Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2024 – Installation of Cer”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Ceramic tile looks good. Of course it does—skilled professionals utilize the best knowledge so you see only the aesthetically-pleasing 3 billion square feet of ceramic tile installed annually in the US. However, numerous other materials comprise ceramic tile installation—portland cement mortar, organic adhesive, epoxy adhesive, chemical resistant water cleanable tile-setting and -grouting epoxy, and chemical resistant furan mortar and grout.
As stated in the standard, "The quality and cost of ceramic tile installations are influenced by the stability, permanence, and precision of installation of the backing or base material." Due to the significance of the substrate and the adhesive material, ceramic tile installation is a delicate task.
With such an expanse of materials to work with, the ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2024 – American National Specifications For The Installation Of Ceramic Tile document includes American National Standard specifications A108.M, .T, 01, .02, .1A, .1B, .1C, .4, .5, .6, .8, .9, .10, .11, .12, .13, .14, .15, .16, .17, .18, .21, and .22, which define the installation of ceramic tile, as well as A118.1, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8, .9, .10, .11, .12, .13, .15, .16, .18, and .19 and A136.1, which define test methods and physical properties for ceramic tile installation materials. As a compilation of voluntary standards for installing ceramic tile, each can be referenced or included in the ceramic tile sections of tile specifications. Adhering to standards for ceramic tile published by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), an ANSI-accredited standards developing organization, is crucial for those involved in the industry, as professionals largely depend upon these guidelines.
Key Information Throughout the Standards
While guidelines specific to unique installations can be found in each section of the document, some information is prevalent throughout the standards included. For example, many address the idea of waterproofness in ceramic tile. There is a common-held belief that ceramic tile is naturally water-resistant. However, this is not the case. Glazing is often needed for assuring that the tiles can become less porous. Furthermore, some of the grout lines may be susceptible to moisture and thus are in need of glazing. Waterproof membranes, which are highly useful for thin-set ceramic tile and other installations, are specified in ANSI A118.10 as part of the standard. The installation of ceramic tile is the primary focus of ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2024, but methods and specifications for installing other types of tile are covered as well. For example, in the publication, ANSI A108.14 deals with the installation of paper-faced glass mosaic tile. For the ease of the user, each specification is clearly detailed throughout the document. For further aid, the standard features numerous notes, such as the following in A108.01 General Requirements: Subsurfaces and Preparations by Other Trades:
Wood-based panels such as particle board, composite panels (veneer faces bonded to reconstituted wood cores), non-veneer panels (wafer board, oriented strand board, and other similar boards), lauan plywood, and softwood plywood expand and contract with changes in moisture content and are not recommended as backing materials for ceramic tile.
Which Ceramic Tile Installation Specifications Were Revised?
The following specifications were revised in the 2024 edition: ANSI A108.T American National Standard Terminology of Tile Assemblies A108.M General Requirements: Materials and Standards for the Installation of Tile A108.01 General Requirements: Structures, Substrates, and Preparation for Tile A108.02 General Requirements: Workmanship for Tile Installation A108.1A Installation of Ceramic Tile in the Wet-Set Method, with Portland Cement Mortar A108.1B Installation of Ceramic Tile on a Cured Portland Cement Mortar Setting Bed with Dry-Set, Modified Dry-Set, or Improved Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar A108.1C Contractor’s Option: Installation of Ceramic Tile in the Wet-Set Method with Portland Cement Mortar or Installation of Ceramic Tile on a Cured Portland Cement Mortar Setting Bed with Dry-Set, Modified Dry-Set, or Improved Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar A108.4 Installation of Ceramic Tile with Organic Adhesives or Water Cleanable Tile-Setting Epoxy Adhesive A108.5 Setting of Ceramic Tile with Dry-Set Cement Mortar, Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar, EGP (Exterior Glue Plywood) Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar, or Improved Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar A108.6 Installation of Ceramic Tile with Chemical Resistant, Water Cleanable Tile-Setting and -Grouting Epoxy A108.9 Installation of Ceramic Tile with Modified Epoxy Emulsion Mortar/Grout A108.12 Installation of Ceramic Tile with EGP (Exterior Glue Plywood) Modified Dry-Set Mortar A118.10 American National Standard Specifications for Load Bearing, Bonded, Waterproof Membranes for Thin-Set Ceramic Tile and Dimension Stone Installation A108.10 Installation of Grout in Tilework A108.8 Installation of Ceramic Tile with Chemical Resistant Furan Resin Mortar and Grout A108.15 Alternate Method: Installation of Paper-Faced Glass Mosaic Tile A108.16 Installation of Paper-Faced, Back-Mounted, Edge-Mounted, or Clear Film Face-Mounted Glass Mosaic Tile A118.12 American National Standard Specifications for Crack Isolation Membranes for Thin-Set Ceramic Tile and Dimension Stone Installation A118.13 American National Standard Specifications for Bonded Sound Reduction Membranes for Thin-Set Ceramic Tile Installation
Are There Any New Ceramic Tile Installation Specifications?
Yes, the 2024 edition introduces the following new specifications: A108.22 Installation of Pre-Mixed Grout in Tilework A118.19 American National Standard Specifications for Organic Premixed Grouts for Installation of Ceramic Tile In summary, ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2024 covers a comprehensive range of installation guidelines. In fact, this American National Standard is not one single document but a critical compilation for the industry.
Source: Read the original article | Published: July 01, 2024