Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Karndean is a vinyl flooring product made primarily from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and pigments. It is 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. For more information on how our products are made, you can view our Environmental Product Declaration here.

As with most smooth floor coverings, water and other liquids can make it 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.

Besides having different design inspirations, sizes and formats which make each range unique, each 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.

There are several main differences between Karndean strips: Design strips are strips cut from another tile or wood plank. They come in 3mm, 5mm, 10mm, 30mm and 76mm. Added between tiles and wood planks, strips can give the impression of grouting for a natural effect, and a contemporary look and feel to your home. For more information please visit our design components page.

• Decorative border - a patterned border designed to complement tile and wood plank floors. Karndean have selected an assortment of decorative border options to accompany all of our ranges
• Tramline border - a simple and affordable way of creating decorative edging. They 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 and can be used with metallic and design strips

For help choosing the right border for you, why not visit your local retailer?

To find out how much Karndean Designflooring costs, please speak to your nearest retailer or call us on 01386 820 200.

Yes, you can book a free design consultation on our website with your preferred retail partner for advice on designs, laying patterns and formats. You can opt to visit a retailer in-store or choose a virtual appointment home.  

Once you’ve selected your floor with your retail partner, you can also book an appointment with your chosen retailer to measure your space, receive your quote and plan your installation date, all in a few clicks on our website.  

It’s personal choice whether you opt for an in-store or virtual design consultation with your retailer. 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.  

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 your preferred retail partner. Visit karndean.com/book to get started.  

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 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.

We want you to be able to see the beauty and impact our LooseLay Longboard designs can make in your home, but due to the extra large size of these planks 1500mm x 250mm (59” x 10”), we are only able to send half the size of the original plank. The good news is you can still see the beautiful details and statement look.

If you decide to purchase a full size LooseLay Longboard sample, you can expect to receive approximately 749mm x 250mm (29.5” x 10”) plank. This is roughly half the size of the actual LooseLay Longboard plank 1500mmx 250mm (59” x 10”).

Karndean is not a DIY product. Your local retailer will provide a supply and fit service or will be able to recommend someone who can.

Your local retailer will provide you with a supply and fit service or will be able to recommend an experienced fitter. As Karndean Designflooring is not a DIY product, we strongly advise that you do not fit the floor yourself unless you are an experienced luxury vinyl floor fitter.

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 18°C - 26°C for a period of 24 hours prior to installation. This temperature should be maintained during installation and for a 24 hour period after installation.

Karndean flooring is perfect for any room of the house, from the bathroom to kitchen, bedroom to living room, hallway to conservatory. Take a look at our gallery for ideas and inspiration.

Yes, it is possible to install Karndean in conservatories.

Yes, for more advice please consult your specialist fitter. See our Underfloor Heating Guide.

Karndean Designflooring is designed as a floor covering and is therefore not recommended for use on walls or ceilings.

No. Karndean is not suitable for outside use.

Yes it can. 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, but the vinyl flooring should not come in direct contact with the hot surface of the stove or fire place. Karndean will burn if flames or a spark lands on the vinyl.

Yes, not a problem!

If you have any concerns regarding the fitting of your floor, please speak first with the retailer 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 after speaking with the retailer.

Your floor fitter can advise when the adhesive will be dry and you can walk on your new floor. Remove all loose debris from the floor using a soft brush or dust mop and ensure that all dry adhesive is removed from the surface using Karndean Remove with a non-abrasive scouring pad or the coarse pad from our Floor Care Kit. After a minimum of 24hrs, your floor can be cleaned with a pH neutral cleaner using a damp mop. We recommend using Karndean Clean as this has been specifically formulated to protect and enhance your Karndean floor.

One of the key benefits of Karndean flooring is that it’s very easy to look after. Its enhanced protective surface treatment provides a hardwearing surface that shrugs off dirt and spills. With regular cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your floor looking as beautiful as the day it was installed. Our Floor Care Kit provides all the products and information you need to clean and maintain your floor.

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.

We recommend cleaning your floor 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 pages.

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

Most spills will not affect a Karndean floor, especially if they are cleaned up straight away. However there are some spillages that can stain such as solvent-based liquids, wine and some spices. Refreshing the surface layer of your Karndean floor every 12-18 months using Karndean Remove and Refresh will provide some protection against this type of damage.

Karndean cleaning products have been specifically formulated to protect and enhance your Karndean floor. All our cleaning and maintenance products are available to order online or can be purchased from your local independent retailer.

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.

White spots are usually as a result of water not being wiped up quickly from your floor - especially in bathrooms. To remove these blemishes simply apply Karndean Remove to the area, then wipe off the residue with a mop and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

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.

On the occasion there is a particularly deep scratch, first try using Karndean Remove and Refresh products on your floor. If this doesn't improve the appearance of the deep scratch enough the best option may be to speak to your floor fitter about replacing the plank that has been damaged. The versatility of Karndean flooring planks allows for a no fuss replacement and this is even easier with benefits of Karndean LooseLay.

The length of your Karndean Transferable Purchase Guarantee depends on the product range. Read our full product warranty information.

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 Transferable 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.
 

If the Karndean floor was installed before 1st April 2010, a Transferable Karndean Transferable 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.