vinyl and cats? Fiberfloor? (fiberglass)

[Teellbee]

Hi, all

I really do appreciate this great community and how helpful and generous people are with their expertise. I hope I'm not testing your patience with all my questions.

Getting a bit dazed here trying to ID a suitable flooring for a challenging situation involving old cats (see prior discussion Laminate? will it work with "leaky" old cats?) I want it to look like hardwood flooring. Anyhoo, lots a questions...

One salesman noted that sheet vinyl seams might lift a bit due to shrinkage over the years. It's a long run from one bedroom down the hall and through the next bedroom, so there would be a seam or two.

Is that true about the shrinkage?

Vinyl planks look good, but some are surprisingly delicate. I was able to scratch some samples of Karndean just with my fingernail.

Konecto Prestige failed the fingernail test, but the Country line passed. I read about some Konecto adhesive failures in the past. Is that still an issue?

Adura - passes the fingernail test, but doesn't have a great surface simulation.

Dura Plank - not enough color choices, and again, mediocre surface simulation.

Armstrong's Lux plank - was that discontinued? a salesman seemed to think it might be.

Any opinions/known issues re: fiberglass flooring? I have samples here now of Tarkett's Fiberfloor. It passes the fingernail test, at least.

Other suggestions?

Thanks!

[hookknife]

Teellbee said Hi, all I really do appreciate this great community and how helpful and generous people are with their expertise. I hope I'm not testing your patience with all my questions.

that's why were here

Getting a bit dazed here trying to ID a suitable flooring for a challenging situation involving old cats (see prior discussion Laminate? will it work with "leaky" old cats?) I want it to look like hardwood flooring. Anyhoo, lots a questions... One salesman noted that sheet vinyl seams might lift a bit due to shrinkage over the years. It's a long run from one bedroom down the hall and through the next bedroom, so there would be a seam or two.

Key word here is SALESMAN

Is that true about the shrinkage?

No, if a seam is constructed correctly it should perform fine for the life of the vinyl.

Vinyl planks look good, but some are surprisingly delicate. I was able to scratch some samples of Karndean just with my fingernail. Konecto Prestige failed the fingernail test, but the Country line passed. I read about some Konecto adhesive failures in the past. Is that still an issue? Adura - passes the fingernail test, but doesn't have a great surface simulation. Dura Plank - not enough color choices, and again, mediocre surface simulation. Armstrong's Lux plank - was that discontinued? a salesman seemed to think it might be. Any opinions/known issues re: fiberglass flooring? I have samples here now of Tarkett's Fiberfloor. It passes the fingernail test, at least. Other suggestions?

here's one, that has a nice wood look, is heat weldable at the seams, which means a much stronger and sanitary.Teknoflor Commercial Sheet Vinyl Flooring

Have you considered "Real" Linoleum??? You might shop this a bit, but there are no wood patterns etc, but the color ranges have grown considerably.
Linoleum Flooring from Armstrong
Forbo flooring systems | Linoleum

Have you looked at some of metrofloors vinyl planks???

[Teellbee]

here's one, that has a nice wood look, is heat weldable at the seams, which means a much stronger and sanitary.Teknoflor Commercial Sheet Vinyl Flooring

I wrote to Teknoflor asking for local dealers, but didn't hear back

Have you considered "Real" Linoleum??? You might shop this a bit, but there are no wood patterns etc, but the color ranges have grown considerably.

I just think linoleum, which is a fabulous product, would look kind of off-beat in my upstairs bedrooms and hallway.

Have you looked at some of metrofloors vinyl planks???

The only dealer I found in my area is ... well... it would be charitable to say it is a very humble looking establishment. Possibly, the company is a diamond in the ruff, but they are in a tiny, ugly house with no sign - just paper banners announcing "..RDWOOD" and "$.89 LAMINATE". Anyhoo, it's currently at the bottom of my list.

I guess, I'm about to give up on the fiberglass floors, too. I've only seen the sample books - nothing's installed in any of the fairly many show rooms I've visited and I just can't form a picture of how realistic or not they look.

[TFP Admin]

Teellbee, this might help you: http://www.thefloorpro.com/community...ick-reply.html

[Teellbee]

TFP Admin said Teellbee, this might help you: http://www.thefloorpro.com/community...ick-reply.html

nice; although I think my way looked cleaner

[TFP Admin]

Teellbee said nice; although I think my way looked cleaner

Prettier, not cleaner. You didn't use even the standard quote punctuation marks, so we can't tell by reading your post who said what.

[Teellbee]

Have you considered "Real" Linoleum??? You might shop this a bit, but there are no wood patterns etc, but the color ranges have grown considerably. I just think linoleum, which is a fabulous product, would look kind of off-beat in my upstairs bedrooms and hallway.

Although, I have to say that after looking at Hooknife's photo of the floor with footsteps* and Barry's Flickr photostream ... Well, that kind of creativity just knocks my socks off!

*see dentist's floor

[zivatar]

You say Adura does not have great surface simulation, but have you seen the Ashford Walnut in the Distinctive Planks line? It won a design award, and I think it is more realistic (though not perfect, of course) than many of the Karndean, Armstrong, or Duraplank patterns. Just my opinion. I am probably biased since that is what we chose--on the other hand, there was a reason we chose it over the others.

[Teellbee]

zivatar said You say Adura does not have great surface simulation, but have you seen the Ashford Walnut in the Distinctive Planks line? It won a design award, and I think it is more realistic (though not perfect, of course) than many of the Karndean, Armstrong, or Duraplank patterns. Just my opinion. I am probably biased since that is what we chose--on the other hand, there was a reason we chose it over the others.

...and, that reason would be?? =)

I'm not sure I've seen the Distinctive line. The display rack was fairly small , maybe a dozen or so wood looks. Most had a rough feel, though one sample was smoother.

[zivatar]

Teellbee said ...and, that reason would be?? =)

It looked a bit more realistic, in our opinion.