FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2022

(Clemson, SC)— After three years and hundreds of hours of research by the TCNA Product Performance Testing Laboratory, Tile Council of North America (TCNA) is pleased to announce the ANSI ASC A108 Committee’s approval of a standard characterizing 2 cm gauged porcelain tile pavers.

In recent years, usage of 2 cm gauged porcelain tile pavers, particularly in outdoor living, has grown at a remarkable pace, creating a need for standardized product performance criteria upon which specifiers, installers, building owners, and consumers can rely. As 2 cm porcelain tile pavers are often used in unbonded or raised flooring applications, particular attention was given to strength and impact criteria when developing this new standard.

The performance criteria and test methods developed for the new 2 cm standard are the result of a multi-year consensus process of the ANSI ASC A108 Committee. This committee, which develops standards for hard surface floor, wall, and countertop products, and related installation materials, is comprised of a broad and diverse group of participants reflecting stakeholder interests in all aspects of the tile industry.

“Interest in outdoor living has been growing exponentially the last few years,” says Bill Griese, director of standards development and sustainability initiatives, Tile Council of North America. “As market trends and tile usage continue to evolve, so too must the specifications that define them. Without standards, tile consumers would have no way to know what to expect in terms of performance, and problems resulting from an undefined range of products could hinder the growth of this exciting market segment. We are very pleased to announce this standard and congratulate and thank the many people across our industry who contributed to its development.”

When published later this year, the world’s first industry standard for gauged porcelain pavers will be included as part of ANSI A137.3 American National Standard Specifications for Gauged Porcelain Tiles and Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs.

To order publications, please visit www.TCNAtile.com/publications.

Please visit www.TCNAtile.com/lab for more information about TCNA lab testing services and order forms, or contact TCNA Director of Laboratory Services Katelyn Simpson at ksimpson@tcnatile.com to discuss gauged porcelain paver testing.

About ANSI

As the voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.

The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accreditation – assessing the competence of organizations determining conformance to standards.

About Tile Council of North America (TCNA)

TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in 2003, reflecting its membership expansion to all of North America.

The Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.

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Contact:
Roxanne Morris
(864) 646-8453