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Problems With DuraCeramic Tile

Christie Gross

DuraCeramic is a new innovation in floor material that is manufactured by Congoleum. The flooring is made of composite materials and is a more or less a hybrid of laminate floor and ceramic tile. DuraCeramic is available in several different patterns and colors to provide the appearance of wood, porcelain and stone.

DuraCeramic is installed much like traditional tiles, although the material is flexible and easier to work with as grouting is optional. Although DuraCeramic offers several advantages, it also has some problems.

Prone to Damage

Despite DuraCeramic providing the look of tile, it's not as resilient as tile. DuraCeramic is prone to chipping and cracking, especially when a large item is dropped on it. The tile's corners are particularly susceptible to this kind of damage. Dragging furniture or heavy objects across the flooring also can harm the tile.

Grout Cracks

According to Floor Talk, a flooring wholesaler, one problem homeowners indicate with DuraCeramic is that the grout cracks. However, the wholesaler claims the issue has less to do with the actual tile and more to do with not enough grout used during the installation. The wholesaler insists that adding more grout can correct the problem.

Costs More Than Traditional Tile

DuraCeramic usually costs more than traditional tile, which is partly due to the fact that DuraCeramic tiles are more versatile and offer a lifetime guarantee against fading, staining and wear and tear, which most tile manufacturers do not provide.

More Difficult to Clean

Consumer reviews on cleaning DuraCeramic tile are mixed. However, some homeowners find the flooring is more difficult to clean than other floor materials, such as tile. In some cases, homeowners report having to scrub the floor on their hands and knees to remove stubborn stains. Yet the issue is more apparent with textured floor tiles than nontextured ones.