Article Number : 4455 |
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| Date | 5/11/2009 7:04:03 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4455 |
| Abstract | By Louis Iannaco CHICAGO—While attendance might have been down overall— much like other trade shows around the country—Coverings once again paved the way in technology, trends and new products in ceramic tile and natural stone. With hundreds of exhibitors from more than... |
| Article | By Louis Iannaco CHICAGO—While attendance might have been down overall— much like other trade shows around the country—Coverings once again paved the way in technology, trends and new products in ceramic tile and natural stone. With hundreds of exhibitors from more than 50 countries, the show elicited the same positive reactions for which it has become known during its 20 years of existence. “One thing that’s been consistent: With businesses looking after their dollars more than ever, companies are sending fewer people to events,” said Glenn Feder, show director for NTP Productions, producer of Coverings. “From the feedback we’ve received, that seems to be the case at this year’s show. However, the people who showed up are serious buyers, and the exhibitors here are positioned well for whenever the recovery begins.” Danielle DeVita of Ceramic Tiles of Italy noted there seemed to be a tendency toward the more practical and natural at this year’s show, highlighted by the wood look (texture and natural grains), stone look (marble, slate), gemstone (luscious blues) and classic black and whites, as well as black on black. “In green technology, there were many tiles featuring recycled content,” she said. “Almost all the Italian manufacturers showcased a new product that was either LEED-compliant or certified by the Eco-Label.” In fact, the collective thinking of most Coverings exhibitors seemed to focus on greener practices and products, with scores allowing for plenty of room in their displays to feature their eco-commitments. Patti Fasan, consultant for Tile of Spain, believes all manufacturers are researching applications in tile, which will expand both typical markets and applications. “The research is generating new ideas such as dry set tile, which could be used in the rental market [not a typical hard surface floor covering buyer].” Some of the show’s newer trends included slim tiles, which can be installed over existing floors, such as SlimmKer by Inalco. According to Fasan, these tiles open areas in the renovation market. “They’re using less virgin material than before, therefore being eco-friendly.” Like DeVita, she noted a trend toward fabric-inspired tile as well as large formats, especially in the hospitality sector. “Tile’s inherent qualities of fire resistance, non- odor absorbing and cleanability, not to mention the environmental benefit of infrequent replacement, are making both common sense and bottom line sense to restaurant, hotel and theatre owners.” Eric Astrachan, executive director for the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), noted the increasing use of tile rectification to create multiple sizes and precise dimensions, as well as the use of digital printing on textured tiles. “This technology revolutionized the decoration [glazing] of textured tiles. At Coverings, we saw this used widely to create very natural rustic tiles.” On the new technology front, StonePeak came to Coverings with news appropriate for a week that included Earth Day. It has invented a photocatalytic tile featuring a micrometric layer of titanium dioxide, a treatment resulting in a product, which helps reduce pollutants, is self-cleaning and antimicrobial. TCNA, through its laboratory testing, noted Astrachan, confirmed this patented technology and photocatalytic properties. StonePeak executives said the product, which is suitable for both indoors and outdoors, will be available this fall. In addition to Inalco, several companies seem to have mastered the technology to create ultra-thin tile slabs—most either 3mm or 4mm thick (1/8- and 1/6-inch, respectively). What is different about these porcelain tiles are their laminate-like characteristics. They can be adhered over most existing surfaces as well, which is a cost savings. Among those leading the way in this breakthrough were Ceramic Tiles of Italy companies, including Florim, which displayed Slim/4 at the show. From Cotto D’Este there was the Kerlite series, which includes a new style called Buxy. At Gardenia Orchidea, the 1/8-inch profile was shown in decorative tiles available in 13-inch and 6-1/2 x 13-inch sizes. This Crystal Ker collection included styles with a faux leather finish plus ornate motifs, some with glittering details. Yet another technological breakthrough, as Astrachan noted, is digital ink jet printing of porcelain tiles to create less costly, more practical flooring rather than actual slate or exotic woods. For example, Florida Tile showed Legend, which mimics slate, can go outdoors as well as in, and is available in formats up to 24 inches. Grespania also had a slate look, Zumaia, while Tau took the faux wood look to a new level with Deco, imitative of Zebrano. More than ever, the textural effects achieved in tiles continue to impress. Textiles and other soft goods have found their way into such designs as Interstyle’s Castanets glass tile pattern and Ragno’s Textile series, which could easily have been mistaken for a rug. Dekomer, a Turkish manufacturer, displayed woven dimensional styles in limestone and marble. Brix had designer Andrée Putman create Powder, a finish in gray tones that is meant to have the appearance of low-pile commercial carpeting. Metallic finishes continued to shine at Coverings, with the trend shifting from bolder tones to more subtle looks. This was evident at Villeroy & Boch, where its new Aimee gold tone tiles featured a burnished finish. Vitra, a Turkey-based tile producer, showcased Vogue, a design in pale gold and platinum color options. In the Brazil Ceramic Tiles (ANFACER) booth, director Antonio Carlos Keiling said, “The U.S. market is very, very important to Brazil. We have confidence in the economy’s recovery. We hope next year the building market will be better.” While at GranitiFiandre, Jeanne Nichols, vice president of sales and marketing, noted, “We’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline, our open orders are good. We are working on great projects right now. With our recycled content products, we are expecting a really nice year. We’ve recently opened showrooms in Dallas and here in Chicago. I believe the worst is over. We are very positive about the future.” |