I had the garage converted into a room with amtico on the floor with a big star in the middle. Having moved out I can't say how it's lasted but yes it was ok. It will scratch so get some small samples and enjoy stabbing them! I'd be happy to have it again. It's a picture of wood or whatever with plastic over the top. Do you want it chamfered at the edges which might collect dirt? Also I think it was expensive to lay and you aren't really supposed to get it wet. What about sheet vinyl that looks like tiles? Can be 4m wide.

Hmmm... thanks Debster. That might not work then if it can't be got wet and scratches. We put sheet vinyl (strangely, that looks like tiles) 'temporarily' into the new bedroom and craft room, and it has fooled several people, but I don't think vinyl will ever be good enough quality for long-term. Plus I hate joins in things like vinyl and 4m (even 5m which does exist now) will not be long enough.

Back to the tiles idea I think... perhaps they will not be too cold as there will be lots of new-style insulation under the concrete screed on the floor?

We have Amtico in our bathroom. There's no problem in getting it damp with a mop; I just wouldn't pour a bucket of water on it. Whilst hardwearing, I imagine it could be susceptible to scratches if you really try! Our kitchen has very hard-wearing ceramic tiles. I try to avoid walking on them in bare feet, but socks or slippers are fine. Easy to clean. No problems with stains or scratching. We have a few spares in case of emergency, but I can't forsee one occurring.

I have no experience with Amtico, but have you considered proper linoleum, or stone?

I had to look up Amtico as I'd never heard of it.

Good reminder about the determinate / indeterminate tomatoes although the lack of sun here isn't helping. I have two unknown tomato plants donated by a friend but I suspect they are the latter.

Tim - yes, south and north we have ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms (and, like you, spares), but they are cold away from constant heat (eg the Aga, or a heat leak towel rail). I do think this is likely to be where we are going though, do it once and do it right type thoughts, and we have found a brilliant local tiler.

Ian - we put real linoleum in The Studio extension down south in 2006. It doesn't cope well with stains and is very narrow, so lots of joins. But, I do like it. Just not convinced it will do high grubby traffic.

Karndean is an alternative to Amtico. It’s a similar product and we have had it in both of our bathrooms for the past 5 years with no issues at all. It’s not cheap though and needs to be properly laid by someone with experience but I’m pretty sure that it would last for a decade or two.

Thanks Richard. Good Friends BW have this throughout their ground floor. I think you are right about a decade or two... but I can't help thinking that ceramic tiles would see us out, which this might not, and I think the numbers are pretty similar. Oh it is all so complicated...

If you decide to go for tiles, which would seem to be the best solution, you could incorporate an electric underfloor heating mat, not to provide appreciable heat, but more to take the chill off in the Winter.

Thanks Richard, I didn't know that even existed, very helpful.

Just putting a couple of links here so I don't lose them.

https://www.fastwarm.com/electric-underfloor-heating-32-w.asp

https://www.fastwarm.com/water-underfloor-heating-7-c.asp