The Installation Experience debuted this year at Coverings. Conceived by the NTCA and CTEF and spearheaded by CTEF’s Scott Carothers, NTCA’s Mark Heinlein and brought to life by scores of hardworking volunteers, it sought to demonstrate the quality difference between work done by qualified labor such at Certified Tile Installers or those with Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers credentials, and unskilled labor.
The “experience” was a self-guided journey through identical installations in the Hall of Failures and the Hall of Excellence that demonstrated the industry-approved ways to execute an installation and the results of an unskilled install. The comparison was supported by photographs.
Installers and Regional Evaluators on hand to answer questions about the CTI and ACT exams.
Two teams of Certified Tile Installers also participated in an install-off called the CTI Challenge where they competed in time and skill while installing identical vignettes.
The Installation Experience concluded with the “At Home with Tile” theater where time-lapse video highlighting various construction stages immersed visitors with inspiring and educational projects, and visitors could view beautiful, functional room settings, with expertly installed tile.
Editorial Director and Senior Writer for TileLetter and TileLetter ARTISAN
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
