Inspector Sleuth: Solving Three Tile Failure Crimes - Coverings Magazine, February 2026 by James Woelfel

As someone who spends the majority of my waking hours investigating why a tile and/or stone project is not performing as designed and expected, I’ve come to think of each failure as a crime. Put simply, a tile or stone crime is an action or activity that, although not illegal, is shameful and wrong, violating both industry standards and best practices. Crimes I see most often are the installer does not know how to properly install all components in the tile installation system, including the tile; the design professional fails to properly specify the correct installation system and tiles for the intended use of the application; and the manufacturer or distributor does not understand or know the capabilities of the tiles being sold for specific installations. While no one is going to jail, these crimes are not without victims because someone is always injured by the causative irresponsible actions. And while I don’t call the perpetrators criminals, they’re in need of corrective action. https://coveringscanada.ca/inspector-sleuth-solving-three-tile-failure-crimes/

Trowel & Error video: the NTCA Technical Committee continually works to address mortar coverage challenges by Chris Woelfel, TileLetter Magazine, October 2025

Achieving 80% mortar coverage, or 95% in exterior and wet areas, is the minimum tile mortar coverage standard in ANSI A108.5. It is also the purpose of theTrowel & Error video produced by the NTCA and members of its Technical Committee. Yet larger tile sizes, evolving thixotropic properties of mortars, development of specialized trowels, and the complexities of labor keep mortar coverage a consistent topic of conversation in NTCA Technical Committee meetings and in our industry overall. With the release of the new Trowel & Error video in both English and Spanish, it’s important to recognize that achieving proper mortar coverage has always been a challenge for installers. https://www.tileletter.com/trowel-error-video-the-ntca-technical-committee-continually-works-to-address-mortar-coverage-challenges/

Flatness Matters: A Practical Conversation About Concrete, Specifications and Tile Success by James Woelfel, TileLetter, June 2026

In today's tile installations, especially with large and super-large format tile, the conversation around substrate flatness continues to be one of the most important - and sometimes the most misunderstood - topics on the job site. While every trade faces real-world challenges, the success of the finished tile installation often comes down to how well the concrete substrate is prepared from the very beginning. https://tileletter.aflip.in/2026-June#page/45

Arizona-based Tile Expert to Lead International Technical Talk

Technical tile expert, James Woelfel, Principal at J.G. Woelfel & Associates and Chairman of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Committee has been invited to lead a technical discussion about industry installation standards and methods as well as ceramic tile manufacturing standards at Cevisama, the international fair for ceramic tile in Valencia, Spain, February 26 th to March 1st , 2024.

The equal importance of quality & skill in tile installation - Chris Woelfel

After nearly two decades of working in the tile industry, Arizona-based Chris Woelfel offers a breadth of knowledge from her work at Artcraft Granite, Marble and Tile Company and J.G. Woelfel & Associates. A regular contributor to TileLetter Magazine and seasoned veteran of surfacing shows and products, Woelfel shares a unique perspective on the most important aspects of ceramic tile installations and innovations – applicable to an international audience. https://www.ceramica.info/en/articoli/interview-chris-woelfel-artcraftgmt/

James Woelfel Awarded NTCA Ring of Honor

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has chosen James Woelfel, Principal at J.G. Woelfel & Associates, and president of Artcraft Granite Marble and Tile Company in Mesa, Ariz., as its 2019 recipient of the NTCA Ring of Honor. The NTCA Ring of Honor is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes NTCA contractors and associate members whose efforts have helped grow the association and assisted in achieving its objectives. Recipients are chosen by NTCA executive officers. https://youtu.be/s-vRMi5G-3k?si=zEJ3H9afXKChPcju

More to come