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Coverings 2011 Product Review

Tile of Spain branded manufacturer Apavisa presented its Evolution collection, which offers neutral colors and textures to meet many design styles. This series recreates the appearance of a concrete formwork and toned metal sheets, with a texture similar to that obtained from the oxidation of metals.

www.apavisa.com

Azteca, a Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer, recently launched a 23.6- x 23.6-inch porcelain format of floor tiles — adding to its family of large-sized porcelain tiles. The company showcased a host of new products in this format, including the Genius 60 series — offering minimalism in gray and graphite (shown); the Montpellier 60 series and its Petrean design; the Jasper Lux 60 — a modern version of traditional marble; and the Saint Michel 60 series — a new generation of slate.

www.azteca.com

Bellavita Tile introduced the H Line of ceramic tiles — offering an ever-so-slight smoky look. Available in 4- x 16- and 3- x 6-inch formats or 1- x 1-inch mosaics, the H Line series subtly accents the features of a home. The collection has a glossy finish and comes in seven colors. Additionally, the mosaics are available in seven solid colors as well as three blends. A full collection of trims is also available.

www.bellavitatile.com

Bestview International is Aluminum-faced Panel Mosaic — Among the large assortment of mosaics offered by Bestview International is “Aluminum-faced Panel Mosaic,” featuring a mixed material mosaic that creates a new age in the field of metal mosaics, reports the manufacturer. It is extremely lightweight and easy to install. The material gives design flexibility, and it is available in many unique designs, patterns and color combinations. It is suitable for most uses and provides a modern to traditional effect.

www.bestviewinternational.com

Carmel Stone Imports introduced the newest addition to its very popular Timeworn Collection in three new colors and with a more contemporary straight edge pillow, new moldings, mosaics and decorative liners. The three new colors are: Lagos Azul (Pictured), Lagos Gold and Tala Cream. These beautiful new additions can be found at any of Carmel Stone Imports’ dealers nationwide. The company’s Web site lists its dealer locations.

www.carmelimports.com

The Nat line takes its place at the top of the Del Conca product range with considerable strength and character, according to the Italian tile manufacturer. With three color variations, Nat is a product with a strong emotional impact that is able to enhance both indoor and outdoor environments, reports Del Conca. Evocatively drawing its inspiration from North American slate, an ornate geological tapestry brings its surface to life with a natural textured look.

www.delconca.com

The Crete di Pian della Fornace collection from Italian manufacturer Gardenia Orchidea is the latest produced using patented Crystal Ker technology with a thickness of just 2.5 mm, reports the company. Ideal for refurbishing work without the need for demolition or removal of existing floors and walls, it lends exclusivity to both traditional and modern-style spaces. It is offered in Beige, Gold and Green and a 20- x 20-cm format.

www.gardeniaorchidea.com

Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Hatz Spain (Venus) presented two new porcelain collections: Cumbria and Tyrrenia (pictured). Tyrrenia is inspired by Rapolano marble and offered in three colors: White, Sand and Walnut. Cumbria uses advanced digital printing technology to create the contrast and richness of slate. Colors include: White, Beige, Multi, Peacock and Black. Both collections are available in a range of formats, including mesh-mounted mosaics.

www.venusceramica.com

Keros, a Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer launched two new products at Coverings 2011. Personality (pictured) offers the look of distressed wood, while Style emulates striated stone. These models are presented in a new 10- x 28-inch wall format and are also available in combinations of 13- x 13-inch floor tile, 13- x 13-inch red body porcelain and a larger 20- x 20-inch format.

www.keros.com

Slimtech is the newest innovation from Italian manufacturer Lea Ceramiche. It is an ultra-thin 3-mm laminated porcelain that is available in extremely large formats. With a wider chromatic palette, the collection has a total of 23 colors presented in seven product series: Lines and Waves designed by Patrick Norguet (pictured); Mauk and Gouache.10 designed by Diego Grandi; Slimtech Basaltina, Slimtech Arenaria and Slimtech Shade by the Lea Research Department. With a 40- x 40-inch tile that is 3 mm thick and weighs only 15.4 pounds, Slimtech is ideal for the renewal of floors, reports Lea Ceramiche. The thin tile can be simply laid over the old surface avoiding demolition and production of waste — drastically reducing installation time and existing doors do not need to be cut or filed.

www.ceramichelea.com

The growing trend toward very large, very thin, vertical tile installations is easily accomplished with lightweight, non-sag, medium-bed Ultralite Mortar from Mapei. At half the weight of standard tile, easy-to-handle, low-profile tile perfectly complements back-friendly Ultralite Mortar. Packaged in 25-pound (11.3-kg) bags, Ultralite Mortar provides the same great coverage as standard 50-pound (22.7-kg) bags, saving installers in costly time, labor and transportation. This polymer-rich mortar utilizes Mapei’s Easy Glide Technology™, which makes spreading easy without sacrificing the ability to hold ridges. With 30% recycled content, Ultralite Mortar helps contribute valuable points toward LEED-certified projects, reports Mapei.

www.mapei.com

The American Naturals collection of glazed porcelain tile replicates the look of hardwood and is produced with Dynamic HD Imaging™ exclusive from Mediterranea. Made in the USA with 36 percent recycled content, American Naturals glazed porcelain tiles have been produced for efficient U.S. distribution to architects, interior designers or residential home builders in projects seeking LEED certification, reports the company. Tiles in the collection are offered in five different color styles and three contemporary formats. Complete with trim accessory pieces produced to match in the same process, American Naturals comes in 12- x 24- and 6- x 24-inch planks as well as strip-style, 4- x 24-inch porcelain tiles in Black Rock, Bonanza, Rain Barrel, Raw Hide (shown) and Tumble Weed.

www.mediterranea-usa.com

Grout Shield from Miracle Sealants Co. is a specialty sealer additive that mixes with cement-based grout instead of water to provide a stain-resistant grout installation without any additional sealing. It is perfect for interior and exterior use, according to its manufacturer. Additionally, Grout Shield protects sanded grout from staining, mixes with sanded grout in place of water, comes with a 20-year warranty and makes grout stronger. Anti-microbial— a fungistatic agent has been incorporated into this product to make the grout more resistant to staining caused by mildew, reports Miracle Sealants Co.

www.miraclesealants.com

Area25 by Italian tile manufacturer Mosaico+ is made using a low-consumption, technologically innovative production process to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly product. The sintered glass tiles are obtained by grinding and compressing waste glass and recycling glass-based products, according to the manufacturer. This regeneration process creates a material with a very high level of resistance, which is suitable for use in environments with high foot traffic, while still maintaining the elegance and poetry of the glass mosaic, reports Mosaico+, adding that the tile is made with 95% recycled glass.

www.mosaicopiu.it

Pokarna Limited, a leading Indian stone producer, showcased a wide selection of granites at Coverings 2011, which included several new colors: Labrador Antique, Baltic Brown, Brown Antique, Patagonia (pictured) and Zanzibar.

www.pokarna.com

Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Roca presented Green City, a new porcelain tile that reflects the urban tendency of the new decade: minimalistic lines, solid colors and a recycled content of up to 80%. In trendy large sizes, including 20 x 40 inches, Green City can be used on floors and walls to tie a space together by creating a total designer look, with the bonus of being sustainable and very easy to maintain, reports the manufacturer.

www.rocatilegroup.com

Stone & Pewter Accents introduces Lineal Slate, a modernistic, no-fuss slate collection for high-style spaces. Lineal Slate combines varying sizes and colors of honed slate on a mesh-mounted, 15-inch repeating pattern. The stone adds depth, richness and earthy texture to nearly any vertical surface and complements today’s popular metallic finishes, including stainless steel, nickel, silver and gold, according to the company. The collection is available in eight colors: Barley, Black Gold, Earth, Green Gold, Polar White, Prairie, Moss Green and White Gold as well as accents in both rustic and contemporary designs.

www.stonepewteraccents.com

Vermont Quarries has achieved Greenguard Indoor Air Quality and Greenguard Children & Schools SM Certification for marble surfacing, and reports being the first quarry to have its complete line of marble certified under this program. Vermont Danby marble has met the qualification standards for LEED certification credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect, non-roof: Using light-colored natural stone with a solar-reflective index of 20 or greater can reduce heat-island effects. Danby marble comes in at over 60. With LEED certifications so far, Danby marble will add to any project within 500 miles of the quarry two LEED points confirmed with a possible third with Greenguard. If the project is outside of the 500-mile radius, a minimum of one to two points will still apply.

www.vermontquarries.com

Voguebay showcased a wide selection of its glass tiles, including its WaterCube© glass mosaics, which are offered in a combination of many different contemporary geometrical shapes that result in a fresh three-dimensional surface with real depth and feeling, reports the manufacturer. Voguebay WaterCube© glass mosaics are suitable for most uses and areas — giving a modern and noticeable look to any wall. They are available in 12- x 12-inch sheets and 12- x 4-inch borders and in a range of many new colors.

www.voguebay.com

Wizard Enterprise introduced Hawthorne, a handmade tile line with 40% recycled content. Inspired by glazed French terra-cotta, Hawthorne embodies a blend of rustic warmth and modern practicality. Rich mottled glazes and irregular surfaces make Hawthorne installations soothing rhythmic textures. Glazes meld and interact with the clay, letting its character come through to create attractive and original glaze surfaces. With the high recycled content in the Hawthorne product line and Wizard Enterprise’s green production practices, this tile line will qualify for LEED Credits, reports the manufacturer. The new collection is offered in five stock colors that are available for immediate delivery with another nine colors available in a made-to-order program.

www.wizardenterprise.com

After alternating between Orlando, FL, and Chicago, IL, for a better part of a decade, Coverings — the International Tile and Stone Exhibition — held its 2011 edition in Las Vegas, NV. With the intention of attracting more West Coast visitors, the show took place from March 14 to 17 at the Sands Expo & Conference Center. And show organizer National Trade Productions (NTP) deemed the event a success — with West Coast attendance up 71% from the previous year.

Total attendance at this year’s event was 19,000, and more than 1,000 exhibitors were on the show floor — displaying a broad spectrum of stone and tile collections, installation and maintenance products and stone fabrication machinery, tools and accessories. Coverings 2011 also included more than 100 first-time exhibitors, reported NTP.

Also on the show floor were national pavilions from various countries such as Brazil, China, Italy and Spain. Both the Ceramic Tiles of Italy and Tile of Spain booths drew crowds daily with their offering of native food for lunch and cocktail hours in the afternoon.

The exhibition hall was filled with numerous stone and tile introductions. Textures, colors and subtle finishes were all evident among the collections being showcased. Stone and tile products are also being offered in more shapes and sizes than ever before. The above photo gallery is just a few of the endless new introductions that were launched at Coverings 2011.