When specifying a floor for your client, or choosing a floor for your business, you're bound to have a few questions. We hope you'll be able to find the answer you're looking for here, but if not, don't hesitate to contact us directly or fill out an enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions about Karndean Designflooring
Who are Karndean Designflooring?
Put simply, we are the leading manufacturer of luxury vinyl flooring. To find out more about Karndean and our exceptional products, visit our company page.
What is Karndean made of?
Karndean is a vinyl flooring product structured with five layers: two PVC backing layers, one high definition photographic layer, one clear PVC embossed wear layer and a top polyurethane (PU) protective coating, K-Guard+. All Karndean floors benefit from our K-Guard+ surface protection system. Using PU technology, K-Guard+ provides a hygienic and durable finish that will protect your floor for years to come. For more detailed information, you can view our Environmental Product Declaration here.
What is the difference between each of the Karndean ranges?
Besides having different design inspirations, sizes and formats which make each range unique, all of our product ranges also have a different wear layer. The thicker the wear layer the more durable the floor, but also the more our product designers can do with the finish – adding unique embosses for more texture and bevelled edges. For more information on each of our ranges, visit our range overview.
What is K-Wave friction grip backing?
K-Wave is our unique friction grip backing that holds the product in place, part of our Karndean LooseLay and Karndean LooseLay Longboard products. It creates a strong bond to the subfloor using a combination of weight and friction. Explore the benefts of our loose lay products here.
Purchasing, fitting and installation of Karndean Designflooring
Where can I buy Karndean Designflooring?
Speak to your local commercial specification manager to order your Karndean floor, alternatively, call the commercial sales office on 01386 820 104.
Where can I get a free sample or brochure?
You can order free samples via our products listing section or any literature by visiting our Request a Brochure section.
Can you provide me with a price list?
For pricing information, please speak to your Managercommercial specification manager or call us on 01386 820 104.
Why does my sample look slightly different from the images on the website?
We are careful to make sure our images are accurate in all printed literature and on our website, but cannot always create a perfect representation of our products. For this reason we strongly recommend that you look at a sample of any product you are considering before placing your order. 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, 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 installed. If in doubt, ask your commercial specification manager to show you a larger sample of the product.
Who should I get to fit Karndean Designflooring?
We have a wide network of commercial contractors who install Karndean commercial flooring. For more information, contact your commercial specification manager or give our team a call on 01386 820 104.
What are the box quantities/pallet sizes?
At Karndean, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of products each with a different sizes and shapes. To find out more information on the box quantities or pallet sizes of a specific product, our friendly Customer Service team is ready to take your call on 01386 820 104.
Is there anything I need to do before the floor is installed?
Prior to laying Karndean Designflooring, products must be acclimatised to room temperature. Remove material from packaging, spread out and allow to condition in the room where installation is to take place at a constant temperature of 64 - 79 °F for a period of 24 hours prior to installation. This temperature should be maintained during installation and for a 24 hour period after installation.
What adhesive do we use with Karndean Designflooring? And why should we use Karndean adhesive?
We highly recommend using Karndean's Universal adhesive as this has been designed specifically with Karndean flooring products in mind. For information on Karndean Adhesive, please contact our Customer Service team or refer to our installation guide. Karndean will not be liable for any loss, damage or complaint if the prescribed adhesive system and its instructions are not used or strictly followed.
Where can Karndean be installed?
Karndean can be installed in a wide range of sectors, from Healthcare and Hospitality (hotels, restaurants and bars) to Education and Corporate Office environments. All ranges are suitable for commercial use, rated from heavy duty commercial to domestic. Check with your commercial specification manager for the correct specification for your requirement.
Can I lay Karndean Designflooring over existing flooring like ceramic tiles or other vinyl?
Whether laying over ceramic tiles, vinyl or other types of flooring, it is important to install Karndean in accordance with flooring standards and building practices pertaining to the requirements of the country in which the product is to be installed. Ensure that that subfloors are permanently dry, smooth, level, clean and constructed to provide a firm foundation. To learn more about your Karndean installation, contact our Customer Service team or please refer to our installation guide.
Is Karndean suitable for use on walls or ceilings?
Karndean Designflooring is designed as a floor covering and is therefore not recommended for use on walls or ceilings.
Can Karndean be linstalled outside?
No. Karndean is not suitable for outside use.
Can Karndean be used on stairs?
Yes it can. The front edge of each step will need to be finished off with a compatible stair nosing - your retailer and/or specialist fitter will be able to give you all the information and advice you need.
Can Karndean be laid over underfloor heating?
Yes, for more advice please consult your specialist fitter or commercial specification manager.
Is Karndean suitable for a wet room?
No. Karndean is not suitable for wet rooms.
Can I use Karndean in front of patio doors / floor to ceiling windows?
Yes, not a problem!
Can I lay Karndean flooring on yellow tongue or particle board?
Yes, for our designflooring ranges, these type of subfloors are suitable only when covered with minimum 6mm flooring grade plywood to eliminate later potential movement in changing climatic conditions.
On what type of subfloor can I install Looselay?
For our Karndean LooseLay range, the subfloor should be solid with minimal flexibility. All loose lay boards must be firmly fastened, gaps filled and undulations removed, and where necessary, overlay floorboards with flooring grade plywood or similar. For more information, please refer to the full Karndean LooseLay installation guidelines.
I think there may be a problem with the fitting. What should I do?
If you have any concerns regarding the fitting of the floor, please speak first with the contractor who fitted the floor for you, as they should be able to help. Our friendly customer services team are also on hand if you have any further queries or would like to raise a claim directly.
Have a different question from those listed above?
If you require further information about any aspect of Karndean Designflooring, please contact us on 01386 820 104 or email us with your query and we'll be happy to help.
Karndean Designflooring cleaning and maintenace
Karndean Designflooring installation is complete. Now what?
Now that the floor is installed, do not wash it for 24 hours. See our cleaning and maintenance section for an easy guide to commercial cleaning along with some helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your new floor.
How easy is it to clean and maintain Karndean Designflooring?
All Karndean floors benefit from our K-Guard+ surface protection system. Using PU technology, K-Guard+ provides a hygienic and durable finish. Plus, unlike textile floor coverings and grout lines, Karndean flooring doesn’t trap dust and micro-organisms making it easy to clean and maintain. To assist with the care and maintenance, please refer to our cleaning and maintenance guide here.
What should I use to clean Karndean floor?
We advise that you use Karndean Clean to clean the floor, as some cleaning products contain agents that can damage the floor.
How can Karndean Clean help protect against the coronavirus?
Our Karndean Clean floor cleaner contains soap rather than disinfectant. Using Clean on your floor helps to break up and safely remove any germs that are on the surface, in the same way as using soap for washing your hands. As always, a regular clean is recommended to maintain hygiene.
Where can I buy Karndean cleaning and maintenance products?
Cleaning and maintenance products can be bought through your Commercial Specification Manager. You can also give us a call on 01386 820 104 to order commercial cleaning products.
Can spilt liquids seep through tile edges?
The floor should have been fitted tightly to ensure spillages cannot seep through tile edges or custom cuts. To avoid slippery surfaces, any spills should be cleaned up straight away.
Does Karndean Designflooring require entrance matting?
You should use entrance matting approximately two paces wide and ensure they are cleaned on a regular basis to maintain their effectiveness. Synthetic rubber can permanently stain vinyl floorcoverings. Avoid using synthetic rubber backed mats on Karndean, synthetic rubber furniture feet or synthetic rubber wheeled castors.
Is Karndean Designflooring slip resistant?
All hard floors can be slippery when wet. Take extra care when cleaning and ensure the floor area is allowed to dry completely before use. During periods of wet weather, it may be necessary to put down extra matting to prevent water from being brought in from outside.
How do I remove scratches?
If surface scratching does appear, it is important to locate and address the cause of the problem. You can improve the appearance of light scratches by simply applying Karndean Remove, wiping off the residue with a mop and rinsing thoroughly with clean water. You can then re-apply Karndean Refresh. Take a look at our cleaning and maintenance guide for more information.
How should I protect Karndean Designflooring against furniture?
Avoid sliding or dragging furniture, or other objects, across the floor. Use load bearing castors with heavy furniture or appliances.
What should I use to clean Karndean floor?
We advise that you use Karndean Clean to clean the floor, as some cleaning products contain agents that can damage the floor.
How do I remove black scuff marks from the floor?
As with any flooring, furniture and shoe soles rubbing on the floor can cause unsightly scruff marks. A simple solution to remove black scuff marks from your Karndean floor is to dilute a small amount of Karndean Clean in some water and use a moistened cloth (or a non-abrasive nylon scouring pad for persistent marks) with the diluted solution.
How do I remove light scratch marks?
You'll also find light scratches easy to fix. If Karndean Refresh has been applied after the floor was laid, you can easily eliminate light scratches by removing the Karndean Refresh using Karndean Remove, wiping off the residue with a mop and rinse thoroughly with clean water. You can then re-apply a fresh coat of Refresh.
How do I remove deep scratch marks?
On the occasion there is a particularly deep scratch, first use our Remove and Refresh products. If this doesn't improve the appearance of your deep scratch enough, you'll find that the best option may be to replace the plank that has been damaged. The versatility of Karndean Designflooring planks allows for a no fuss replacement, and it's even easier with Karndean LooseLay. Refreshing the entire floor post-installation will help blend the new plank and existing floor together.
Will Karndean stain?
Most common stains will not affect a Karndean floor. However, there are agents that can stain such as solvent based liquids. The use of Karndean Refresh will provide some protection against this type of damage.
Have a question that's not covered here? If you need more information about any aspect of Karndean Designflooring, please contact us on 01386 820 104 or contact us with your query and we'll be happy to help.
