Mercerville, N.J.—Using the latest in technology and design, Congoleum has launched two new products, DuraCeramic and Pace-setter, it hopes will set the pace in resilient flooring innovation. Featuring the natural look of upscale ceramic tile, stone and marble at an affordable pricepoint, with the unprecedented option of a grouted or ungrouted, edge-to-edge installation and a warmer touch than traditional ceramic, Congoleum has introduced DuraCeramic. “DuraCeramic’s ability to be installed with grout for a traditional look or without grout for an upscale, contemporary edge-to-edge finish, makes it unlike any flooring product on the market,” said Dennis Jarosz, Congoleum’s senior vice president of marketing.

DuraCeramic features a surface glaze that is virtually stain proof and offers superior performance against scratches, scuffs and fading, he noted. Congoleum utilized a “patented nano-composite technology in its creation: nylon particles and aluminum oxide are suspended in the surface glaze, providing increased durability and a realistic surface texture.” DuraCeramic is offered in a 15-5/8-in. tile size with an eased edge and features an extra thick, .16-in. overall construction that “provides outstanding wear and gives the floor a structurally sound foundation,” said Jarosz. The collection comes in seven designs and 28 colors.

Dreamscape features a rustic stone look and comes in five colors; Earthpath has the warm look of fired ceramic with an aged, natural stone appearance in six colors; Heirloom is simple yet elegant and is available in three colorways; Impression has the look of natural ceramic transformed into durable glazed tile and comes in four colors; Medallion is simple yet chic featuring five metallic colors; Touch-stone captures the formation of tiny pebbles suspended in concrete in three colors, and Venetian is reminiscent of aged Italian marble in two colors.

DuraCeramic premixed grout is the only recommended grout for DuraCeramic tile. It comes in 12 acrylic grout colorations. For a non-grouted, edge-to-edge installation, Congoleum recommends the joints be sealed using the manufacturer’s DuraCeramic joint sealer. DuraCeramic features a lifelong residential warranty against manufacturing defects, fading and staining. In light commercial settings, it is covered by Congoleum’s five-year commercial limited warranty for manufacturing defects, mold mildew and alkali. To present the DuraCeramic line, Congoleum has introduced the DC120 DuraCeramic display system which includes a rosewood design and contemporary head er and full-sized 15-5/8-in. samples of every pattern backed with a room scene and product information card.

With DuraCeramic, Congoleum has “captured the look of ceramic, but with a warmer feel, and un-matched stain, scuff and scratch resistance, and durability that will last for years,” said Jarosz. “It is a flooring category all its own.” Pacesetter is a resilient product featuring authentic-looking visuals made possible by AlumaTec, Congoleum’s latest innovative wear surface. It also features an ArmorGuard construction against rips, tears, gouges and indentations and a 20-mil natural-gloss wear surface. Pacesetter’s AlumaTec finish is “an original polymer wear surface, fortified with aluminum oxide to provide resistance to wear out, scuffs and stains,” said Jarosz. The 20-mil thick product features a realistic texture and feel and is positioned in the mid price point for resilient flooring.

Pacesetter comes in nine designs and 42 colors. Designs include Sovereign, an Italian marble design featuring four colors; Barcelona, a 6-in. marble design in warm white; Symphony, a soft, multi-toned stone paver pattern in a 6-in. scale in four colors; Indiana Maple, with the look of authentic maple flooring in three colors; Celebration, an array of natural, random ceramic tile pavers in five colors; Panorama, an urban industrial design in five colors; Renown, a 9-in. fired tile alternating with a custom floral inset in four colors; Beacon Hill featuring the soothing colors of natural stone in multi-toned colorations; Vintage Slate, a rustic natural slate look in six colors, and Naturestone, a fired ceramic tile look in five colors. Pacesetter features Congoleum’s Your Choice Installation system, which allows the product to be installed either fully-adhered or perimeter-adhered, over concrete or wood subfloors or existing vinyl floors, and an upgraded Three-Star warranty, offering a 10-year guarantee against wear and manufacturing defects, stains from asphalt driveways and sealers, mold mildew and alkali, and rips, tears, gouges and indents. “There is no doubt Pacesetter sets the pace for the industry, as its name implies,” said Leonard Ludovico, Congoleum’s vice president of product styling and design. “We’ve taken design to the next level to offer an incredible value to consumers seeking easy-to-maintain flooring with outstanding aesthetics.” For more information on Congoleum and its products, call 514/293-3173. —Louis Iannaco