Product Showcase



With four major industry shows on the horizon (Surfaces, Cevisama, Revestir and Coverings), tile manufacturers are preparing to unveil their latest designs in tile. TILE has been in contact with several prominent manufacturers in order to bring this sneak preview of upcoming product lines.

The product introductions will begin in January, when Surfaces 2004 touches down in Las Vegas from Jan. 28-30. Exhibitors from across the world will display their latest products and technologies to the floor covering industry. For more information, telephone (800) 547-3477.

Cevisama 2004 will take place March 2-6 in Valencia, Spain. Each year, Cevisama brings together world-renowned manufacturers to exhibit their latest technologies and designs. For more information, telephone 96-322-87-98.

Revestir 2004, Brazil's preeminent stone and tile show, will take place March 9-13 in Sao Paulo. Revestir promises to bring in exhibitors from across Brazil, the Americas, Africa and Oceania. For more information, telephone (11) 3873-0081.

Coverings 2004 will be held March 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. In addition to showcasing the latest stone and tile flooring products, the show will also feature an extensive educational conference program focusing on all aspects of the flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone industries, from distribution to market trends. For more information, visit www.coverings.com or telephone (703) 683-8500.

Laufen introduces Craterlake, a variety of glazed porcelain tiles with earthy tones designed to capture a natural look. The 17 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch floor tile is available in five colors with a multitude of borders, inserts and corners.

Crossville Porcelain Stone/USA introduces the Illuminessence Glass program designed by Boyce & Bean, featuring the first cast glass tile available in the United States, according to Crossville. The program's three series (Prism Glass, Prism Glass Listellos and Radiance Glass) are made of cast, translucent glass that is textured front and back to capture, refract, bend and twist light. All three series are manufactured using a quantity of recycled glass and are available in nine water-inspired colors.

Gainey Tile, U.S. manufacturer of hand-crafted tile, offers tile in a size range from 2-by-2-inches to 8-by-8-inches, hexagon and rhomboid shapes in 45 colors. Tiles are available in gloss, matte and crackle finishes.

Colorado by Gayafores is a glazed porcelain tile series produced in 13-by-13-inches and in a rectified 13-by-20-inch format. The field tile is complemented by the 4-by-20-inch border Aspen, also manufactured by Gayafores.

Elios has debuted Ego, a comprehensive, modern porcelain tile collection that adopts to elegant installations, colors and decorations, according to the company. Ego features a versatile range for all rooms in the home.

Argentine manufacturer Ilva SA presents its Pietre Travertine series of rectified porcelain tile with the look of cross-cut travertine marble. The tile is offered in shades of bianco, beige, noce and rosso, and is complemented by a range of matching borders, listellos, bullnose and inserts. Pietre Travertine is available in 14-by-14- and 18-by-18-inch floor tiles, 3.2-by-3.2-inch mesh mounted mosaics, 3.2-by-7-inch brick and 7-by-7-inch wall tiles.

La Fabbrica offers Loft, a through-bodied porcelain tile that brings a style from turn-of-the-century minimalism in lofts to the sober elegance of a contemporary lifestyle. The Loft line of floor tiles feature a 12-mm thickness and is available in numerous colors, in natural, lapped and tumbled surfaces with a full range of coordinating trim pieces.

Incefra's coordinated line of tile can be used in kitchens and other similar applications. Various combinations can be derived from the coordinated formats - 9.8-by-13.3-, 13.3-by-13.3- and 16-by-16-inch tiles. Incefra's tile line features GLA acid and cleaning resistance, and is tested according to ISO-DIS 13006 international standards.

Spanish porcelain tile manufacturer Tau Ceramica offers a range of ceramic products, and medium to large porcelain tiles for use in business and residential applications. Teak by Tau features a soft veining marble look in a matte finish. Teak is available in a large 12-by-24-inch format for walls, and an 18-by-18- inch format for floors.