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.

Karndean flooring replicates the look and feel of real wood flooring, whereas as laminate flooring can look manufactured and unrealistic. LVT flooring is also known for its durability and it being low maintenence. LVT is made from a soft and malleable vinyl composition, whereas laminate is created using a rigid fibreboard. Laminate is not very resilient when it comes to accidents and spills. The most significant difference between the two is the reaction to two different environments. Laminate flooring will react substantially to changes such as moisture, heat or cold. Moisture is absorbed by laminate and causes the planks to warp as they dry out, making use in a kitchen or utility room problematic. Heat and cold will also cause problems; your floor will naturally expand in the heat, which can cause buckling, and contract in the winter, which can cause splitting. Designflooring on the other hand will withstand surface water without any damage to the tile and will withstand temperature fluctuation without becoming damaged – providing a much more long lasting and reliable solution.

Engineered wood shares similarities with laminate flooring, though it typically lacks the lifelike appearance characteristic of LVT 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. In contrast, Karndean Designflooring boasts water resistance, making it an ideal choice for any space in your home, including high-moisture areas such as kitchens.

LVT comes in the form of individual tiles or planks and is designed to mimic the look of natural materials like wood or stone. 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 kitchen, hall or utility room.

Gluedown LVT 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. The possibilities are endless. View the benefits of gluedown flooring.

Loose lay luxury vinyl combines the best features of our gluedown and rigid core formats – the ability to create custom designs, with fast and easy installation. View the benefits of looselay flooring.

Rigid core hybrid is an easy-to-install “floating floor,” that utilises a premium click-locking mechanism to secure planks and tiles together, which means adhesive is not required. View the benefits of rigid core.

The Korlok and Van Gogh rigid core ranges are supplied with a 5G® Locking Mechanism backed by our HoldSafe® lifetime warranty. Guaranteeing our flooring joints will remain secure for up to 35 years in residential homes as long as these ranges are installed according to our guidelines and used as recommended.

In New Zealand, all products are popular but the most common installation format is loose lay. Find out more about loose lay ranges.

You can purchase our flooring through one of our approved flooring retail partners. 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.

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, inspired by nature, 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, 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, acclimate the products to room temperature. Unpack and let them condition in the installation room at a consistent temperature of 18°C - 26°C for 24 hours before and after installation. Ensure the specified temperature is maintained during the installation process.

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

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

  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. 

Consult your floor fitter for advice on when the adhesive is dry. Clear loose debris with a soft brush and use Karndean Remove with a non-abrasive pad to eliminate dry adhesive. 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 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.

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 pages.

Karndean cleaning products can be purchased from your local independent retailer.

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 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.

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, attempt Karndean Remove and Refresh. If the scratch persists, consult your floor fitter about replacing the damaged plank. Karndean's flooring versatility, especially with LooseLay, ensures a straightforward replacement.

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.

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.

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.

Designflooring refers to the customisability of our luxury vinyl flooring products. You have a wide range of options in design, colour, texture, and laying options, such as the popular herringbone layout, to create a statement in any space. At Karndean Designflooring, our flooring choices are as unique as your imagination.