southern Cross Ceramics).

4

with relative ease throughout the lifespan of a building. The associated maintenance costs are, therefore, low in comparison to alternative surface finishes, which are not nearly as suitable for use in fully immersed conditions – such as swimming pools – or a myriad of other exterior and interior settings.

Several of the Australian buyers and industry participants at Cersaie believed that many of the new

products on display were reappraisals of the aforementioned surface finishes, which reflected subtle but nonetheless significant advances in terms of appearance and style.

Peter Halliday of Decor8 said: “The look and feel of the product improves every year. However, the challenge of convincing end users that tile is a better product than those it seeks to imitate still remains”.

16 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

If tile producers and resellers can convince architects, designers and homeowners that ceramic replications of the other surfaces we constantly encounter are harder wearing, and easier to clean and maintain, the market for tile will almost certainly expand. Consequently, our ongoing fascination with stone and other surfaces will continue unabated, driven constantly by advances in digital decoration. The cost of digital technology is falling rapidly, almost as quickly as the improvements to the production process are being envisaged and brought into being.

Some buyers shrug their shoulders and walk on when they are confronted by another replication of Carrara marble, but shrewd industry professionals are more inclined to pause, evaluate and calculate the often subtle and incremental improvements that are capable of convincing prospective customers to choose tile in preference to the alternative material.

The initial cost can, potentially, be prohibitive but the learned and accomplished salesperson can impress upon their client that the

KIKO

Arriving March 2016 Available in White, Beige, Grey and Aqua (Pictured).

40 40

- 201 1974

For further information or to locate your nearest Tile Retailer please contact us on +61 2 9584 4000 or email sales@aceceramics.com.au

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Over forty years of distributing tile collections beyond our customer’s expectations.

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T IL E T REN D S

State-of-the-art ink-jet printing technologies enable the production of Anthracite, which is part of the new Cementina collection by RAK. (Courtesy Europe Imports).

5

long-term cost of maintaining a timber floor will be much greater than that of timber-look ceramic tile, whilst its life expectancy will be considerably shorter. Maintenance costs can be significant over 15 to 20 years and the total replacement cost will be higher and required sooner rather than later in most instances.

(Photo 3)

Colour and decoration Many industry participants (the author included) imagined that the wide availability of digital decoration would result in a strong resurgence of colour. Sandy Hercus of Southern Cross Ceramics said: “We supply product to leading tile retailers in every state and territory and, in our experience, there is a gradual if not overwhelming move away from minimalism, which is typified by broader acceptance of bolder decorative themes that appear in a variety of forms including geometric designs, 3enticing textures, the solid re-emergence of feature tiles, and stronger elements of colour”.

For example, Southern Cross Ceramics, our leading manufacturer of value-added product, recently released the striking Infinity collection. (Photo 4).

the development of 400 by 400mm product in the early 1990s. Today, use of 600 by 600mm floor tiles and 300 by 600mm wall tiles is considered commonplace and there are many larger formats that dwarf these dimensions.

Jinbao Yang, the Managing Director of leading NSW-based wholesaler DW Tiles, recently added 750 by 1500mm and 600 by 1200mm regular thickness tiles from Italy and China to his extensive collection. He confidently expects the large format trend to continue in 2016 and beyond.

Some specifiers and end users prefer large surfaces that are largely uninterrupted by grout lines. Cheriyan Samuel, Principal of Prestige Tiles, the Australian distributor of RAK Ceramics, agreed that large format products are here to stay. Cheriyan stated: “We recently launched the Cementina collection that combines the durability and easy maintenance attributes of tile with the appearance of cement-like surfaces”. (Photo 5).

At the opposite end of the size spectrum, mosaic continues to maintain its popularity based on its sheer flexibility and its potential for use in showers, on kitchen splashbacks, on walls and floors and the curved, convex and concave surfaces of swimming pools (Photo 6). Ceramic tile and panel formats range from tiny mosaic tesserae to three metre by one metre (and larger)

Size counts The appearance of large format wall and floor tiles commenced with 18 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

panels of porcelain, such as the 7mmthick Exedra collection, which can even be used on kitchen benchtops (Photo 7), and every imaginable size in between.

Opportunities go begging Ironically, the emergence and undiminished popularity of large format tiles, coupled with a prolonged fascination with minimalism, very nearly wiped out the plethora of relatively small enterprises focused on the production of value-added products, which consisted primarily of screen-printed designs applied locally to plain tiles. As sizes increased, so too did the cost of creating new designs and adjusting to new technologies. The initial cost of digital ink-jet printing prohibited niche value-added specialists from making the requisite changes.

Thankfully, the cost of digital inkjet printers is declining and this may produce two welcome developments.

The large manufacturers that appear preoccupied, at present, with replications of stone and other surface finishes may be encouraged by the affordability of digital printing to return to truly creative design, which illustrates the full extent of ceramic tile decoration and its ability to capture and convey all aspects of the world that surrounds us. The dwindling cost of digital printing may also facilitate the formation and A stunning pool mosaic created using award winning Ezarri glass mosaics.

(Courtesy Europe Imports, NSW).

6

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7

participation of bold new companies driven by the desire to be clever and adventurous rather than safe and, perhaps, predictable.

Any digital photograph, even a scribbled drawing, can be presented on the surface of a single tile, a panel of tiles or a mosaic composition of practically any size.

Will manufacturers, nascent or established, develop this concept, or will savvy designers appreciate the opportunities that exist and push tile-makers to respond? At this point in time, serious opportunities are going begging. These include unique concepts on building facades, one-off designs for use in public spaces and private homes, and the hospitality sector. The possibilities are endless.

In spite of what appears to be a paucity of original design, we should recognise the incredible, which has been made in regards to production of tiles which convincingly emulate the appearance stone, brick, timber and cement surfaces.

In conclusion In my opinion, the growth of the industry in Australia lies in the hands of those who are responsible for

explaining the technical advances in production and decoration, and how these durable and aesthetically pleasing materials can be used most effectively in our built environment.

This requires greater awareness of the advantageous and highly valued life cycle of ceramic tile, and other such attributes, which directly relate to its unrivalled longevity and low maintenance costs.

An ability to recognise the intrinsic benefits of ceramic tile, combined with an understanding of the basic fixing materials and installation techniques, is essential as the market is changing on a daily basis. James Woodyatt, the joint Managing Director of CDK Stone, recently advised me that sales of Neolith, its revolutionary large slim panels and tiles, have lately doubled. A number of companies now specialise in the marketing of slim products. Ten years ago people laughed at the notion that enormous tiles and panels would be accepted in our market. In 2016, new products and technologies will be rolled out. Those who turn a blind eye will one day wake up to discover that some of them have become part of the fabric of our built environment. â–

T IL E T REN D S

The curved façade of Europe’s second largest building is clad in over 20,000 square metres of Ezarri glass mosaic. (Images courtesy Europe Imports, NSW)

I+2

Choosing the right grout is important, good grouting adds the final touch to a carefully planned and executed tiling project.

Mosaic has many uses outside of swimming pools As we have more swimming pools per capita than any other country in the world, it is no surprise that most of the publicity for the use of mosaic (specifically, glass mosaic) centres on our backyards. While we import a substantial volume of glass mosaic, not all of it ends up in pools.

I

by Fred Gray, Laticrete Australia

n addition, we actually import more ceramic mosaic than glass, as well as increasing volumes of natural stone mosaic, particularly marble. A considerable proportion of these products are destined for use in a wide variety of environments. This demonstrates that mosaic is flexible in

more ways than one. It can be used to add a subtle or bold flourish of colour to any wall or floor tiling composition, or it can be used to clad the façade of a building.

Mosaic predates the Classical civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome. It actually dates back

22 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

more than 4000 years to the use of terracotta cones that were pressed into a background point first to create primitive decoration. The Greeks mastered the art of using small stone pebbles to fashion geometric and floral designs approximately 2400 years ago. This art form literally represented painting in stone.

Ultimately, the Romans refined this practice and introduced schools for mosaicists in many parts of their empire. While a number of the best preserved mosaics are located in Pompeii (executed in some instances

by Greeks) there are many fine

Stunning use of digital technology produced this fabulous glass mosaic mural in Melbourne Central Food Court.

(Image courtesy Academy Tiles, NSW).

3

Roman mosaics elsewhere in Europe and Africa.

Natural stone is still used for the same reasons that the Ancients built temples, palaces and monuments from stone. An early Megaron catalogue stated: “Mosaic is neither a minor form of art, nor a subaltern one, but it remains a primary noble expression, designated to less perishable works, which indicate ‘magnificence and significance”.

Creativity Today, it is entirely possible to use digital inkjet technology to add any digital image to the surface of a ceramic, glass or stone mosaic.

However, sustained interest in the art of creating unique handcrafted mosaics is confirmed by the presence of mosaic schools in towns and cities across the globe. Striking mosaics can be created using ceramic, natural stone, glass and metal tesserae (cubes) or a combination of one or more of these materials.

There are no design limitations. No other hard surface finish compares to mosaic in relation to its flexibility, which means that designs can easily flow over convex and concave surfaces, and around curves and pillars.

The simple removal of a single tessera from a sheet of mosaic, and its replacement with one of another colour, can represent the first step in creating an inimitable design. These designs can be used in public spaces, commercial buildings and hotels and private residences. Let us look at some examples of how and where mosaic has been used to good effect.

Facades A lightweight sheet of mosaic is easy to handle and cut. When you couple these attributes with the massive potential for creative design, it is hardly surprising that architects and designers are often encouraged to specify mosaic for use on building facades. Photos 1 and 2 depict use of more than 20,000 square metres of Ezarri glass mosaic, which flows over the curved and undulating surface of Europe’s second largest building.

Architects Dominique and Phillipe Renaud specified a cascading blend of mosaic to decorate this landmark structure in Paris.

Public and commercial Photo 3 highlights sensational use of Bisazza glass mosaics which were designed by the Uncarved Block for use in the Melbourne Food Court.

The designs were created in Bisazza’s studio in Italy. The product was supplied by Academy Tiles, NSW. Architectural design firm Ashton, Raggatt, McDougall handled the $260 million renovation of Melbourne Central Shopping Centre. The mural, which is one of the largest ever installed in Australia, features numerous colourful butterflies, rabbits, ants and a rather startling owl.

Natural stone mosaic is frequently used in the entrance to banks, hotels and commercial premises in conjunction with marble and granite. The prime decoration often appears in the form of an emblem (or emblemata), which can be hand drawn by a mosaic artist, and assembled in accordance with their instructions, or it can be designed using CAD. Photo 4 features an emblem in a field of green marble installed at the Hall Harbour Building, Hong Kong.

The bathroom Mosaic can be used to tile all the surfaces of a bathroom, or a single feature wall. In many instances it is employed as a simple, but effective vertical stripe or horizontal band of colour, which provides relief to fully tiled monochrome expanses of plain tiles. For example, Photo 5 features 25 by 50mm glazed porcelain tesserae combined with 320 by 550mm satin white wall tiles.

Natural stone mosaic emblems are used to create decorative panels in public buildings and private residences. (Image courtesy Megaron SpA).

4

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 23

T IL E T REN D S

Mosaic is frequently used as a decorative accent. (Image courtesy Metric Tile).

5

This amazing creation emphasises how mosaic can inspire designers to literally think outside the square. (Image courtesy Bisazza Australia).

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24 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Complex, unique designs can be created. (Image courtesy Bisazza Australia).

6

Mosaic can be used to decorate walls in entrances and living space. (Image courtesy Di Lorenzo Tiles).

9

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T IL E T REN D S

Mosaic is frequently used to decorate the space between kitchen wall and floor cabinets. (Image courtesy Everstone).

8

Many sheeted mosaics feature products, which are larger than the conventional 10 to 50mm tesserae, are typically regarded as mosaic.

Some sheeted mosaic pieces are as large as 100 x 100mm.

At the other end of the scale, Photo 6 illustrates precisely why mosaic is a truly remarkable product, which has endless design potential. This intriguing concept, which appeared on The Block, features Bisazza glass mosaic carefully cut and installed to create an optical illusion that winds

its way up the back wall of the shower enclosure and gradually disappears.

Note how the same material is used to frame the mirror.

Incredibly, Photo 7 goes a step further in terms of creativity. This amazing concept which imitates the curve of a crashing wave was created

by Edward Lowe of Bisazza Australia.

kitchen design. Three to five square metres of carefully chosen mosaic or tile can often make or break the whole design proposal. Photo 8 depicts a field of Everstone 25 x 25mm mosaic pieces with 100 x 100mm glass insets.

The vivid colours of the glass contrast with and complement the solidity of the granite benchtop.

The kitchen

Living spaces

The small but critical space between the floor and wall cabinets often provides the prime focal point in

Bathrooms and kitchens in private residences and hotels are prime environments for use of mosaic.

Curved, convex and concave surfaces can be effectively tiled with mosaic. In this instance, natural stone is used to tile the risers, and parts of the the adjacent walls and floor. (Image courtesy San Marco Ceramics, Vic).

26 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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T IL E T REN D S

These curved substrates highlight the flexibility of mosaic, which even lines the ceiling.

(Image courtesy Tile Power).

However, the product can be used to good effect in other locations, including feature walls in entrances and living rooms where use of an appropriate design can provide a breathtaking aesthetic (Photo 9).

Wherever curved surfaces present a challenge, mosaic can provide a solution by flowing seamlessly over difficult surfaces (Photos 10 and 11).

Outdoors We began our review by focusing on mosaic used to clad the façade of Europe’s second largest building. We have deliberately avoided swimming pools to emphasise that ceramic, glass and natural stone mosaics can be applied in myriad other external and internal environments. Designs can be as simple or as complex as you like. Photo 12 illustrates use of black and white glazed ceramic mosaic on the exterior and top of a barbecue.

We finish by highlighting how a large customised mosaic mural was produced from a 10 centimetre square computergenerated design, which was digitally modified to create an arresting feature in a private residence in Dalkeith, Western Australia (Photo 13).

While many ceramic tile manufacturers steadily increase their focus on large format products, interest in miniscule mosaics remains strong, simply because the product is an elemental building block, which has infinite design possibilities that can be adapted to almost any vertical or horizontal surface. â– TThis extensive mural was created from a 10 x 10cm digital image. (Image courtesy Bisazza Australia).

Mosaic can be used outdoors on a variety of surfaces including tables and barbecues. (Image courtesy Prestige Tiles).

28 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

NEWS

ADVICE

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With over 45,000 unique visitors per month and more than 3000 members, Infotile.com is the place to go for all the latest news, product profiles, installation guides and advice dedicated to the ceramic tile and natural stone industries.

For more information or to discuss advertising opportunities, contact: Ashley Cooper ashley.cooper@elitepublishing.com.au Ph: 03 9890 0815 Fax: 03 9890 0087

Access our publications archive and read feature articles in Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Tile+Stone Showcase magazines.

T IL E T REN D S Geometric designs like Caesar One cement-loft encourage users to create their own piece of abstract art.

1

Personalising ceramic tile designs The inspiration for this article came from a paper presented at Qualicer, the World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, by Cristina Reig and Pascual Nebot and entitled ‘Basic Design: A creative tool for personalising ceramics’. We review established and contemporary methods employed to create personal and, occasionally, unique designs.

2

Aparaci Moving Black 20x20 | Glam Decor 20x20 |Vanguard Mix | Mix Cf_Mix Taco 1-2 | Lumber Dark Natural 15,7X59,2. (Courtesy Beaumont Tiles).

30 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

T

he abstract of the aforementioned paper states: “Unlike the twentiethcentury consumer, the new users of the twenty first century require suggestions and stimuli to enhance their personality and nowadays the home is, above all, a prolongation of that personality: a place where individuals can express themselves.

And design has a key role to play in this”.

Traditional methods employed to create novel or unique tile designs, usually rely on the integration of combinations of different sizes, colours, and textures. Prolonged interest in minimalism tended to stifle creativity.

In spite of a resurgence of interest in colour and design, illustrated by the recent emergence of ‘cement’ look product (Photo 1), minimalism will never fade away, simply because many homeowners tend to play it safe.

However, anyone who watches television will be aware that colour is back in vogue – in fashion, furniture and surface finishes. Adventurous designers and homeowners have a plethora of products to choose from, in terms of shapes, colours and textures.

With a little imagination, a unique design can easily be achieved (Photo 2 and 3).

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T IL E T REN D S

Materia by Casa Mood combines fine porcelains fine porcelain stoneware and glass decors to produce an intriguing surface finish.

3 Whether large formats or miniscule mosaic tesserae are chosen to create a specific design, or a combination of both, the concept ultimately relies on the user’s perspective of how those finished products can be integrated into the chosen space.

Much of the renewed interest in use of colourful ceramic tile designs

relies heavily on the relatively recent emergence of inkjet printing technologies, which provides specifiers and consumers with the potential to create something entirely new and different by adding value to the manufactured product in the form of fresh decoration.

Inkjet printing on ceramic tile

surfaces is forging ahead in leaps and bounds, permitting the creation of amazing replications of timber and stone or one-off designs, which are determined by the user who submits the high resolution image or drawing that is used to produce the highly personalised final graphic.

The Sable Noir 400 x400mm design from the Deco A’nton range by Tagina presents colour, decoration and contrast in a series that combines geometric designs and floral motifs. (Courtesy Di Lorenzo Tiles).

4 32 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

T IL E T REN D S

Aparaci Special Digital Printing Format 29,75x59,55cm Sieben Flieger Underground, Munich.

5

Inkjet printing is a real game changer. Reig and Nebot wrote: “Digital inkjet printing has advantages over traditional silkscreen printing methods as it uses a printing technique based on the injection of ceramic inks with specific characteristics that affect their use and which continue to evolve. Based on this technique, we can offer users an application which will enable them to not only upload the unique images which will be transferred to the surface of the product, but also to create their own designs and compositions”.

This potential is already being utilised to create inimitable tiling designs that are used on feature walls in private residences, hospitality projects and on building facades (Photo 4 and 5).

In simple terms the user can take a good quality digital image or obtain one from a suitable source, submit it to the tile manufacturer and commission them to produce a bespoke design. The sky is the veritable limit.

Our own major tile manufacturer National Ceramics Industries Australia possesses the technology and the high quality inkjet printers required to process and produce oneoff designs.

At some point in the future manufacturers may well use software to invite clients to upload their own images with instructions to add them to a particular plain tile. Inkjet printing is designed for short or long production runs and digital material can easily be saved. ■

An example of Ceracasa Emotile’s extraordinary digital printing. The Emotile series received Spain’s coveted Alfa D’Oro award.

Any digital image can be re-produced on the surface of a porcelain tile. Hundreds of images are stored in the Emotile digital library. Alternatively bespoke designs can be created using supplied digital images.

6

34 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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ADVANCED CERAMICS

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STANDARDS

REVIEW

Xtreme by Cercom Ceramiche is a ceramic interpretation of concrete. Produced in four neutral colours and six sizes (two colours are also available in a 19 mm thick version), for use in interiors and exteriors. Pictured: Xtreme Silver and right Xtreme Mud.

1

High valued products gain market share

By Anthony Stock Each September our leading tile importers make their annual pilgrimage to Italy to view the latest products displayed at Cersaie – the world’s premier ceramic tile expo, which is staged in Bologna.

M

any local importers of tile buy the bulk of their products from China, but when it comes to getting a glimpse of new and cutting edge offerings, Italy is the first port of call.

Design is Italy’s strong point.

Much of the inspiration flows from the partnership that exists between leading manufacturers of machinery and tile makers, who work hand-in-hand to create and refine new technologies to improve the performance and appearance of tile.

Ceramic World Web has confirmed that the Italian tile industry is performing strongly, with large export volumes and a steady increase

in selling prices as evidenced by the findings published in the inaugural Financial Statement Analysis of World Ceramic Tile Manufacturers.

The report concluded that the price increases could be attributed to a shift towards high value products.

This fact was highlighted in Peter Halliday’s report on our tile imports in Issue 86 of Tile Today, which confirmed that the average price for a square metre of Italian tile had risen to $23.22. In spite of the escalating cost, imports from Italy soared by 22% in 2014. These figures indicate why there will always be a market for truly innovative materials. Italy leads the way in the field of Advanced Ceramics.

36 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

The aforementioned report states that: “Two distinct business models exist”. Some producers focus on “production processes that make intensive use of low cost labour (predominantly in Asia and non-EU Europe) with medium to low end product ranges sold mainly on the domestic market and operating in cost leadership conditions”. The second business model, largely consisting of Italian and some EU companies, “focuses on differentiation, a limited workforce, large investments and high levels of productivity, resulting in comparable unit labour costs to that of Asian competitors”.

The term Advanced Ceramics is a tag that is used to define those products which are produced for a specific structural project or purpose, using novel technologies. For most of us the term can be applied to the radical shifts that occur in tile design, decoration and surface finish: in other words, the appearance of the finished product and the literal ‘wow’ factor.

There are anti-microbial tiles, which literally clean the air and luminous tiles, which can be used to light the way for those stranded in dark or dangerous places. Then there are the lightweight tiles and panels, which can be used on virtually any interior

Unika by the ABK Group features traces of ancient stones and worn concrete effects. The collection is available in five colours and a host of formats. Natural and antique surfaces are reserved for internal use, the bush – hammered finish is designed for outdoor applications.

2

The Tempo collection from Eco Ceramiac reproduces Wood. This fashionable, contemporary product has been enhanced with decorative effects and inlays, including Smoke 200 x 800mm and Cassettone 400 x 400mm accent.

3

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 37

A DVANCED CE R AMICS

The HEX collection from Etruria Design. Cement tiles were the source of inspiration for the retro appeal of this designer floor surface. The collection comes in a wealth of shapes and colours, making it ideal for a design project without limits of space or time.

Pictured: Rombo 120 x 210mm.

4

or exterior surface. These products can be used to create louvered, climate control panels which can control the temperature of a building.

Let’s examine some of the remarkable new products that have emanated from Italy in recent times.

The Metro look Tile manufacturers are intently focused on faithfully replicating the appearance of natural stone, timber and concrete surfaces that we constantly encounter in our built environment.

Metropolitan or Metro look frequently captures traces of all of those surface finishes on the surface of one tile. Some pieces look more like a particular piece of stone whilst others appear more like timber or concrete. Careful blending of these carefully crafted, digitally decorated products can produce a floor finish that is subtle but variable.

Photo 1 features Xtreme by Cercom, a contemporary metro interpretation of concrete, which is produced in six sizes and four neutral colours, two of which are

Visual Design by Ceramiche Supergres is a white body resin inspired ceramic wall tile, which is designed to encourage creation of designs that exhibit a sophisticated aesthetic.

5

38 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

manufactured in a 19mm thickness for internal or external use.

Unika by ABK (Photo 2) displays traces of ancient natural stones mingled with vague highlights of urban concrete. The collection is available in no less than nine formats ranging from 200 x 200mm to 600 x 1200mm, in natural and antique finishes for internal use and bushhammered for external applications.

The multiplicity of formats encourages the creation of modular laying patterns that can feature several formats.

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Decoration, design & shape Beyond the Metropolitan look there are innumerable designs that faithfully replicate the appearance of every kind of surface finish or material including fabrics, carpet and metal. In addition there are the utterly compelling imitations of stone, wood and concrete, which are produced in a multitude of colours, surface finishes and formats for internal or external use.

Tempo by Eco (Photo 3) is a brilliant replication of timber, which accurately marries the appearance of wood with the durability and low-maintenance of tile. This enticing design is created using Smoke, a 200 x 800mm inlay, with Cassetone, a 400 x 400mm accent tile.

The relatively recent emergence of ‘cement tile’ has inspired the Hex series by Etruria Design. Photo 4 depicts Rombo, a 120 x 210mm product, which is just one of numerous colours and shapes which encourage designers to create compelling designs.

Photo 5 presents Visual Design

by Ceramiche Supergres, Atlas Concorde. These stunning white body resin inspired tiles are produced in a number of formats and colours, which can be combined to produce an inspired aesthetic.

HI-Tech from Cipa Gres, an acidresistant full-body technical porcelain tile for industrial floor applications. The HiTech series aims to meet all the requirements of industrial floors in heavy-duty applications.

It is available in a wide range of colours. (left is HI-Tech Graniti).

6

Some tiles are tougher

than others

All of these products can be used in residential settings and some of them are appropriate for light commercial and hospitality projects.

Inevitably, there are whole ranges of tiles designed for use in the toughest industrial environments where spills

Stark from Verde 1999 features modern, classic, rustic, concrete or wood surface finishes. Available in a range of sizes (including 300 x 600mm and 450 x 900mm) and six different colours (Bianco, Beige, Grigio, Antracite, Taupe, Tortora), this series caters for all tastes. A product 100% made in Italy with high-definition digital technology. Pictured: Stark Taupe 150 x 900mm.

7

40 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

of acid or oil might occur and where specification of a slip resistance surface is a must.

Architects can turn to products like Hi Tech by Cipa Gres. This acid resistant, full body porcelain product is designed for industrial floor applications and manufactured in a number of colours, in natural and textured finishes. A non-slip surface finish is available (Photo 6).

In reality there are no commercial or residential spaces where ceramic tile of one kind or another cannot be used. The Stark collection by Verde 1999 S.r.l. is produced in modern, classic, rustic, concrete and wood finishes in numerous sizes, and six colourways (Photo 7).

Many of the illustrated products benefit from the application of highdefinition digital technology, which makes it possible to render virtually any image on the surface of a ceramic tile. Rapid advances in this field continue to be made and replications of other surface finishes are becoming increasingly authentic. Importantly, the ceramic imitation will inevitably outperform the material it resembles.

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This unique refined concrete look is the ideal flooring solution designed to depict fine living with sound technology created by our R&D partners to achieve a unique Gres Porcellanato tiles that easily floors your senses.

29.5x120

• 4 Tile sizes • 7 Colours • 8 Decorative decors in 2 colours • Natural concrete look • Lappato, matt & rustic finishes • Rectified porcelain tiles • Suitable for internal & external floor & wall applications • Suitable for commercial and residential tiling applications

• PRESTIGE TILES +61 2 8717 9044 www.prestigetiles.com

300 x 300

The Surface collection has been treated with a special RG 0913 glaze so as to enhance the durability of the tile and keep the surface protected against abrasions. The Surface series uses basic raw materials which have been sourced internationally from countries including Spain, Italy and Indonesia which undergo stringent testing procedures before usage to ensure the durability and quality of the tile. The entire production process of the Surface Collection is highly controlled and at every stage optimum firing conditions are maintained to ensure a superior product such as the Surface.

• MASSA IMPORTS +61 3 9282 1600 www.massaimports.com.au

• HERITAGE TILES +64 9270 7970 www.tile.co.nz

A DVANCED CE R AMICS

Extraordinary from the Ava Ceramics collection by La Fabbrica S.p.a. is produced in a 1600 x 3200 x 6mm giant panel of porcelain. It can be used on walls and floors, internally and externally.

8

Slimline tonic When we consider the most remarkable advances made in the field of ceramic tile technology, the advent of slim tiles and panels produced in thicknesses ranging from 3mm to 7mm for walls and floors, and 11mm for benchtops, stands out.

A decade or so ago a couple of Italian manufacturers pioneered the technology introduced by machinery manufacturer System S.p.A which permitted production of slim 3mm porcelain products.

The main Italian protagonist was Cotto D’Este. Today, they have been joined by a cast of international manufacturers, including RAK and Kalebodur, and a growing number

of Italian producers such as Iris, Fiandre, Ariostea, Cerdisa and Marazzi.

Little by little architects and consumers are gaining an appreciation of the merits of these remarkable products. which can be mechanically fixed to facades, laid on benchtops, or walls and floors.

These slim, lightweight products are easy to handle, cut and manoeuvre in comparison to heavy slabs of stone or regular thickness porcelain tiles.

Importantly, slim tiles can be adhered to sound, flat existing wall and floor tiles, which saves the time and money and mess associated with removal and replacement of existing tiles.

Infinity from Ceramica Fondovalle overcomes the limitations of natural stone. Marbletech White captures the soul of Calacatta marble from Carrara. Its uniqueness lies in the creation of 11 different designs in the large 1200 x 2400mm size with a thickness of just 6.5 mm. Marbletech White comes in a choice of three finishes: gloss, matte and natural.

9

42 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

These large format tiles and panels provide manufacturers with a big canvas on which to render their vision, while practising the arts of digital decoration. Photo 8 illustrates the results of this experimentation.

Ava by La Fabbrica S.p.A. is a giant 1600 x 3200 x 6mm porcelain panel that is described as being “suitable for all spaces on walls and floors”.

Last, but by no means least, Photo 9 depicts Infinity by Ceramica Fondovalle. This particular product consists of 11 different graphic designs printed on 1200 x 2400 x 6.5mm-thick panels that can be adhered to flat floors and walls in three finishes: gloss, matte and natural.

These striking replications of marble share very low porosity, which means that they will not stain or etch when spills of cooking oil, red wine, lemon juice or other contaminants occur.

With high levels of sustained investment, the Italian tile sector leads the way in the development of advanced ceramic products. ■

Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd has been servicing specialist industries throughout Australia with B2B publications for well over 30 years.

Specialist B2B Publisher Supporting the industry since 1981

To discuss advertising opportunities, contact: Ashley Cooper E: ashley.cooper@ elitepublishing.com.au Ph: 03 9890 0815 Fax: 03 9890 0087

www.elitepublishing.com.au

www.infotile.com

INTERVIEW

ADVANCED CERAMICS

RESOURCES

PROJECT

STANDARDS

REVIEW

I Roberto Dreolini Alex Njoo, Architect, in conversation with

Senior Associate, Disegno Australia.

Perhaps it is conceivable that had it not been for the fire that devastated the American city of Chicago in 1871, and the subsequent involvement of architects such as Dankmar Adler, Louis Sullivan, William le Baron Jenney, et al, in much of its rebirth, tall buildings, as we know it would not inhabit modern cities the way they do.

Interior Resident Lounge, Prima Pearl, Melbourne

44 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

n many ways, buildings define the sense of place of our cities. Take Manhattan’s skyline for instance.

In the case of Melbourne, the tall buildings along South Bank provide the city its first defined silhouette. At 256 metres, Property Development Group (PDG) and Schiavello’s vision, Prima Tower elegantly rises among neighbouring towers. The statistics will tell you that it is Melbourne’s second tallest residential tower and ranks fifth in the annals of Australian towers.

This is not just any residential tower with a bland façade; in places it is either convex or concave, in concert, as it were, with its 7.1 star energy rating. Its elegance is further enhanced by the curved bronze façade.

Roberto Dreolini, Disegno Australia Senior Associate, who is the designer behind Prima Tower’s grand spaces and intricate details has worked in collaboration with the joint developers Vince Giuliano, Managing Director of PDG and Tony Schiavello, Governing Director of Schiavello, since the project’s inception, guiding the project team of architects and designers. Inevitably, the design development of a mammoth project like Prima Tower demands the skills and professionalism of many, as well as the quality of the material.

Accordingly, Dreolini mentions the crucial role of subcontractors such as Baron Forge who specify Mapei products.

The Contract Administrator of Baron Forge informed Dreolini that their specification of the product is based on: “long standing trust in the products. They are commercially viable; they provide good service in relation to consultation, detailing and site visits. The Ultracolor Plus grout that was used for external planters (at Prima Tower) tiled with glass mosaics gave us comfort in a wet environment and left us confident in the thought that there would be no bleeding of black grout into white grout. And the on-site support that Mapei provided

ARCHIT IL E IN TER VIEW

us is crucial in overcoming some problematic construction details for balconies and external open spaces.”

But I am getting ahead of the story.

To find out what makes a building tick, I need to know the people behind the vision and imagination.

People like Dreolini who has guided the project, not only with his acute attention to detail but also, as I discover, with his heart and passion.

Like so many young people, the urge to travel and see the world led Dreolini, who studied furniture design, to leave Reana del Rojale in Udine near Venice to Melbourne.

Dreolini recounted his arrival at Melbourne Airport.

“I’ve always been an open person.

So when the custom officer (at the airport) asked me if I had any fruit in my bag. I answered that “I love

fruit”. I didn’t understand that they were asking if I had any fruit in my possession. I spent the next two hours with customs to explain the misunderstanding. That‘s when I decided that I desperately needed to improve my English.”

A chance meeting with a fellow Italian at a Vespa showroom led to an introduction to PDG where he was given the opportunity to work on Prima Tower from its infancy. Projects of this magnitude, a prestigious residential tower, that would grace the city’s most prominent riverfront requires the skills and expertise of many.

“It was,” as Dreolini puts it, “altogether a moving design process.

There was not one person or consultant that was solely responsible for its design. It was a collaborative

Exterior Tower

work by many in progress.Everything was thought through so many times until we got it perfect.”

The notion that Prima Tower was to become a defining feature on the Melbourne skyline means that the shape had to be sculpted differently; not your common or garden tower with the ubiquitous façade applications that are favoured by many designers.

“We’re surrounded by a lot of buildings in the precinct that are curved,” said Dreolini by way of explaining the design process. “We wanted to create something fluid, not just a curved façade. We opted for a curtain wall that can be manipulated in such a manner that it would respond to its immediate environment.

“We didn’t want to create problems with the surrounding winds that

Exterior Facade

Exterior Pearl Lobby

Height: 256m – Second tallest residential tower in

Accommodations: Ground Floor – separate lobbies

Melbourne. Fourth tallest building in Melbourne

for the two portions of the tower, each with 24 hour concierge, building manager and security

Levels: 72 in total: one level of lobbies, 10 levels

service; mail room & refrigerated storage

of car parking for 577 cars, two levels amenities, 57 levels of residential apartments and two levels

Level 9 facilities: 25m in ground pool, spa, sauna,

of building services.

steam room, gymnasium, change room facilities, meeting rooms, day spa room, virtual golf range,

Developer: PDG and Schiavello

Number of apartments: 661 in total comprising

movie theatre, games room, residents lounge, din-

1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments: 369 low-rise

ing and kitchen, sun deck, barbeque terrace

Pearl apartments (levels 11 – 35) and 292 highArchitect: Roberto Dreolini, Senior Associate at

rise Prima apartments (levels 36 – 66).

steam room, sun deck, change room facilities,

Disegno Australia was the head designer of the project from concept to completion, leading a

Level 67 facilities: swimming pool, spa, sauna,

Construction commencement date: April 2012

lounge and dining, bar.

Time on market: 18 months

Materials: 41,700 cubic metres of concrete, 41.7

team of architects and interior designers through the conceptualisation, design development, docu-

million litres = 16 Olympic size swimming pools,

mentation and construction phases.

Completion: First quarter 2015 Building Cost: $290M

8,500 panels of high performance glazing, 3,642 tonnes of steel – more than combined weight of 520 adult elephants.

46 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Mapelastic Smart was used for external areas for its durability and long term performance properties.

Aquadefense was used in bathrooms for its quick-curing properties. Mapei adhesives were used extensively for floor tiling applications on concrete substrate. Keracolor FF was generally used for floor and wall tiling throughout the project, e.g. swimming pools and steam rooms due to its increased water repellent qualities.

Interior Sky Lounge Pool

generally affect square or rectangular towers. As well the design brief required us to create different sizes and shapes in the apartments. Hence the gradual transformation from concave to convex façade; the facade at levels 10 to 35 is concave, and it starts to bow out – 80mm at each level – from level 36 upwards.”

What makes Prima Tower distinctly different to other residential towers?

“Basically,” said Dreolini, “Prima Tower should be unique, as far as residential towers go. It shouldn’t look like another tower of apartments.

It should be like a 6-star hotel. The interiors are meant to be timeless.

We don’t want something that follows short-lived design trends or something that was too traditional.

People need to relate to their immediate living environment.

That’s the reason for choosing an organic material such as timber as the dominant interior material, except in wet areas of course.”

Unlike other apartment towers that I have visited in the past, Prima Tower’s interior exudes the organic feel of which Dreolini speaks; there is that tactile feeling when one touches the walls or the enormous

Interior Sky Lounge

timber-lined stainless steel sliding panels that move silently to reveal another space within the confines of a curtain walled high-rise.

Beyond the realm of the economics of the design and construction industry, Prima Tower bears the marks of people like Dreolini, their passion and dedication to the craft of building. So, I ask, what’s next?

“I am really proud of what we did.

Of course,” Dreoline said with a slight hint of a sigh, “ I’m conscious of the fact that there’s always something that can be improved with the benefit of more time. And it’s not all about money either. We’ve had the utmost support and expertise from our subcontractors and consultants.

We have achieved a milestone in construction. Prima Tower has been built less than three years at the rate of four to five days per floor. It is the fastest built project in Australia. It has become a benchmark for everyone to beat.

“We had visitors from Brisbane and they are all talking about it there.

The quality and everything else have not been compromised, but, of course, I know that with six more months I could have considered different options.

“If this building were to be built in Italy,” said Dreolini, remembering his European experience with a wry smile, “it would have taken 20 years. Our aim was to achieve an Italian design aesthetic, German detailing precision with the efficiency of Australia.”

In the glitterati world of architecture, it is often easy to dismiss the towers that form the silhouette of our cityscape. Too often the passion and vision that emerge from the collective minds of people like Roberto Dreolini, Vince Giuliano (PDG) and Tony Schiavello (Schiavello) tend to be overlooked. But these are the very people who have tirelessly maintained the equilibrium that constitute a modern city. Without them, we’d live in a precious world that is beyond the grasp of ordinary people, inhabited only by the pretenders of a so-called intellectual elite. ■ Tile Today acknowledges the assistance of Messers. Roberto Dreolini, PDG and Schiavello for the preparation of this Conversation. Stephen Flannery, Contract Administrator Baron Forge, Paz Group Companies generously provided the information on the specified Mapei product.

Interior Pool

Interior Change Room

DE SIGN

New hexagonal tiles Johnson Tiles has launched three new collections of hexagonal tiles. These comprise 260 x 300 x 8.5 mm wall tiles in gloss white, white wavy, mocha wavy and charcoal wavy (A); the Hickory range of 242 x 280 x 8.5 mm floor tiles available in ash, grigio and whitecap (B); and the Pietre Necchio series produced in the same format in light grey with light and dark grey decorations (C).

JOHNSON TILES

03 9720 4041 www.johnsontiles.com.au

Back to Basics

ALLMARBLE

The new Basic series by RAK is marketed in Australia by Prestige Tiles. This stunning collection is ideal for use on walls and floors in commercial and residential interiors and exteriors.

The product features a variety of decorative effects, which reflect the casual elegance of natural stone. These durable, rectified porcelain tiles are manufactured in two large formats: 600 x 1200 mm and 295 x 1200 mm in beige, black, grey and white.

The ALLMARBLE series by leading Italian manufacturer Marazzi accurately imitates the natural random veining of marble. This durable product is practically impervious, providing designers and home owners with a low maintenance surface finish that is highly stain resistant and easy to clean.

The featured 600 x 1200 mm replication of classic Statuario marble faithfully mimics the original material. It is available in natural and silk finishes.

PRESTIGE TILES 02 8717 9044 www.prestigetiles.com

ACE CERAMICS 02 9584 4000 www.aceceramics.com.au

48 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Cordoba The new Cordoba collection by Starstile is suitable for use in a wide variety of commercial and residential projects. It is available in two surface finishes: matt and lappato. It is manufactured in three popular formats; 300 x300, 300 x 600 and 600 x 600 mm in five contemporary colourways. The design potential of the series is enhanced by the availability of numerous matching mosaics.

STARSTILE info@starstile.it

www.starstile.it

Kiko Kiko white is available from market leader Ace Ceramics, this large format wall tile panel is manufactured in Italy. The continued and rapid advances in production of big tiles and panels of porcelain is matched by the constant development of new highly tactile surface textures. Kiko effectively combines both of these trends in a 1200 x 1800 mm format, which is produced nine surface textures and four colourways: white, beige, grey and aqua.

ACE CERAMICS 02 9584 4000 www.aceceramics.com.au

Striking a new vein Leading manufacturers continue to introduce tile in a variety of shapes and sizes with hexagonal formats particularly popular.

In addition to manufacturing their own collections of award winning tiles and glass mosaics, Everstone imports products from leading European manufacturers like Tagina. The featured 390 x 340 x 10 mm gloss finish wall tile is produced in black, white, taupe and sky. It can be used in commercial, hospitality and residential projects.

EVERSTONE 02 9795 2000 www.everstone.com.au

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 49

DE SIGN

Infinity Southern Cross Ceramics has just released the striking Infinity collection of wall tiles, which are produced in 300 x 600 mm size – the most popular contemporary wall tile format in our market. This comprehensive series is available in 12 attractive designs and 24 popular colourways, which were determined following extensive market research.

This stimulating product can be used in a wide variety of residential, commercial and public spaces.

SOUTHERN CROSS CERAMICS 03 9561 9111 www.scceramics.com

Painted Wood Ceramic replications of timber grow more convincing with every passing day. In addition to the appearance of the product end users can be assured that the timber-look tiles will never require sanding back or re-polishing, and general maintenance will be a breeze. Painted Wood is an Italian made 200 x 1200 mm rectified porcelain product, which is designed for use in private residences and light commercial applications. It is available in white, grey and blue in an appealing matt finish.

COLORTILE 1300 265 678 www.colortile.com.au

50 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Factory The new Factory series of hexagonal tiles by Cinca evokes images of old, worn cement floors and is ideal for the urban and industrial environments. Used for both walls and floors, the tiles come in four colours – White, Concrete, Taupe and Anthracite. They are also available in black and white in a matt finish.

They are available in 240 by 490 mm format.

TRADE PORT 02 9757 1822

tradeport@trade-port.com.au

B USI NESS

Doing more with less Four ways to ensure your business makes it to the next upturn.

By Sue Hirst - co-founder and Director of CFO on Call.

W

e’re hearing many stories of businesses doing it tough.

There are various reasons such as mining boom ending, consumer/business confidence, digital disruption etc. If your business is experiencing profit and cash flow squeeze due to any of these reasons, here’s some ideas to help you survive: 1. Review your business mode: is it still relevant and are there new competitors in your market who aren’t saddled with old ways and costs of doing things? This fits into the category of ‘digital disruption’. Take accounting firms, for example, the switched on ones are now working with their clients in the cloud, which saves not only the accountant but the client many hours on entry and double handling of data.

The cloud enables them to closely monitor their clients’ performance and alert them quickly when things are going off track. Those who haven’t embraced this way of looking after clients are struggling to compete and stay relevant.

2. Understand your break-even sales point. This is the amount of sales you need to make to cover costs and overheads. The first place to look is your overheads. It’s a great opportunity to review them and ask some questions about every line on your profit and loss statement. a. How can this be done differently? b. How can it be done more cost effectively? c. Should we stop doing this?

When you sit down and quietly think it through you will be surprised what ideas come up. Technology

could be your friend here in helping you to find more efficient and cost effective ways to do things. For example, bookkeeping. One person told us of a business that saved five hours per month by using a cloud based accounting system.

Once you know your break-even point you will have a target to work towards and share with you team.

3. Cash Flow Management If you’re doing it tough managing your cash situation, here’s some ways to fix it: a. Put together a weekly cash flow forecast: whether it be on a spreadsheet or a dedicated tool, getting it down in black and white really helps you to clearly understand the situation. If things are really bad you may need to do a daily forecast for more control. b. Review the picture and, if the forecast shows shortfalls, work out ways to handle them such as reducing stock, pushing out suppliers, bringing forward sales, getting customers to pay earlier, entering an arrangement with the ATO, cutting overheads etc. c. Constantly monitor the situation and when it gets better don’t drop it completely, but drop to monthly or quarterly.

4. Cutting costs is something business owners don’t like to do; however, sometimes there isn’t a choice. Often the biggest expense is staff, and whilst you don’t want to cut good staff, there generally is ‘fat’ in most organisations. Make an organisational chart, setting out all the tasks that need to be done in the business and who is doing them now. You will invariably find there

are overlaps and gaps. Take the opportunity to realign roles within the organisation. If there are roles that need to be cut, ensure you do role realignment to ensure critical tasks are covered. Ensure you handle redundancies correctly to avoid unfair dismissal claims.

Other expenses to change/ eliminate a. Premises: Do you need what you’ve got – can you manage with less space (so long as costs of moving don’t outweigh savings)? Could you, perhaps, sublet some of your space temporarily? b. Communications: What type of phone systems do you have? Can it be updated to save money or can you get a getter deal with your phone carrier. c. Banking/loans – have you reviewed them and do you fully understand the terms and costs. d. technology – applications to manage mobile workforces, customer relationship management systems, marketing automation systems, project management systems, stock and job management systems, etc, can save many hours of people’s time and money as well as improving customer satisfaction. e. Advertising/marketing: Are you doing it cost effectively? Have a look at what return on investment you’re getting for your spend and find ways to improve it. f. Insurances: shop around for better deals. g. Power: consider ways to reduce your bills with modern efficient lighting, temperature controls and work practices. h. Travel: do you really have to travel for meetings – could you do them via Skype?

We’re absolutely certain if you take the time to review every cost you will find savings and they could add up to many thousands of dollars.

Remember every dollar saved goes straight onto your bottom line, whereas every dollar of extra sales may only deliver a few cents.

When things pick up again, not only will you survive, your business will thrive with better financial management. ■

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 51

INSTA L L ATION

A COMMISSION BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL

A COMPREHENSIVE TILING GUIDE Peter Carter, the National President of the Australian Tile Council and Principal of Crosby Tiles, WA, in consultation with other State presidents, recently commissioned Tile Today Contributing Editor Anthony Stock to write and illustrate a comprehensive Australian Tile Council – Tiling Guide.

T

he Tiling Guide will be divided into three broad sections:

Part One – TILE INFORMATION will focus on: 1. Tile Selection • Benefits of tile • Benefits of buying from an ATC member • Tile types • Tiling checklist • Selecting your tiler

2. Tile Characteristics

• Standard format tiles *Non rectified *Rectified • Thin format tiles • Large format tiles

5. Floor Tile Installation • Substrates * Types * Preparation • Standard Format Tiles * Non rectified * Rectified • Thin Format Tiles • Large Format Tiles

• Shade variation • Shade, design, and texture variation guide • Size variation • Hardness (PEI) • Scratch resistance (MOHS) • Manufacturer tolerances • Understanding porcelain tiles

6. Tile Joints/Grouting

3. Care And Maintenance

8. Water Proofing (and water proofing materials)

• Tile cleaning • Tile maintenance * During tiling and before handover * After handover • Problem solving

Part Two – INSTALLATION INFORMATION will cover: 4. Wall Tile Installation • Substrates * Types * Preparation

• Grouting • Grout joints • Expansion joints (and expansion joint materials) • Efflorescence

7. Lippage

9. Adhesives And Grouts • Adhesive types and usage • Grout types and usage

10. Safe Handling Practices Part Three - SPECIFICATION INFORMATION will address: 11. Slip Resistance In Residential Buildings

52 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

12. Post Installation Treatments 13. Tile Specification Download (for builders and specifiers) 14. Australian Tiling Standards List The Tiling Guide will also contain a comprehensive glossary.

The content of the guide will be quite fluid; additional segments can be added during the production phase. Revisions and additions will be added to reflect changes in Standards and the introduction of new materials and installation practices.

The content of the ATC Tiling Guide will be as simple and concise as possible; however, every effort will be made to provide precise information supported by suitable images and drawings.

Each section will be peer reviewed

by State Presidents and appointed sub-committees, which will include a tile merchant, an adhesive manufacturer, a contacting company, a representative of TAFE and, if possible, a tile manufacturer.

Every effort will be made to promptly process each section.

Anthony Stock will contact appropriate experts and authorities to gather current information on each topic.

The ATC Tiling Guide will feature on the Australian Tile Council website while some segments will be published in Tile Today. Work on section one of the guide has already commenced. ■

It’s easy to stay up-to-date with the best Tiling Trims, Tools & Accessories.

1. Ask your local retailer to get you a copy. or 2. Ask us to send you a copy.

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S PECIFICATION

Main image: Autodesk® BIM 360 viewer component.

What is BIM? BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modelling, a process that permits the generation and management of physical and functional characteristics of places and buildings within our built environment.

In December 2014, the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) reported: “In a national first, government and the building and construction industry today released a national framework elevating project team integration and Building Information Modelling to the national stage”.

B

IM is used by specifiers, businesses and government agencies to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain physical infrastructures as diverse as water, gas, communication utilities, roads, bridges and ports, and houses, apartments, shops, schools, factories, offices and warehouses.

The concept has existed since the 1970s although the actual term was coined in 1992 when it appeared in a paper written by GA Vanderveen and FP Tolman. The first implementation of BIM had taken place five years earlier under the visual building concept.

The United States National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee defines BIM as ‘A digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility and a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its lifecycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition’.

One of the chief benefits of BIM relates to protection of all the information which passes between the design and construction teams engaged in delivering a project. The system allows design and construction professionals and building owners to

54 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Axter (roof waterproofing systems) has created, in partnership with RIBA, a series of Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects enabling design teams to include high performance, robust roofing in their 3D models.

add, alter and reference all the information that pertains to every facet of a building, including its long term maintenance.

The building owner / operator enjoys a number of benefits. For example, if electrical problems occur, the owner can access and view the wiring specifications.

If there is a problem with the plumbing, they can locate the valve size, model number and supplier details of a particular part.

When architects seek to specify sustainable eco-labelled products they can categorise every nominated product. This could play a significant part in determining the environmental credentials of a project and its Green Star rating.

Designers and owners seeking information about ceramic tile or natural stone (or alternative surface finishes) can download BIM-friendly files from an increasing number

Right: Arnold and Porter Roof Terrace, Washington DC, which won the HOK BIM Award, Special Project Type.

The motivation for using BIM for this project came from the fact that the base building and its interiors were developed in Revit. The HOK design team concluded that the easiest way to coordinate the landscape architecture of the roof terrace with other disciplines was to develop the roof design in Revit.

They also enjoyed the general attributes of BIM including the possibility of working more efficiently, rapid closure of the decision making process and coordinating in real time with other participants while documenting every change.

of suppliers’ websites. Leading US manufacturer Daltile provides BIM files in Revit or dwg formats for use with all major BIM and CAD software, including AutoCAD, Sketch-Up and ARCHICAD. Alternatively, interested parties can download appropriate BIM files from numerous resources like www. nationalbimlibrary.com/walland-floor-tiles. Images can be viewed and downloaded to the project BIM.

BECOME A

RESELLER

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The Lithofin programme sets the standard in product quality, meeting the professionals' expectation of effectiveness as well as the end consumers’ need for ease of use. To see the full range of Stone and Tile Care Products visit www.lithofin-australia.com

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S PECIFICATION

A number of our leading architectural practices use BIM to design projects and record every amendment or change, which takes place before and during construction.

Local tile and stone industry participants need to grasp the significance of Building Information Modelling.

Leading adhesive manufacturer Laticrete realised the importance of this technology as far back as 2008 when it became the first producer of adhesives for the installation of tile and stone to provide BIM format compatible details for architects and designers at www.bimworld.com.

Architects can link directly to the BIM platform to discover all the information Laticrete can provide for the installation of ceramic tile and natural stone surface finishes.

BIMWORLD is primarily focused on American products and services. Visitors can browse more than 65,000 BIM files which are located under six broad headings: building, interior, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and piping, and site. American tile manufacturer Crossville Ceramics has submitted 10 products for review and most manufacturers will presumably seek to promote product which has particular architectural merit.

Laticrete displays over 260 products on BIMWORLD. BIM is in its infancy in Australia but its importance is underlined by the aforementioned joint government and industry initiative. The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) links to the BIM and IPD website, where local practitioners can receive and exchange information about BIM and Integrated Product Delivery (IPD). The site features support materials and links to related websites. A variety of local online resources have developed and I have little doubt that BIM is set to become a key element of product specification. â–

Featured above are tiles and allied products from the NBS National BIM Library which contains thousands of BIM objects from leading UK and global manufacturers. Objects range from building fabric systems to mechanical and electrical objects. BIM objects are presented in a 3D format can be downloaded free of charge for inclusion in project planning.

Autodesk’s comprehensive BIM portfolio delivers a workflow advantage for virtually any project.

ARCAT.com a building product information website, is FREE. No registration required.

56 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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S PECIFICATION

Color Tile Projects supplied thousands of square metres of tile and stone, which were successfully installed by NSW Tiling Services using a variety of Mapei products at 1 Bligh Street, Sydney. The biggest challenge the industry faces relates to training an adequately skilled workforce, that can lay challenging products like the featured fish-tail mosaic.

How many tilers will we need in 2025?

By Anthony Stock When I arrived in Australia in the late eighties a migrant from the Netherlands told me: “It is a great country but don’t expect anything to happen quickly: they have been trying to organise a single gauge railway track that runs through every state and territory for the last 100 years”.

I

n 1993 when Tile Today was first published, the Australian Tile Council (ATC) were calling for licensed tilers in all states and territories. Successive ATC Presidents have attempted to address this challenge.

Today, the situation in regards to licensing and competency appears to be as confused as ever, with different rules and regulations in every state and territory. In recent times the Federal Government has investigated the possibility of introducing a single licence for various trades, which will be recognised nationally like a driving licence. Presumably this would require tilers to be trained to the same level on a national basis.

Other rumours have emerged which indicate that the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) are considering the complete abandonment of licensing.

Confused? Join the club.

Let’s take a look at the licensing and training situation in each state and territory. According to www. licensedtrades. com.au the regulations are as follows:

New South Wales NSW Fair Trading requires tilers to have Wall and Floor Tiling licences.

To obtain a licence applicants must complete Certificate 111 level training at a Registered Training Organisation approved by Fair Trading. Initially any

58 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

home improvement valued at $1000 (labour and materials) had to be completed by a licensed practitioner.

In 15 January 2015 changes in the NSW Home Building Act came into effect, which state that small projects (less than $5000) and large projects (under $20,000) no longer need to be completed by a licensed tradesperson.

In an interview published in the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser, opposition spokeswoman for Fair Trading, Tania Mihailuk said, ‘Consumers need the assurance that their home building work is being completed by a licensed tradesperson to a professional standard. These backward steps are opening the door to unqualified and unskilled people potentially coming into consumers homes.’

State Liberal MP for Campbelltown, Brian Doyle defended the changes: “The decision to remove the licensing

requirement under certain limits was to reduce red tape and costs to consumers and businesses”.

Apparently, specialist work like plumbing and electrical projects would still have to be completed by a licensed tradesperson regardless of cost. Mr Doyle added: “Consumers remain protected by the Australian Consumer Law for this type of work”.

This is a concern given that more tile and stone is installed in NSW than any other state.

in WA must produce a national ‘white card’ issued by WorkSafe, which is issued when they pass a WorkSafe approved training course.

ACT Any person working in a building related trade requires a licence from the Planning and Land Authority.

Tilers generally hold a class ‘D’ builders licence, which will state the tasks they are licensed to undertake, e.g. wall and floor tiling and waterproofing.

Victoria

Tasmania

In Victoria, Consumer Affairs regulates the building industry and issues trade licences. Currently, any project which exceeds $5000 must be completed by a professional that is registered with the Building Practitioners board, unless the project calls for the services of a single trade only. This includes wall and floor tiling projects, so an unlicensed tiler can complete a $10,000 or $20,000 tiling project.

The Department of Justice regulates building practitioner licences, which must be renewed annually. A licence issued to a tiler should state the activities he is licensed to undertake.

Licences held by tilers are generally designated as a ‘restricted builders’ licence. Accredited builders can undertake Continuing Professional Development courses, which are designed to upgrade their skills.

Queensland

Tilers are not required to be licensed; however, many buildingrelated trades self-regulate through Contractor Accreditation Ltd (CAL).

Bonafide tilers should possess CAL accreditation in Tiling – Wall and Floor, or Certificate III Construction (wall & floor tiling) gained from a registered training institute.

Any project which is valued in excess of $3300 (labour and materials) must be completed by a licensed builder approved by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

Endorsed tilers carry a licence with a WFT code.

South Australia In SA formal contracts for work under $12,000 are not legally required.

The Consumer and Business Affairs body is responsible for registering trades, and issuing registration cards which cover speciality services such as tiling. A qualified tile fixer in SA usually carries a ‘scope of work’ card which confirms the types of work a tradesperson is licensed to carry out.

Western Australia Builder’s trade licences are issued by the Building Commission of the Department of Commerce. Tilers engaged in projects valued at more than $20,000 require a licence. Given that many tiling projects do not exceed $20,000, a great deal of work is being conducted by un-licensed tilers.

However, wall and floor tilers located

The Northern Territory

The mess is here!

The aforementioned list reminds me of a scene from the Academy Award winning film No Country for Old Men, when the character Wendell says: “It’s a mess, ain’t it sheriff”, and Tommy Lee Jones replies: “If it ain’t, it will do till the mess gets here”.

That exchange just about sums up the state of licensing for tile fixers in Australia.

By all accounts some of the financial barriers designed to prevent unqualified operatives from completing certain projects can be circumnavigated by the simple practice of issuing two invoices with different dates.

Where doubt exists about a tradesperson’s qualifications sensible builders and consumers should ask

to see examples (images) of work conducted by any unlicensed tiler, with a related written testimonial.

The New South Wales division of the Australian Tile Council (ATC) has developed a wall and floor tilers’ Continuing Professional Development Points system, which has a great deal of merit, but it has apparently been rejected by the Federal body. ATC State President Barry Bulmer, the architect of the scheme, admitted that holding a licence “Does not guarantee competency but it does indicate that some formal training has been undertaken”.

Many years ago I worked as a contracts manager for Val-Fix Ltd, one of London’s largest tiling contractors.

At a later date I operated my own supply and fix tiling business in NW London, which constantly engaged the services of a minimum of 12 tilers every week.

Some of them were perfectly suited to small domestic projects in bathrooms and kitchens, others liked to tear through a McDonalds or a London underground tiling project.

Some fixers can never be taken out of their safety zone, some are competent with mosaic, some could lay tessellated tiles, or marble, others avoid these materials like the plague.

There are tilers and there are tilers.

We plainly need a training system with different competencies that provides participants with an opportunity to gain accreditation with specific product types. For example: 1. Residential wall and floor tiling – ceramic and mosaic; 2. Installation of large format products, 600 x 600mm and above; 3. Installation of natural stone tiles; 4.

Installation of slim tiles and panels; 5. Swimming pool tiling; 6.

Substrate preparation and waterproofing; Some tilers could seek competency in every category, others might specialise in two ot three segments.

Their licence would reflect their status. The list above could be enlarged or trimmed, but unless we aim high how are we going to handle the volume of tiles that the industry will be challenged to install if

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 59

S PECIFICATION

consumption grows during the next 25 years at the same rate it has grown during the last 25?

Between 1993 and 2014 our population increased by 32.75% from 17,707,000 to 23,513,564. By contrast, during that same time frame tile imports climbed by approximately 191% from 13, 600,000 to 39,635,250 m2.

When we factor in the relatively stable figure for local tile production, per capita consumption has escalated from 0.97 m2 in 1993 to 1.70 m2 in 2014. Growth of approximately 3.33% per annum.

If as estimated our population continues to grow at 1.6 per cent per annum, our population will be 27 million by 2025. If per capita consumption of tile remains stable at 1.7 m2 we will need enough tilers to fix 45.9 million square metres of tile.

Given that per capita consumption has grown by almost 70% over the last 21 years it would be naïve to believe that per capita consumption levels will remain static. The true figure in the marketplace is likely to exceed 50

million square metres, and this takes no account of glass mosaic or natural stone tiles.

The Challenge These numbers are astounding, and unless the ATC and the industry gets their collective act together we will not have enough qualified tilers to meet demand, and if that happens specifiers and homeowners will choose alternative surface coverings.

Any serious market study conducted by the ATC has always confirmed that the residential renovation market is responsible for more than 80% of total tile consumption. Oliver Huss, the principal of Ceramic Solutions Australia, said: “One of the reasons for the prolonged absence of growth in consumption of tile in commercial projects is a shortage in the number of fully qualified tilers that can handle all the materials that are regularly used in large contracts, like large format porcelain tiles, glass mosaics and various natural stone products.

If qualified tilers are not available,

failures will occur and building owners and specifiers will turn to other materials”.

Oliver employs more than 50 subcontractors who primarily tile public buildings, aquatic centres and hospitality facilities. He added: “A considerable amount of tiling work carried out in private residences is completed by plumbers and renovation specialists. For that reason alone it is hard to even guess how many people are fixing tile, regularly or spasmodically. In my experience the average tiler installs and grouts eight square metres per day. I say averages because we take into account the various projects a tiler works on, installing different materials in different environments, using a variety of techniques”.

How many tilers are there?

Barry Bulmer, the ATC NSW President, also cited the eight square metre figure per day that Oliver suggests tilers install.

Nevertheless it is hard to come up with an accurate number. For

Atlas Concorde, Marvel series (Image courtesy of DW Tiles)

Neolith Estatuario (Image courtesy of CDK Stone)

In an ideal world a highly skilled, well trained tiler should be familiar with all of these materials and the techniques required to handle, cut, adhere and grout them. Some fixers will choose to work in residential environments, others will prefer larger projects. Either way they will encounter these large, small, slim and thick products. In addition other new and revolutionary materials and installation systems will appear. As an industry we need to train a minimum of 20,000 qualified tilers to meet anticipated demand.

Expo from Pavimenti Affini S.p.a.

Ezarri Iris Ocean glass mosaic (Courtesy of Europe Imports)

the purposes of our calculations let’s assume that eight square metres per day, five days per week, 48 weeks of the year is accurate.

If we agree that the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for imports are correct, we imported 39,635,250 square metres of tile supplemented by 4,500,000 square metres produced locally during 2014. Therefore we have a gross market of approximately 44 million square metres.

Industry analysts like Colin Cass and Barry Bulmer believe that there are around 15,000 tilers in Australia, including approximately 5000 in NSW. If 15,000 tilers fix and grout 8 square metres per day for 48 weeks

of the year, we have an installed figure of 28,800,000 square metres. If we increase that figure to 12 square metres per head we have an installed figure of 43,200,000 square metres.

A number which equates almost perfectly with the volume of imported and locally produced product.

Alternatively, if we increase the number of tilers from 15,000 to 22,000 and maintain the figure of eight square metres installed per day, the total metreage exceeds 42 million, again very close to the current market figures.

In 1994 Davco and Ceramic Tile Publications Pty Ltd signed a confidentiality agreement, which related to sharing extensive market

Population

Tile Imports

Local Production

Per capita consumption (m2)

1993

17,700,000

13,600,000

3,600,000

0.97

2014

23,513,564

39,635,250

4,500,000

1.7

research that Davco carried out in relation to the number of tile fixers plying their trade in NSW. The number slightly exceeded 2800. It seems logical to assume that the number has now grown to 5000. If we look at Peter Halliday’s report on tile imports which featured in Tile Today in Issue 86, the ABS figures for NSW were 14,409,415 square metres.

If 5000 tile fixers in NSW fix and grout eight square metres per day, five days a week for 48 weeks of the year, the figure is 9,600,000 square metres. If we increase the figure to 12 square metres per day the figure rises to 14,400,000, almost identical to the imports figure.

While these figures might misleadingly indicate that every imported square metres is sold and fixed, it should be self-evident that this is not the case. However, we can assume that in most instances the residue stocks from previous years did

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 61

S PECIFICATION

sell, ensuring that the quoted figure is reasonably accurate, if volumes sold were replaced by similar quantities.

It appears that a tiler fixes somewhere between eight and 12 square metres per day, so let’s take 10 square metres per day as a nice round number. Therefore if our population rises to the projected 27 million in 2025 and per capita consumption of tile remains at 1.7 square metres we will need a competent workforce of more than 19,000 tilers to install almost 46 million square metres of tile.

This number is based on static per capita consumption. In reality it may increase considerably, as it did between 1993 and 2014. If it does we will need more than 20,000 skilled tile fixers.

No more bumbling along The market has grown considerably but that growth would have been greater if the industry had taken appropriate steps to encourage

greater numbers of apprentices to join the ranks and appropriate training was provided to upskill and educate. As consumer law tightens the noose around the necks of errant merchants and tradespersons the need to act responsibly grows.

As previously stated, NSW President Barry Bulmer and the ATC NSW has developed a Tilers Continuing Professional Development System for tilers and companies which employ them. The scheme was introduced in association with the Department of Education, Employment and Workforce Relations (DEEWR). In essence the scheme is designed to continually raise the competency level of wall and floor tilers. The content was designed in consultation with industry members who participated in a survey conducted by the ATC, NSW. Ultimately, consumers will be able to access the list of tilers who are constantly striving to update

their skills. With support from the ATC NSW, tile fixers engaged in the process can participate in annual training which will contribute to their tiling skills and maintenance of a status which exceeds the minimum required standard qualifications.

This is exactly the type of endeavour that is required to equip tilers with the variable skills required to handle and competently install all the materials featured in the images in this feature. Without this kind of initiative how will the industry meet consumer demand and expectations? There is nothing to be gained in hoping that interest in large tiles or slim materials will decline. A good tile fixer should be able to turn their hand to almost any task.

By 2025 we will probably need more than 20,000 adequately trained tile fixers. Action is needed now. We are already struggling to keep up with technology and new products.

Things have changed. ■

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INT ERVIEW

Tim Parsons, CTA / Miracle Sealants Tim Parsons, National Brand Manager for CTA/Miracle Sealants discusses the recent launch of the Miracle brand in Australia with Tile Today.

Q: Last time we met you, Tim, you were Johnson Tiles’ NSW State Manager and, if memory serves me well, you also filled a National Sales Management role. The contacts you made will be invaluable in your new role as National Brand Manager for Miracle Sealants’ products.

A: Yes, that’s right, 23 years in total at Johnson Tiles and 27 years in the industry. This industry experience and market knowledge will come in very handy going forward in our

quest to make Miracle Australia’s number one brand in stone and tile care products.

Q: Miracle Sealants is a wellestablished brand in the US: are you confident you can achieve success in Australia?

A: Miracle has been manufacturing stone and tile care products for over 32 years and is the US’s number one brand to the professional. Miracle care products are distributed to over

64 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

5,100 outlets across the US, including 4,800 home depot stores.

Miracle provides all the customer support in terms of website, brochures, Miracle App, technical support hotline (1800 4 miracle), all test results, MDS and SDS are all readily available on our website (w w w.miraclesealants.com.au).

Miracle products are warranted up to 20 years.

All our Miracle products have a QR code on the bottle, so when

scanned with a smart phone a 60 sec how-to video will appear.

Our miracle products are easy to apply and are suited for both the professional commercial applicator as well as the DIY customer.

Q: Provide our readers with some background information about the key products, which are available locally?

A: Our new brand to the Australian market, the number one selling product in the US is our 511 Impregnator (penetrating sealer).

We have three main penetrating sealers being 511 Impregnator, 511 Porous Plus and our water based H20 +. Our top of the range sealer is our 511 Porous Plus, with its added

polymer technology providing the ultimate protection for stone and tile substrates.

Another product worth mentioning is our Seal and Enhance, which, as well as offering the best sealing protection, also enhances stone allowing the colours in the product to really stand out. This product has also been a big hit with our local applicators as it is far easier to apply than similar products available in our market.

This is due to the products viscosity, allowing for easier application, saving considerable time on labour.

Q: Gaining approval for Miracle Sealants products from major retailer Beaumont Tiles is an outstanding achievement. Have you rolled the product out nationally to their ever expanding number of tile outlets?

A: The support the Beaumont group has shown our Miracle brand is fantastic. We have spent the last three months travelling our fine land, launching and training Beaumont management and staff on the Miracle product offer.

The professionalism of the Beaumont training co-ordinators in all states was purely magnificent and very much appreciated.

So far we have had our Miracle products rolled out to 56 Beaumont outlets across all states. This leaves us with 52 more to go, which we hope to complete by the middle / end of February 2016.

Q: Miracle Sealants is closely affiliated with Construction Technologies Australia (CTA) and Sika. Please outline the benefits that will flow to Miracle Sealants’ customers?

A: There are a number of benefits that Miracle product enjoys under the distribution of CTA. First and foremost, CTA has distribution facilities in all states with the exception of Tasmania, which is serviced out of our Victorian warehouse. These state based facilities offer our customers and the end user the very best of service and provides Miracle with a distinct advantage over our competitors.

Secondly, the M i r a c l e / C T A product offers complement each other, as we are able to provide our customers and specifiers with a range of products from pre-installation through to ongoing maintenance.

With this in mind Miracle/CTA/ Sika can provide a complete system allowing us to warranty projects for 20 years and beyond.

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 65

Q: Does this mean that all Sika and CTA sales representatives will be familiar with Miracle Sealants’ products?

A: As previously mentioned, we undertook a launch and training program covering all states in October of this year. Involved in these sessions were all CTA and Sika sales staff along with key Beaumont management and staff.

Across the CTA/Sika businesses we have a total of 47 sales staff trained nationally on our Miracle products.

Q: I presume that a considerable amount of training is taking place on a regular basis in all states and territories?

A: Training is all important to us at CTA/Miracle, so much so that the CEO of Miracle products, Joe Salvo came out to Australia in October, embarking on a whirlwind tour, training all CTA/Sika and key Beaumont staff.

Following Joe’s very informative and entertaining sessions I have conducted my own version going from state to state, training Beaumont’s staff and other key distributors.

This training will be ongoing as we believe it is very important, not only for new Miracle customers but also refresher sessions for existing customers as required. With this in mind, all our CTA sales staff will be equipped with the training session on a USB so sessions can be conducted anytime and anywhere.

Q: While your prime focus is on promotion of the company’s sealers and cleaners, Miracle Sealants also manufactures a variety of restorative products. Will these materials be available locally?

A: Yes they will. Miracle is also a major supplier to the cleaning industry in the US. Miracle has a number of stone and tile restorative products such as Marble Conditioner, Tile Restore and Granite Brite. These products are all designed to polish and restore existing installations and are used widely across the US, particularly in the casino and hotel industry.

Q: What do local applicators like about the products you are introducing?

A: the initial response from applicators has been extremely positive. Our Miracle product range is a far simpler range to understand with less products covering a wider range of applications.

We have also received positive feedback on Miracle products being very user friendly with particular reference made to our Seal and Enhance, being far more easier to apply than similar products on the market. Better coverage, durability and of course price at 15 to 20% cheaper than our previous brand has ensured Miracle’s positive reaction amongst our customer base.

Q: You seem to have a strong sales network; however, you will need a reliable team of applicators. Is this your biggest challenge?

A: Yes, we are lucky to have the likes of Beaumont Tiles on board giving us the best exposure in the industry on the retail front.

In terms of applicators, we were very lucky to have two key applicators attend our training sessions while Joe Salvo was touring – Michael Clarke from Brighter Hard Floors in Adelaide and Dean Stevens from Rejuvenation Solutions in Sydney.

Both these guys are now accredited Miracle applicators.

It is our goal to get accredited Miracle applicators in all capital cities and major country towns across the nation. Full training will be provided with excellent sales support and technical know-how provided along the way.

We are very much looking forward to completing our Miracle roll out early in 2016 and driving demand through our quality product, price and availability.

Our key focus for 2016 is to make Miracle the number one stone and tile care products brand in Australia.

I am very much looking forward to working with our customers and my CTA and Sika colleagues in order to make this goal a reality. ■

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P R O JECT SPO TLIGH T Over 80 m2 of large format tile was successfully installed at a private home in Ascot Vale, Melbourne using Laticrete materials.

Rising to a big challenge The owners of a private residence in Ascot Vale, Melbourne contracted Nicholas Murray Architects to add a new en-suite and powder room in their Victorian home built in 1906. The new work had to complement the flow of the existing home.

This presented a significant challenge.

T

he project entailed installation of large format Italian tiles manufactured

by Refin, and supplied by Beaumont Tiles. Tiling contractor Chris Stenhouse successfully installed 81m2 of wall and floor tiles using a variety of Laticrete products.

Wastage was kept to a minimum by installing tiles in a random laying pattern, which meant that off-cuts could be used in separate courses of tiling. The 750 x 1500 mm ceramic tiles were installed using Laticrete’s 335 Premium Flexible Adhesive, a

high performance thin-set adhesive which is used to install various ceramic tiles including porcelain and natural stone products.

The substrates were waterproofed with Laticrete’s Hydro Ban, a thin, load-bearing waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that does not require the use of fabric. Hydro Ban bonds to a wide variety of substrates.

The large format tiles were double fixed by trowelling adhesive on to the substrate and applying a thin coat of adhesive to the back of the tile, using the flat edge of the trowel. ■

68 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

A-1139-1115 Š2015 LATICRETE Pty Ltd. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.

Protect your Reputation for Years to Come Applicator: Chris Stenhouse Wall & Floor Tiling | Photographer: Tahnee Jade Photography

Choose Materials That Are Globally Proven Snap for more information.

Part of a total Tile and Stone Installation Materials System covered by a comprehensive System Warranty.

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INSTA L L ATION

A blue board not designed for tiling but often seen in external situations with tiles being installed.

Cement sheet

By Fred Gray, Laticrete Some considerations when choosing and using cement sheet as a tile underlayment.

T

here are many different types of cement sheet being used on projects in Australia and, from a tiling prospective, we should be aware that there is a big difference between what we can and cannot use for a tiling installation system.

Contrary to popular belief, many compressed cement or fibre cement boards are not rated as tiling systems backgrounds by their respective manufacturers. This is particularly so for walls and/or facades in exterior environments, an area more likely than others to be prone to problems. In fact, I know of only a few cement sheet underlayment boards suitable for wall tiling that are approved for external use with tile system installations, which, by

the way, are normally load limited to around 40-50kgs/m2. Nonetheless, I do encounter tiling being installed over unsuitable boards or approved boards that are severely overloaded or point loaded.

I am amazed at the number of discussions I have with building design professionals, tile manufacturers, contractors and the like who are well down the track of design or construction, only to find out from a pre-tiling specification conversation that the chosen cement sheet is not suitable for a tiling system and the underlayment may already be fixed in place.

In another case I recently heard about a retailer was selling a thin underlayment intended as a nonstructural element in floor work,

70 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

for use as a wall lining for tiling where some structural qualities are required!

These are examples of general assumptions, made by many, regarding the ability of any cement sheet to carry a tiling load – or so it seems. So the following is about some of the different types of cement sheet and some of the things we should be looking for regarding the variety and suitability of these sheets for use in tiling. A very basic understanding of the cement sheet manufacturer’s intention will go a long way to help the tiling and design industry when it comes to the right choices for tiling.

In line with the above, all cement sheets are not created equally – some are pre-finished products and just need to be fixed in place, some are designed for painting, some are designed for texture coats and some are designed for tiling. They also vary in their structural integrity, their ability to carry a load, their resistance to water penetration, their ability to be bonded to, and their ability to work in larger areas between movement joints. There is quite a range of manufacturers and selecting

or installing tile over the correct one is important – particularly when bonding directly to the sheets.

Regular square edged compressed sheets for instance (photo 1), ‘most’ of which can be directly tiled to, are often specified as a structural floor lining in place of timber linings over framed construction where they provide a greater resistance to moisture, fire and pests. But be careful, lately some are also coming with added moisture protection in the way of additives or coatings that repel water, which may be problematic for the bonding of waterproof membranes and low performance adhesives.

However, one of the more significant problems I encounter with bonding directly to this type of compressed board is reflected cracking from the sheet perimeters where movement joints are not installed as the work progresses.

Yes, most if not all of these products require a movement joint installed into the tiling mirroring the perimeter of the sheets. This includes internal and external installations.

The installation of these movement joints is something that is explicitly outlined by the manufacturers but something for which there is great resistance in practice. Perhaps if the opportunity exits, a change can be made to the new type flooring sheets that are a little less restrictive with movement joints.

However, in more recent years, to make cement sheet floor underlayments better and easier to install, we have seen the development of lighter-weight versions with tongue and groove edges (photo 2). With this type of board, greater spans of tiling are allowed over multiple sheets without the need for movement joints in the tiling on every sheet junction, creating a more acceptable look in the finished floor.

This is a major advancement over the square edged compressed sheet and their mandatory sheet perimeter joints.

This generally longer, narrower variant of cement sheet also come in internal and external versions which have to be treated differently during tile installation. For instance,

most of the external versions come with built in moisture blockers or coatings that generally require special treatment prior to the application of a waterproof membrane for under tile use. Hydropoxies or primers are required to ensure the hydrophobic and bond inhibiting nature of these moisture blockers are eliminated for the membrane installation process.

Like floor construction there are also newer variants of cement sheet specifically for external wall tiling, which was always the main area of concern. They come in both the typical large sheet format as well as the newer narrower tongue and groove type as we have seen with the floor version. However, depending on the tile load and how high the tiling is to extend, the sheet manufacturers may require support angles at varying heights or spacings. It is also recommended that the manufacturer be referred to for information on the possible use of hydropoxies and the like primers to facilitate bond prior to applying a waterproof membrane due to the use of moisture blockers in the sheets.

Cement sheet linings for internal wall tiling have been around for a while and installations tend to be less problematic due to less stress being exerted on the system. However, it may be worth noting that as tile format is getting larger and increasing dead loads are being applied to these

sheets, support angles may also be required by the manufacturers for internal installation.

It is worth noting that the use of moisture blockers on drywall surfaces in general is increasing, especially for products that would otherwise not be suitable for wet areas, and this is also true for some cement sheet.

Something to keep your eye on.

As usual we should be ensuring that all normal tiling caveats apply and construction is rigid and meets the deflection requirements for the type of tiling we are doing. That sheets are fixed in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and the tile fixing system is compatible.

But most of all, we are tiling over the correct cement sheet underlay for the relevant tile and exposure loads.

Any discussion about cement sheet should begin with a warning: “Be careful when it comes to the use of second hand or recycled cement sheet due to possible asbestos risks and associated hazards”. In fact, any fibre cement composite product thought to have been manufactured prior to the 1980s should be considered to contain asbestos.

The industry considers renovation work on homes built or previously renovated prior to 1990 should be considered likely to have asbestos contamination and experts should be consulted to confirm its presence and carry out its removal. ■

Reflected cracking. This depicts the sheet movement below has reflected into the finished travertine surface. A movement joint should have been built in according to the sheet manufacturer’s instructions and good trade practice.

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 71

INT ERVIEW The stunning surrounds of the featured pool in Palm Beach, NSW were tiled with Travertine, which was sealed with a penetrating sealer produced by local manufacturer Aqua - Seal STS.

Experience is the guiding hand Tile Today interviews A’nge Kokkaliaris, principal of Aqua-Seal Stone + Tile Solutions.

Q: As a manufacturer of sealing, cleaning and restoration products, do you enjoy any advantages that distributors do not have?

A: Of course. Aqua Seal STS is a manufacturer and we are governed by our customers’ desire for performance products and products that fulfill their needs. As an example, our customers have come to us and have asked for a quality anti-slip product so we developed Grip-It T. Shower Tiles and Shower Glass cleaning became an issue so our customers came to

us with a request and we developed suitable products to prevent soap scum and grime like Aqua Shield GL for all glass and Tile Shield for shower tiles. Our customers obviously benefit from dealing with an Australian based manufacturer as there is an advantage – what we like to call the “Aqua Seal Advantage”.

Q: Where are your products manufactured?

AK: The majority of our products are proudly manufactured in

72 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Australia with the best raw materials we can source from Australia, USA and Germany. We have some products that we manufacture in the USA and that’s due to availability of raw materials and machinery for the manufacturing process.

Q: There are numerous suppliers of sealers in Australia, more than 40, at the last count. How do you aim to gain and hold market share?

AK: The assumption is that we are a just a supplier of sealers like many of our competitors. We prefer to be known as a ‘problem solving’ company. The guys you go to because you want to prevent a problem so you need a quality sealer; the guys you go to because you have a problem with your tiles so you buy a quality cleaner or problem solver; the guys you go to because you have a problem with your grout so you buy a quality grout colorant. Our involvement in

New Product

Professional Grade High Performance

HHH

Aqua Seal Gold+™

HN

G

TE

C

Y

•

•

C6

RO

RAPID SEAL FLUO

OLO

Aqua Seal Gold+™ Premium Natural Look Sealer

3 C6 Fluoro-Seal™ - NO VOC Water Based Formula 3 Rapid-Seal STS™ to provide stain resistance in 4 hours 3 Maximum Stain Resistance Against Oil, Food & Grime 3 Natural Look - Non Yellowing - Non Coating – Non Toxic 3 Reduces Freeze/Thaw Damage, Spalling and Efflorescence 3 Inhibits Mould and Mildew - Ideal to use as a Pre-Sealer 3 For Indoor, Outdoor, Domestic & Commercial Applications.

Recommended for: Natural Stone, Porcelain Tile, Grout and other surfaces.

Available in: 250ml, 1 litre, 4 litre, 20 litre.

Sealers • Cleaners • Problem Solvers • Grout Colourants • Stone Restoration Unit 9, 21-25 Monro Avenue (PO Box 3001) Kirrawee NSW 2232 Australia T +61 2 9521 4000 F +61 2 9521 5222 E info@aqua-seal.com.au www.aqua-seal.com.au

Australian Owned

A u s t r A l i A • N e w Z e A l A Nd • u Ni t e d K i N g d o m

INT ERVIEW

the tile and stone industry is over 30 years and covers everything from retail, wholesale, import, export and manufacturing and with experience comes knowledge.

Successful companies understand that being a specialist in your field makes all the difference. We are now seeing that adhesive and tool companies are jumping on the bandwagon and selling a few sealers and cleaners. In the complicated world of tile you cannot be a master of everything and that’s why the successful companies stick to what they do best.

Q: Have you enjoyed any success in export markets?

A: Yes. From Australia we are exporting to the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and into Asia. We have opened an office in UK, which looks after our UK and Europe sales. We are currently exporting to eight countries in Europe and demand for the brand keeps growing.

Q: Do you provide product application courses on a national basis?

A: We offer two day courses for tilers, cleaners, architects or any member of the public looking at getting into a new business. With our training, they can become an Aqua-Seal trained tile and grout, care and maintenance technician with the tools and knowhow to specialise in trouble shooting, sealing, cleaning and refinishing of tile and grout surfaces for both residential and commercial installations.

Our comprehensive classroom and hands-on workshop is designed and taught by professionals in the care and maintenance business. The curriculum includes the newest techniques and information on the latest products for hard surface cleaning and maintenance. Instructors will provide the practical step-by-step training needed to begin a tile and grout care business or to expand the services of your existing business.

Q: Are your products primarily used to seal and clean ceramic or natural stone materials?

A: We cover all aspects of cleaning, sealing, maintaining and restoring all tile, stone, grout and glass surfaces. We are the one-stop-shop.

Q: Do you regularly test products and provide project specific information?

A: Tile, stone and grout are continuously evolving.

New manufacturing tile procedures are producing some fantastic products and every day new stone is being sourced and introduced into the market.

Everything has its own peculiarities and we have wholesalers and importers suppling us with tiles for various testing and recommendations.

Q: Do you provide a product warranty?

A: Our warranty program is unique.

Different surfaces have different strengths and different requirements plus they wear differently so putting a blanket warranty is very unrealistic.

“Our comprehensive classroom and handson workshop is designed and taught by professionals in the care and maintenance business. The curriculum includes the newest techniques and information on the latest products for hard surface cleaning and maintenance. “ 74 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

We consult with architects, interior designers, builders and developers and, after gathering all the relevant information about the project, such as type of tile or stone used, where it is being used, etc, we then write a job specific warranty that is also backed up by a tailored maintenance program to ensure the longevity and the look of the project.

Q: Please tell our readers about your latest product releases?

A: Continuing on with our focus on providing the safest and best products for stone, tile and grout care, we are proud to announce the introduction of C6 Fluoro-Seal Technology to our range of premium sealers. The first upgrade is to Aqua Seal Gold - Rapid Seal. We are one of the first manufacturers in Australia to move to C6 fluorocarbons.

C6 Fluorocarbons are the safest alternative for the environment whilst delivering premium performance.

Our Aqua-Seal Gold – Rapid Seal is a premium water based sealer that delivers premium water, oil and grime repellency and has the added bonus of curing in four hours therefore drastically reducing the down time on domestic and commercial jobs.

It has NO VOCs (volatile organic compounds) making it ideal for large commercial product where environmentally green products are required. More products will be rolled out utilising C6 FluoroSeal Technology and will be distinguishable with the C6 FluoroSeal logo.

Q: Finally, what can customers expect from Aqua Seal?

A: We will continue to give our customers the service, product performance and technical knowledge that they expect and for which we are known. We are proudly Australian owned, Australian made with the knowledge of Australian conditions and customer requirements. Our customers expect the best and that’s what we deliver. ■

For more information, contact ARDEX on 1300 788 780 or visit www.ardexaustralia.com.au

INT ERVIEW

Training in progress at the Ardex Academy, Seven Hills NSW.

Ardex Australia Tile Today discusses industry training and new products with Raewyn Hughes, Category Manager, Tiling and Flooring Systems, Ardex Australia Q: In issue 79 of Tile Today we published an interview with Fabian Morgan, the Ardex Chief Operating Officer in relation to the expansion of the company’s training facility located at Seven Hills, NSW. How has the expansion impacted on the activities you provide?

A: Training is a key focus at Ardex both globally and locally – internally with employees and externally with our distributors and contractors. We are committed to rolling out purpose built training facilities in each state, with construction currently underway on another two sites. This will allow us to continue to provide a global standard of training with localised practices and standards across Australia.

With a commitment of new, improved and better products we are proud of our innovation and research, but the best product in the world is no good if you don’t know how to

get the most out of it. Our training ensures that we have the resources and facilities to train various groups of people – retail staff, tradesmen and apprentices. We frequently run courses that teach common applications such as liquid undertile waterproofing as well as specialty courses for upskilling such as epoxy grouting or defect evaluation and rectification.

Q: With more than 40 million square metres of tile imported and produced locally, the market is growing rapidly.

Are we keeping pace with the demand for fully trained tile fixers?

A: The recent growth in the demand for tiles, I believe can be partly attributed to the development of new looks, a broader range of affordable modern styles and replacement of previous used alternate surfaces such as wood and resilient flooring. The new wood-look tiles are a fantastic

76 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

alternative with the durability benefit of the tile. Many of these styles require specialty adhesives, grouts and installation techniques, which are tested by Ardex, and this information is then shared with the market.

The volume of tiles imported was not much more than was imported in 2007. It appears to us that there are enough available tilers but the level of skill required has changed. Ardex training aims to help support the level of skill within the industry.

Q: Do you receive assistance from the Australian Tile Council or any other agencies?

A: As a manufacturer of building application products we gain very broad market knowledge through various avenues within the business – our sales force, scientists, chemists and our global network of R&D and training. Ardex has a keen interest in ensuring that we stay connected with industry bodies to ensure we are delivering what the industry needs. We continue to work as closely as possible with industry groups such as the Tile Council to ensure we are offering value and welcome their feedback. We also invite them to involve themselves

through participation in training and development .

Q: At this point in time, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the variety of ceramic materials that fixers are challenged to install, ranging from slim 3mm ceramic panels and tiles to 20mm thickness large format porcelain. Do you cover the installation of all of these products?

A: Ardex has a full complement of products to ensure installation of the latest tiles. It can be frustrating when new technology and designs of tiles are released to the market and the new adhesives or application practices are not adopted. Thorough testing is always completed to ensure the right recommendation is made for the tile.

Q: Obviously you focus on correct application of your Ardex adhesives, grouts and waterproofing products.

Do training course attendees also use tools selected from your range of tiling tools?

A: Ardex uses the system Ardex Approach to ensure complete compatibility throughout the installation process with the best outcome. We ensure that we are constantly testing and staying abreast of new application tools and understanding the most commonly used application tools available from around the globe. Where we identify a gap we will endeavor to fill this for our customers. Often we look to the industry experts and align our training with them. Safety wear is a good example of this and an important part of installation. At Ardex we recognise this, consequently we are now closely aligned with a global leader in safety wear, UVEX.

A: There is frustration that tile manufacturers do not align with adhesive and tool manufacturers when they are pushing the boundaries of existing tile types and design. In most instances it means we need to find the solutions quickly for the markets demands. Our technical and R&D department use their wealth of local and global knowledge to test and experiment scientifically and offer advice through our technical services department via the phone or digitally with technical bulletins, white papers and specialty testing.

Q: Do you use the training academy for other activities?

A: The Ardex academy and state based training facilities are a fantastic space available for our customers, such as industry bodies and TAFE and technical colleges, to use, often free of charge for meetings, conferences and training.

Internally we use this space for employee training, meetings, conferences and celebrations such as employee service awards. Lately we have used this space in our support for the McGrath Foundation with morning teas and lunches to support and raise funds and awareness for the great work the foundation does in the community.

Q: The number of tile outlets and tile fixers engaged in the sale and

installation of natural stone continues to rise. Do you provide stone related advice and training?

A: Similarly to new tiles such as the very large format tiles, natural stone requires special knowledge for selection, installation and after care.

Specialty training for retail staff and installers is important and delivered both as specialty training or included in tile retail and tile installation training. Advice is also available through Ardex technical services on the phone or through Ardex technical papers.

Q: Ardex is obviously endeavouring to play its part in the development of an adequately trained workforce; however, some industry members are concerned that not enough is being done. I presume you share their concerns?

A: The industry is responsible for ensuring that standards are held to the highest level and there are various segments within the industry that have their own opinions and frustrations with this. We will maintain our involvement through formal inclusions with these groups and informal discussions and findings through our national and global team on the ground. In the meantime we will simply get on with it and continue to deliver training and information to willing participants. â–

Q: New products like large thick and thin porcelain tiles frequently appear in the marketplace before appropriate tools, cutting machines and installation standards are developed.

How do you cope with providing advice on these advanced products?

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #88 | 77

adhesive selection guide 2016 INCLUDES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SLIM TILE PRODUCTS

E

ach adhesive selection features an ISO classification e.g. C2TS2, in accordance with ISO 13007 – 2, 2013. Each combination of letters and numbers provides users with a reference to adhesive recommendations for specific tile types on various surfaces. Below is a key to the letter/number codes used for each product.

The manufacturers listed overleaf have nominated three prime products to adhere popular tile and stone materials to a variety of substrates in dry, wet and fully immersed locations. Note that each of the participating companies also manufactures additional products that can be used in similar situations. Each company provides comprehensive technical advice. If you require additional information simply call the company in question or visit their website.

The materials listed in the Adhesive Selection Guide are not the only products suitable for a particular surface. If more information is required contact the manufacturer of your choice.

This guide provides users with a reference to adhesive recommendations for specific tile types on various surfaces. Below is a key to letter/number codes used on various products. Always ensure that a compatible waterproofing membrane is employed.

As the selection guide shows, the designation of an adhesive consists of the letter of the type (C, D or R), followed by the number of the class and/or the letter(s) corresponding to the characteristics (F, T, E and/or S) which it possesses.

Users of the Adhesive Selection Guide are advised that the ISO Classifications entered for each product are supplied by the participating manufacturer. Where absolute clarification about a product’s suitability for a specific project is required the reader should contact the manufacturer for written guarantees.

The standard recognises 3 adhesive types: C

Cementitious. In order for a cementitious adhesive to get the normal C1 classification, it must have a tensile adhesion strength of at least 0.5 MPa, when bonding porcelain tiles to concrete, not only in a dry condition, but also after water immersion, heat ageing and freeze-thaw cycling.

It must also have a tensile adhesion strength of at least 0.5 MPa, when placing of a porous tile is delayed by at least 20 minutes after the adhesive has been spread.

Improved C2 class adhesives must have a tensile adhesive strength of at least 1 MPa after the various conditioning treatments. There are also four letter designations that denote different optional characteristics.

D

Dispersion.

R

Reaction resin.

F

Fast setting adhesives, where products have a tensile adhesion strength of at least 0.5 MPa within 24 hours.

T

Denotes a slip-resistant adhesive (that limits the extent to which tiles might slide down walls).

E

Adhesives with extended open time (minimum of 30 minutes under standard laboratory conditions).

S

Only used for cementitious adhesives, where it denotes special deformable characteristics.

S1

Deformable adhesives (a transverse deformation of 2.5 to 5 mm), while highly deformable.

S2

Adhesives have a transverse deformation of at least 5 mm.

PRIMESEAL New Generation of Waterproofing Membranes RAPID SETTING CLASS 3, HIGH ELASTICITY TOTALLY IMMERSIBLE UNDER TILES

Bostik Australia Customer Service Tel: 1300 364 710 www.bostik.com.au

A DHESIVE GU IDE

ARDEX AUSTRALIA 1300 788 780

ACT AUSTRALIA 1300 794 321

DAVCO 1800 653 347

ASA/BOSTIK 1300 364 710

FLOORS Concrete

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-33 ADH-31

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1

ARDEX X 78 ARDEX X 18 ARDEX STS 8 (with ARDEX E 90 in

Compressed Fibre Cement Sheet (Floor)

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-41 ADH-33 ADH-31

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1

ARDEX X 78 ARDEX Abaflex ARDEX X 56

Existing Tiles

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-33

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1

ARDEX Optima* C2TS2 ARDEX X 78 C2ES1 (dry areas*) ARDEX Abaflex C2TS1 *no removal of existing tile glaze, or use of special primer for internal applications

Cement Render (Masonry)

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-33 ADH-31 ADH-22

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1 C1ET

ARDEX X 77 ARDEX Abaflex ARDEX D1*

C2TES1 C2TS1 D1TE

Plasterboard

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-41 ADH-33 ADH-31

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1

ARDEX D2* ARDEX D1* MPP * *(internal walls)

ARDEX ARDEX ARDEX ARDEX

C2ES1 C2TES1 C1T (C1TS1) exteriors)

Evoflex Conflex Evofix

C2S2ET C2S1E C1S1ET

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

Evoflex Asaflex Conflex

C2S2ET C2S2E C2S1E

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

Superglue* C2S2EF Prontofix + Megalastic* C2S1EF Evoflex C2S2ET *No glaze removal needed when primed with Specialist Primer

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

Ultra Mastik Megafix Mastik

C2S1ET C1S1ET D1ET

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

D2TE D1TE C1S2

Ultra Mastik Megafix Mastik

C2S1ET C1S1ET D1ET

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

C2TES1 C2TES1

Superglue C2S2EF Ultra Mastik + Megalastic C2S2ET Evofix + Megalastic C2S1E

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

WALL AND FLOOR: ARDEX S 16 + ARDEX E 90 C2FTS1 ARDEX Quickbond + Abalastic C1FTS1 ARDEX WA 100 R2T *internal only with no mesh back (mesh back panels require additional application steps).

WALL: Ultra Mastik + Megalastic Superglue Evoflex FLOOR: Superglue Ultra Mastik + Megalastic Prontofix + Megalastic

Contact the manufacturer for project specific advice.

ARDEX X 56 C1ES2 ARDEX S 16 (internal only) C2FTES1 ARDEX Quickbond C1FT (C1FTS1) (use with ARDEX Abalastic in exteriors)

Superglue Prontofix + Megalastic Expressfix

C2S2EF C2S2EF C2EF

Davco 2 Part Rapid C2S1FE

Conflex Ultra Mastik Evoflix

C2S1E C2S1ET C1S1ET

Davco SMP Evo

C2S1TE

C2S1TE

C2ES1 C2TS1 C1ES2

WALLS

MISCELLANEOUS Swimming Pools & Other Total Immersion Locations

ADH-55 C2ETS1 Glass Mosaics can be grouted with ADH-55

Slim thickness tile or panel 3-5+mm

ADH-55 + AD-1 ADH-55

C2ETS2 C2ETS1

ADH-44

C2ETS1

X 77 X 18 STS 8 W + E 90

C1TS1

C2S2ET C2S2EF C2S2ET C2S2EF C2S2ET C2S1E

Floor tiling to receive floor traffic on same day of tiling

ADH-55 Fast Set ADH-44

C2ETS1 C2ETS1

Shower Floors

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-33 ADH-31 ADH-22

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1 C1ET

ARDEX X 77 ARDEX Abaflex ARDEX X 56

Vitrified products (Porcelain)

ADH-55 ADH-44 ADH-33 ADH-31

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C1ETS1

ARDEX X 77 C2TES1 ARDEX Abaflex C2TS1 ARDEX STS 8 C1T (C1TS1) (use with ARDEX E 90 in exteriors)

Evoflex Ultra Mastik Evofix

C2S2ET C2S1ET C1S1ET

Davco SMP Evo

Granite/Marble

ADH-55 ADH-55 Fast Set ADH-44 ADH-33

C2ETS1

ARDEX S 16 W C2FTES1 (internal only) ARDEX Quickbond + ARDEXÂ Abalastic C1FTS1 ARDEX WA100 R2T

Expressfix Evoflex Superglue

C2FE C2S2ET C2S2EF

Davco SMP Evo C2S1TE Davco 2 Part Rapid C2S1FE for moisture sensitive stone

C2ETS1 C2ETS1 C2ETS1

80 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

C2TES1 C2TS1 C1ES2

COmmeRCIAl eG

• Two part epoxy grout • Ideal for showers, pools, shops, dairies, hospitals • Wall/floor/interior/exterior applications • Suitable in joints from 1.5mm - 15mm • Can be used as a tile adhesive* • Complies with AS ISO 13007.3-2013 RG1

www.rlagroup.com.au 1800 242 931 NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA

A DHESIVE GU IDE

LATICRETE 1800 331 012

MAPEI 1800 652 666

NOVATEX PRODUCTS 02 9757 3525

RLA POLYMERS 1800 752 679

FLOORS Concrete

4-XLT (For extra large tile) Lataflex Gold 335 Premium

C1TES1 C1TES1 C2TES1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic C2TS2 Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Granirapid C2FS1

Nova Mastic White C2S1TE Nova Flex Plus Non Slump C2S1TE Nova Magic C2S1TE

Unibond Moreflex Techbond

Compressed Fibre Cement Sheet (Floor)

4237 & 211 Crete filler powder Lataflex Gold 335 Premium

C2S1 C1TES1 C2TES1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic C2TS2 Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Granirapid C2FS1

Nova Flex Plus Non Slump C2S1TE Nova Magic C2S1TE Uni Nova C2S2TE

RLA Flex 2 Part C2S2E RLA Flex 1 Part C2S2E Unibond C2S1

Existing Tiles

3701 Latex/X8 Multi Purpose 335 Premium 101 Rapid Set Latex/ 290 Super

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic C2TS2 Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Granirapid C2FS1

Nova Flex Plus Non Slump C2S1TE Nova Magic C2S1TE Uni Nova C2S2TE

RLA Tileflex Unibond Techbond

*existing tiles should be primed using Optimus Primer

* Existing Tiles should be treated with RLA Universal Primer

2TES1 C2TES1 C2TFS1

C2S1 C1S1T C2S1ET

C1S1T C2S1 C2S1ET

WALLS Cement Render (Masonry)

X8 Multi Purpose Lataflex Gold 335 Premium

C1TES1 C1TES1 C2TES1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic C2TS2 Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Keraquick C2FTS1

Supa Nova Nova Mastic White Nova Ezy Non Slip

C1E C2S1TE C2S1TE

Flexibond NS Just 2 EZY RLA Mastic

C1S1T C2S1T C1S1T

Plasterboard

X8 Multi Purpose Lataflex Gold #15 Multi Mastic* * Internal only

C1TES1 C1TES1 D1TE

Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Tixobond Fine S1 C1TES1 Mapemastic Easy D1TE

Nova Mastic White Nova Ezy Non Slip Nova Magic

C2S1TE C2S1TE C2S1TE

Flexibond NS RLA Mastic Supreme NS

C1S1T C1S1T D1TE

C2TES1

Granirapid Kerabond Plus & Isolastic

Nova Mastic White + Nova Mix Additive Nova Magic Uni Nova

C2S1TE C2S1TE C2S2TE

Just-2-Ezy C2S1T RLA Mastic + Uniflex C2S1T Tilebond Extra + Uniflex C2S1

Contact the manufacturer for project specific advice.

WALL Nova Magic FLOOR Nova Magic

C2S1TE C2S1TE

Supa Nova + Nova Rapid C1 Nova Mastic + Nova Rapid C2S1T Nova Magic + Nova Rapid C2S1T

MISCELLANEOUS Swimming Pools & Other Total Immersion Locations

335 Premium 3701 Latex/X8 Multi Purpose 4237/PermaColor Grout

Slim thickness tile or panel 3-5mm

WALL & FLOOR 335 Premium 335 Premium Rapid LATAPOXY 300

C2TES1

C2FS1 C2TS2

C2FTS1

C2TES1 C2TFS1 R2

WALL RLA Flex 1 Part C2S2E FLOOR RLA Flex 1 Part C2S2E

Contact LATICRETE for further info.

Floor tiling to receive floor traffic on same day of tiling

101 Rapid Set Latex/ 290 Super 335 Premium Rapid LATAPOXY 300

C2TFS1 C2TFS1 R2

Keraquick & Latex Plus Keraquick Adesilex P4

C2FTS2 C2FTS1 C2F

Shower Floors

X8 Multi Purpose 4237/211 335 Premium

C1TES1 C2S1 C2TES1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic Granirapid

C2TS2 C2FS1

Vitrified products (Porcelain)

4-XLT (For extra large tile ) Lataflex Gold 335 Premium

C1TES1 C1TES1 C2TES1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic C2TS2 Keraflex Maxi S1 C2TES1 Granirapid C2FS1

Granite/Marble

101 Rapid Set Latex/ 290 Super C2TFS1 335 Premium Rapid C2TFS1 LATAPOXY 310 Stone Adhesive R2T

Keralastic T Kerapoxy Granirapid

** Contact LATICRETE for information regarding moisture sensitive tile and stone

82 | TILE TODAY #88 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

R2 R2T C2FS1

Commercial FS

C2S1FTE

C2S1TE C2S1TE C2S2TE

RLA Tileflex Just 2 Ezy Techbond

C1S1T C2S1T C2S1ET

Nova Flex Plus Non Slump C2S1TE Nova Magic C2S2TE Uni Nova C2S1TE

RLA Tileflex Moreflex Techbond

C1S1T C1S1T C2S1ET

Nova Flex Plus Non Slump C2S1TE Nova Magic C2S1TE Uni Nova C2S1TE

Just-2-Ezy + Uniflex C2S1T Techbond C2S1ET Commercial FS* C2S1FTE

Nova Mastic White Nova Magic Uni Nova

* for moisture sensitive stone

Eco Prim Grip

Application

Multi-purpose, ready-to-use acrylic resin and inert silica based bonding promoter and primer, with extremely low emission level of volatile organic compounds (VOC) •

•

•

Ready for use, quick and easy to apply by roller or flat brush.

Multi-purpose product: excellent bonding promoter for render applied on concrete and masonry substrates and for smoothing and levelling compounds and adhesives for ceramics applied on old internal ceramic and stone floors.

Completely harmless for floor layers: NO SOLVENTS practically zero emission of volatile organic compounds.

EMICODE®

GEV

Our environmental commitment More than 150 Mapei products help project designers and contractors building innovative projects, which are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified by the U.S. Green Building Council

Freecall: 1800 652 666 Email: sales@mapei.com.au Scan here to download the data sheet

FE ATURED PRODU CTS

Aqua-Seal Gold + Rapid Seal This premium natural look penetrating sealer utilises C6 fluoro-seal technology to protect against contamination caused by oil, grease or grime. This safe, non-toxic, non-flammable product cures in four hours. Aqua-Seal Gold + Rapid Seal also inhibits mould, mildew and bacterial growth. No volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted. It can be used internally or externally on all types of stone and tile in residential and commercial environments.

AQUA-SEAL 02 9521 4000

www.aqua-seal.com.au

PERMACOLOR Select PERMACOLOR Select is an advanced high performance cement grout that offers the industry’s first dispersible dry pigment solution. PERMACOLOR Select is designed for virtually all types of residential and commercial installations and offers optimum performance on the most demanding exterior or interior applications. Easy to mix, grout and clean, PERMACOLOR Select is fast setting. Available in 40 lifestyle colours, it carries the Laticrete Lifetime System warranty.

LATICRETE 1800 331 012

EG 15 Epoxy Grout Epoxy is considered the first choice for high performing grout but historically unpopular to install.EG15 changes all that‌ Ardex EG 15 is a high performance, three-part epoxy grout designed for situations that require standards of hygiene, high chemical and physical resistance. It can be used in joints from 1.5mm up to 15mm wide on walls and floors.

Ideal for wet areas including swimming and hydrotherapy pools, with water wash up, Ardex EG 15 is exceptionally easier to clean than other epoxy grouts during applications.

Ardex EG 15 is available with eight colour packs; Black, Charred Ash, Havana, Magellan Grey, Misty Grey, Slate Grey, Travertine and White.

ARDEX AUSTRALIA 1300 788 780 www.ardexaustralia.com

Mapeimastic Easy Mapeimastic Easy is a ready to use paste adhesive that can be used to adhere most types of ceramic tile, including porcelain, to interior walls and floors. Suitable backgrounds include: concrete, plasterboard and cement sheeting. The product cannot be used in pools or areas where tiles are totally immersed in water: however, Mapeimastic Easy is ideal for use in intermittent wet conditions such as shower surrounds. Significantly Mapeimastic has no vertical slip, courtesy of its high initial grab, which ensures that wall tiles up to 300 x 600mm will not slip. Tiles can be precisely installed without the use of spacer pegs; furthermore, the adhesives extended open time permits minor adjustments to be made. This solvent free product exceeds the criteria required for Green Star certification.

MAPEI AUSTRALIA 07 3276 5000 www.mapei.com.au

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www.laticrete.com.au

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Beautiful design is achieved by those who look for quality in the finest details Davco Elite ColourGrout is a premium performance grout with superior smoothness and maximum colour consistency that beautifully complements high quality natural stone, mosaic, ceramic and porcelain tiles. Perfect for bathrooms: n n n

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS World ceramic tile production rises

After Care range – protect, enhance, renew The new Ardex After Care range has been developed by Australia’s experts in engineering solutions for tiling and flooring. These five products have been specifically engineered to protect the floor from spills, enhance the beauty of the surface and remove staining to keep floors as good as new.

The range consists of a Tile and Grout Finishing Sealer, Tile and Grout Enhancing Sealer, Tile and Grout Multipurpose Cleaner, Tile and Grout Heavy Duty Cleaner and a Tile and Grout Problem Solver. Recommended for use in both internal and external applications, all products are available in 1L and 4L sizes. (ACP 25, 1L only). The Ardex After Care range is designed to work together to provide total reliability and high performance ARDEX AUSTRALIA 1300 788 780 www.ardexaustralia.com

Hydragrout Plus Epoxy is considered the first choice for high performing grout RLA Polymers recently released Hydragrout Plus, a high performance grout, which is designed for internal and external application in joint widths ranging from 1mm to 15mm. As the name implies this new grout has hydrophobic properties, which aid in its resistance to efflorescence.

It can be used to grout the vast majority of ceramic, natural stone and glass products, including mosaic.

Hydragout Plus sets and dries quickly. It complies with As ISO 13007.1 2013 Class CG2 WA. It is available in 2.5kg and 10 kg bags.

RLA POLYMERS 1800 242931 www.rlagroup.com.au

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Ceramic World Review (Italy) recently published its ‘World Production and Consumption of Ceramic Tiles” report. This report was compiled by Acimac, the Italian Research department and covers the ten year global trends up to 2014.

In 2014, global production and consumption continued to expand, albeit more slowly. Total production reached 12.4 billion square metres, a 3.6% increase over 2013.

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Registration is now open for DesignBUILD 2016, Australia’s destination for the landscape and outdoor, structural and materials, interior fixtures and finishes and technology products.

Find the latest product innovations and inspiration for your next project from 4 to 6 May at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Registration is free for all architecture, building, construction and design professionals.

RAK fully acquires Iran unit RAK, one of the world’s premier producers of ceramic tile, recently announced that it has fully acquired it’s subsidiary in Iran.

RAK is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and, as close neighbours to Iran, the company will anticipate that major benefits will accrue, once the financial sanctions against Iran are lifted on July 14, following the recent agreement, which placed limits on Iran’s nuclear activity.

RAK products are distributed in Australia by Prestige Tiles, whose global distribution outlets exceed 160. In a company statement RAK announced it has “a long term vision for the Iranian market both domestically and as an export centre in Central Asia as the sanctions regime gets lifted”.

LOCAL NEWS Continued growth at Ardex Ardex Australia has announced the appointment of Fabian Morgan as the Chief Operating Officer of Ardex Australia.

Mr Morgan has been with Ardex for eight years and was previously the Sales and Marketing Director.

He recently completed a six month role exchange with Jesse David, President of Ardex Americas and his new appointment highlights Ardex’s ongoing commitment to internal leadership development within the Ardex Group In his new role, Mr Morgan will have the responsibility of General Manager, Ardex Australia, reporting to Ian Forster, who will continue his duties as Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific and as a member of the Global Management Committee.

Mr Morgan said: “I look forward to continuing the growth that Ardex has experienced. It is great to see the ongoing commitment that our shareholders are making in the Australian market – Ardex’s investment in our region has never been higher. It is exciting times and we look forward to several announcements soon”.

Mr Morgan has recently appointed Raewyn Hughes to the position Category Manager Tiling and Flooring Systems. Ms Hughes has been with Ardex for seven years and will be expanding her role to include all flooring categories.

“Raewyn has led our tiling products category for the past five years and her experience in the professional channels will be invaluable to the growth planned,” Morgan said.

Beaumont Tiles continues growth Beaumont Tiles is set to realise 20% growth over the next 12 months.

Managing Director of Beaumont Tiles, Bob Beaumont, said the growth is being fuelled by the business’ drive to expand, complemented by healthier construction trends and a

growing appetite by Australians to renovate. Beaumont Tiles is aiming for a $250 million turnover by the end of 2016.

Beaumont Tiles also announced the launch of a high end dedicated channel for the commercial market tailored to builders designers and architects. Called The Beaumont Studio, the initiative will see the introduction of four new Beaumont shopfronts geared for this market.

In the past 12 months, Beaumont Tiles has moved 99,775 tonnes of tiles (from local and overseas suppliers), more than 13,000 tonnes over the previous year. The biggest growth market has been NSW due to organic and market growth in line with active commercial and residential markets.

Beaumont Tiles has an aggressive growth story in Queensland with a $10 million plus investment in the state in 2016. This will include the opening of another six retail stores and the construction of a massive 12,500 m2 distribution centre opening in the Brisbane suburb of Rochedale in March.

The distribution centre will sit on a major north-south arterial with easy access to the western corridor via Logan motorway (situating Beaumont Tiles closer to the wharves) and will service all of Queensland and Northern NSW. Mr Beaumont said across its national network, Beaumont Tiles plans an additional sixteen stores in the next 12 months with an emphasis on growth in New South Wales and Victoria.

“Our distribution strategy is focussed on getting the best possible product to the customer in a way

NEWS

that suits them – no matter who that customer is,” Mr Beaumont said.

“Our brand and product mix has certainly evolved and so has the Australian appetite for designer looks and trends. We’ve seen innovations in tile manufacturing that has meant we can offer an incredibly diverse range at prices – even for the more premium product – that are affordable.

“It’s an exciting time for Beaumont Tiles with the introduction of The Beaumont Studio – a playground of cutting-edge, experimental and dynamic ideas all in the one place – because it marks our formal entry into the high design market and shows our commitment to deliver industry best outcomes,” he said.

Mr Beaumont said its state-ofthe-art warehousing was being constructed for efficiency, safety and speed.

“We’re not just investing to hold larger quantities of stock but to get out product closer to our customer without the need to transfer from interstate warehouses. Reducing our costs means we can maintain market leading price points.”

Beaumont’s first Style Studio is set to open in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley in early 2016. This will be followed by Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Apology and correction Pages 70 and 71 of Issue #87 of the Tile Today magazine contained an

interview with Mr Troy Hogan, the Managing Director of CTA. That article contained a prominent picture of the building, partly occupied by CTA, which is located at 2 Prime Drive, Seven Hills.

It has been brought to our attention that the picture provided had been digitally altered to replace the signage displayed at the front of the building, which refered to Marble Plus, with signage referring to Sika.

Sika is not a tenant of those premises and never has been. Marble Plus is the main tenant of those premises.

Tile Today apologises to the owners of the premises and to Marble Plus for publishing the inaccurate information providedto us. Shown is a true, unaltered photo of the premises.

Shining Bright In 2015, Ardex Australia announced a new corporate friendship with the McGrath Foundation with a view to raising money to train and place McGrath Breast Cancer Nurses in communities across Australia.

Ardex Australia will donate a percentage of sales on selected tile adhesives to the McGrath Foundation during promotional months, and will join participating retailers, tilers and builders in a range of fundraising events. last November, an Ardex and McGrath gala evening was held with a fitting theme of Shine Bright, The sea of pink included Ardex employees, customers and suppliers as well as friends and family.

The guest speaker, Dr Geoff Wilson, was the first person to trek across the Antarctic continent without assistance in a huge effort to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

advertiser

advisory

index panel ACT Australia

20, 66, 78, 88 & 89

Aqua-Seal

11 & 73

Ardex 75 B.A.T. Trims

53

The 2016 Editorial Advisory Board includes leading authorities on standards, installation practices and products, architecture and developing trends and technologies.

Peter Carter President, Australian Tile Council

Bostik 79 CDK Stone

5, 31, 55 & 62

19

Construction Technologies Australia 12, 13 & 63 Distinctive Tile Imports

60

DW Tiles

39

Europe Imports

25

Everstone

7 & 21

Johnson Tiles

33

Laticrete 69

PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au

Raewyn Hughes Ardex Australia

GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Curtis jennifer.curtis@elitepublishing.com.au

Peter Hartog Jackson Teece Chesterman & Willis Architects Carl Strautins Safe Environments Alex Njoo Architect and member of ARB, Victoria Fred Gray Laticrete Australia

Mapei 83 Metro Tiles

35 & 57

National Ceramic Industries Novatex Parex Group (Davco)

85

Prestige Tiles

41

Gary Jones Eco Ceramic Façade Systems Richard Mackenzie Ocean & Merchant

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