Laying dura ceramic tiles on concrete - DIY Chatroom

monte · 07-17-2008, 01:41 AM

Our house was built in the 70's. We're remodeling a room off our kitchen that was built on a slab of cement. The room used to be carpeted, has forced heat and air to it. We removed the carpet and we were going to lay dura ceramic tiles on the concrete. Does anyone know if these tiles can be applied directly to concrete? I was told by the store that these tiles hold the heat from the temperature in the room and that's why we were going to use them. Someone has just told me this isn't true, they don't hold the temperature of the room, they break easily, and can't be applied directly to concrete. I have samples being brought to the house this Friday, but now I'm scared that we've made wrong decision and should not get this type of flooring. Can anyone shed any light on this for me.......

Bud Cline · 07-17-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

I was told by the store that these tiles hold the heat from the temperature in the room and that's why we were going to use them.

BALONEY!!!

Maybe they feel warmer than ceramic tile just slightly but they are made of vinyl and crushed stone. How warm can stone and vinyl get without any help? Somebody is desperate to make a sale.

monte · 07-17-2008, 11:40 PM

Thank you!!! That was the last confirmation I needed. I think we're going to go with hardwood floors now.

Thanks again

Monte

Bud Cline · 07-18-2008, 12:21 AM

I think you'll be much happier.

dieselcake · 07-24-2008, 11:00 AM

they will be much warmer and nicer to walk on than real ceramic or porcelin(sp)

Hardwood is going to be more maitnence than dura ceramic, I have dura ceramic in my kitchen and it is the easiest floor to maintain in my house

Ailuro · 08-11-2008, 12:42 PM

I have just ordered Duraceramic. I thought it was a good product...now in reading some of the posts, I am not certain. I am planning on putting it in a walk through style kitchen and possibly in two bathrooms that currently have the "stick down" tiles...that a diy can get at home depot or lowes. Can someone please tell me the pros/cons of duraceramic and grout v no grout. Right now I am leaning towards no grout as I believe it is hard to maintain a clean look. thanks! Ailuro

Bud Cline · 08-11-2008, 08:04 PM

If you don't grout DuraCeramic then you have to use their high-dollar sealer on all the joints anyway.

It would be wise to do a search on several different websites before you waste your money on DuraCeramic.

Ailuro · 08-12-2008, 10:17 AM

UGH. A little late...the Duraceramic has already been ordered...could not put a stop on the order...I am having someone else put in the duraceramic. Question...Please let me know why Duraceramic is not considered a good product....

dieselcake · 08-12-2008, 11:09 AM

Pay no attention to the "tile guy"

He's just jaded on Dura Ceramic because it's taking away some of his market share. Search some of his previous posts and you will see the writing on the wall.
I am a flooring retail owner and sell both
For most kitchens that I do nowadays, people go with Duraceramic (lifetime warranty/wear/fade or stain)

Also the grout is an acrylic grout so it will not crack or chip like a sand and water based grout, and is 20X more stain resistant

I'd love to give you cons as to why you shouldn't buy dura ceramic, but I really can't. Other than you have a wider selection with real tile.

BTW get it grouted
Grout should run no more than 80-90 bucks for 250 sq ft of coverage

Ailuro · 08-12-2008, 11:16 AM

Actually the Duraceramic is going to be laid over existing linoleum. I plan on doing two small bathrooms and a walk-through kitchen (hence my leaning towards not grouting) as I don't think it will look as clean and be harder to keep clean. I am actually being "chicken"

and hiring the flooring company I bought the duraceramic through to lay the flooring....Duraceramic in both kitchen and bathrooms will then lead into Pergo flooring...so the only possible issue (which the flooring person raised would be a the difference in height which will need to be addressed at the place where they join.

dieselcake · 08-12-2008, 01:13 PM

well any floor expert will have the correct moldings needed for the application.

Ailuro · 08-12-2008, 01:27 PM

That is good to know...They are going to see if they can use my existing one, but it may be an issue. I am buying the floor molding and am wondering if I should try to obtain some transition molding as well. Suggesitons as the place is a flooring and carpet store....think my husband stated we would get the molding...so we are going to head to home depot or lowes.

Bud Cline · 08-12-2008, 06:57 PM

I quit installing DuraCeramic last winter. The stuff scratches and peels and brings a lot of customer complaints about the product itself to say nothing of its obvious repeat pattern look.

Don't listen to me, that's why I said DO A SEARCH (ON YOUR OWN) and you will find complaints (from consumers) everywhere about DuraCeramic. I don't have a dog in this fight, only a retailer plays that game, I don't sell any tile.

Phony tiles don't cut into my market share. I have replaced three DuraCeramic floors in the past year that were less than two years old for people that got screwed and decided to go back to the real thing.

dieselcake · 08-19-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud Cline

I quit installing DuraCeramic last winter. The stuff scratches and peels and brings a lot of customer complaints about the product itself to say nothing of its obvious repeat pattern look.

Don't listen to me, that's why I said DO A SEARCH (ON YOUR OWN) and you will find complaints (from consumers) everywhere about DuraCeramic. I don't have a dog in this fight, only a retailer plays that game, I don't sell any tile.

Phony tiles don't cut into my market share. I have replaced three DuraCeramic floors in the past year that were less than two years old for people that got screwed and decided to go back to the real thing.

I understand you are not a retailer
but your complaints about dura ceramic are nothing more than hogwash

Is it real tile? No
Do they claim it to be? No

psssss..... little secret buddy
It's called an alternative
people don't want cold, hard tile that kills your knees and back from standing on it all day

Kinda funny how alot of dura ceramic is sold through Mohawk industries
and they also sell and distribute Da-Tile

yet in the "retailer" warehouse termianl in New England for Mohawk
they have 50% of the floor laid with Dura cermaic

What is this "peeling" you speak of
what exactly is happening to these tiles?

robbtile · 03-10-2009, 06:57 PM

i like this "diesel cake" guy.yeah pay no attention to the guy that's been out installing a crap product like duraceramic,and has seen it fail time and again. because retailers have so much time out in the field to find out the plusses and minuses of any of there product.they like it because they can buy cheap and sell expensive.i would personally agree one hundred percent with mr. bud cline on this one.don't waste your money on any imitation of ceramic.if you want the look go with the real thing.it's the only product out there that won't fail within a few years after installation.