Hi all Really hoping to gain some advice about which flooring to go for as my own google research is getting me nowhere and we are desperate to get our downstairs flooring changed. We need to choose a flooring to go throughout the downstairs of our small 3 bed house, the problem is that we have a separate hallway and downstairs loo but the kitchen, dining area and lounge is an open plan L shape so really we need to choose flooring that will go throughout. We have 2 big dogs and a toddler and the existing carpet is in an absolutely awful state, its impossible to keep clean and makes the house smell bad so I'm thinking to go down the vinyl route (I would consider laminate but worried about the ever frequent water spillages from the dog bowl/toddler drinks). My main question is we have been quoted £2300 for karndean knight tile to do the whole floor (including prepping the floor) or £1500 for a good quality sheet vinyl. It's Approx a 6 x 6 metre space in total. We are hoping to move in 2 or 3 years time so I am conscious about investing too much money lvt but then they do look a lot more realistic with the wood effect than sheet vinyl, I am also worried about the vinyl getting ripped or indented by furniture and dropped knives etc. I am so undecided on which way to go, ideally we would like to get something sorted for £1500 but I'm just not sure About having sheet vinyl in the lounge? We would pay the higher amount but only if it was worth it. Any hint and tips or opinions would be very much appreciated. Many thanks Holly
Hi Holly Whereabouts are you based? My choice would be Karndean, hands down! It may cost more per square metre but you'll buy less square metres and therefore get better value for money. If you're buying the Karndean from a stockist rather than internet you will also get a guarantee on the product that is tranferrable when you sell the property in 2-3 years. This is a feature you should ask you estate agent to mention in the house report, Karndean is widely recognised now and potential buyers may look at your property more favourable as you will be seen as having invested in it. The product itself is generally tougher than vinyl (some exceptions) and will withstand daily abuse much better than standard vinyl. Also, in the event of a more severe damage occuring the tile/plank can be removed and replaced whereas vinyl is damaged for keeps. I have fitted Karndean in a lot of commercial locations because of these benefits, one of the best examples being the local Vetrinary Practice. We fiited the entire place with Karndean and as you can imagine it gets well usd every day. Hope this is of help, good luck and if you are still unsure post another question
I would be looking at putting an LVT down rather than sheet domestic vinyl. It would look better as you can choose different design options rather than the standard straight fit(up & down) There are other brands of LVT with the same spec as karndean and maybe a better option for you. I'd get in touch with a recognise installer rather than some1 who says that can do it. Like the other posts, a guarantee is a must. Hope this helps.
Hi Jambo and Cre8tive flooring, thanks so much for your replies they were really helpful, now you mention it I remember the shop saying there would be a lot of waste in the sheet vinyl due to the widths of the rooms, I can see that means less value for money actually. I love the look of Karndean, I didn't realise it was something I could promote as a benefit of the house when I come to sell it, that makes spending more money a bit more sensible. Jambo I'm in Shepton Mallet in Somerset, we got a quote from a shop in Wells called Wells City Floors. I know there are now a lot of lvt manufacturers out there, we can only stretch to the Knight tile range so do you think they are the best bet for the money or can I get the same quality for cheaper with another manufacturer? Thanks again for your help, its already been great to hear professionals opinions that arnt linked to the job. Holly
You could also try a click lvt cost similar to a decent laminate probably closer to £2000 same benefits of lvt but quicker installation time and without the moisture problem of laminate check out camaro vusta for similar price to Knight tile but better quality
also when you move you can uplift it and refit at your new house which you cant with the other products. dont bother with karndean too expensive better products available for a lot less, heuga smartwood lvt clic,lifestyle emporium clic also mfloor do a great lvt clic.
Second dont bother with karndean, the dog will scratch up the knight-tile in days, id go for camaro over knight tile all day long, id defo go for an lvt though as it will look nicer, feel nicer, and like you said if you were to drop a knife you can replace individual tiles as and when.
Check out distinctiveflooring.co.uk we do both lvt and lvt click, find a local retailer and boom you will not be disappointed with both product and price.
If your going to move in a few years if go for distinctive signature , Polyflor camaro, Vusta / luvanto or j2 flooring. All a good price and as good or better then knight tile. The preparation is the important bit.
The others maybe better but te karndean guarantee could get him his money back when he sells the house. The others won't but are cheaper.
What guarantee from karndean covers scratches?? as far as I knew from what ive heard from people trying to claim on it and from reading it myself, the only thing karndean guaranty is that you will not be able to wear through the wear layer under scrub out the picture layer within there time frame, everything else is classified as out side there control and not subject to their warranty, all manufacturers give that warranty.
What I'm getting at is the name, regardless of whether or not karndean actually do anything he will have a piece of paper that in most people's eyes means something, and will most likely increase the value of the property. The other products are just as good or better but don't have the brand behind it to mean as much. As for the scratches there all crap for it, just buy a light colour or one with a lot of variation
Got a point about product brand awareness, the only thing karndean have going for themselves as far as im concerned.
For ref our autograph range is same spec as knight tile, moods, Italian and signature are a lot better than knight tile. Basically we're all saying go for lvt over sheet vinyl !!
Basically we're all saying go for lvt over sheet vinyl !![/QUOTE] And avoid karndean. Better specs and products for the money of knight tile.
