Arlington, Va. -- Coverings will honor the beauty and durability of tile on National Tile Day as the February 23 observance enters its third year. Coverings will showcase inspiring images of tile products and applications on its social media channels–including previews of products that will be unveiled at Coverings 2019. Additonally, Coverins show organizers invite designers to share their favorite products with the hashtags #NationalTileDay, #Coverings2019 and #WhyTile.

Coverings will kick-off National Tile Day celebrations with the help of influencers attending Coverings 2019, who will share their insights on products and trends starting this month and throughout the duration of Coverings, which takes place April 9-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Participating designers and tile lovers include Amber Clore, Ashley Moore, Crystal Nielson, Holly Baker, John McClain, Kirsten Grove, Milton Miller and Sarah Gibson. Leading up to National Tile Day, these influencers will start the celebration of tile, discussing some of their favorite projects and the product’s key benefits such as durability, sustainability, versatility, affordability, and more.

“National Tile Day is an opportunity to reflect on the true impact and advancements of tile–while giving designers a chance to showcase their favorite projects,” said Alena Capra, certified master kitchen and bath designer and Coverings industry ambassador. “We are thrilled to spotlight one of the oldest known building materials, which serves as the foundation of so many designs.”

Celebrating the best of tile’s style and versatility in honor of National Tile Day, Capra has created a 2019 trends forecast, which she will be previewing on Facebook Live on National Tile Day.

Here’s a look at the patterns, colors, sizes and textures that continue to shape the industry:

With its pop of personality, florals and leaves are a perfect alternative to wallpaper, especially in commercial spaces seeking durability. A collection inspired by their nature to find joy, spontaneity, and delight in everyday surroundings, Zoetic from Oceanside Glass & Tile (Booth 107) is composed of dimensional mosaics. Combining colorful patchwork with a traditional Provencal shape, Riga from Realonda (Booth 5422) is full of character and available in a range of colors, textures and styles. One of the fastest rising trends, mirrored tile amplifies light and adds personality, with antique or frosted finishes and beveled edges. Lunada Bay Tile’s (Booth 3600), Custom Glass Mosaic Blend made-to-order service offers 11 patterns and nearly 70 colors (in multiple finishes) to create a custom glass tile blend.

Gauged tile applications have become more widely used, appearing as cladding on buildings, walls, floors and installed as countertops or other surfacing. Also, as production technology continues to evolve, tiles have become larger and larger, with current styles in up to 60x120 in. Marmi from AVA Ceramica (Booth 1747) reproduces the textures and veins of marble, the collection spans 12 colors, seven 6mm formats, two 10mm formats and one 127”x64” 12mm format. Marvel Edge: Available in three different looks (marble, concrete, and stone) and two finishes (matte and glossy), a new 6mm, 48x109 in. format expands the collection from Atlas Concorde (Booth 1737). From Burgundy Stone to marble and small fossils, Stonemix from Cerdisa (Booth 2112) is available in five colors (White, Gold, Grey, Antrax, Multicolor), seven formats and two finishes. With glass sheets that capture the beauty of precious stones and lava rocks, Sicis’s (Booth 2131) Vetrite Gem Glass 47x110 in. slabs are available in 6mm and 10mm, in a range of effects. Inspired by the aesthetic of marble veining, patterns, shades and designs, the Eternity 0.3 collection from Panaria Ceramica (Booth 2125) is available in two 6mm sizes and four colors.

While blue remains America’s favorite color, brighter hues are on the rise, as are sophisticated blacks and dark greys as “new neutrals,” particularly in marble-inspired looks. Offering a combination of solid colors, beautiful graphics and unique formats, Ossidi from Marca Corona porcelain stoneware includes five shades and a variety of graphic effects. Distinguished by the veining, striations and imperfections of natural stone, Florida Tile’s (Booth 3620), Divinity HDP Color Body Porcelain floor and wall tile is available in four colors. Expanding the Brooklyn ceramic wall tile collection with the best features of glossy subway tiles, Vitromex (Booth 3214) introduces four new colors, offered in a 3x10 in. wall tile and coordinating 3x10 in. Bullnose.

Nothing is more intriguing than black, yet the extraordinary veins make Sahara Noir from Fiandre’s (Booth 3609) Maximum Marmi collection recognizable and create plays of light and shadows, which increase in intensity with matte or polished finishes. Renowned for its unique, handmade, irregular finish and vibrant glaze, Menara from Decocer (Booth 4655) cleverly emulates the charm of traditional Zellige tiles. Peronda (Booth 5141), FS Yard: FS Yard’s geometrical pattern brings personality to living spaces. The tile model comes in three colors– black, blue and sage from Peronda (Booth 5141).

As wallpaper and patterns regain popularity, the trend has translated to tile–with striking shapes, complex geometric patterns, pop art, graphics and patterned wood options. Aparici (Booth 4620)’s Tango, inspired by the Art Deco movement of the 20s and 30s, these geometric shapes create sophisticated environments with sensitivity to nostalgia of past eras. Ceramica Sant’Agostino (Booth 1221)’s Newdecò Pays tribute to marble grit floors, and is available in six colors, 10mm thick square floor and wall tiles and a range of sizes. Offered in a quartet of warm-to-cool hues, Reformation’s three large-format plank tile sizes, two mosaic options, and trim package offer unique versatility from Crossville (Booth 2600). Zante introduces textures and reliefs which turn ceramic tile into works of art, spanning weathered, high-gloss, volumetric, rugged and embossed finishes, from Ceramica Gomez (Booth 4939). Inspired by traditional Mediterranean ceramic, Keraben Grupo’s (Booth 4811) Maranta reproduces their colors and classic shine on 25×70 tiles, with decorative motifs traditional to vintage cement tiles. The Metrobrick Fast Ship offering features six new blends added to the product line for 2019 from Metropolitan Ceramics (Booth 3025).

To achieve true impact, projects require the best in both tile and installation. Key tools, installation materials, and technology anticipated at Coverings 2019 will include: James Hardie (Booth 3835), HardieBacker 500 Waterproof Cement Board protects tile installation and wall cavities from wall penetration, eliminating the need for added coating; Laticrete (Booth 2641), Multimax Lite, a one-step, non-sag, large and heavy tile mortar for interior and exterior ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass tile and stone installations, exceeds industry performance standard for a cementitious-based adhesive mortar and can be more easily transported and troweled; Noble Company’s (Booth 3132) Noble Deck is approved for primary waterproofing for exterior applications over occupied spaces, providing waterproofing and high-performance crack isolation for thin-bed tile installations; and Pearl Abrasive (Booth 3072) will introduce Tuscan SeamClip TruSpace, an all-in-one tool, made in the U.S., which brings tile into alignment and sets the grout spacing without the need for additional spacers.

Other introductions include: Protecto Wrap Company’s (Booth 4029), Protecto Deck Protects roof deck surfaces from costly water damage with the system’s nominal 70 mil membrane and liquid detailing to serve as the primary roof deck waterproofing in an installer-friendly application; Schluter-Systems (Booth 2629) Kerdi Drain H two inch horizontal drain outlet makes relocating showers easier by allowing the drain to be connected to an existing drain pipe, significantly reducing demolition work and project costs; and ZHERORisk Products from The Tile Doctor (Booth 4425), a new line of non-toxic, non-corrosive and sustainable products includes introductions like Litokol Aquamaster Waterproofing, a solvent-free, ready-to-use liquid membrane for waterproofing moist environments, Litokol Litoelastic EVO, a two-part adhesive for ceramic tiles and natural stone, and Litokol Epoxy Elite EVO, an acid-resistant epoxy mortar/setting for the installation and grouting of ceramic tiles.

For more information, visit www.coverings.com.