For many years, LATICRETE has worked tirelessly with
Tile Partners for Humanity (TPFH) to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity International, providing installed ceramic tile in high-quality, sturdy and affordable homes for underprivileged families. They and some of their important contractor partners have done it again, this time on eight units at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work (JRCWP) Project in Washington DC. The houses in the Ivy City section comprise the first LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity residential project in our nation’s capital.
Working closely with Teresa Hamm from the Washington D.C. chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Steve Rampino, LATICRETE Technical Service Training Supervisor, successfully orchestrated a complex project spread out across four buildings in an intense race against time. Rampino began recruiting volunteers in November 2010. The February 2011 installation involved 3,500 square feet of porcelain tiles donated by
Florida Tile and transition strips donated by Schluter Systems.
In addition to volunteers from within LATICRETE, critical support was provided by
National Tile Contractors Association members David Allen Company of Manassas VA, and northern Virginia-based Collins Tile and Stone. The International Masonry Institute also provided support through local members of the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts union.
“We have a great partnership with LATICRETE,” said Phil Halcomb, Senior Vice President of the David Allen. “We jumped at the chance to help out. And, because it was for such a good cause, we were more than happy to do so.”
“It was an absolute privilege to be part of such a worthy and meaningful cause,” said Buck Collins, President of Collins Tile and Stone. “We have to thank Curt Rapp from TPFH,
Bart Bettiga of NTCA and Steve Rampino and the rest of the LATICRETE crew for orchestrating such an event. We enjoy working with such innovative organizations, ones that places so much importance on projects such as this one”.
Given just five days to tile specific areas of each unit ranging in scope from 25 to 400 square feet, the volunteer crews worked well together, completing the tile work in just four days. Each team had a combination of fully experienced installers assisted by several dedicated volunteers, working to install 18” x 18” large-format porcelain tiles on floors and walls. The wall tiles were installed with LATICRETE® 4-XLT, an innovative multi-use, polymer-fortified adhesive mortar with incredible non-sag capabilities for large-format wall tile applications. With time, weather and performance issues factored into the decision, LATICRETE 254R Platinum Rapid, a single-component polymer-fortified thin-set adhesive mortar was selected for installing the floor tiles. LATICRETE 254R Platinum Rapid provides unsurpassed adhesion and workability in a smooth and fast-curing formula that can be grouted in just two to four hours.
The tiles were finished with LATICRETE PermaColorTM Grout, the most advanced cement grout for interior and exterior floors and walls across the full spectrum of tile grout joint sizes. LATICRETE PermaColor Grout offers maximum stain resistance in a cement grout as well as unmatched consistency in color. All transition and movement joints were filled with LATICRETE LatasilTM, a 100 percent silicone sealant for long-lasting beauty.
*Lead Image Caption for TPFH/D.C. Habitat Project Leaders, L to R: Ed Metcalf (LATICRETE President North America), Teresa Hamm (D.C. Habitat), Chris Walker (David Allen Co.), Buck Collins (Collins Tile & Stone), Bart Bettiga (NTCA), Steve Rampino (LATICRETE)
LATICRETE International, Inc. is a family owned business dedicated to innovative, high quality tile and stone installation systems. Based in the USA, the 50-plus year old company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers in its field. It’s well known brands LATICRETE®, LATAPOXY® and SpectraLOCK® are manufactured and sold worldwide. USA /Canada: 1.800.243.4788, outside USA: +1.203.393.0010,
www.laticrete.com.
