04/29/2026
š Atlanta
This week we flew across the country to get hands-on with Gauged Porcelain Thin Panel (GPTP) installation and advanced methods ā and Iāll be honest, itās eye-opening.
Not just because of how much there is to learnā¦
but because of how far behind our area really is when it comes to design, materials, and proper installation methods.
Thereās a big difference between:
š āIāve done tile beforeā
and
š actually understanding how to build something thatās going to last, perform, and look right years down the road
What weāre seeing out here:
* Modern systems that eliminate common failure points
* Materials that outperform whatās typically being used back home
* Installation methods that are precise, repeatable, and built to hold up
* Design approaches that actually elevate a space instead of just āfinishing itā
Back home, thereās too much of:
* Outdated methods still being used like theyāre acceptable
* Products getting installed that shouldnāt be anywhere near a wet area
* Work being done without understanding the why behind it
* Missed opportunities to create something truly clean and well thought out
And the reality is ā a lot of it isnāt even intentional.
Itās just a lack of exposure to whatās actually possible and whatās actually correct.
Thatās why weāre here.
Weāre putting in the time, money, and effort to learn from people who do this at a high level ā so we can bring those standards back to La Grande and the surrounding areas.
Also glad TheChris BabcockChris Babcock and Zach Bean of Doren Tile & Stone were able to make the trip with me ā always better leveling up alongside guys who take their work seriously.
Because at the end of the day, this isnāt about hype.
Itās about doing things the right way:
āļø Proper prep
āļø Correct materials
āļø Skilled installation
āļø Clean, lasting results
If weāre going to take on a project, itās going to be built with intention ā not guesswork.
More to come as we bring this back home. š