The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) has announced the successful conclusion of its recent Handbook Committee meeting, drawing nearly 90 participants in a strong show of industry engagement.

The committee approved updates impacting more than 20 details and three guides in the forthcoming 2026 edition of the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, the industry’s most widely referenced resource for tile specification and installation.

The TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, now in its 63rd year of continuous publication, features guidelines widely used in specifying, selling, and installing tiles and related installation materials. The Handbook Committee Meeting is an important gathering of industry leaders to collaborate on potential updates to this essential resource, which is considered a must-have guide for tile installation in the U.S.

During the meeting, the committee approved several significant submissions that will impact more than 20 Handbook details and three guides in the upcoming 2026 edition of the TCNA Handbook. Notable updates include:

• Nine new gauged porcelain tile and gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs Handbook details
• Revisions to the Ceramic Tile Selection Guide, addressing specialty tile and product specifications
• Revisions to the Wet Area Guidelines, introducing a new definition for capillary breaks
• Revisions to exterior wall details (W201, W202E, and W244E), adding an option for continuous insulation

The committee also discussed new submissions related to elevator cabs and “step down” or “below slab” showers. These proposals are undergoing additional refinement and may be balloted electronically in the coming weeks.

“We are encouraged by the strong participation and positive engagement at this year’s meeting,” said Ryan Marino, TCNA’s Director of Standards Research and Development. “The approved updates represent important advancements that will support designers, specifiers, and installers across the industry.”

Looking ahead, the committee is exploring convening next year’s meeting in person, recognizing the added value of face-to-face collaboration.