Congoleum DuraStone?

We had Durastone professionally installed throughout our first floor. Now the tiles appear to be shrinking leaving gaps between the tiles. We had our installer out to inspect the installation and he brought along a representative for Congoleum who told us the spaces between the tiles are within "acceptable limits". I was told that if you could stick a credit card between the tiles, then you have a problem. I think this is excessive. Not real happy with the product right now.

Well, we'd already had the Durastone installed by the time I saw your reply and, I must say, I'm pretty pleased so far. Yes, if you look closely, the seams can be seen, but I guess I expected that from this product. In fact, it's much less obvious than I anticipated.

The one problem we're having is a temporary one. A couple of the pieces aren't glued down properly, so they move vertically when pressure is applied to them...not a big deal, but want the job done right and don't want to catch anything on a corner of one of the pieces, so they're fixing it asap.

Looks great, IMHO, and worth the extra cost over high-quality linoleum squares.

some gapping can be expected. especally if it was installed during warm weather, now the floor is cool. i have this with azrock commercial 1/8" vct

i have seen,but never sold this product, i understand it's made of some kind of rosin mixed with stone dust, the big selling point is it's not cold like ceramic tile, the reason i don't carry it is, it has no trim pieces, plus why pay $6/7 for a fake tile,for the guy with the gaps was the tile in your house 2/3 days before the install? so it could acclimate? if you like the tile and you dont mind the price,then go for it.
I would think it will require an underlayment also ask how they plan to attach to your other floors,(some kind of wood trim?) good luck

You're right in that it's some sort of rosin mixed with a limestone dust. If you've seen it advertised for $6-7 plus cost for installation and underlayment, you're getting ripped off, though. I had mine installed for $4.50/tile (16X16) and that included installation and underlayment. Probably didn't hurt that my entire 2500sf home was getting new carpeting and Durastone throughout.

I had it installed in a house we were not living in while renovations occurred, so it actually expanded a bit once we moved in and turned up the heat, but all that happened was the small seams we thought we saw before are even less obvious and the tiles that seemed loose, laid down nicely and haven't been a problem again (yet).

Everyone that I have talked to that does not have an issue with the seams has had Durastone installed in the fall or winter. Four houses in our area with installations on 95 degree days have the same issue. I think this might be a clue. It says in the installation instructions that temperature at the time of install is critical. I think it might be more critical than they think.

We had DuraStone installed almost 3 years ago. We had two tiles which had some adhesive issues and were replaced withion 6 months of the installation. About two years after the installation we noticed some chipping. Before the end of the three year warranty period we contacted the supplier who sent out an inspector. We found about twenty tiles which were chipped. Most were about 1/16th of an inch wide and 1/4 of an inch long. The photo included is the largest one. The inspector reported that the cause of the chips was due to the users. Mohawk tested a spare piece and concluded that the tile met specifications. The district representative never came out to look at the floor. We are very disappointed with Mohawk's response and lack of ownership of the problem. In this age of quality improvement we would have thought Mohawk would at least have their rep personnally inspect the floor and meet the couple who could abuse the floor so quickly!

The prior photo are the typical chips,one in the upper left, one in the center and one in the middle right of the photo. Attached to this post are three larger chips on a single tile near the refrigerator. We also know of another couple with similar problems.

Luckily our supplier is helping us with a floor replacement.

I would not recommend Congoleum DuraStone.

We enjoyed the floor for the first year or so after installation, but the top layer does cut, and peel if accidental drops are experienced. Some seems are more visable than others and it seems to be weather/humidity related. Adhesive seeping was also a problem early on but has quit. The main complaint is that the areas exposed to direct sunlight have faded and will require replacement. Overall, I would not recommend the product to anyone for their floors except for a small DIY project maybe. Our floor was professionally installed but the flooring place is now out of business........ hmmmmmm......

I installed DuraStone in 2006 and in only a few years noticed surface discoloration and excessive wear. I've contacted the tile company and the referred me to Congoleum. Congoleum had an inspector come out and his conclusion is that it is not 'wear' but 'scratching' so they won't stand behind it. Our kitchen chairs have always had nylon glides on them but now Congoleum says we should have used felt glides. I am very disappointed and do not recommend this tile. You would think a large corporation would stand behind it's product. It does not hold up against normal wear and tear.

We had Congoleum DuraStone installed in 2004 and it had chips and digs within 4 days. Congoleum rep came out and I said my only solution was to color with magic marker and superglue over to seal and he said "good idea". No help whatsoever. Gave us several free cartons of the tile which are still sitting in the attic 10 years later. Wrote to the company and was told the Lifetime warranty didn't cover chips, peeling, scratches or digs.So don't use anywhere this might happen,like in a house where people live. I said I'd never buy a Congoleum product again and I have told everyone I know not to as well. Also "Lifetime Warranty" means nothing.

To: BV005579
I am looking for a few replacement Congoleum Rosestone Vineyard 16x16 durastone tiles, & noticed your comment about having 10 boxes in your attic. I don't know if they will match mine, but taking the chance to see if they do, & see if I can arrange to buy some from you.

Worst product ever seen, did not know that is is a decal stuck on fiber board. Cuts,scratches, nicks and pattern fading in only six months. Was very expensive from Lowe's, plus installed the pattern in all different directions. No support from Lowe's or Congoleum.

Terrible flooring. Chips and scratches all over. Read several other forems and found the same thing.

I am very surprised at the negative reviews for Durastone Symmetry. Had mine installed in the kitchen and bath which are beside each other, in Oct 2002. It has not peeled, shrunk, faded, etc. and still looks new.

Getting ready to have new cabinets put in the kitchen and although I have 7 Durastone tiles leftover, may need more so I'm glad to see it's still available.

Floor still looks great so I am not replacing it.

We installed this product in our dining room, kitchen, hallway, office & one bathroom. What a mistake! The dining room tile was the first to start peeling. The store would not back it & the company never showed up. Next to go was the bathroom where the seams started to pull away from each other. It's an expensive mistake & now we are going to yank it all up & start over with porcelain. The question is ... how do you get this up? The installer glued it directly to our concrete slab. Yikes! Help!

It is a bad product.

Has anyone bought this Congoleum DuraStone lately? I see reviews for 2 years ago and past that, only one review for 2019. Love this floor tile (Carrara/White) but don't want to use it if product shrinks!!! Has the manufacture improved product since 2003 or ???? Any info would be helpful