TodayRoberta writes:
Dear Diva, Have you heard of the snap together ceramic tile flooring? One of my friends mentioned it and I haven`t heard or seen anything around it, but it sounds cool. Is this something I can put in my kitchen? Does it go and leave it make up?
Roberta, I think the snap together ceramic tile flooring you`re referring to is called SnapStone Floating Porcelain Tile System.
And I`ve got to admit, SnapStone floating tile definitely looks pretty cool. Imagine installing a tile floor and NOT having to mix thin-set or install cement boards first! Instead, you`d install it like a floating floor. But instead of having a laminate flooring that looks like tile, you end up having real porcelain tile! This is exciting and makes tiling easier for the novice do it yourselfenthusiast.
So here was my big question when I first heard of SnapStone: How in the universe can you have a real porcelain tile and do it install like laminate flooring?
Well it`s all in the interlocking tray that each tile is adhered to. The tray locks together and has a rubberized base. The interlocking part makes installing a snap! Because tiles snap together well and are "self-aligning" ensuring 1/4″ even spaced grout lines. Which means no additional spacers are needed! As for the rubberized base, it helps too by eliminating the need for thin-set or glue. Thus allowing the tiles to "drift" over the existing floor or subfloor. Which makes the rubberized base akin to the foam underlayment that laminates use.
As for durability, I can`t see a reason SnapStone Floating Porcelain Tile wouldn`t be hard enough to satisfy your needs. The tile on top is a high quality porcelain tile which is durable and easy to maintain. As I`ve stated in former articles, porcelain tiles are stronger than ceramic ones because of the highertemperaturethat they are fired at. This higher ignition temperature creates tile that is denser and can have more of a beating. Porcelain tile is a best alternative than ceramic in an arena where heavy things can be dropped, i.e. a kitchen. It also doesn`t scratch as easily.
If you still havedurabilityconcerns, just seem to the picture above that demonstrates the Robinson Strength Test. This is an impressivedurabilitytest that highlights how strong SnapStone snap together ceramic tile flooring really is. The SnapStone website is likewise a greatresourceto find out more near the production itself and thetechniquesused for installation. I know that SnapStone provide various installation videos which addresses an array of topics. Videos from basic installation to cutting tiles around a potty to grout haze removal. These videos will help make you an understanding of what installation takes.
In general though, if you`re familiar with how laminate flooring installs, then your prepare for the SnapStone install process. Unlike laminate flooring however, once the SnapStone ceramic tile flooringis installed you`ll get one more step left. Since the tiles are not fake, you`ll take to grout the joints before being completely finished. You too want to trust exclusively on theSnapStone grout because it`s specially formulated to hold the move caused by a floating floor. If you use another trademark of grout, you run the danger of voiding your warranty on the flooring and having cracked grout. So it`s better not to be creative and make certain you put the SnapStone grout when installingsnap together ceramic tile flooring.
Do you take questions around the selecting or the instalment of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your story of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and maybe I will be capable to do your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!
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