Join NTCA for free training! NTCA’s free hands-on workshops address current issues
tile installers are facing and help attendees to stay informed about the latest techniques, developments, and systems for tile and stone installations. Workshops include information related to industry methods found in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation and American National Standards for Installation of Ceramic Tile (ANSI) and include live demonstrations and an opportunity to network with tile industry professionals.
Our typical schedule includes a vendor fair,
networking, and food and technical instruction. (Times vary by location. Check with the host location to verify the start time.)
AIA credits will be available upon request where applicable.
Topics vary by location
and cover many aspects of tile industry standards-based installations.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join us for three hours of education, food, fun, and networking.
Visit our Events Calendar to
see a list of scheduled workshops and all of our training events.
Current Topics
The Ins and Outs of Layout
A layout can make or break the finished appearance of a tile installation. reviews the basics of layout including squaring a room and how to determine the focal point of the room to properly center and balance the tile installation.
Many tile installers have not used grid patterns so the course reviews how grid patterns are created and their importance in the tile installation process.
Tile contractors will also be introduced to a variety of
layout situations. Techniques featured include analyzing a room for shape and dimensions and determining if the walls are square to each other and the effect this will have on the tile layout and finished appearance of the
tile installation.
AIA credits will be available upon request where applicable.
Learning objectives include:
Understanding common problems and challenges with layouts
Learning how to work through common issues with tile layout
Learning different techniques to square a room and determine layout
Understanding different patterns, modularity, and how movement joints can be accommodated
Knowing what the customer wants. Do a mockup and get written documentation
Knowing the focal point of the room
Determining control lines
Developing grid
Tile Technology: Adhesives
Attendees will be exposed to basic, intermediate, and advanced skills and information provided by knowledgeable, experienced NTCA staff trainers. All content is based on recognized tile industry standards, methods, best practices,
and manufacturer instructions designed to achieve beautiful tile installations that will stand the test of time and intended use.
Adhesives for tile are complex with many types available. It can be complicated for a tile industry professional to identify which adhesive to select for a given application and why. Attendees will
learn about the many different types of adhesives for tile, how they work, what their properties are, how to identify and select the right one for an installation and how to add the final processes to mix and apply it as
the bond coat supporting their tile installation.
Trowels are gauges used to apply tile adhesives. Attendees will learn to properly use and pair a wide array of trowels with a variety of adhesive and tile selections to achieve efficiency and success.
Lippage can result when adhesives and trowels are not used correctly. Workshop attendees will leave with the knowledge to correctly bond a tile installation with lippage less than or meeting recognized allowable
tile industry standards.
Tile Matters: Best Practices for Pros
This workshop introduces and reinforces critical installation methods, standards and best practices.
The workshop begins with an introduction to tile industry standards where the attendee learns what these standards
are, who publishes them, why they are important to own, understand and use to produce successful tile installations and have increased levels of success as a tile contractor and installer.
A presentation on OSHA
silica regulations also will be given to inform attendees about them and how the tile industry and its contractors and installers and affected and protected by them.
The balance of the workshop will emphasize hands-on
training with brief discussions, instruction and attendee practice in these critical areas:
Proper shower installations with emphasis on different types of drains and membranes using industry standards and manufacturer instructions
The necessity of soft joints and application of appropriate sealants
Understanding dry-set, thin-set mortars and using industry standards and manufacturer instructions to achieve bond and support of tile to substrate.
Learning objectives include:
Introducing the industry standards and beneficial reasons to own, understand and apply them along with material manufacturer instructions
Examining a variety of methods and materials for successful shower pan, drain and waterproofing installations
Learning about OSHA silica regulations and how the tile industry and its contractors and installers and affected and protected by them
Introducing to the tile industry standards and reference materials that should be used in every tile installation
Learning proper installation methods, best practices and techniques to ensure installation failures do not occur
Failures; Could It Be Me?
This workshop introduces tile contractors to a variety of tile installations failures commonly seen across the United States. Types of failures identified include:
Improper or incomplete surface preparation
Improper troweling techniques
Improper bond coat coverage and thickness
Improper use and preparation of setting materials
Lack of expansion joints
Improper shower or wet area construction
To help tile installers avoid these failures, attendees are introduced to recognized tile industry standards, best practices, manufacturer instructions, and the concept of qualified labor. This program is frequently attended by
a wide array of industry professionals.
This program is AIA and IDCEC accredited.
Learning objectives include:
Introducing the types of failures that can and do occur within tile installations
Learning why these failures occurred
Learning what needs to change within the installation to ensure failures do not occur
Introducing the tile industry standards and reference materials that should be used in every tile installation
Learning proper installation methods, best practices, and techniques to ensure installation failures do not occur
Tile Technology – Membranes
This free to attend workshop is a professional development training opportunity open to all tile industry professionals. Attendees will be exposed to basic, intermediate, and advanced skills and information provided by knowledgeable, experienced NTCA staff trainers. All content is based on recognized tile industry standards, methods, best practices, and manufacturer instructions designed to achieve beautiful tile installations that will stand the test
of time and intended use.
Membranes for tile are complex materials with many types available to achieve a variety of results. It can be complicated for a tile industry professional to identify which membrane to select for a given application
and why. Attendees will learn about the many different types of membranes for tile, how they work, what their properties are, how to identify and select the right one for an installation and how to add the final processes to
apply the membrane in the correct position within the tile installation.
Other benefits:
A meal and beverages will be provided.
Opportunity to meet and network with tile installers, contractors, and other industry professionals including host location staff and tile product, tool and material vendors and manufacturers.
Opportunity to become an NTCA member at a reduced rate.
Other activities such as giveaways or raffles may occur.
