How Much Is Karndean Flooring?
Karndean flooring costs roughly 30 to 90 GBP per square metre supplied in 2026 and 55 to 175 GBP per square metre fitted, depending on the range.
Quick Answer
Karndean flooring costs roughly 30 to 90 GBP per square metre supply only in 2026 and 55 to 175 GBP per square metre fully fitted in the UK. The entry-level Palio Essenza glue-down starts around 30 GBP per square metre. Mid-range Korlok rigid-core click runs 45 to 55 GBP. Premium Art Select (with hand-cut design strips and bespoke patterns) climbs to 86 to 95 GBP per square metre.
Karndean and Amtico are the two best-known UK LVT brands. Pricing is similar; the choice usually comes down to colour palette and which fitter your installer prefers to work with.
Price by Range
- Palio Essenza (entry glue-down): 30 to 35 GBP per square metre.
- Palio Click (click LVT): 30 to 40 GBP per square metre.
- Knight Tile: 30 to 45 GBP per square metre.
- Van Gogh: 37 to 54 GBP per square metre (glue or rigid click).
- Korlok rigid-core: 45 to 55 GBP per square metre.
- Art Select: 60 to 95 GBP per square metre (basketweave premium).
Fitting Costs
Glue-down Karndean needs a smooth subfloor (latex screed at 10 to 25 GBP per square metre) and a Karndean-trained fitter at 18 to 35 GBP per square metre. Total fitted cost for a 25 square metre kitchen typically lands at 1,800 to 4,000 GBP. Click ranges (Palio Click, Korlok) drop the fit cost by roughly 10 GBP per square metre because no glue or screed is needed.
What Drives the Price
- Range tier: Knight Tile is the budget pick; Art Select the showpiece.
- Design strips and borders: add 10 to 30 GBP per square metre.
- Wear layer: 0.3 mm on Knight Tile, 0.55 mm on Art Select.
- Warranty: 12 to 25 years residential depending on range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the answer change for tenants vs owners? Yes. Tenants almost never see the same financing, removal, or warranty terms an owner gets. Most retailers will only sell to whoever is on title or has written landlord permission.
Is the price quoted in pounds the same in dollars? No. UK and US flooring markets price differently: the UK quotes per square metre with VAT, the US quotes per square foot pre-tax. Multiply UK per metre by roughly 0.093 to compare per square foot.
Will the answer change in five years? Probably. Tax thresholds, retailer line-ups, and warranty terms shift every year. Always confirm with the source before signing a contract.
Does the same apply for commercial buildings? Mostly no. Commercial flooring carries different fire ratings, slip ratings, and depreciation treatment than residential. Anything you read here assumes a typical owner-occupied home unless stated otherwise.
Pro Tips
- Get the quote in writing. Verbal estimates from any retailer or contractor are worth nothing when disputes happen.
- Keep your receipts and lot numbers for at least the length of the warranty. Most claims are denied because the buyer cannot prove what was bought.
- Read the financing small print. Most "interest free" offers carry deferred interest, which means full retroactive interest if you miss the payoff date by one day.
- Ask about disposal fees up front. Removal of the old floor can add 1 to 3 dollars per square foot if not bundled.
Bottom Line
The right answer here depends on your home, your budget, and your local market. Use the numbers as a starting point, get at least two written quotes, and never sign on a contractor's clipboard at the door without 24 hours to read the contract.
How Much Karndean Flooring Should I Order?
How much Karndean flooring you order depends on the layout: add 10 percent extra for straight plank, 15 percent for herringbone or parquet, and 20 percent for designs with borders or design strips. Karndean Korlok ships in 2.20 square metre cartons, Knight Tile in 3.34. Round up: opened cartons cannot be returned.
Warranty and Lifespan
Karndean residential warranties run 12 years (Palio Essenza) up to 25 years (Art Select, Korlok Reserve), with light commercial cover of 5 to 10 years. In a normal home with shoes-off habits and felt pads on furniture, expect 20 to 25 years of service before the wear layer thins to the print.
How to Compare Quotes Without Getting Burned
Get at least three written quotes broken out line by line: material per square foot, labour per square foot, removal of old floor, subfloor prep, baseboard handling, toilet pull, disposal fees, and warranty terms. A "total job" number from a single contractor tells you nothing about where the money is going, and you cannot compare it to anyone else.
Walk every quote against the others using the same measurements. Use the contractor's own square footage, not a guess, because room squareness varies. If one contractor's square footage is 15 percent higher than the others, ask why before signing.
Questions Most Homeowners Forget to Ask
- Who is on the crew? The salesperson rarely lays the floor. Ask for the lead installer's name and years of experience.
- Is the install warranty written and transferable? Most chain installers give a one-year labour warranty; specialist independents often give five.
- What happens if my baseboards crack during pull? Get the replacement policy in the contract, not in conversation.
- How is moisture in the subfloor tested? Concrete should be tested with a calcium chloride or relative humidity probe, not eyeballed.
- What is the lead time on the planks I picked? Special-order colours often run 4 to 8 weeks.
The cheapest quote is usually the most expensive over five years. Pick the crew with the cleanest write-up, the longest install warranty, and the best Google review pattern in the past 12 months.