Anyone got Amtico Spacia flooring?

[StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner]

I wanted to have an oak floor laid on top of my floorboards but have had a flooring guy here today who says that my floor is too bowed (it is very, very uneven!) and that a wooden floor would squeak.

He has suggested Amtico Spacia but I am not familiar with it and can't really see from the pics what the finish is like. Does it look like laminate? Really wanted real wood and not sure it's going to be my cup of tea. However am very tempted by the fact it is scratchproof and durable as my DC's are small but destructive

Any advice/experience/info gratefully received!

[jenroy29]

I've posted previously about my mil's Amtico flooring and how it is worth the outlay and maintenance.
It looks more like vinyl than laminate in my opinion.
As far as I know it is stuck down in strips(depending on the pattern that you choose) which would highlight you bowingness and the uneven floor would not be a good start for any flooring other than carpet. I think that you might have to start from scratch with new joists and floorboards that you could then varnish or whatever. Or you will have to lay plywood sheets all over to even out your existing floorboards.

[StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner]

Thanks jenroy - they would lay plywood first then a screed in certain places to level the floor apparently.

When you say it is like vinyl does it have a spongy feel or is it rock hard? I really want it to have the look and feel of wood so suspect it might not be right for me.

Might have the current boards filled and re-sanded instead, would certainly be cheaper as the quote was for nearly 2.5 grand! I will be disappointed with anything other than solid gold for that price!

[jenroy29]

If you want wood then Amtico is not for you. It's hard. Really practical but you do have to treat it every 6 months.

[jaffacakeaddict]

If you go onto the amtico website you may be able to order samples. I don't have amtico but do have karndean which is similar and they send out free samples of their flooring.

[Lizzywishes]

We have wood effect spacia and Really like it. People generally think it's wood. Certainly doesn't look like laminate. It's laid in planks or tiles, depending on effect you've chosen. They have big boards of it in John Lewis that you can put on the floor and get a good look at. The independent shop we bought ours from would lend display boards so you could try them in your room. You don't really have to treat it every 6months. In fact our installer said he wouldn't bother, that the finish is nicer if you don't.

[loftyjen]

We've had amtico flooring in our bathroom for 5yrs - really happy with it (still) looks like wood rather than laminate and cleans really well.

We had waterproof plywood laid beforehand and used an amtico approved company to lay it (?otherwise guarantee invalid).

[StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner]

Brilliant, thanks all! Have found a showroom near me so off to prod amtico in the morning. Half hoping I don't love it now as it's so expensive!

[jellycat]

We have lots of Amtico which was in the house when we moved in. It has been down at least 14 years now and still looks good (it is Amtico rather than Spacia - Amtico is a bit more expensive). You don't have to treat the new stuff as far as I know (we have the old stuff but I never bother treating it anyway as it's too much of a faff). It's practical and hard-wearing and also not too cold to walk on. You do need to make sure they get a really good flat surface to lay it on though.

[Josephp123g]

I currently work at Amtico in Coventry United Kingdom, the flooring is made and cut in the uk and is of the highest quality, really nice Finnish as well and I gaurentee satisfaction😊

[Tamstours]

You can request free samples for this product. Probably worth doing as it is a premium price. Fantastic though.