Is Karndean Worth The Cost?
Karndean for Domestic and Commercial Flooring Projects
Main Image: Art Select Auburn Oak Parquet AP02
Karndean is one of Hamilton Flooring's most popular products across both our residential and commercial services. A question we get asked a lot is, ‘ Is Karndean worth the price?’
Let’s take a look at the benefits of Karndean flooring and whether it lives up to the hype.
At Hamilton Flooring we offer both Karndean and Amtico options, these brands come under the title of luxury vinyl tile. Amtico and Karndean provide very similar finishes but are created using slightly different manufacturing processes. It should be noted that we also offer other vinyl flooring brands including Polyflor and Forbo which are also exceptional products but are less well known.
Karndean and Amtico Flooring
With Karndean and Amtico leading the way in luxury vinyl flooring it is worth taking a quick look at what differentiates the two brands.
Karndean Flooring
Karndean is constructed with five layers. Starting with two PVC backing layers followed by a high definition photographic layer for the design which is covered with a clear PVC embossed layer and finally, topped with a polyurethane protective coating. The headquarters of Karndean is based in the UK and manufacturing used to be UK based but has now moved to Asia.
Amtico Flooring
Amtico on the other hand is manufactured by compressing resin and plasticisers under high temperatures creating a thin yet highly durable flooring solution. Amtico tends to be more matte than Karndean. Amtico is manufactured in the UK…just up the road from Hamilton Flooring in Coventry!
Now, you will notice that this article is specifically about whether Karndean is worth the price tag that comes with it. Interestingly, of the two products Amtico is the one with the higher cost perhaps due to a more expensive manufacturing process and the fact it is made in the UK. Although you can expect to pay more for Amtico products, it is Karndean that is asked about more often. We can only make a guess as to why, perhaps it is the brand more well known amongst homeowners or because it is often featured in magazines and online.
Karndean Flooring: What are the Benefits?
One of the first things that customers say to us is that Karndean flooring is so easy to clean and take care of. Daily care pretty much consists of a sweep and a mop with your regular floor cleaner. That’s it! No lengthy and complicated cleaning regimes with endless lists of pricey products to be applied.
Because of its durability, design variance and ease of maintenance, Karndean flooring is a child friendly option that is a popular choice for families. Another reason for it being family friendly - as well as a great choice for large spaces, commercial spaces, apartments, student accommodations and a whole host of other spaces - is the fact that the composition and layering of Karndean LVT means that it is quieter underfoot than many hard floor options.
There is nothing that will spoil the look of a floor more quickly than scuffs and marks. Karndean uses K-Guard+ surface technology for scuff and stain resistance. This means that there is no need for further applications of treatments and protectants following your flooring installation. It should be noted that this doesn't mean that Karndean is entirely scratch proof but that it is highly resistant.
Karndean is compatible with underfloor heating and is suited to systems which provide heat up to 27°C. It is already toastier underfoot than some of its natural counterparts such as stone or tile.
Regardless of the style or design you choose, Karndean creates a luxurious aesthetic that is sure to please. All Karndean products are produced to an impeccable standard and they have strict quality control meaning you will always receive a superior product. The look and feel of a Karndean floor is specifically designed to be high quality and its incredible the levels of detail provided particularly in imitation wood, stone and tile - you really wouldn't know it wasn't the real thing!
Heritage Collection - Clifton CLIF-04
Karndean are the Luxury Vinyl Flooring Experts…they have refined their process and become a world leader in it and that's ALL they do. You won't find endless lists of flooring options, you won't find alternative flooring types like hemp and bamboo, you won't find carpets and laminate. They have taken one product and made it the best version of it that it can be. But remember…that's not to say there aren’t an incredible array of options for Karndean Luxury Vinyl Flooring available.
Next we look at the warranties offered - Do Karndean put their ‘money’ where their mouth is? Essentially yes! All of Karndean’s residential collections come with a lifetime warranty that holds up assuming the flooring has been installed correctly (all the more reason to use a professional and expert flooring company to install your flooring!). This is impressive but what is possibly more impressive is the commercial warranty. Premium collections have a 20 year warranty and standard has 15years. The Knight Tile Collection options are the exception with a 10 year light commercial warranty but when you consider that this -the worst warranty provided by Karndean - is the standard for most other LVP brands you can take it as a suggestion that Karndean really do believe in their product.
Knight Tile Gluedown: Light Worn Oak KP104
If your concerns when choosing a flooring solution relate to environmentally friendly options, vinyl wouldn't normally be your first port of call. That being said, many vinyl brands are making leaps and bounds in the right direction. Karndean incorporates as much in the way of eco-friendly practices into their products as possible. It is good to know that all Karndean vinyl plank flooring is at least partly recyclable and low VOC certified.Though, because Karndean flooring is built to last it can be argued that this promotes less long-term waste.
What Are The Problems Associated With Karndean Flooring?
Despite all of the advantages of Karndean there are of course some reported issues that should be discussed - if there weren't then everyone would have Karndean flooring and this article would not be needed! The most frequently complained about aspect of Karndean flooring is that of discolouration (read: the use of ‘most frequently’ does not necessarily mean ‘frequent’). Direct sunlight is not recommended for Karndean Luxury Vinyl Flooring. On the whole, issues with Karndean Flooring can generally be put down to misuse or incorrect application.
Karndean flooring systems must be installed by a professional. Although some ranges are advertised as suitable for DIY, the conditions for laying Karndean flooring must be perfect so it is never worth the risk.
If not correctly installed, issues can arise such as bouncing floorboards. Tiles or Planks may become bouncy or even peel at the edges if they are installed on uneven surfaces (even just a little bit uneven) and especially if Karndean is installed over the top of old flooring solutions. When issues arise it is often due to incorrect installation or incorrect placement/usage. In some cases, there may be issues with specific flooring pieces…nobody’s perfect after all…but Karndeans exceptional warranties and customer service come into full force on these occasions.
Is Karndean Worth Its Price?
For the sum of its parts, Karndean reports much higher satisfaction than dissatisfaction and issues reported are, more often than not, related to poor attempts at installation by unqualified individuals. As long as Karndean is selected for an appropriate setting, is correctly and professionally installed and is cared for properly using the manufacturer suggestions then you will find that Karndean is an exceptionally beautiful flooring option that is worth every penny and more!
Art Select: Oakeley LM21
Karndean is more expensive than some cheaper Luxury Vinyl Flooring and this is most often found to be because it is a better product. It is hard to find a LVF product that is as realistic, well made, and offers so much variety of design and style as Karndean. For Hamilton Flooring the main contender for Karndean is Amtico and as we have already stated Amtico is marginally more expensive than Karndean.
If you are looking for a quality vinyl flooring option on a tight budget there are options which may be more suited to your needs from brands such as polyflor or forbo. It will depend where you are wanting to compromise…whether it is realism, longevity, antimicrobial properties or other characteristics. At Hamilton Flooring we will ALWAYS provide options based on your requirements and we consider limitations and parameters. With that said, we have found that Karndean, whilst more expensive than some other brands, represents really great value for money and it does not require as much compromise and it offers a huge variety of options for our clients.
To find out more about Karndean Luxury Vinyl Floor and its suitability for your flooring needs, contact one of our experts today!