Like most innovations and inventions, rigid cement backer boards were born out of necessity. Historically, builders would use drywall or wood to support tile installations because these two materials proved to work well at first, but they inevitably failed over time.

Sealers, repellents, impregnators, protectants — whatever word is used to describe them — can provide fantastic long-term benefits for tile and stone installations to help meet the needs of challenging environments, applications and customer expectations. For the purpose of this article, all of these materials will be referred to as sealers.

Coba Cocina opened in Lexington, KY, in 2013. The two-story restaurant, which includes 400 seats and the world’s largest jellyfish aquarium, is positioned adjacent to the city’s Idle Hour shopping center on Richmond Road.

Joshua Nordstrom is no stranger to change, as he tells me about his lifelong journey to pursue what he is truly passionate about — tilework. “With a creative mindset, over the years, I have managed to sell my clients not only on traditional tilework, but also on my mosaics,” explained the Battle Ground, WA native, who currently owns Tierra Tile, LLC in Homer, AK

For this edition, we sat down with Martin Brookes, founder of Heritage Marble & Tile, Inc. in Mill Valley, CA, a National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Five Star Contractor.

TenaxSkudo Universal Plus is a strong water-based sealer that provides excellent water-oil stain protection. It does not change the appearance of the material and won’t alter the natural breathability of the material. High capacity of penetration into more compact material allows extra protection ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

Proband Fix from Progress Profilesis a silicon-based moisture-curing sealant with high adhesion and elasticity. It is used to waterproof and seal the bond between Proband and Profoil for junction of Proband at fixtures and sheet metal in general.

The improved Pearl P4^™ADM^™Reactor^™blades for porcelain are the Pearl Abrasiveexclusive technology in tile/porcelain blades, the only patterned porcelain tile blades in the industry.