Amtico v karndean

[Hotdoggy]

We want to have one type of flooring starting from our hall, going through to the kitchen diner. We thought karndean, but after visiting our local flooring showroom, we came across the Amtico Signature range. They both seem very nice and price wise not much in it. I guess it would come down to the pros and cons of each, so I'm hoping you all could help me out here if you've had any of these types of flooring installed. Which should I go for??

It is basically the same thing, right? Vinyl floor tiles. Choose the one you like best.

We went for Amtico Signature...but for the life of me, I can't remember why! We definitely had a reason. Maybe I just liked it? I do still love it.

We had Amtico installed for the whole of downstairs 7 yrs ago and it still looks great.
Having 2 large dogs meant we needed something tough and easy to clean.
Can't remember if it was the Signature range but loved the way it was textured and the oak effect. Couldn't find similar when we looked at Karndean.

Cacofonix, on viewing both types of floor, I too could not see what, if any difference between the two. Upon asking further questions, the sales chap said Karndean is made in China and Amtico is made in Coventry. Amtico has been around much longer than Karndean and he seemed to imply that Amtico had a slight edge over Karndean.

This is why I thought I'd ask you all to find out from a practical point, through usage which was the preferred choice.

I think generally people consider amtico to be a more "premium" product. We moved into our current house 10 ish yrs ago and the downstairs has Karndean going in hall, kitchen diner, downstairs toilet. Most of downstairs apart from lounge. It's been great, easy to clean, don't do any maintenance to it.

Amtico is thicker and stronger, so more like wood to lay.

We are going with Amitico but mainly because our preferred supplier only does Amtico. They seem to think that Amtico signature is superior (and, yes British made) whilst Karndean is similar Amtico Spacia range and both made abroad.
Currently our budget only stretches to spacia range but we might get to stretch it in the New Year.

There is little to choose between the two, except for the price. Look at the wear layer in the technical information and that gives the depth of the layer on top of the pattern layer. In higher traffic areas you should go for a thicker wear layer.

You pay more for Amtico because they are paying UK wages and it is marketed to appear more prestigious. I think it was the first LVT to be marketed for domestic use. Karndean is made by Polyflor, which makes industrial and commercial flooring and has done for years. If you go into a Marks & Spencer or a TK Maxx, they have Polyflor down. We have Polyflor Expona Beveline in our kitchen. It is suitable for high traffic areas like bars and restaurants. It cost less than £18psm inclusive of VAT and the flooring fitter supplied it at trade price. You can buy lots of LVT products online and there are many manufacturers you have probably never heard of before - they just tend to have more limited ranges and they don't have the marketing budget of the big names. The commercial products are often thicker than the domestic ones and cheaper too. Ime how they look and last is largely down to the quality of the fitting.

Thanks everyone. There's been no negatives about the products, so that's a huge bonus. Good to hear that it lasts so long too.
Wowfudge, thanks for the info on other not so well known products that are similar. I like the reassurance of the lifetime guarantee with Amtico, as it's such a huge outlay for a large area of our home and I'd hate to get it wrong. I'll have a look though.

Out if interest how do you all clean your Amtico?

wowfudge I’m glad you popped up in here because I wanted to thank you for the Polyflor Expona recc which you made on another thread a while back. Our floor isn’t laid yet but I’m really happy with the sample (went for grey limed oak). X

We have Amtico in our kitchen/diner/lounge area as none of the Karndean floors were what we were looking for.
We have polyfloor in one bathroom and downstairs loo and I think it is far superior. Absolutely love it and way cheaper than Amtico. Wish I'd have looked into it when we had our kitchen etc done.

Hi @Tatlerer - glad you've found something you really like.

OP - I vacuum then mop with an emop. I sometimes add a drop of Zoflora to the hot water for mopping as you don't need to use detergent with an emop, but it just makes things a bit more interesting!

We have both in different rooms. Can't tell the difference.

We have Amtico signature in our kitchen and conservatory. Looked at Karndean but preferred the look of the Amtico. Sweep with a soft brush and then mop and dry. You shouldn’t use a vacuum with the roller on because apparently the brushes can fine scratch. Lovely in the winter underfoot with underfloor heating on!