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Coverings 2020: The Newest in Installation Technologies
We may not have been able to walk the halls of Coverings 2020 in New Orleans this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the show’s cancellation, but there was no pause in new product innovations. We’ve rounded up a selection of the products that would have been seen at this year’s show. To see more, visit coverings.com.
Posted: May 8, 2020
Alpha Professional Tools
Introducing the Alpha PSC-600 from Alpha Professional Tools, which is a newly developed, high-performance wet pneumatic stone cutter that will set a new “normal” in stone fabrication shops. It is lightweight and ergonomically designed for better maneuverability, with a central water-feed system that delivers ample water regardless of position. Equipped with an enhanced spindle shaft for easy tool removal, the PSC-600 also has a spring return throttle to avoid accidental start and works great as a grinder.
Ardex
Ardex X 4 is suitable for setting most types of tile, including mosaics and natural stone over common interior surfaces, as well as over exterior concrete or masonry surfaces. It can also be used above or below uncoupling membranes. X 4 is water- and frost-resistant and very easy to apply due to its creamy consistency. Ardex mortars deliver performance and value for today’s tile installations.
Bostik
BAM is Bostik’s latest high-performance, fiber-reinforced tile mortar. Formulated with RapidCure™ Technology, BAM offers maximum performance for installations of large and heavy tile, glass tile, mosaics, quarry, porcelain, ceramic, most natural stone tiles and gauged porcelain tile/panels. RapidCure™ Technology allows for a consistent cure resulting in tile being ready for grouting in just four hours.
Custom Building Products
Custom Building Products recently found a way to make Polyblend even better. Polyblend Plus has brighter, enhanced color and is more efflorescence-resistant than its predecessor without compromising the durability professionals expect from the proven Polyblend product. Available in sanded and non-sanded versions, Polyblend Plus accommodates joints up to 1/8 inch (3 mm) and meets ANSI A118.7.
Fila
Fila’s neutral cleaners are up to today’s hygiene challenge. Use Clean All for ceramic, porcelain, LVT, wood and laminates; Stone Clean on all natural stone; Clean All spray for all household surfaces. To remove tough-to-clean grease from heavily touched surfaces, including faucets, light switches and kitchen counters, use Kitchen Kare.
James Hardie
James Hardie’s HardieBacker Cement Board with HydroDefense Technology is a 100% waterproof cement backer board that delivers an unmatched combination of strength, ease of use and excellent tile adhesion. Passing the ANSI A118.10 test for waterproofness, it offers upgraded protection from moisture penetration, eliminating the need to spend extra time applying waterproof coating across the entire surface area of your board.
Laticrete
Spectralock 1 from Laticrete is an evolutionary pre-mixed, stain-proof grout that has the performance of an epoxy. Offering superior strength at 3,500 psi, the ability to be submerged and an extremely fast-curing rate so that customers can complete durable projects in record time. The grout provides exceptional versatility and color consistency. It is available in a wide variety of colors, is easy-to-use and exceeds all the standards under ANSI A118.3.
Mapei
Mapei is partnering with nVent Nuheat to bring Mapeheat with “Technology from nVent Nuheat” floor-heating products to the North American flooring market. The Mapeheat family of products includes the Mapeheat Mat, Mapeheat Membrane, Mapeheat Mesh, Mapeheat Cable, Mapeheat thermostat, Mapeheat Thermo Connect, Mapeheat Thermo Touch, Mapeheat Thermo Basic, Mapeheat Fault Sensor and Mapeheat Cable Guides.
Merkrete
Merkrete’s Sound Shield PNS is a thin, flexible, self-bonding, fabric-reinforced membrane that isolates ceramic and natural stone tile from cracks in the substrate. Suitable for both full and partial coverage applications, Sound Shield PNS exceeds the requirements of ANSI A118.12 and protects tile from in plane movement up to 3/8 inch. Sound Shield PNS also reduces the transmission of impact and airborne sound through floors when installed under ceramic tile, stone or wood floor coverings. Available in both 40 and 90 mil.
Miracle Sealants
The all-in-one Levolution starter kit from Miracle Sealants includes everything needed to achieve a lippage-free, professional wall or flooring tile installation — caps, spacers and Evolver Tool. It eliminates any guesswork with a customizable three-in-one spacer profile; the cross spacer can modified to T or flat profile. Levolution works with all tile sizes (up to 1/2-inch-thick) and patterns. It is available in 1/16- and 1/8-inch kits.
NAC Products
NAC Products, Inc. introduces a new sound abatement underlayment for hardwood, laminate, engineered wood and LVT. dB4 Max is a unique product is designed for use in a commercial or residential setting, boasting an IIC of 55 with a IIC of 25 when used with typical hardwood flooring. dB4 Max is specially designed, combining a dense, flexible layer of protection with a fibrous insulation layer designed to reduce IIC sound at all frequencies. dB4 Max is made from EVA and does not contain plasticizers.
Pearl Abrasive
The Pearl VX5WV from Pearl Abrasive is a high-quality industrial handheld saw for tile, granite, natural stone and masonry cutting. It comes with a powerful 11 AMP motor ideal for cutting your material needs, and has the best in class cut depth for a 5-inch diamond blade. Designed for heavy-duty cutting, it features an all-aluminum, single-piece blade guard with built-in water and vacuum attachments; a side handle for additional support; and an on/off trigger lock.
Prova Products
The Prova Pan-Multi system is a pan and complimentary extension kit that is great for curbed or curbless shower installations. The prefabricated sloped pan is ideal for accessibility needs or open concept aesthetics. The modular system allows for flexibility to create large square or rectangular shower bases. There are endless design and size possibilities with the Prova Pan-Multi system.
Rubi
The Rubi Slab System is formed of cutting solutions like the manual cutter Slim Cutter and the tile saw, TC-125. The system is completed with the range of transport and handling elements, Slim Easytrans and Slab Trans Heavy Duty, as well as the Slab Trolley. Enjoy the great ease of transport thanks to its compact design and nylon bag, versatility in adapting to different formats and simplicity of use.
Schluter-Systems
Schluter-Systems’ popular Trendline textured finishes are now applied to the 4-inch square Kerdi-Drain-Style series of shower drain grates and Schluter®-Shelf shower shelves. The same highly-durable powder coating procedure used to apply these finishes to Schluter profiles is used on the drain grates and shelves. In total, six different finishes are available on profiles, grates and shelves. Finishes include matte black, matte white, stone grey, greige, cream and bronze.
TEC
TEC is now offering Level Set® 500 HF Self-Leveling Underlayment. Level Set 500 HF is a high-flow SLU that pours like water and is pumpable for interior applications. The ultra-smooth surface means contractors can eliminate skim coating and sanding, which can cut labor costs by up to two-thirds. Level Set 500 HF is ideal for fast-track applications and is walkable within three hours for ceramic tile installations. Moisture-sensitive floor coverings can be installed in 15 hours.
Tenax
Tenax 4- and 5-inch dry cut blades work great on ultra-compact and porcelain materials. These thin blades will produce a fast, clean straight cut with minimal chipping during the process. Designed with a rigid, heat-reducing core, the blades are designed for wet or dry use — available in 4- (#4D-41952) and 5-inch (#4D-39794) formats.
Wedi
Wedi’s Vapor 85 is a variant of the Wedi building panel and is designed for installations in steam showers and steam rooms. It serves as a strong vapor retarder and by far exceeds the minimum requirements set by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) for vapor retarders used in continuous steam rooms. It’s light, yet strong, and comes with a fully vapor proof seam and fastener sealant system.