Frequently Asked Questions

Karndean flooring is a brand of luxury vinyl flooring known for replicating the look and feel of natural materials like wood and stone, offering durability, easy maintenance, and a wide range of design options.

Karndean is a vinyl flooring product that is supplied as individual planks and tiles. It is structured in layers and made primarily from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and pigments.

Yes, our flooring is durable, water resistant and easy to clean. 

Each range offers a variety of colours, patterns and textures, across different price levels, to suit all design preferences and applications. All our ranges can be used in the home. View our ranges.

Design strips are slim strips of our product cut from another tile or wood plank. They come in 3mm, 5mm, 10mm, 30mm and 76mm widths. Added between tiles and wood planks, design strips can give the impression of grouting for a natural effect, and a contemporary look and feel to your home. Used around the perimeter of a room, they form an attractive border.

Add personality to your floor with a decorative, tramline or keyline border.

Decorative border - a patterned border designed to complement tile and wood plank floors. Karndean have curated a dedicated collection of border options to accompany individual ranges. 

Tramline border - a simple and affordable way of creating decorative edging. Can be used in combination with feature strips, metallic strips and design strips for a range of effects.

Keyline border - single strips that can be added to the edge of your floor. Keyline borders are available in 3mm, 5mm, 10mm, 30mm and 76mm.

LVT flooring is known for its durability and for being low maintenance whereas laminate is not very resilient when it comes to accidents and spills. Laminate absorbs moisture and causes the planks to warp as they dry out, making use in a kitchen, bathroom or utility room problematic. LVT, such as Karndean, will withstand surface water without any damage to the product and will withstand temperature fluctuation without becoming damaged – providing a much more long lasting and reliable solution.

Engineered wood shares similarities with laminate flooring. When moisture penetrates laminate or engineered hardwood surfaces, it can lead to delamination and peeling, rendering them less suitable for wet environments like kitchens and bathrooms. In contrast, LVT such as Karndean Designflooring boasts water resistance, making it an ideal choice for any space in your home, including high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

LVT comes in the form of individual tiles or planks that replicate the look of natural materials like wood or stone in their design and texture. Sheet vinyl comes in large rolls and a design is printed onto the surface. 

Karndean Designflooring gives you the unique grain and knot details of real wood, but without the practical difficulties.

Real wood flooring products come in varying quality and can expand, warp and shrink in reaction to temperature changes and moisture. Karndean Designflooring maintains its shape throughout its lifetime and is water resistant.

In order to keep real wood flooring looking like new it requires frequent maintenance including sanding, staining and lacquering. With Karndean, there's no sanding, staining or lacquering required - it's easy to maintain and keep clean. Learn more on our cleaning and maintenance page.

Natural stone and ceramic flooring can be hard to manage and weight is often a problem, especially if you're looking to install in a room upstairs. Karndean is much lighter, flexible and easier to install.

The cold touch of stone and marble can be a bit off-putting first thing in the morning or in cold weather. Karndean flooring is much warmer underfoot and is also compatible with underfloor heating.

Natural stone and ceramic tiles can be slippery when wet. Karndean flooring is fully slip tested and its textured surfaces are suitable for commercial and domestic use, even in areas which get wet, like the bathroom, kitchen, hall or utility room.

Gluedown flooring is fixed to the subfloor with adhesive. Individual planks and tiles can be cut and laid in patterns, allowing you to create stylish custom looks or zoning that sets an area apart. The possibilities are endless. View the benefits of gluedown flooring.

Rigid core is an easy-to-install “floating floor,” which means adhesive is not required. View the benefits of rigid core flooring.

Here in the UK, all products are popular but the most common installation format is gluedown. Find out more about gluedown installation format.

You can purchase your flooring through one of our approved retailers. Find your local retailer.

As an initial guide, look out for the price indicators on our product pages. For detailed pricing, please contact one of our local authorised retailers.

To find an approved authorised retailer use our Find a retailer tool.

Our products require a high level of expertise to install correctly, ensuring the sub-floor is properly prepared and the product installed as per our instructions. Therefore we always recommend that our products are purchased from our network of independent retailers and do not provide warranties or after-sales service for any products purchased outside of this network.  

If you are looking to purchase our products online, our only Authorised Online Retail Partners are www.bestatflooring.co.uk and www.flooringsupplies.co.uk who can offer expert help and advice, as well as being able to provide suggested Karndean installers in your area. Furthermore, when purchasing a genuine Karndean floor via a recognised retail partner you will also be eligible for our Transferable Purchase Guarantee. 

Although you can’t purchase our products directly from our website, you can book a free design consultation on our website with one of our design experts. Visit karndean.com/book-an-appointment to get started.

You can order up to six free chip samples along with/or up to six full size samples (maximum of three full size samples of the same design) on our website. If you'd like a closer look or you're trying samples against other furniture at home, we recommend ordering and paying for full size samples.

Once you've selected your favourite samples, add them to your basket, checkout and we'll do the rest.  

Don't forget to return your old samples to your nearest retailer or place them in back in the post in the returns bag provided. We'll do our best to re-use them in our showroom or recycle them. 

You can add a free 5mm design strip sample to your order. Simply browse all our floors, choose the design you like, under "product details" click into "design strips" and add a free sample to your basket. 

While we strive for accurate representation in our printed materials and online, perfect replication of our products is not always possible. We recommend examining a sample before ordering, as variations in colour and detail are inherent in some designs. All of our products are inspired by things we have seen in the natural world and just like variation in colour and detail is part of the beauty of nature, it is also a feature of some of our designs. This means that with some of our products you will see natural variation when your floor is laid. If in doubt, ask your retailer to show you a larger sample of the product. 

Rely on your local retailer for a comprehensive supply and fit service, or seek recommendations for skilled installers. Given the complexity of Karndean Designflooring, we strongly discourage DIY installation unless you're an experienced luxury vinyl floor fitter.

Before installing Karndean Designflooring, ensure the planks/tiles are acclimatised to room temperature. Open the outer packaging and let them condition in the installation room at a consistent temperature of 18°C - 26°C for at least 24 hours before use. Ensure the specified temperature is maintained during the installation process.

You can walk on your newly laid floor as soon as the adhesive is dry (gluedown products) or immediately for rigid core and loose lay products.

  
Karndean flooring suits every room, including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and conservatories. Explore our gallery for inspiration and ideas or use our Product Finder to help find the perfect floor for you. 

Yes, it is possible to install Karndean in conservatories. Your installer will discuss the best adhesive required in this area of your home. Like other furnishings and fabrics, it's important to protect your floor from direct sunlight to avoid fading or sun damage. For examples, blinds can be used to avoid direct sunlight. 

Yes, for more advice please consult your specialist fitter. 

Karndean Designflooring is suitable for installing over underfloor heating systems, providing they have been insulated so that the surface temperature does not exceed 27°C (80°F).

When visiting your local retailer, do remember to mention underfloor heating when selecting your floor.

If you are arranging for installation of underfloor heating or have an existing system, we recommend making a note of the manufacturer and model. Your Karndean installer will need to ensure that your heating system is compatible with our flooring.

We provide full guidance to our flooring installers about subfloor and adhesive preparation when laying Karndean floors over underfloor heating systems.

  No. Karndean is not suitable for outside use.

In the majority of cases, Karndean can be installed on stairs, however it will depend on the product chosen and we recommend seeking advice from your flooring installer. NOTE: The front edge of each step will need to be finished off with compatible stair nosings - your retailer and/or specialist fitter will be able to give you all the information and advice you need.

No. Karndean is not suitable for wet rooms.

Yes. Many of our customers opt for Karndean where patio doors and floor to ceiling windows are used. Like all fabrics and furnishings, it's worth protecting your floor from direct sunlight with blinds. 

Consult your floor fitter for advice on when the adhesive will be dry. Clear loose debris with a soft brush and use Karndean Remove with a non-abrasive pad to remove any adhesive spots from the surface of your floor. After 24 hours, clean with a damp mop using a pH neutral cleaner, preferably Karndean Clean for optimal protection and enhancement.

If you have any concerns regarding the fitting of your floor, please speak with the retailer who fitted the floor for you, as they will be able to help. They will get in touch for support if required. 

Karndean flooring is easy to maintain due to its durable surface that repels dirt and spills. With regular care, your floor will stay as beautiful as installation day. Our Floor Care Kit offers everything you need for effective cleaning and maintenance.

We recommend cleaning your floor with a pH neutral cleaner such as Karndean Clean which has been specifically formulated to protect and enhance Karndean flooring. Avoid cleaning products that contain agents such as bleach as these could cause damage to the floor. For more guidance on looking after your floor please read our cleaning and maintenance page.

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Yes, you can purchase our floor care kit and other related cleaning products here on our website or in-store with your retail partner. 

Your floor should have been fitted tightly to ensure spillages cannot seep through tile edges or custom cuts. Splashes and spills can be dealt with easily, by wiping or mopping as soon as possible with a diluted solution of Karndean Clean.

With a hygienic and durable surface treatment that resists dirt and stains, your Karndean floor is easy to keep clean on a daily basis with a soft broom, damp mop and Karndean Clean. If you wish to use a vacuum cleaner we recommend checking with the manufacturer to make sure it's suitable for use on a Karndean floor. We do not recommend using a steam mop or cleaner on your Karndean floor.

As with most smooth floor coverings, water and other liquids can make your floor slippery. Karndean floors are designed to be slip resistant, but it is always best to clean up any spillages straight away, and keep the floor dry.

As with any flooring, furniture and shoe soles rubbing on your floor can cause unsightly scruff marks. To remove black scuff marks from your Karndean floor dilute a small amount of Karndean Clean in some water and apply using a moistened cloth or a non-abrasive scouring pad.

By putting felt pads under the feet of your furniture you can avoid table and chair legs scratching your Karndean floor. Floor protector pads are available in our Floor Care Kit or from your local independent retailer. Avoid dragging furniture such as chairs or other objects across the floor. For heavy items such as washing machines that may require moving occasionally we recommend using load bearing castors.

You can improve the appearance of light scratches by applying Karndean Remove with a non-abrasive scouring pad, wiping off the residue with a mop and rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Then re-apply Karndean Refresh to restore the satin finish to your floor and protect the surface from marks and fine scratches. Our Floor Care Kit provides all the products and information you need to clean and maintain your floor.

For deep scratches, first use Karndean Remove and Refresh. If the scratch persists, consult your floor fitter about replacing the damaged plank. Karndean's flooring versatility, especially with loose lay, ensures a straightforward replacement.

If you purchased your Karndean Designflooring through a Karndean Retail Partner your guarantee will have the added benefit of it being transferable. This means that if you sell your house within your guarantee period, you can pass the guarantee on to the new owners.

Your Transferable Purchase Guarantee lasts for up to 35 years from the date of installation. NOTE: Informaton on what is and isn't covered by our guarantees can be found on the Guarantee page.

When you order your new floor with one of our Retail Partners, they will ask you for an email address along with your address details. This will enable us to email your Transferable Purchase Guarantee direct to you within two months of installation. 

If you have purchased your Karndean Floor in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or through a non-Karndean Retail Partner, such as a house builder, please contact us for details on how to register for your Karndean Transferable Purchase Guarantee. For more information, please call our helpful Consumer Enquiry Team on 01386 820200 or email info@karndean.co.uk.

If you haven't received your Transferable Purchase Guarantee within two months of your floor being fitted, contact us on 01386 820200 and a member of our customer care team will help.

Any claims made under this guarantee should be made in writing or by telephone to your retailer. See the terms and conditions on your Karndean Transferable Purchase Guarantee Certificate for more details.

If the Karndean floor was installed before 1st April 2010, a Transferable Karndean Purchase Guarantee is not available as this predates the Transferable Purchase Guarantee system. If the floor was installed after 1st April 2010, please call our Consumer Enquiries Team on 01386 820200 or email info@karndean.co.uk for more information.

Karndean Designflooring are the leading manufacturer of luxury vinyl flooring. To find out more about our products, see our installation formats and range overview pages. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram. 

We have an extensive showroom where you can view our entire range of floors. Find details of our showroom here. 

Visit karndean.com/book-an-appointment to book a slot with one of our design experts at our showroom based in Evesham.

Yes, you can book a free design consultation at our Evesham showroom with one of our design experts for advice on selecting a Karndean floor for your home. Your design consultant will also be able to help you consider alternative laying patterns and formats. You can also opt to visit a retailer in-store or choose a virtual appointment from the comfort of your own home.

It’s personal choice whether you opt for an in-store or virtual design consultation with a design expert. Both will help you find a simply beautiful floor that you’ll love for a lifetime. By visiting in-store you can touch, feel and see different designs straight away. A virtual design consultation means you can do it from the comfort of your own home using FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom and samples will be sent to you after your appointment to touch, feel and see.

You can book a virtual design consultation with one of our experts by filling in the form or find your local retailer to visit directly in store.

Yes, you can order any of our brochures for free. Visit our order a brochure page to add to your basket.