We've been through the same debate and I will offer that we're going with the Konecto because I believe it will hold up better vis-a-vis denting and such. Also, apparently you can replace a single "board" with the Konecto whereas with the Fiberfloor you would have to either patch or replace the entire sheet. With the Fiberfloor, my research shows that if you are doing a large space you'd want to use some sort of stick-down to prevent the buckling. We are doing a large space, so the Konecto better fits our needs than the Fiberfloor (plus I like the plank look better than the allover fiberfloor.

I don't know how well the adhesive will hold up, but am willing to take the chance.

Hope this helps.

We went with HD's version of Konecto (known as Allure) as a trial for our laundry room. Pics were taken before the new baseboards and toe-molding went in. If you want additional shots, let me know.

Here is a macro close-up of my least favorite seam:

I've no idea how the Allure will wear...but it went down relatively easily. I'm happy with the way it looks...and it's a VAST improvement over what we HAD. I'll try to remember to report how it holds up in six months or so.

melanie

Bumping, in hopes of that followup...

Tarket Fiberfloor wood designs are quite convincing. Since this thread started, there is now a tongue in groove vinyl plank flooring called Spacia that is done in a loose layed installation.

SO here is the follow-up--thanks for nudging me oruboris! (love your screen name, btw.)

In my low-traffic laundry room it has performed really well. But then...not a lot of walking in said room. Nothing has shifted. No dents...and I've dropped a bottle of detergent. It held up to scootching the washer so it could be serviced...dryer as well. (Both under warranty...even though the dryer issue was caused by The Boy leaving something in a pocket--love my Bosches!) I'm off to research Spacia. I still have close to 2000 sq ft of nasty tile to replace/cover.

melanie

glennsfc--

I called the local Spacia distributer...they said it was a glue-down product. I need soemthing that floats because of the black cut-back adhesive under my tile. (As I understand it, a major bond-breaker.) Yes, I know that means the tile has asbestos in it. Homeowners are allowed to dispose of such tile here. We just have to be responsible about it. When I demoed the laundry room, I used the whole wet soapy thing...AND I wore a respirator. ;^)

SO--any thoughts? Konecto or Fiberfloor?

Yes,you're right...Spacia is a gluedown from Amtico International. But I know I saw a loose-lay T & G vinyl plank. I will check my paperwork and post the name when I find it.

BTW, cutback adhesive is a bond breaker ONLY if you attempt to adhere directly to it. If you skim coat over the cutback with Ardex Feather Finish or a equivalent cementious floor filler made by Mapei and others...you will have a surface that you can adhere anything to.

Don't know much about Konecto. Saw the Tarkett Fiberfloor SKUs and I was impressed by the realistic visuals.

glennsfc--is that Ardex feather finish something one could do DIY? Or does one need a fair amount of experience? I'm a handy lass...do all my own painting, and laid my Allure floor myself...but the idea of coating the entire basement with something seems...daunting. The beauty of the floating floors is that I can do them a room at a time.

I just DESPISE the exsisting floor, and I've lived with it for ten year now. And with the economy the way it is, and a kid in college, I can't afford the 15K quote I got for the pro job. (I can't remember what product off the top of my head...it was a wood look...but rated for below grade...)

Maybe I'll have to live with my icky floors for a few more years. The Boy will only be in college for 2-3 more years. (If he switches majors it'll tack on a sememster or so.)

Though I love the look of the konecto, and would be fairly comfortable using it in most locations of my home, turns out that it isn't very compatible with my radiant floors, since mine [unlike most] have the tubing ontop the subfloor.

I'd have to lay ply before the vinyl, which is just more trouble than I wish to go through.

For mjsee,

Applying Ardex Feather Finish or a equivalent product is something a DIYer can easily do. These engineered skimcoat products are improved systems over the cementious fill materials we had to use in the past. And...you can mix up small batches at a time with your drill and a mixing paddle...apply what you've mixed up...feather it out and mix another batch...apply and so on.

You will need to purchase a good straight-edge trowel to do the work well...just buy the one that seems comfortable to your grip. Marshalltown trowels are available most anywhere now and they are an acceptable tool. Don't buy the DIY (made in China) junk.

Don't do too much on your first foray into skimcoating...you'll be learning and you don't need to wear yourself out with the first attempt at the work. Your brain and muscles will soon figure out the best technique. Search the net for a youtube video on how to work a trowel...I bet there's one out there.

As for the Spacia T & G loose-lay vinyl tile question from the OP...My distributor identifies the product as made under the Spacia banner by Amtico. It is called "Push Fit"...

glennsfc--

Thanks! I'll have to look into all that. Still not convinced I'm up to it...but maybe.

Bump!

I saw the mjsee Allure/real wood floor comparison pictured above. Today I went to my local flooring retailer and saw the Konect version in a style called Prestige. The price was $4.95/sq. ft!

Now THAT looked like real wood. The store manager said it was originally a photo of a real wood floor. There were knots in it that looked so real as it had texture you can feel. I got down on my hands and knees to take a closer look. It is the most realistic wood vinyl that I have ever seen. The problem was price and H.D. does not carry top of the line Konect/Allure products. I'll bet H.D. could sell it for $4.00 per sq foot.

I'll have to search online for the Prestige and hope that I don't get ripped off if I buy. lol