Lanscaping For Life - featured article

Romancing the Stone (cont'd)
One concern for those installing tile in wet areas like the Lowcountry is the potential for mold and mildew growth. Insurance companies across the country have been recently dropping coverage for these types of claims. Therefore, Wolff says, the responsibility for deterring these effects lies with the contractor and sub-contractor. And much is being done in the tile industry to promote products that have mold and mildew retardant capabilities in the mortars, grouts and backer boards.

“It all sounds very boring,” says Wolff, “until you see that dark color spreading in your light color grout or tile that just won’t go away, no matter how hard you scrub with bleach or ammonia. There are products that can be rolled, sprayed or painted on a variety of backer boards in wet areas to make them waterproof and resilient to mold and mildew growth.”

Or… you can start and finish with a product that is already waterproof. A relatively new material to the US is extruded polystyrene, called wedi, which is used as a backer board underlayment. It was created in Germany almost 25 years ago and is used extensively throughout Europe. The reason it is becoming more popular here is that it’s not only extremely lightweight (about 8 lbs. per sheet vs. about 45 lbs. in cement products) but is the only waterproof backer board on the market.

“I began installing the wedi board about 6 years ago, and when their shower pans were introduced over two and 1/2 years ago, I began using them as well,” says Wolff. “Contractors are dumbfounded after seeing the entire wedi system since this product turns a one to three day job into just a few hours.”

Wolff’s great appreciation of wedi board has spurred him to become America’s number one individual volume installer of the product.

“I network closely with wedi Germany and am responsible for the creation of new products and sizes now seen on the market. I also developed a new way to extend the waterproof shower pan to virtually any size imaginable. I distribute all of the wedi products

Above: The harmonious colors of the fireplace tile and hearth provide a focal point for this living area.

Right: Always a classic - black and white checkerboard pattern - whether executed in tile or marble.

locally through Wolff Distributors. I also am a sales representative for the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, as well as a technical consultant for wedi installation questions for the central and eastern US.”

We asked Wolff what he thought about non-professional, “do-it-yourself” tilers. His answer was refreshingly humble, but not without an implied warning: “In non-critical areas, such as back splashes or some countertops, I say ‘Go for it!’ Anybody can tile; but not everyone knows what they’re doing or what is structurally sound. I don’t believe in come-backs; that’s why I focus on continuing education and getting it right the first time. “Attention to detail, the military taught me. Attention to detail.”

Above: A peaceful, tranquil setting for the spa tub is achieved using various sizes of tile and edging tiles in a neutral color palette. Right: A unique, 3- foot high travertine planter is integrated into the travertine floor.