The Tile Council of North America

What The Tile Council of North America does

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) is a private nonprofit trade association founded in 1945 and headquartered in Anderson, South Carolina. It operates as the standards development organization for the ceramic tile industry in North America, its members representing well-over 95% of tile industry manufacturing across the United States and Mexico. TCNA's primary functions are facilitating the development of ANSI standards (A108, A118, A136, A137, A138, A326), publishing the authoritative TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, operating ISO-accredited laboratory testing services through partner International Product Assurance Laboratories (IPA Lab), and administering certification programs including Green Squared (sustainability) and Porcelain Certification. The organization generates revenue through publication sales (individual standards priced $45-$75, handbooks up to $150), membership dues, certification fees, and event programming.

TCNA serves a horizontal set of customer segments including tile manufacturers, professional installers, architects and specifiers, and peer flooring industry associations. Its go-to-market combines direct e-commerce publication sales, third-party distribution through MadCAD, Accuris, and the ANSI Webstore for multi-user institutional access, and event-based engagement through Coverings (the largest North American tile and stone trade show) and the co-hosted Flooring Sustainability Summit. Recent activity includes a $2.16M EPA grant in 2024, multiple Spanish-language and updated ANSI publication launches in 2025-2026, and expansion of the Sustainability Summit to seven co-host flooring associations.

Name

The Tile Council of North America

Legal name

Tile Council of North America, Inc.

Website

https://tcnatile.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Tile Council of North America is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1945 that develops and publishes ANSI standards, the TCNA Handbook, and certification programs for the North American ceramic tile industry, serving manufacturers, installers, architects, and specifiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Standards & Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)

Keywords

• Tile industry standards
• Ceramic tile certification
• Installation handbooks
• Sustainability certification
• Laboratory testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Anderson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TCNA is a nonprofit trade association that develops and publishes ANSI standards for the ceramic tile industry (installation, ceramic tile, glass tile, and sustainability), publishes the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation in English and Spanish, operates ISO-accredited laboratory testing services through International Product Assurance Laboratories, and runs certification programs including Porcelain Certification and Green Squared sustainability certification. The organization also produces quarterly and annual U.S. ceramic tile market reports and co-hosts the Flooring Sustainability Summit.

Product overview

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) operates as a trade association and standards development organization for the ceramic tile industry, offering a portfolio of ANSI standards publications, installation handbooks, and certification programs. Core products include the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation (annual editions in English and Spanish) and ANSI standard specifications (A108-A136 for installation, A137 for ceramic/glass tile, A138 for sustainability). Supporting services include ISO-accredited laboratory testing through International Product Assurance Laboratories, porcelain tile certification, Green Squared sustainability certification, and quarterly/annual U.S. ceramic tile market reports. The association also co-hosts the annual Flooring Sustainability Summit with other flooring industry associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation Annual publication providing installation methods, product selection guides, workmanship standards, and guidelines for ceramic, glass, and stone tile installation for installers, specifiers, and manufacturers.
• ANSI A108-A118-A136.1 American National Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile Compilation of voluntary ANSI standards for ceramic tile installation covering specifications A108, A118, and A136, defining test methods and physical properties for installation materials.
• ANSI A137.1 American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile Voluntary ANSI standard defining types, sizes, physical properties, and grading procedures for ceramic tile including mosaic, quarry, pressed floor, glazed wall, porcelain tile, and specialty tile.
• ANSI A137.2 American National Standard Specifications for Glass Tile Voluntary ANSI standard listing and defining types, sizes, and physical properties for glass tile, including methods of manufacture, mounting criteria, translucence definitions, strength criteria, and thermal shock resistance.
• ANSI A138.1 Green Squared Sustainable Tile and Installation Materials Specifications Industry standard for sustainable tile and tile installation products outlining environmental and social criteria for ceramic tiles, glass tiles, and installation materials covering product characteristics, manufacturing, end-of-life management, and corporate governance.
• ISO-accredited Laboratory Testing Services ISO-accredited laboratory offering ASTM, ANSI, and ISO standard tests plus custom testing and research serving clients worldwide, operated by International Product Assurance Laboratories (IPA Lab).
• Porcelain Certification Program Certification program verifying porcelain tile meets ANSI A137.1 standards through independent laboratory testing for tile manufacturers and specifiers.
• Green Squared Certified Sustainability Certification Multi-attribute sustainability certification program for tile and installation materials based on ANSI A138.1 standards, covering environmental product characteristics, manufacturing, end-of-life management, and corporate governance.
• 2026 Manual TCNA para Instalación de Recubrimientos Cerámicos, Vidrio y Piedra (Spanish Handbook) Spanish-language installation handbook covering ceramic, glass, and stone tile installation methods, selection guides, wet area guidelines, and workmanship standards.
• 2025-2026 Manual para la instalación de recubrimientos porcelánicos calibrados (Spanish Gauged Porcelain Manual) Bilingual publication covering installation methods for gauged porcelain tiles and gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs with nationally recognized standards.
• U.S. Ceramic Tile Market Reports Quarterly and annual U.S. ceramic tile market reports providing consumption data, import statistics, domestic production figures, and market trend analysis for industry stakeholders.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association (NTMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2026, bringing together leaders from across the flooring and built environment sectors to advance dialogue around sustainability.
• Schluter SystemsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2026Summit education supporter for the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2026, supporting discussions and workshops on material health transparency, circularity, and supply chain alignment.
• CoveringsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2026Sponsor of the July 14th Pre-Summit Primer at the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2026, leading collaborative sessions with WAP Sustainability, International Living Future Institute, mindful Materials, USGBC, and AIA.
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Partner organization contributing Cheryl Durst, CEO, as closing keynote speaker for the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2026, emphasizing design's transformative power.
• Andersen CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Partner organization contributing George Bandy Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer, as opening keynote speaker for the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2026.
• Michael's Angel PawsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Nonprofit beneficiary of TCNA members' tiled doghouse donation at Coverings 2026, supporting Service and Therapy Dog Scholarships in the Las Vegas community.
• Wedi Corp.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Contributed custom manufactured forms for TCNA members' tiled doghouse project at Coverings 2026.
• LATICRETEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Donated installation materials for TCNA members' tiled doghouse project at Coverings 2026.
• ARDEXminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Donated installation materials for TCNA members' tiled doghouse project at Coverings 2026.
• Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals across the flooring sector to advance dialogue around sustainability, material health, and responsible design.
• National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025, addressing topics including navigating the evolving regulatory and market landscape and implementing circular economy principles.
• Natural Stone Institute (NSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025, contributing to sustainability education across the flooring supply chain.
• North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025, serving as one of the primary organizers for the annual sustainability event.
• Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2025Co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025, contributing to sustainability education and market landscape discussions.
• MadCADcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCloud-based resource library partner providing multi-user and single-user digital publication access to TCNA standards and handbooks.
• AccuriscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStandards management platform partner offering individual standards for single users and small teams, with options for global standards management.
• ANSI WebstorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican National Standards Institute webstore providing online electronic standards ordering and delivery for U.S. and international standards.
• International Product Assurance Laboratories (IPA Lab)coreTechnology or IntegrationISO-accredited laboratory providing ASTM, ANSI and ISO standard tests as well as custom testing and research to serve clients worldwide. Lab services are separate from TCNA's publication Terms and Conditions.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationSecure third-party payment processor for TCNA's e-commerce transactions. Payment card information is securely transferred directly to PayPal and is not stored by TCNA.
• LockLizardcoreTechnology or IntegrationDRM software provider for TCNA's digital publications, delivering encrypted PDF files that require the Safeguard PDF Viewer software and license activation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ASTM International: ASTM develops voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, and testing methods — the same role TCNA plays specifically for ceramic tile. Both organizations drive building-code adoption and sell standards publications and laboratory services to manufacturers and specifiers.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI): ANSI oversees the U.S. voluntary standards system and accredits TCNA's standards development process. ANSI also acts as a channel partner via the ANSI Webstore for distributing TCNA publications — a structural peer relationship spanning standards governance and distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): UL is a large established testing, inspection, and certification organization serving building products and construction materials. UL competes with IPA Lab (TCNA's testing affiliate) for third-party compliance testing in adjacent categories while operating at far greater scale across industries.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) provider covering construction materials, flooring, and consumer products. Comparable to TCNA's IPA Lab in offering ISO-accredited ASTM/ANSI/ISO testing, but at much broader industry and geographic scope.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC company with established construction and building-products testing services. Comparable to TCNA/IPA Lab for international ASTM/ISO compliance testing but operating across many verticals rather than specializing in tile.
• SGS: SGS is the world's largest TIC company offering materials testing, certification, and inspection services globally. Comparable to TCNA's lab and certification portfolio in methodology but serves every major industry vertical rather than specializing in ceramic tile.

Regional players

• ASCER (Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Association): ASCER represents Spain's ceramic tile manufacturers and promotes Tile of Spain internationally. It is the closest geographic peer to TCNA — both are national/regional trade associations for ceramic tile manufacturers — but operates in Europe rather than North America.
• National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA): NWFA is the standards and trade body for wood flooring in North America and a co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit with TCNA. Structurally analogous as a flooring-category standards/certification organization, though serving a different material category.
• Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI): RFCI is the North American trade association for resilient flooring manufacturers and another Flooring Sustainability Summit co-host with TCNA. Comparable in structure and membership model (manufacturer trade association driving standards and certification) but focused on vinyl and resilient flooring.
• Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI): CRI is the U.S. carpet and rug industry's trade association and co-host of the Flooring Sustainability Summit. Structurally a peer trade body with similar manufacturer-membership, standards-development, and certification-program model as TCNA, but for textile flooring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tilecouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Tile Council of North America