I haven't used the planks but we just had sheet vinyl installed in the basement, and this is my impression: Planks are better if you want to DYI, sheet is in and done quickly (by someone else), sheet has no seams to deal with (peeling up or leaks from doggie), planks may be better if you want to avoid pattern repeats. We used sheet mainly because our basement floor is uneven and that was the simplest way to deal with it. We also have a dog (very old and somewhat incontinent) who sleeps there, and having no seams was a plus. The sheet vinyl certainly wasn't inexpensive, and installation was a big part of the cost; I imagine DIY planks would have cost less. Because I was not sure how wood-style sheet vinyl might look (pattern repeats etc), we used a tile pattern. I am very happy with it; it's cushioned, warm-ish and surprisingly non-skid for our dog. I've been impressed with the look of the wood pattern vinyl planks that people have posted here and in the Home Decoration forum, though. I haven't seen that in person, or the wood-looking sheet vinyl for that matter, to really be able to compare the way they look, though.

Amen, Glenn. I started when I was 12 helping Dad on weekends and evenings when Mom worked. At 15, I helped during evening weekends, and summer vacations (and getting paid!) when he went out on his own. At 17, I went to the Armstong School of Resilient Installation to learn all that I could, which was before certifications. They confirmed shool completions back then but didnt "certify" as they do now. All my life I have been taught on the job and Dad pulled me aside when other co-workers and his bosses did things inappropriately to save time and cut corners, telling me this isnt the way you should do this, but we do what we have to when we work for someone else. Every facet from pattern scribing inlaid resilient sheet in a room full of pipes and old radiators, all the way down to professionally and expertly installing vinyl/rubber cover base corners. Nothing was too big or too small to do right. At 21, me and Dad had a falling out in business. He had his own busienss now doign commercial and residential subcontract work and was becomming like so many others we laughed at and despised for doing shoddy work to make a buck, then I went out on my own. I am not maligning my Father. I love Him and he taught me pretty much evrything I know, but I couldnt do the work he was asking me to do anylonger when I knew it wasnt right. He had changed. Business had changed him. Money and time was becomming more important that job quality. Business certainly isnt easy, but a time comes when it's either right or its wrong, with little middle ground. Whhen professionals hit that crossroad, then take the wrong path, it changes them, and each time they elect that improper path, it makes the next crossroads easier and easier to take the wrong path, until the day comes that money and time means more than giving people who trust use with their work a professional job. I am an advocate of installer and buiness educataion no matter how they go about obtaining it, whether that be on the job, through a mentorship, union apprentiship, manufacturer or distributor training session, or certification. If certifications are the only way they can get proper training, they shoud go get it. Consumers need to step up and make a fuss when anything isnt exactly how they want it to be. We live in a low cost wallmart and home depot world, where as long as the price is right, they can live with almost anything. As an employer, I instill in my men and women the same installation and customer service values my Dad originally instilled in me, and I demand that on every job. I believe much of the talent has moved to the commercial spectrum too. Its where the money is at. Interesting you should say that (about commercial work getting the good men). When I left Dad, I went all commercial for about 10-11 years before we started opening up stores. Did alot of traveling and made alot of money. Now we bring those values and quality to the residential sector. In the end if something isnt done right, it doesnt matter why.

Don't know what other people are experiencing with the Trafficmaster floor tiles but I'm very satisifed with the product. You can install it/float it right over top the existing vinyl floor as I did.The original vinyl flooring in the kitchen was shot but i did not want to tear it all up and looked for alternatives and found this product. I watched a few youtube videos on installing the flooring and followed the advice about laying it carefully. I used a 4" Caster wheel available at Home Depot to apply strong pressure and roll the joints with and it worked great and after the job was finished, I returned the caster wheel for my money back. It seems wise to install the flooring at the median temperature that the floor will be most of its life to reduce any gaps from expansion, contraction, etc. and leave a tiny gap around the edges of the walls and counter bases so it can breath a bit. I left about a 1/8" gap. You can cover that gap with something like shoe molding. I installed the 12" x 36" Cyprus tiles for a total of about 250 dollars. i have lived with it for over a year now and I love it. Clean it with a wet rag or damp mop. If you get right down on the floor and inspect it all VERY closely you may find a few gaps between some tiles but they aren't even large enough to stick a credit card into.I have not had any lifting in ANY location. I have shown the floor to many folks and they like it a lot and others plan to try it in their homes.I do not know how it will perform on a cold concrete floor but it has performed beautifully in my kitchen.

My Mom (in her 80's) had her kitchen totally remodeled in Sept 2012. After they tore out the old 1970s floor, she had a very smooth subfloor put in and then had full glue Armstrong Cushionstep Best sheet vinyl in Peruvian Slate- Pebble Beige installed. Her cabinets are a honey maple and her counters are Silestone Halley. The floor has held up beautifully! It is super easy to maintain, looks beautiful and feels nice under foot. She is very happy with it! My Dad can be a little messy, so ease in cleaning and durability was a given. They both love the floor and wouldn't hesitate to use it again. Here is a link that might be useful: Armstrong Cushionstep Peruvian Slate