Karndean flooring, chosen in the showroom and fitted properly
Karndean flooring supplied and fitted across Kent. Compare Karndean LVT with Amtico at our Gillingham showroom, then book a free survey and written quote.
Karndean is one of the luxury vinyl tile brands we fit, alongside Amtico, Polyflor and Moduleo. If a Karndean sample has already caught your eye, the next questions are practical ones: which collection, which fitting system, and what the floor underneath needs before anything is laid. Karndean ranges differ in thickness, wear layer, surface texture and whether the planks are glued down or clicked together, so the name alone does not tell you how the job will go.
Our Gillingham showroom is the easiest place to start. You can handle LVT samples, look at plank and tile formats side by side and talk through the rooms you have in mind. If you would rather see samples at home, mention that when you book the survey.
What drives the cost of Karndean per m2
People often search for a Karndean price per m2 as if it were one figure. In practice the total depends on the collection you pick, the area, the shape of the rooms and how much preparation the base needs. A glue-down Karndean floor nearly always goes over a smoothing compound on concrete or a plywood overlay on timber, and that work sits alongside the material on the quote. Borders, feature strips and patterned layouts add cutting time. Uplifting an old floor and moving furniture are separate items too.
We do not publish a single Karndean cost per sqm for that reason. After a free survey you receive a written quote that lists the product, the preparation and the fitting, so you can see exactly where the money goes and compare it fairly with any other quote for the same collection.
Amtico vs Karndean: a fair comparison
Both brands make luxury vinyl tile in wood and stone effects, and both offer glue-down and click products. The choice usually comes down to the particular collection, the look you prefer, the wear layer suited to the room and the budget for that range. Neither brand fixes a poor subfloor, and neither looks right if the setting out is careless.
The honest approach is to bring both into the comparison. Look at the samples together, check the wear layer of each collection against how busy the room is, and ask for the quote to name the exact product. Our guide to choosing LVT flooring covers the questions to ask about any brand.
Fitting Karndean on concrete, boards and chipboard
LVT is thin and follows the surface beneath it. Every dip, nail head or ridge in the base will eventually show. On a concrete slab we check moisture and flatness, then smooth it where needed. Timber floorboards and chipboard move, so they normally take a plywood overlay that is fixed down before the vinyl goes on. Laying Karndean directly onto chipboard sheets is not something we would recommend, because the joints and any swollen edges read through.
Our subfloor preparation service explains how that stage is assessed. The LVT installation page covers the fitting itself, including thresholds and trims.
Looking after a Karndean floor
A swept or vacuumed floor followed by a damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner is the usual routine for LVT. Harsh bleach-based products and steam can damage the surface or the adhesive, so check the manufacturer's care guidance before using anything strong. Felt pads under furniture legs and a good entrance mat reduce scratching from grit. Our guide on how to clean and maintain LVT goes into more detail.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I clean Karndean with Flash?
- Check Karndean's own care guidance first. Strong household cleaners can dull or damage an LVT surface, so a pH-neutral floor cleaner and a damp, well-wrung mop is the safer routine.
- Can I hoover Karndean?
- Yes, with a hard-floor setting or brush head. Avoid a beater bar, which can scratch the surface, and lift rather than drag the vacuum over thresholds.
- Can I fit Karndean myself?
- Click products are designed for simpler installation, but the result still depends on a flat, dry base and accurate cutting. Glue-down Karndean needs a smoothed subfloor and the correct adhesive, which is why most people use a fitter.
- Can I lay Karndean on chipboard?
- Not directly. Chipboard joints and any swollen edges show through thin vinyl. A fixed plywood overlay is the usual preparation before LVT goes down.
- How much does Karndean cost per m2 to fit?
- It depends on the collection, the room shapes, the layout and the preparation needed. A free survey gives you a written quote with each part listed separately.
Where to go next
How to choose LVT flooring: wear layer and rating, click or glue down, plank, tile or herringbone, underfloor heating, brands and what to check on samples.
LVT explained for first-time buyers: how luxury vinyl tile is built, click versus glue-down fitting, wear layers, and which rooms it suits best in a home.
Karndean vs Amtico compared: collections, fitting systems, preparation and how to compare quotes like for like before choosing your LVT floor.
Free measure, free written quote
Bring your favourite Karndean sample, or choose one in our Gillingham showroom. Book a free survey and we will quote for the floor, the preparation and the fitting.
Showroom and warehouse: Unit 9, Matilda Close, Gillingham Business Park, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0PY