[JD6]

We have an existing Amtico floor in our kitchen which is going to have to be removed for some damp work. I quite like that type of flooring for a kitchen, so I dropped in to a local flooring place to look at replacements. They still sell Amtico, but they recommended we look at some of the cheaper alternatives of the same type (Camero, Karndean, Cavalio). They said that a fair chunk of the price (£70 per sq m) is down to marketing and the alternatives are just as good.

We need around 30 sq m, and the total fitted cost would be something like £4K with Amtico, including the preparation required.

Anyone have any knowledge in this field? The Amtico was already there when we bought the place, so we haven't given flooring much thought previously.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

My parents have Karndean in their hall way and it's been very good. They then have PolyFlor Expona in their kitchen/utility. I have this also in my porch and bedroom. It's been very good and to be honest you can't tell the difference between the two other than the cost.

The reason we purely went for the PolyFlor over Karndean was the designs we liked at the time, along with the fact that the PolyFlor Expona range is classed as commercial so is heavy wearing. PolyFlor also do some other ranges too.

http://www.polyflor.com/jh/web.nsf/h...ited%20Kingdom

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

We have Amtico in half of our ground floor, was there when we moved in. Oak look, wears pretty well.

We had a biggish kitchen extension done last year, approx 50 m2, and we thought about putting the same down. In the end we chose what the kitchen fitter recommended, engineered oak from Howdens, less than a quarter of the cost. To me it looks much better when you see it right next to the amtico and I quite like the worn look, so not worried what it'll look like in a few years. Although, after 18 months it is still spotless, and it has been well used.

[Tengocity]

I've had Amtico and Karndean in a few properties and chose Karndean for or current house. Much less expensive, and both high quality, and found designs in both we liked, so cost was massive deciding factor.

[JD6]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know about the positive views of Karndean and PolyFlor (Camaro seems to be a type of PolyFlor). It sounds like the flooring place were right to recommend not going with Amtico.

The engineered wood idea won't work for us in this kitchen unfortunately as we have a low doorway, so flooring thickness is important.

Cheers

[Watsey]

We have Karndean through the extended hall in our house : French oak (I can't remember the exact name). 6 years of daily traffic from a young family : zero visible wear. Good quality; wound definitely fit again.

[ciscopete822]

I have got Amtico in hall and kitchen. Dozens of ladys in high heels back and forth and floor still looks mint. Highly recommended.

[Tom Tallon]

Originally Posted by JD6

We have an existing Amtico floor in our kitchen which is going to have to be removed for some damp work. I quite like that type of flooring for a kitchen, so I dropped in to a local flooring place to look at replacements. They still sell Amtico, but they recommended we look at some of the cheaper alternatives of the same type (Camero, Karndean, Cavalio). They said that a fair chunk of the price (£70 per sq m) is down to marketing and the alternatives are just as good.

We need around 30 sq m, and the total fitted cost would be something like £4K with Amtico, including the preparation required.

Anyone have any knowledge in this field? The Amtico was already there when we bought the place, so we haven't given flooring much thought previously.

We replaced our kitchen floor through John Lewis about three years ago. The lady at JL said that if we could find a floor in the Amtico Spacia range then we would save perhaps 40 % of the cost. Spacia has a more restricted pattern range and lacks the authentic Amtico "Natural feel and Look" whatever that means!

Personally can't see the difference myself and the quality is still tops. You might look at this- there's quite a bit on Mumsnet on this subject if you fancy a day of Googling!

[goodbyalfa]

We had Amtico installed by the builders when we moved in to entrance hall and kitchen dinner etc. It's quite a pale colour, and after 4 years you can now see some wear and tear with scratches etc... Generally looks very nice though so been happy with it.

[Blacktemplar]

We've had Moduleo in our extended kitchen/diner/living space at the back of the house for the past 4 years, after years of solid wood flooring. It's a really high-traffic area, direct into the garden, and as we don't have direct front/rear access to the house all manner of crap gets trailed through, including wheelie bins, bikes and wheelbarrows

It's been absolutely brilliant - warm underfoot, really tough and still looks brand new, even though we're not exactly good at looking after it... nor is the dog or the kids....

We opted for high wear/commercial grade wood-effect, we looked at both Amtico and Karndean and I think it was a little cheaper - from memory it was about £1,600 for 35 sq m plus fitting.

Link to the guys who did our flooring, comparing Amtico, Karndean & Moduleo: http://www.first-floors.co.uk/luxury...uleo-flooring/

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

We've had Moduleo in our extended kitchen/diner/living space at the back of the house for the past 4 years, after years of solid wood flooring. It's a really high-traffic area, direct into the garden, and as we don't have direct front/rear access to the house all manner of crap gets trailed through, including wheelie bins, bikes and wheelbarrows

It's been absolutely brilliant - warm underfoot, really tough and still looks brand new, even though we're not exactly good at looking after it... nor is the dog or the kids....

We opted for high wear/commercial grade wood-effect, we looked at both Amtico and Karndean and I think it was a little cheaper - from memory it was about £1,600 for 35 sq m plus fitting.

Link to the guys who did our flooring, comparing Amtico, Karndean & Moduleo: http://www.first-floors.co.uk/luxury...uleo-flooring/

You've just reminded me what we had in the house now rented out - recommended by kitchen fitter / joiner and actually commented upon by tenants since they moved in (what is it, it's great, can you put it in lounge.....)

[JD6]

Originally Posted by ciscopete822

I have got Amtico in hall and kitchen. Dozens of ladys in high heels back and forth and floor still looks mint. Highly recommended.

I'll bear that in mind if I'm ever flooring a lapdancing club!

[Bibbles]

When the builders have finished bashing the living shit out of my house and have put it back together again, they'll be laying Amtico in the new kitchen. I'd like to have wood again but with two young kids it's just to worth the hassle. Amtico seems like a decent alternative.