Technical Insights | Tile & Stone Industry Standards

Featured White Paper

White Paper Mortar Bed Forensic Analysis

The False Mortar Bed: Understanding the Failure Mechanisms of the “Miami Sandwich” Tile Installation Method

A non-standard shortcut technique found throughout the southeastern U.S. that mimics the appearance of a proper mortar bed while violating every critical requirement of ANSI A108.1A and TCNA F103. Field observations and forensic laboratory analysis document the predictable failure modes — and what proper installation actually requires.

Matt Assenmacher 2025 15 min read PDF available

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White Paper

White Paper Movement Joints TCNA EJ171

Movement Joints in Tile & Stone: Why TCNA EJ171 Is the Most Violated Standard in Hospitality Construction

The single specification item most consistently absent from hotel tile and stone installations — and the most predictable cause of field cracking. Documents the requirements of TCNA EJ171, where movement joints are required, and the failure patterns that result when they are omitted or improperly detailed.

Robert Muramatsu 2025 PDF available

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Coming Soon

Bond Coverage ANSI A108.5

95% Bond Coverage: What the Standard Requires and Why Most Installations Never Achieve It

What ANSI A108.5 actually requires for wet areas and exterior applications, and the field practices that fall short.

Hotel Operations Failure Patterns

The Five Most Common Tile & Stone Failures in Luxury Hotel Construction — and What Causes Each One

Pool decks, lobby floors, shower pans, exterior facades, and stone corridors — the failure patterns that appear on every investigation.

Specifications Division 09

What a Technically Adequate Tile Specification Actually Contains — A Division 09 Checklist

The twelve elements most commonly missing from architect-issued tile specs, and the standard that governs each.

Technical Articles & White Papers on Tile & Stone Construction

The False Mortar Bed: Understanding the Failure Mechanisms of the “Miami Sandwich” Tile Installation Method

Movement Joints in Tile & Stone: Why TCNA EJ171 Is the Most Violated Standard in Hospitality Construction

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