Avaire Interlocking Floating Porcelain Floors

[FM_Mike]

Has anyone worked with this product or one similar. From what I've read it says you don't need backer board or thinset. Just lay, lock and grout.

The system looks pretty slick but thats not always the entire story. If it is as claimed it could be a great way to replace carpet and linoleum in some areas of the home.

Mike

[cavalierowner]

I remember a forum I was on a couple years ago and there was discussion about a similar product. Everyone said it was junk. The problem was that the grout joints cracked. It was especiall bad in areas where a refrigerator was pulled in and out a couple times for cleaning. I looked at the stuff at the time and I couldn't imagine how it couldn'd help but crack at the joints. I also remember at the time that the cost between it and conventional ceramic time would buy a lot of Durock and thinset. There is no substitute for a properly installed CT floor IMHO.

[FM_Mike]

Thanks, thats what I needed to know. I too thought the grouted areas may be an issue over time with cracking.

Mike

[DANR]

I installed Snapstone in a bathroom that we didn't want torn up over a couple weekends. I was so impressed with the results and product quality - absolutely no grout cracking after 2 years - that we put it in a kitchen/dining area. It is more expensive than the traditional way, but saves a ton of time. We were able to do the kitchen and dining area in our place up north in a long weekend. Had I had to rip up the old vinyl, install thinset and subfloor, set tile, then grout, it would have easily shot 3 weekends.

[FM_Mike]

My concern is how much wear the floor can take. It is a floating floor and with that I am concerned about the grout cracking. I like the idea of nit having to deal with the thinset and sub floor, but if the results are not there the convenience is not worth the out come. The cost of the tile that I looked at are also over 5 times the cost of regular tile.

I am in no rush so maybe others have input. Thanks.

Mike