A total of 4,300 square feet of white and gray tile from the Monolith Collection by Marazzi Architectural – supplied through Great Lakes Distribution of Madison, WI — was used to create a ventilated wall system for the exterior of the First Bank & Trust in Skokie, IL. The architects at Behles & Behles of Evanston, IL, designed the building to meet LEED Gold certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The bank had approached the architects to take the lead with a green initiative. The panels, which are primarily white with the gray used as an accent border, measure 24 x 48 inches. For the interior, 1,750 square feet of Marazzi’s Monolith in two formats -- 24- x 48- and 12- x 24-inch -- and in both white and gray was specified. The project was installed by DTI of Illinois, Inc. in Chicago, IL.  

Reclaimed Marble Masonry 

The exterior design of a private residence in Massachusetts utilized recycled Danby marble — supplied Vermont Quarries of Mendon, VT. All of the blocks used for wall construction were derived from headstone production waste, while smaller pattern details came from slab fabrication waste.

The masonry work was completed by Fabio Bardini, d.b.a. of Florentine Renaissance Masonry in Salem, MA. “The experience I had working with Danby marble on this project has left me impressed,” said Bardini.  “I can now begin to understand and appreciate why this noble material has been a choice material utilized by masons, carvers and artists through the millennia.”

Tile with Recycled Content

Durastone Tile® by Voguebay was chosen for the floor of a Hyundai dealership in California.  The porcelain tile, which contains 15 to 30% recycled material, provides a durable option that is ideal for high-trafficked commercial applications, reports the manufacturer.  A combination of two colors — Olive and Charcoal — was used for the floor design in a mix of polished and matte finishes, which created a checkerboard effect. Durastone is a double-loaded porcelain which allows for the top layer to feature the color elements and the bottom layer to feature the recycled content, reports Voguebay. 

Certified Green

New Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout has all the great features of Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO grout — color uniformity, durability and ease of installation — with enhanced performance. The product has received Greenguard Environmental Institute’s (GEI) certification. Based on criteria used by the U.S. EPA, OSHA and the USGBC’s LEED-CI program, the Greenguard certification provides assurance that the specified Laticrete Systems meet appropriate indoor air quality standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde.

Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is Stainproof (residential applications only), so it is even easier to maintain, according to the manufacturer. The improved “non- sag” formula is even easier to install while providing attractive, full grout joints.

Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications — both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is well-suited for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications, reports Laticrete.