Award winners are selected based on survey responses from 519 tile and stone installation contractors that participated in a mail/online survey. Category winners are selected based on responses to the question, "Which one manufacturer do you most prefer?" Winners must dominate the category from a statistical perspective to be declared a winner. If two or more manufacturers achieve statistically equal preference, no winner is declared.

Announcing the 2013 CLEARselect Award winners by category:

-          Backer Boards                                           James Hardie

-          Cleaners                                                     Aqua Mix

-          Crack Isolation Products                           Schluter Systems

-          Epoxy Adhesives                                       Laticrete

-          Epoxy Grouts                                            Laticrete

-          Installation Tools                                       Marshalltown Tools

-          Organic Adhesives (Mastics)                     MAPEI

-          Sealers                                                        Aqua Mix

-          Urethane Grouts                                        Bostik/Hydroment

-          Waterproofing Membranes                        Schluter Systems

The most prominent manufacturers evaluated include Aqua Mix, Ardex, Bostik/Hydroment, Custom Building Products, Dewalt, Felker, Georgia-Pacific, Gundlach Tools, HB Fuller-Tec, James Hardie, Laticrete, Mapei, Marshalltown Tools, Miracle Sealants and Abrasives, MK Diamond, National Gypsum, Noble Co., Nuheat, Rubi Tools, Schluter Systems, StoneTech, SunTouch, Target, USG and WarmlyYours.

For more information on how award winners are selected or the content of the full report, please contact Beth Surowiec, Executive Director, Clear Seas Research, at: surowiecb@clearseasresearch.com.