Hi, Grateful for any advice from the experienced people on here. We are replacing the entire downstairs floor with LVT, around 150 sqm. My understanding is that click is not suitable due to the large area, so we are looking at glue down only. My main concern is that as we are going to the hassle of doing this in every room, we want it to last. I don't want to be having to replace it in 10 or 15 years' time. I want it to last 30 plus years, provided of course we take care of it. We are just 2 adults, no children, no dogs, so it won't get heavy use. Based on the above, I had been focusing on brands that offered the longer warranty periods - 25/30 years, or lifetime. As I had assumed this should be at least somewhat indicative of the quality and longevity. Recently visited a store which recommended a brand I have not come across so far despite hours of trawling! Called, 'My Victoria' flooring. Their only range that has herringbone styles suitable is called 'Universal 55' which only has a 15 year warranty. They do have another range with lifetime warranty, but no herringbone options (only small parquet tiles). The store owner said that despite being significantly cheaper than for example Amtico, as they are the same wear layer at 0.55cm, there isn't much difference in quality. He said that Amtico don't want to be seen to come to a lower price point, as they like being known as the premium brand, whereas Victoria are newer to the LVT market (albeit well established in carpets), hence the huge price difference. Now, I am always skeptical when someone is trying to sell me something! For all I know he may get a much better margin on the Victoria flooring hence the push to that. Although his logic about the wear layer kind of makes sense, there are lots of brands I've seen with similar wear layer which are also cheaper price points, and they can't all be equivalent quality to Amtico! I realise that a good fitter is also really key to longevity, regardless of which brand we choose. So, to the experienced people on here, I wanted to ask whether any of what we were told sounds at all true. And whether the Victoria brand (universal 55 range specifically) would be likely to last for 30+ years if we look after it. Really appreciate any feedback, as I am finding the whole area of LVT to be a complete minefield!
Personally think Amtico is living purely off reputation and there days are numbered. Plenty other brands out now that are as good as if not better than them for a fraction of the price. never had any experience with Victoria so cannot comment although I have heard good things. regarding wear layer, don’t think you would wear a 0.3 wear layer out in a domestic environment never mind a 0.55
Second this i find a lot of costomers have heard off amtico but you say lvt and they havent even got a clue what it is so also know that they are living of there reputation and like mentioned there are far superior lvts on the market nowadays and if fitted correctly will laat a lifetime even if the warranty is 15 years. I love kahrs lvt if that helps Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
I'm not someone interested in named brands, hats doesn't mean anything to me, just good quality. I only mentioned Amtico as that's what the shop owner chose to compare My Victoria against it. I've certainly seen some less happy Amtico customers in more recent years online, so the 2 replies above seem to ring true!
HC&F - thanks for the Kahrs recommendation. Unfortunately they have quite a limited herringbone range and don't have the colour tone we are after.
Amtico have always been over rated, quality in some of their ranges has dropped a fair bit, signature plank has been a pain in the ass lately for me. I'm fitting alot of Expona commercial and Invictus these days and I love fitting the Invictus, can honestly say I've never had 1 complaint about them. Fitted some Moduleo this week and I hate the stuff, worse I've ever fitted but do know some that love it.
For me Amticos service and aftercare smash alot of the other lvt companies. They’ve been around along time compared to victoria which is another new lvt manufacturer/brand jumping on the never ending list. Ive not used universal but it looks ok and from what ive seen over the years you get good amd bad batches in all lvt. Probably depending on what type of plastic they use and where its made. If you buying based on the manufacturers warranty make sure you use a competent installer that fits to the warranty guide
Moduleo not good. Terrible after sales. expona has always been made well, defo agree its a good one to fit. Also agree the last amtico signature i fitted was not cut well. J2 good but a bit repetitive. Half of Karndeans ranges are good.
I would definitely disagree about Amtico. Signature is pretty much the best plank on the market and has the aftersales to match. The other main difference is Signature is all British made as opposed to the majority of others being Chinese. As a company we sell multiple brands but always steer people to Amtico if we can.