FCI editorial director Jon Namba is back on the road heading to two trade shows.

There are benefits to getting an early start in the flooring installation industry. Installer Wilhelm Fritzel shares his experience as a young installer and the resources that have guided him along the way.

Industry veteran Greg Schmitz of Fishman Flooring Solutions, shares his thoughts on increasingly popular advanced tiles and some of the important considerations for installing them, including some newly introduced products that facilitate their installation.

Successful flooring installations often depend on the flooring installation contractor identifying any issues with the concrete substrate and properly using the right products to address them. Typically, there are three basic steps that are necessary to remediate a concrete substrate.

To be prepared for a smooth tile installation process, installers should make sure to have a plan, and use the most current products best suited for the installation and jobsite conditions.

Appointed to lead the ISO/TC 189 Committee, the global entity that oversees and sets the standards for the tile industry, tech expert Noah Chitty is an expert on the topic of tile installation and in this issue, he shares his top-five tips for successfully installing products from this growing category.

The tile industry has established installation standards in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) documents to guide all involved: the design professional, the general contractor and the tile installer.

John McGrath, director, INSTALL, talks proper technique, products, safety measures and training.

Eight years ago, we started the FCI Installation Awards. What started as just that—a simple way to showcase the range of talent across categories in the floor covering installation industry—has since grown to become so much more; a platform that not only amplifies the talent within our industry, but attracts and inspires those outside of it.