What is Karndean flooring?

Known for its unbeatable quality, Karndean flooring has become increasingly popular in homes across the UK – and it’s easy to see why.

Karndean is a premium luxury vinyl tile available in a selection of stunning designs and styles. Crafted to replicate the subtle details of natural wood and stone, Karndean offers realistic oak, slate, and marble-effect flooring options with all the resilience and durability of luxury vinyl.

Here at Tapi, we’re proud to stock Karndean as one of the leading luxury vinyl brands in the UK. Designed for life and made to last, discover the benefits and features of Karndean flooring with our helpful guide.

In this guide:

• What is Karndean flooring?
• What is Karndean flooring made of?
• What are the advantages of Karndean flooring?
• Which room is best for Karndean flooring?
• Karndean flooring styles
• Karndean FAQs
• Where to buy Karndean flooring

What is Karndean flooring?

Karndean Designflooring is a type of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that’s designed for both the beauty and practicality of everyday life. Karndean emulates the natural look and feel of solid wood and stone flooring with its subtle textures, knots, and grains, all while delivering enhanced water resistance, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Karndean LVT flooring is available in a wide range of designs, styles, and colours. So, whether you’re looking for something warm and cosy throughout your entire downstairs floorplan, renovating the kitchen, or upgrading your home office, there’s something for every space and aesthetic.

Opt for traditional parquet patterns with timeless herringbone planks or reach for classic straight planks. Each style boasts a selection of stunning designs that are comfortable underfoot and made to last.

What is Karndean flooring made of?

Karndean flooring is made by layering a sturdy composition of calcium carbonate (also known as limestone), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and pigments.

Each plank is crafted with five high-quality layers: a backing layer, a stability layer, a high-definition decorative photographic layer (featuring your wood or stone design), a clear PVC embossed wear layer, and a protective top polyurethane (PU) layer.

Designed with cutting-edge synthetic materials, Karndean planks feature detailed texture embossing. This adds a tactile layer that mirrors the authentic appearance of natural wood and stone, where each plank is different from the next.  

Learn more about its structure and dimensions with our Karndean flooring thickness guide.

What are the advantages of Karndean flooring?

Karndean is designed for life in more ways than one. Let’s explore some of the key benefits of fitting Karndean flooring in your home.

• Enhanced durability – Thanks to its resilient layers, Karndean LVT is scratch and scruff resistant. Ideal for high-traffic areas, you can rest assured that Karndean is made to keep up with the daily wear of busy households.

• 100% waterproof – Karndean is completely waterproof, ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms.

• Low maintenance – Karndean LVT delivers the warm and stylish aesthetic of genuine wood with none of the inconvenient maintenance. All you need to do is give it a gentle sweep, vacuum, or damp mop to help keep it in pristine condition. No oiling, waxing, or sanding necessary.

• Comfortable underfoot – The unmatched quality of Karndean’s luxury vinyl materials offers a firm flooring surface that feels comfortable and warm underfoot.

• Versatile – With so many different styles and products to choose from, Karndean can brighten any space in the home. Compatible with underfloor heating systems, you can fit it in bathrooms, kitchens, and open plan living spaces.

• Easy to install and repair – Karndean is easy for professional fitters to cut and customise to your space. Meanwhile, glue down Karndean LVT makes it easy to replace damaged planks in the middle of the floor without having to upheave your entire flooring.

• Realistic designs – Karndean is available in a range of stunning natural designs, featuring realistic wood grains and stone veining. The tactile texture catches the light and adds extra dimension and character to your space.

• Free lifetime warranty – The free lifetime warranty protects your floors against product wear, letting you enjoy stunning floors for years to come.

Which room is best for Karndean flooring?

Versatile and hardworking, Karndean is suitable for just about any room in the house. The question is, what type of flooring do you envision for your space?

Perhaps you’re picturing a warm oak herringbone hallway with a sleek and contemporary grey slate kitchen diner that flows into the utility. Vibrant with modern styles and designs, every preference is a possibility with Karndean.

• Kitchens – Perfect for open plan kitchen and living spaces, opt for authentic wood and realistic marble-effect stone LVT designs.

• Bathrooms – Karndean is waterproof so it’s great for bathrooms. Choose from charming oak and neutral stone designs and bring your dream bathroom to life. Just note that Karndean isn’t suitable for wet rooms, so you’ll need to find an appropriate alternative if you’re designing a functional wet room.

• Utility rooms – Whether it’s a multifunctional utility bathroom or a dedicated space by the kitchen, Karndean LVT is ideal for moisture-prone utility spaces. Glue down LVT can be fitted between rooms without the need for door bars, so you can seamlessly install the same flooring between your kitchen and your utility space.

• Living rooms – Warm, inviting, and effortlessly timeless, Karndean LVT is perfect for living room spaces and open plan homes. We love pairing rich wood-effect flooring with a complementary rug to ground the space.

• Bedrooms – For those who love the sleek, modern look of wooden flooring in a bedroom, or hope to achieve a country cottage aesthetic, Karndean LVT is gentle and welcoming underfoot.

• Hallways – The unrivalled quality and craftsmanship of Karndean flooring means that it’s as beautiful as it is strong. Designed to excel in high-traffic areas like hallways, create your dream entrance with decorative parquet and straight plank options.

Karndean flooring styles

Just like other LVT products, the exceptional performance of Karndean flooring can also be installed in various styles. Whether you’re all about traditional, eclectic, or minimalist looks, choose from a range of tile and plank styles in realistic wood and stone designs.

Karndean herringbone

Known for its signature zig-zag effect, the delicate fishbone aesthetic of herringbone flooring instantly elevates any space. Install Karndean herringbone flooring in hallways, open floorplans, and individual rooms – opening the space and attracting the eye. Our collection includes a range of colours, including rich oak and cool brushed grey herringbone.

Karndean planks

Clean and refined, there’s beauty in the simplicity of straight wood-effect planks. Though if you’re looking to add extra flair, even straight planks can be dynamic. Consider laying your Karndean LVT planks diagonally to add visual interest and make the space feel larger.

Karndean tiles

Karndean flooring also comes in beautiful stone and marble-effect designs, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories, dining areas, and utility rooms.

Karndean tiles deliver the texture and character of genuine stone tiles without the hefty price tag, all while offering unbeatable durability and easy cleaning. Comfortable and warm beneath your feet, the unique grooves and texture of each tile helps to personalise your space. 

For more tips on how to lay Karndean flooring, explore our handy guide.

Karndean FAQs

Follow on to learn more about Karndean Designflooring.

Is Karndean flooring LVT?

Yes, Karndean is an innovative type of luxury vinyl tile. Durable, smooth, and effortlessly functional, LVT is ideal for busy homes that call for equal measures of practicality and style. Read more about how LVT is made and how it compares to standard vinyl in our what is LVT guide.

Is Karndean flooring waterproof?

Yes, unlike other plank flooring options such as laminate or engineered wood, Karndean LVT is 100% water and moisture proof so ideal for splash-prone kitchens, bathrooms, and utility spaces.

Is Karndean flooring good for homes with pets?

No matter if you choose oak herringbone or slate-effect tiles, Karndean flooring is family and pet-friendly. Hardwearing, waterproof, and easy to clean and maintain, Karndean’s cutting-edge technology is designed to tolerate and outsmart daily wear and tear.

Find out how to keep your floors in optimal condition with our guide to how to clean Karndean flooring. Read our easy tips and insights so you know how best to take care of your flooring.

What is the lifespan of Karndean flooring?

High-quality LVT like Karndean is known for its longevity. Karndean flooring is backed by a 35-year residential warranty against product wear and defects, which is transferrable to new owners if you move house. But with proper care and maintenance, there’s no reason why it can’t last even longer.

Where to buy Karndean flooring

Forget house proud. With Karndean, you’ll adore your home from floor to ceiling. Now available at Tapi, find the perfect match for you online and in-store with our Karndean collection.

Designed for every space of the home, order free samples to your door to see and feel the quality for yourself. To help you make an informed decision, learn more about cost and installation factors with our Karndean flooring cost guide.

Stuck on which design to choose? Our helpful team of floorologists are always around to help answer questions about different flooring characteristics and needs.

Book a free appointment in-store or explore our free home visit appointments to discuss your ideas from the comfort of your living room. We’ll measure up your space and walk you through different samples and options to help you find your dream flooring.