Karndean? Amtico? Come and talk flooring to me (again, sorry!)

[tassisssss]

So, what's the main difference between Karndean and Amtico?

Any other options other than laminate and wood (for an open plan kitchen/dining/living space).

Many thanks.

[DottyP]

We have decided to go for Amtico Spacia for our kitchen/diner/family area - not sure there is much difference between them. FYI with all the preparation they have to do on the floor before hand it comes out at around £100 sq metre....so I'm hoping it will cope with my dog, kids etc etc!

[tassisssss]

Thanks!

[IWishIWasAFrog]

Hi,

Have a read on this thread

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=417438

Read the post by 'disco dave' towards the end of the frst page, quite a difference it seems! I'm also looking at putting down a vinyl floor, are leaning towards Amtico Spacia range.

HTH.

[TalkinPeace2]

we have bamboo (cost us £16 / sqm including glue and fitting)
it gets scratched and dented and still looks wonderful after 3 years

[miserablemum]

We're getting Karndean - budget just wouldn't stretch to Amitco, we have a huge kitchen diner to be done - and I love the tiles we have chosen, which i didn't think i would. Colour match and texture is just perfect.

I have read that moneysaving thread. What i don't get is people thinking the flooring is indistructable? And that you need to have it fitted properly. If there is a porblem then they have guarantees for 12 yrs plus - this is part of the reason we are looking at this type of flooring rather than others.

Our quote comes in at around £40 a sq meter for the knight tile, which is enough for us. And to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want the same floor for 20 years plus i might eventually fancy a change!

[tassisssss]

Thanks all.

WW I believe they both have stuff to be put on them every 18 months or so. Amtico comes pre-treated, Karndean you have to do it before you use.

Nice man in the designer flooring place reckoned they were much of a much-ness.

[Mandy21]

My mum has just had Karndean laid in her dining room - a wood effect. I'm not keen to be honest, she is super thrilled with it - warm to walk on, pretty much indestructable with grandchildren pushing trucks, spilling drinks occasionally but I do think it has a "lino" kind of look to it.

[Sandybeach2]

Sorry to re visit the Karndean/Amtico thread, but I am currently unable to dose between the two. Price is eye watering, but which is the better investment?. Thanks in advance for help. I live in North Surrey and would appreciate any tips or links that may help

[Sandybeach2]

Oops sorry meant choose

[Blankiefan]

Can I suggest you find a tile you're happy with in a shop then compare the price online? The stores make a ridiculous margin on these things.

I understand they're carrying a higher cost base but the difference really takes the mick. We've just bought some Polyflor recently (cheaper cousin to Karndean). It was £25 sq m in every shop (maybe with a few % off as best possible negotiation outcome). But was £13.50 sq m online. We saved more than £700. It's too much cash not to...

[cece]

I'm also in Surrey. I bought Amtico Spacia online and had a local guy my builder knew to fit it. It is in my kitchen diner. TBH it is fine but has scratched inn places plus I have a hole in one tile where I dropped a plate on it that broke and gouged a hole.

[Sandybeach2]

Thank you Blankiefan and Cece. I have begun to look online and absolutely there is a price difference. Appreciate your help.

[Sandybeach2]

Although was looking at the Spacia range, slightly concerned that it may not be as hard wearing as I would like

[hollyisalovelyname]

Iwishiwasafrog- the link is not working

[cece]

To be fair the plate did hit the floor quite hard and the sharp edge went straight down on it. I'm not sure any flooring would have withstood it! Plus I landed on top of it all...

[Blankiefan]

Cece I believe they can replace broken individual tiles. They just come in and heat it up with a blowtorch thingie and then replace it. Apparently it's a ten minute job...

[partystress]

Karndean every time for me. Amtico is less forgiving if you are a bit of a slattern occasionally forget to strip and reseal - starts to look and feel mucky. None of the Karndean I have had has needed any treating when first laid, and I just hoover/damp mop it - use Dettol floor wipes in kitchen and bathroom for greasy spots/unmentionables. Fitting costs the same whichever you go for.

[CleverlyConcealed]

I have Karndean in my kitchen/breakfast room and in the hall. American Oak in the hall and Soapstone in the kitchen. It'd been down 8 plus years now; is slightly scratched in the hall (3 kids) but the kitchen is looking fab.

I've not yet resealed it - the downstairs loo does need it doing, the rest is fine. that's because I'm a bit of a demon with the bleach spray in the loo.

[cece]

Oh OK I might email them.

Seal? I have never heard of this???

[MrsBucketxx]

Mine is rhino flooring from carpet right thats about 20 quid a square meter.

I love it its been down two years and hasnt knocked or marked, we have lots of comments on our lovely wood floor as it looks so good.

Id definitely have it again.

[Reastie]

What is this strip and reseal someone has spoken of? We've had kardean fitted a couple of weeks ago and I thought once it was in that was it, just sweep and mop. There's more upkeep to it?

DM has beautiful amtico parquet looking floor but it's scratched so not indestructible. Too soon for me to comment on kardean but so far so good.

[hollyisalovelyname]

Mum has Amtico down 25 years in the kitchen- still looking good!

[Leah12]

We have Karndean and it's been great, we had eyed up amtico but the cost put us off. Especially when Karndean offer lifetime guarantees, seemed a no brainier for us, way better than laminate though.

[ormer2000]

Loved my Karndean flloor when we first put it in - many people fooled by thinking it was wood! BUT Beware - mine has really faded to a yellow/green colour in the sun. Don't put anywhere near to where there will be a lot of sun coming in. Very disappointing.