you said ----> "You have never seen this stuff"
ANSWER --> yes ive seen it. i do this for a living.
You said ----> " Plus most of the new stuff is only bought into by a couple manufacturers.
This one has been embraced by each and every one of them"
ANSWER ----> have you ever thought that maybe "ONLY A COUPLE" of manufacturers carry the product because the OTHER MANUFACTURERS already know the product DOESNT HOLD UP.. so they dont carry it to remove all the customer complaints they keep getting..??? and.. would ANY company not embrace a product they are trying to SELL ?
trust me. The flooring manufacturers have strategic loop holes to protect themselves. they simply say.. it failed because the installer installed it wrong.. or the customer was to blame for the failure.. Ive seen that happen so many times that i changed my methods and took photos of my installation for my own PROTECTION.
Its your call my friend. But hear me out first... I have seen those types of vinyl flooring come and go for 28 years. every time a new one comes out, the manufacturer rants and raves on how improved it is. then after about a yr or so. the product is discontinued.
Facts...
If the product is so awesome like they claim.. then why are they repetitively discontinued ? WHY ? because they dont work..
If they did work.. the only thing we would see changed is... the patterns.
Facts...
Soft flooring WILL RIP.. (Key word WILL)
large dogs WILL rip the flooring.
Moving your refrigerator out WILL RIP IT.
Dropping something with a sharp edge on it WILL CUT IT.
Pulling your kitchen chairs out from under the table.. WILL WEAKEN IT and RIP it.
Facts...
IF you DO NOT seal ANY seams ON THE TOP.. water WILL migrate through it.
Double stick tape only works TEMPORARILY...
Some cushioned vinyl floors are GLUED at the seams and perimeter, But not in the main Area...FACT.. EVERYTHING shrinks and expands with temperature. If the flooring Expands from heat.. all of it will expand except where its glued down, resulting in bubbles in the main UN GLUED AREA.
Facts...
the reason companies came out with cushioned vinyl flooring is.
it EXTREMELY reduces the LABOR COST. because the customer doesnt have to Buy and pay for a subfloor.. which can DOUBLE the labor cost.
The cushion isnt really for your feet.. its to ABSORB any imperfections Under the vinyl. Thats why most cushion floors are not full spread glued. they want the floor to FLOAT over the improfections...
My advice based on 28 years in the business is
DONT BUY SOFT VINYL FLOORING... IT WILL FAIL.
Best method is.. SOLID... STIFF...STRONG flooring with a full spread glue install )
I hope my advice helps you.
"listen to the old people.. we've been there (already)"
You have never seen this stuff.
Plus most of the new stuff is only bought into by a couple manufacturers.
This one has been embraced by each and every one of them.
IVC
Tarkett
Congoleum
Armstrong
Mannington
ect....
I heard the same thoughts on lam when it first came out....
"Don't buy it! it's new and will be yet another floor idea that will die soon!"
whoops-