SnapStone Porcelain Floor

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m8man

Moderator
Anyone use these? I've put in a floating floor but with the wood panels B4. I'm wondering if it is as easy as it looks...This may be a smart alternative to the real tile and grout. Kind of like a fake one but I saw a floor and it looked great.

If you have one did you do it yourself and do ya like it?

m8man
 
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groomerdave

New member
Haven't done the snapstone, but had thought about it before I did my first tile job. I thought about it because laying tile looked like it was harder then it is. It isn't really that hard, just do some research. Have done a half dozen rooms now and are very comfortable doing it, and if you start simple you only need a few tools.

If you are looking at it because of the floating floor reason, then I would have to think that is the way to go.

Think Snow! -Dave
 
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m8man

Moderator
Thanks Dave. I built a home about 5 yrs ago and finally have the basement ready for flooring. Some will be carpeted but the area near the walkout patio door I want to do some sort of tile. This will also be a bar area too. There may be water periodically tracked in and out of the door way as the kids will have a pool outside and in the future I'd like to put a hot tub in the area as well.. I am wondering if the real thing would hold up better to some moisture here and there vs the floating tile slab. Only reason I'm wondering is I've heard some nightmares about getting tile up later on when you want to change the flooring.

m8man
 
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racerx

Active member
I just saw that the other day but you still have to grout it using their special 'flexible grout'. Looked pretty neat and I just checked their website and they even say this tile is 'reusable', that is one thing I never heard before in regards to properly installed tiles.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
snobuilder said:
tile snobs.....LOL, the smart tileman installs them ALL,....as long as the $$$ is green.
Click to expand...

No we don't. I have standards. No big box store reject crap, no fake wood or plastic snap together tiles. My job is to add value to your house. Laminates and products such as Dura ceramic add zero value to your house at resale. It fits right in with carpet and linolium. I understand there is a market for this stuff at the lower end of the housing spectrum such as rental units. 99.8% of my work are referrals and past customers who are very happy after many years of enjoying their floors, splashes &/or tiled showers. Yes, I may be a Tile Snob at times but it is how I made it 30 successful years at this. Currently I am doing a 33,000 sq.ft. main house with a 12,000 sq.ft. guest house with a 3000 sq.ft. Pool/boat house in Holland MI. and they are not getting any of the discount fake stuff. I suspect there is a reason. Install the real stuff. Your time and house is worth something. why not add value to it? note: I do not live in these houses just work in them.
M8man if you are putting porcelain tile down on a concrete slab check for vapor penitration before setting porcelain to concrete. lay a rubber floor mat down the night before, next day lift up, if damp/wet underneath then you will need to add a vapor barrier such as "Red Guard" before setting. Moisture can not go thru true porcelain and tiles will pop off.
 
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scott_b

Member
with water in the area go real tile, we had Pergo in our place and the areas around the kitchen sink were starting to have the seams peal up a bit. Tile isn't that hard, rent a saw and take your time. You also might want to think about putting under tile heating in, makes for a very nice floor in the winter.

http://www.thermosoft.com/
 
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m8man

Moderator
polarisrider1,

Do you ever work in the yoop? I am just scoping out things to do.. I am not a carpenter by any shape or fashion but I'd like to work on the house. I've finished my basement with Knotty Pine T&G and it's awesome. I was looking at this option simply for the fact of if I ever have to replace it, it might be easier. If traditional tile could last 10-20 yrs as long as we take care of the grout and replace it when needed I'd be fine with that. I am doing an area of approx 24 x 30. I actually have no clue what to put down but my basement is high and dry BUT with the patio we could track in moisture and I may want to put a hot tub down there someday. I am also trying to match the tile to be "dirt" color so when my boys are in and out of the door it won't show it all the time. I'm looking for a recomendation.

Ceramic, porcelain, whatever. I don't even know the difference.

m8man
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
polarisrider1 said:
No we don't. I have standards. No big box store reject crap, no fake wood or plastic snap together tiles. My job is to add value to your house. Laminates and products such as Dura ceramic add zero value to your house at resale. It fits right in with carpet and linolium. I understand there is a market for this stuff at the lower end of the housing spectrum such as rental units. 99.8% of my work are referrals and past customers who are very happy after many years of enjoying their floors, splashes &/or tiled showers. Yes, I may be a Tile Snob at times but it is how I made it 30 successful years at this. Currently I am doing a 33,000 sq.ft. main house with a 12,000 sq.ft. guest house with a 3000 sq.ft. Pool/boat house in Holland MI. and they are not getting any of the discount fake stuff. I suspect there is a reason. Install the real stuff. Your time and house is worth something. why not add value to it? note: I do not live in these houses just work in them.
M8man if you are putting porcelain tile down on a concrete slab check for vapor penitration before setting porcelain to concrete. lay a rubber floor mat down the night before, next day lift up, if damp/wet underneath then you will need to add a vapor barrier such as "Red Guard" before setting. Moisture can not go thru true porcelain and tiles will pop off.
Click to expand...


I beg your pardon, tile nazi,....LOL,....no need to be so thinskinned,....anyone can and DOES lay tile nowadays WITH GREAT RESULTS and no one really gives it a second look anymore and its in the same class AS carpet, linoleum, floaters etc.
Many times at less cost for the DIYers to boot!
A smart salesman sez lets take a looks see when someone asks a question about a corner cutting floor system and works it into a REAL TILE job,....thats all my point was....LOL....lighten up tileman.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
snobuilder said:
i beg your pardon, tile nazi,....lol,....no need to be so thinskinned,....anyone can and does lay tile nowadays with great results and no one really gives it a second look anymore and its in the same class as carpet, linoleum, floaters etc.
Many times at less cost for the diyers to boot!
A smart salesman sez lets take a looks see when someone asks a question about a corner cutting floor system and works it into a real tile job,....thats all my point was....lol....lighten up tileman.
Click to expand...

lol.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
m8man said:
polarisrider1,

Do you ever work in the yoop? I am just scoping out things to do.. I am not a carpenter by any shape or fashion but I'd like to work on the house. I've finished my basement with Knotty Pine T&G and it's awesome. I was looking at this option simply for the fact of if I ever have to replace it, it might be easier. If traditional tile could last 10-20 yrs as long as we take care of the grout and replace it when needed I'd be fine with that. I am doing an area of approx 24 x 30. I actually have no clue what to put down but my basement is high and dry BUT with the patio we could track in moisture and I may want to put a hot tub down there someday. I am also trying to match the tile to be "dirt" color so when my boys are in and out of the door it won't show it all the time. I'm looking for a recomendation.

Ceramic, porcelain, whatever. I don't even know the difference.

m8man
Click to expand...

No working in God's country for me. :)
 
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razors_edge

New member
I know someone who has the snapstone tile in there office. It's real tile just without the mortar to hold it down. It's alot more expensive for the tile and grout and it sounds hollow but it has been durable and still looks good. It is over concrete as well.
 
snowfish

snowfish

Member
m8man, Snap Stone is some pretty nice stuff! It went right over the top of some crappy linoleum stuff in our entryway. I "taught myself" how to cut with the wet saw
($60@Mennards). The wet saw works great for cutting Plexiglas too, but that's another project.

Whole project took 2 1/2 nights after work including two closet areas. Those were a little trickier, but now I'm ready for the kitchen & hallway leading to the bathroom. Still gets grouted like regular tile. The cost difference is pretty much a wash when you add it all up. Plus you're able walk on it immediately, even when half done. Just vacuum again before continuing the next day. The only exception is the grout step which needs to dry over night.

For the tile purest, this may not be the way to go. For the DIY home guy, just get it and don't look back. Aside from pulling the baseboards, to see if it's floating or regular, nobody will ever know. Very professional looking and easy to install. Wet areas are fine too. Seals up just as good or better than traditional. Just have to silicon the edges which does not affect the float.

You won't be disappointed. Cheers.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
The carpet stores sell the crap. Around here it is called dura ceramic. It is neither durable or ceramic. Yes I am a bit jaded. I am sure there is a market for the stuff. just my 2 cents.
 
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m8man

Moderator
polarisrider1,

I'm starting to wonder if there is anything positive that you spew? Golf sucks, snapstone sucks, pure optimism I guess.

m8man
 
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m8man

Moderator
It isn't heated. It is insulated but in the lower level I have forced air heat and a gas fireplace.

later

m8man
 
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