Vinyl Flooring Brands

danza

danza

danza

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Hi all,

I've gone though the idea of Karndean, laminate and ceramic tile for my kitchen refit, and am now considering vinyl as a sensible choice in terms of cost and speed to fit (DIYing it).

So far I've seen Wilkie, Tarkett Gripstar, Armstrong Rhinofloor, Napa and Regal and am finding it hard to choose. I imagine the thickness of the wear layer is important, as is wear resistance. Are the aforementioned brands any good? Are there others I should be considering?

Cheers!
 
Nairn cushion flooring, Amtico & Forbo Flotex a hybrid flooring are others, there are others, but the names elude me.

Have used both Tarkett & Rhinofloor over the years.
 
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Cheers. Have all but written off the likes of polyflor, amtico and karndean due to cost.

As for Tarkett and Rhinofloor - the Tarkett warranty is better (7 years vs 5) and it also has a thicker wear later (0.25 vs 0.15), so Tarkett is edging ahead so far.

What's the best way of fitting it? Loose or bonded? Will probably be laying 6mm ply atop floorboards. My main concern is ending up with ripples if it's left loose. Is it always the case that it'll ripple if not bonded?
 
If you are fitting it on 6mm plywood (laid broken bond and nailed at 6" centers/4" edge) the vinyl will sit best if cut in and laid without adhesion. Reason for this is the vinyl will be cold when fitted and will take time to settle and will undoubtedly stretch. This only applies to sheet vinyl though. If you are considering Amtico and Kadean tiles then these need to be adhered fully.

As you have said previously the wear layer is very important but don't be sold on a product because of the guarantee. The guarantee is based upon, often, unrealistic average daily wear and it will be a lengthy process to go thorough any replacement request as you need to go to the manufacturer, not the retailer after the first year.
 
Excellent, cheers for the info. :)

Will be a single sheet. Glad about not having to bond it as it's just another thing to **** up. Also makes it easier for underfloor access if a pipe bursts etc.
 
danza said:
Excellent, cheers for the info. :)

Will be a single sheet. Glad about not having to bond it as it's just another thing to **** up. Also makes it easier for underfloor access if a pipe bursts etc.
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Are you planing in laying it yourself? I would advise that it be laid by a professional and do it right by taking all white goods out and removing and trimming the kick plates on the kitchen units. Sounds like a lot of extra work but far better in the long term.
 
The fitters I deal with stick the perimeter only with vinyl sheets.

The likes of Amtico and Karndean will give you a better finish though so its all down to how much you want to spend in regards to money and time.
 
I only laid vinyl about 150-200mm beyond the kickboards, can't see the sense laying vinyl where it's out of sight, waste of money.
 
I have been in the flooring trade for 27 years, I am a sales rep for a floor-covering wholesale distributor.

You wont go wrong with either Armstrong or Tarkett, I would advise you buy it from a reputable shop (ideally a small independent) and get them to fit it, Vinyl is not forgiving if you make a mistake!!! if you cut it short you can't stretch it like you can a carpet so a lot of fitters don't even like fitting it.

If you insist on fitting it yourself you will need to fully adhere it with a proper vinyl adhesive if it's 16sm or over, if it's less then you partial stick it by using a antiplas double sided tape, you apply the tape to one long wall and the adjoining wall so it is an L shape, this allows the vinyl to move as the temperature changes, if you don't the is a strong possibility it will bubble in a few months.

Hope that helps
 
mit1 said:
I have been in the flooring trade for 27 years, I am a sales rep for a floor-covering wholesale distributor.

If you insist on fitting it yourself you will need to fully adhere it with a proper vinyl adhesive if it's 16sm or over, if it's less then you partial stick it by using a antiplas double sided tape, you apply the tape to one long wall and the adjoining wall so it is an L shape, this allows the vinyl to move as the temperature changes, if you don't the is a strong possibility it will bubble in a few months.

Hope that helps
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Which one?

Was in the trade for 18 years myself.

Bickaxe said:
The fitters I deal with stick the perimeter only with vinyl sheets.
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The vinyls in my house are all loose laid. Never been an issue.

Nightglow said:
I only laid vinyl about 150-200mm beyond the kickboards, can't see the sense laying vinyl where it's out of sight, waste of money.
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Agreed on that but if you have cookers/fridges/washing machines etc that are not built into the units then it is best to remove them and fit the vinyl all the way to the back.
 
Swordfish;25281865Agreed on that but if you have cookers/fridges/washing machines etc that are not built into the units then it is best to remove them and fit the vinyl all the way to the back.[/QUOTE said:
I always have laid flooring under appliances, just under units where I save on flooring.:o

Unless it's ceramic flooring, then I tile the whole floor, allows you to move things around.
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Cheers for the comments guys.

I will be laying it myself, and will be going over the entire floor of the kitchen (as it's currently ripped out), so under units and appliances etc.

Requested rather a large number of samples from a few ebay flooring outlets, so hopefully will have something worth going with.

I'm glad the floor doesn't need bonding as that at leaast makes it easier to access below the floor should it be necessary.
 
Take a trip to various new build developments as they offer various flooring types and you'll get to see the bigger picture in the showomes. They should all have sample books but you can't take them away.
 
Is it not hard to get the appliances back under the worktop without damaging the vinyl?
 
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danza said:
Cheers for the comments guys.

I will be laying it myself, and will be going over the entire floor of the kitchen (as it's currently ripped out), so under units and appliances etc.

Requested rather a large number of samples from a few ebay flooring outlets, so hopefully will have something worth going with.
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Which ebay stores are you looking at? The Tarkett Gripstar seems a good price if it is decent quality. I wouldn't mind getting some samples to see what it is like.

I like the look of the vinyl roadie posted, but it's around double the price.
 
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