Thanks Harry that was pretty quick service, I appreciate it.

I hit a wrong button and posted this prematurely so I'm going to duplicate it - SORRY!


Thanks Harry that was pretty quick service, I appreciate it.

Of course I experience all the same issues as everyone else that installs tile for a living. Ignorant sales people, what I consider to be low installation pay, issue after issue, yada yada yada.

So don't get pissed when you see what side of the fence I am on as this post progresses.

There is a relatively new tile product on the DIY market called Snapstone. Snapstone is intended to be a floating-floor type product and DIY'er friendly.

I personally believe that a floating tile floor is the next logical course for ceramic tile to take. This doesn't mean I condone the concept and hell, I have no idea if it is going to work or not. But, it could well be the next giant leap for the tile industry and we won't be able to fight it.

We all know about the dramatic and dismal failure of the Edge Tile product, that's history.

Now on the heels of Edge comes Snapstone. Snapstone is a porcelain tile manufactured in China that is then shipped to the U.S. (Omaha) for assembly to a plastic tray. This tray makes the tiles interlocking. After installation the tiles are then grouted with a flexible grout.

Dave Gobis did some consulting with this companies brother company and he mentioned Snapstone to me because he knew I was looking to change my hat.

I have contacted Snapstone and and was invited to tour their plant in Omaha. Long story short, their tech guy now uses me as his "Go-To-Guy" when issues arise.

Of course I'm not being paid, so far, but I'm not doing much for them either.

To tell you the truth the product is fairly impressive and certainly is nothing like the Edge product, in fact I'm thinking Snapstone may show some promise.

OK OK OK, I'm getting to why I'm here asking for your input.

Snapstone is currently being sold at some Menard's Stores but only in the upper Midwest U.S. It is also available through some mom & pop tile outlets. This was done before these guys wised up to the Big Box potential I suppose.

Also, Snapstone has just arrived at all of the Home Depots in Canada.

Finally my question:

Have any of you guys seen it? If so...what is your impression of it? Do you think it has potential?

More importantly.....do you know of any problems with snapstone? I want the truth about this product. I don't want to hear from the maker I want to hear from the guys in the trenches.

If there are issues I am interested in knowing about them.

Does this product have any real potential?
What do you guys see as drawbacks to such a concept.

I just can't find any negative information about this stuff anywhere. Not that I want to.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Bud ... good to see you again stranger!

I've heard of this type of product, but haven't seen or used it yet. I don't see drawbacks with any product as long as it suits the consumer's requirements. Also, I don't think a product like this will hurt the industry anymore than some of the "shit-for-brains" tilesetters out there now. At least there would be a product to fit the consumer's budget as well as ease of installation for the do-it-yourselfers.

Bud, you considering pushing this product?

Harry I see you cleaned up my duplicate post mess, THANKS.

As far as pushing it? I do see where it could fit a niche in the industry and I really can't see anything wrong with it. I have suggested it a couple of times to DIY'ers on forums and have seen some broad-stroke negative comments but when I push the issue the person making the comments can't back up their words and can't prove anything and doesn't really have any first hand knowledge of any negatives. You know? Typical shit!

Since it is basically a home-town operation for me I am of course interested in its well-being. I want it to work for them.

I looked at the Snapstone website and a few questions come to mind:

1. When this product is walked on, does it have the same hollow sound as the floating wood floors, or is it more solid-sounding?

2. When the grout is cured, it still has to be flexible, so is it closer to the consistency of caulk than grout?

3. What is the cost psf, including grout?

4. Is a wet saw the only tool used to cut, or could one use a snap cutter for the tile and a sharp knife for the backing?

Hey Bud, and all
I've been looking at this stuff at HD for the last month or so, when ever I go in. It looks kind of interesting, but I can't see how you can cut it without a wet saw. The other thing I noticed...it is silly expensive. If I were a DIY, I would buy normal tile and hire a tile setter. Seems to me, the price in the end would be the same. I may be wrong, but it looked like it was $10 bucks a foot....and then you have to install it yourself?

I'm really not sure of the actual cost. In the U.S. I think it is selling for about six bucks with the grout, not sure.

It definitely requires a wet saw, the stuff is really thick, like 9 or 10 mm.

I have walked on installed jobs and I had the same question about the hollow sound but the ones I have walked on didn't sound hollow at all. I think the density/thickness of the material must have something to do with that.

The grout when cured is some tuff stuff and is hard but not like Portland or even epoxy. It retains some flexibility properties but isn't soft like caulk. The grout reminds me of the DuraCeramic grout and may even be the same thing.

According to the website you have 3 color choices, 3 grout color choices, 3 pattern choices, and 1 grout width joint choice. Can't see it taking off to quickly. Probably end up in the same field as laminate I suppose.

If its $10 a foot then thats crazy.

Sold around 8000 acres since the beginning I think, don't know what that means.