Floating tile floors

[paulie]

This might be old news to you guys or a tile guy for sure but I was at one of my suppliers today and they just started carrying Avaire porcelain flooring. Never seen such a thing but looks interesting. Anybody that has used it have a critique on the stuff?

[Eieio]

What is on the back of the tile??

[paulie]

I don't know. They interlock and float. The web address I found is http://www.avairefloors.com/index.aspx

[WarnerConstInc.]

That will be easier to tear out after harry home owner still screws it up.

How does the grout stay in place?

[Winchester]

I think I've seen something similar maybe a month ago.

it's basically like laminate flooring but porcelain on top. I don't quite remember, much about them, but I'm pretty sure there is no grouting :laugh3:

[paulie]

I think I've seen something similar maybe a month ago.

it's basically like laminate flooring but porcelain on top. I don't quite remember, much about them, but I'm pretty sure there is no grouting :laugh3:

The line I saw at my supplier as mentioned above DID have grout in the seams although my supplier said it's specifically made for it which translates to $. They advertise having a walkable floor next day. No cement board or thin-set between CB,subfloor or tiles. Porcelain tiles interlock and are grouted immediately. Floors ready to walk on next day.

Must be new then, nobody has a review yet.

[naptownCr]

There were similar products brought out 5 or 6 years ago some were ceramic and some stone. To the best of my knowledge they were all discontinued to be made as they had severe cracking problems.

[paulie]

There were similar products brought out 5 or 6 years ago some were ceramic and some stone. To the best of my knowledge they were all discontinued to be made as they had severe cracking problems.

Just showed up on our doorstep in W. Michigan. I can't understand how the grout wouldn't crack but it has a warranty. The web link is in a previous post above. Does it look familiar Nap?

[naptownCr]

Just showed up on our doorstep in W. Michigan. I can't understand how the grout wouldn't crack but it has a warranty. The web link is in a previous post above. Does it look familiar Nap?

the interlocks are a little different. the stuff I saw years ago was a tile glued to an MDF backer and interlocked the same way laminate flooring did.
If this stuff holds up it would be a good DIY product particularly for a small project that is a hit and run like a powder room or entry foyer. At least if it cracks to pieces at least it will be easy to remove.

[Splinter]

Nap is probably thinking of Edge products. They were sold at Lowes for awhile. Aerosol cans of a latex "grout" product were available. There were a LOT of complaints. The technology has improved over the years, supposedly Snapstone holds up well. I'll stick with the old fashioned methods.

Add: The Avaire website talks about an acrylic grout for residential and urethane grout for commercial use. They're flexible adhesive type of grouts. I cant imagine they would hold up very well in a high traffic area, like a hallway or entry area.

[paulie]

So there's nobody with actual experience with this product. Thanks for the replies and I agree with the posts although out of ignorance of working with it myself.

I remember the exact same response from my dad when plywood started showing up in lumber yards back in the day though, "Just a new gimmick that won't last or hold up". :laugh4: