Frequently asked questions

Karndean manufactures LVT flooring that replicates the look and feel of flooring made from wood and stone. Karndean LVT is durable, waterproof and easy to clean while offering the ability to create custom installations for zoning and wayfinding, making it a popular choice for commercial sectors including hospitality, healthcare, senior living, education, multi-family and modular. It is available in three installation formats – gluedown, rigid core and loose lay – providing options based on project needs.

Karndean luxury vinyl flooring is constructed in layers and is primarily made from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and pigments. There are two PVC backing layers, one clear PVC embossed wear layer, one high-definition photographic layer and one polyurethane protective coating.

Gluedown luxury vinyl flooring is affixed to the subfloor with adhesive. Individual pieces can be cut and laid in patterns, allowing you to create stylish custom looks or zoning and wayfinding. The possibilities are virtually endless. Learn more about the benefits of gluedown flooring.

Loose lay luxury vinyl flooring combines the best features of two installation formats, gluedown and non-adhesive “floating floors” such as rigid core. Loose lay pieces can be cut and laid in virtually any pattern, like gluedown, while offering the fast, easy installation of a rigid core “floating floor” – full-spread adhesive is not required (but is possible if preferred) for installation. Our K-Wave® friction-grip backing keeps the flooring in place while reducing noise to lower floors and providing extra cushion. Learn more about the benefits of loose lay flooring.

Rigid core luxury vinyl is an easy-to-install “floating floor” – pieces click and lock together, and adhesive is not required. Rigid core LVT requires minimal subfloor prep and conceals subfloor imperfections. It includes a backing that reduces noise to lower floors while providing extra cushion. Learn more about the benefits of rigid core flooring.

There are seven main product collections. Some collections offer our LVT designs in only gluedown, rigid core or loose lay for installation, while others offer both gluedown and rigid core. See our collections.

In addition to a variety of wood, stone and abstract designs, product collections vary by the wear layer, product thickness and installation method. Commercial warranties vary by collection. See our collections.

It varies. Planks (for wood designs) and tiles (for stone designs) come in different sizes based on the design and specs of a given collection. Each product page on our website has a “Product specification” section.

This special backing keeps Karndean LooseLay flooring in place, eliminating the need for full-spread adhesive in a project space. (Note: Karndean LooseLay can be installed with adhesive if preferred.) Along with facilitating faster installation, the backing reduces noise to lower floors while providing cushion for extra comfort. Learn more about the benefits of our loose lay product.

Karndean stocks coordinating moldings for our rigid core products. Contact your local business manager or contact us for more information about stocked rigid core moldings or to inquire about gluedown or loose lay moldings.

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 space. For more information please visit our design components page.

There are several main differences between Karndean strips:

Feature strip – available in six colors, these 5mm wide plastic strips are usually used on tile floors to give the natural effect of grout lines or to complement wood planks.

Design strips – these are strips cut from another tile or wood plank and come in 3mm and 10mm.

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 space.

Decorative border – a patterned border designed to complement tile and wood plank floors. Karndean has 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 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 and 10mm and can be used with design strips.

Call your Karndean Commerical business manager to purchase Karndean lvt for your commercial projects. 

Don't have a Karndean Commercial business manager? Our customer service team at 1-888-266-4343 will direct your local commercial representative.

You can order free samples via our products listing section.

Yes, to order a brochure visit our brochures page.

For pricing information, please speak to your Karndean Commercial business manager. 

Don't have a Karndean Commercial business manager? Our customer service team at 1-888-266-4343 will direct your local commercial representative.

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.

We carry more than 95% of all main line products in stock to enable a rapid turnaround for your project needs.

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.

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 a compatible stair nosing - your  retailer and/or specialist fitter will be able to give you all the information and advice you need.

Yes, for more advice please consult your specialist fitter or commercial specification manager.

No. Karndean is not suitable for wet rooms.

Yes, not a problem!

For our Karndean LooseLay range, the subfloor should be solid with minimal flexibility. Any loose 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.

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.

OSB or particleboard are not approved underlayments for resilient flooring. The only approved underlayments are APA approved “Underlayment Grade” plywood a minimum of ¼” thick, or any product manufactured as an underlayment material for resilient flooring supported by a recommendation or datasheet from the manufacturer stating the same.

When installing coordinating transitions, please take into consideration the color variation within the Karndean floor for your project. Some floors have higher color variation within the design than others, so making sure that the planks or tiles next to the transitions are of similar color/design will ensure a desirable outcome. Pre-cutting and placing the transitions in place can help determine plank or tile placement as well.

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.

We have a wide network of commercial contractors who install Karndean commercial flooring. For more information, contact your commercial business manager or give our team a call at 1-888-266-4343.

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.

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.

Now that the floor is installed, do not wash it for 24 hours. Then follow our commercial cleaning and maintenance guide.

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.

Cleaning and maintenance products can be bought via your Commercial Specification Manager. You can also give us a call at 1-888-266-4343 to order commercial cleaning products.

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.

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.

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.

Steam is a natural disinfectant. We suggest checking with the supplier to ensure their service is safe for vinyl flooring prior to use.

Not yet but we are working with industry in all of our territories to ensure appropriate recycling facilities exist to manage end of life flooring and divert material away from landfill.

Each plank contains up to 50% recycled content in the backing layers. This material comes from pre consumer material generated during the  production process. We are working with the factories that manufacture our products to increase the amount of recycled content in the flooring.

Every product page has the option to download the relevant EPD. Alternatively you can download our EPD's.

Karndean is a leading manufacturer of high-quality LVT flooring that combines style, durability and performance for beautiful commercial spaces.

A family-owned business founded in 1973, Karndean has continually been at the forefront of LVT innovation, offering the most beautiful, realistic-looking wood- and stone-inspired designs in a product that meets the practical considerations of commercial installation and performance.

We have three U.S. regional facilities, all of which carry strong inventory for faster fulfillment from coast to coast. Each facility includes a showroom:

Pennsylvania
1100 Pontiac Court
Bushy Run Corporate Park
Export, PA 15632

Texas
14201 Sovereign Road
Suite 141
Fort Worth, Texas 76155

Nevada
4230 North Fifth Street
Suite 100
North Las Vegas, NV 89030