One of the first questions homeowners ask when considering Karndean is straightforward: how much does Karndean flooring cost? It’s a fair question, but the answer isn’t quite as simple as a single figure. Between different product ranges, installation methods, and the prep work your floor might need, the final price can vary considerably.
As installers who quote on Karndean projects regularly, we understand how important it is to budget accurately. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Karndean flooring costs, from the price per m² across different collections to the additional expenses that can catch people off guard.
Is Karndean Flooring Expensive?
Let’s address this directly: Karndean sits at the premium end of the luxury vinyl market. It’s more expensive than standard vinyl or laminate, but typically more affordable than quality hardwood or natural stone.
Whether Karndean represents good value depends on your priorities. If you want flooring that combines realistic aesthetics with exceptional durability and a lengthy warranty, Karndean delivers. The upfront cost is higher, but the longevity and low maintenance requirements often make it cost-effective over time.
For context, you can expect to pay around £35 to £75 per square metre for Karndean flooring, including material and labour rates. MyJobQuote
Karndean Flooring Price Per m² by Range
Karndean offers several distinct collections, each at different price points. Understanding these ranges helps you balance your budget against the finish you’re hoping to achieve.
Knight Tile
Knight Tile is Karndean’s entry-level collection, suitable for any budget. TEKA Flooring It offers versatile wood and stone designs in both glue-down and rigid core formats, making it accessible for those wanting the Karndean name without the premium price tag. Expect to pay around £20 to £30 per m² for materials.
Opus
The Opus range offers a contemporary, sleek aesthetic with larger format tiles and planks. You should expect to pay between £24 and £36 per m² on average. House Extensions This collection is completely waterproof and works particularly well in modern interiors where clean lines matter.
Van Gogh
Van Gogh is Karndean’s popular mid-range collection, capturing the look of real wood across a variety of colours and designs. Van Gogh is the mid-range price option, starting from £44.99 per m² for straight planks and £57.99 per m² for herringbone designs. Tapi Carpets The collection features distinctive grain details and textured finishes that work beautifully in any space.
Da Vinci
Da Vinci offers a sophisticated blend of traditional and modern aesthetics, with effects and textures that deliver remarkable realism. Prices typically range from £28 to £45 per m², positioning it between entry-level and premium options.
Korlok
Korlok is the most expensive alternative House Extensions in terms of rigid core options, featuring fine timbers sourced from North America and Europe. You should expect to pay between £36 and £48 per m² on average. House Extensions The collection includes acoustic backing and click-lock installation, making it particularly practical for upper floors.
Art Select
As Karndean’s premium collection Floor City, Art Select delivers the most intricate details and luxurious finishes. Art Select is a premium range of luxury vinyl that starts from £62.49 per m² for tiles and planks and goes up to £79.99 per m² for herringbone. Tapi Carpets If you want flooring that genuinely rivals the appearance of rare or reclaimed materials, this is the collection to consider.
LooseLay
LooseLay offers a different installation approach, using friction-grip backing rather than adhesive or click systems. You should expect to pay around £35 to £50 per m². MyJobQuote The tiles are thick and heavy, making them exceptionally stable and easy to replace if damaged.
Karndean Installation Costs
The material cost is only part of the equation. Professional installation is essential for Karndean flooring, particularly for glue-down products where subfloor preparation and adhesive application require expertise.
As a general estimate, you can expect to spend around £17 to £23 per m² on installation costs. Checkatrade Some fitters charge daily rates instead, with the majority of Karndean floor fitters charging around £100 to £200 per day to lay your new flooring. MyJobQuote
For a typical room, installation might take a day or two depending on size and complexity. A 16m² kitchen, for example, would likely incur fitting costs of around £275 to £370 on top of material expenses.
Hidden Costs and Additional Expenses
This is where budgets can come unstuck. Several additional costs often apply to Karndean installations, and failing to account for them leads to unwelcome surprises.
Subfloor Preparation
Karndean, particularly glue-down variants, demands a perfectly smooth, level subfloor. Any imperfections will telegraph through the finished surface over time. Smoothing compound starts from £7 per m², damp course membrane is from £11 per m², and ply board is from £9 per m². Tapi Carpets
If your existing floor is uneven, cracked, or unsuitable, screeding or ply overlay will be necessary. Labour costs for screeding are typically between £12 and £18 per m², bringing the total cost to approximately £25 to £38 per m². PriceYourJob
Old Flooring Removal
Unless you’re installing over a suitable existing surface, your old flooring will need removing. Uplift and disposal starts from £6.50 per m². Tapi Carpets This covers both the labour to lift existing materials and the cost of disposing of them responsibly.
Door Trimming
New flooring raises your floor height, which often means doors no longer clear the surface properly. Door trimming starts from £30 per door adjustment. Tapi Carpets For a ground floor installation affecting multiple rooms, this can add £120 or more to your total.
Adhesive
Glue-down Karndean requires specialist adhesive. High temperature adhesive costs around £69.99 and covers 15m², while self-adhesive underlay is £13.99 per m². Tapi Carpets
Underlay
Some Karndean products, particularly LooseLay and certain rigid core options, benefit from underlay for additional sound insulation. On average expect to pay between £15 and £40 for a 5m² room and between £60 and £160 for a larger 20m² room. HomeHow
Skirting Boards
Many homeowners take the opportunity to replace skirting boards alongside new flooring. The cost of installing new skirting boards can range between £200 and £400 depending on the size of the room. PriceYourJob
How Karndean Compares to Laminate and Other LVT
Understanding where Karndean sits in the broader market helps you decide whether the premium is justified for your situation.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate remains one of the most affordable flooring options. Average laminate flooring prices range from £5 to £30+ per m² Simply Underlay for materials, with the labour cost for laminate flooring installation typically sitting around £30 per m². Checkatrade
However, laminate has limitations. It’s vulnerable to moisture damage, making it unsuitable for bathrooms and risky in kitchens. It can also sound hollow underfoot and lacks the realistic texture that quality LVT provides.
Budget LVT
Standard luxury vinyl from lesser-known brands typically costs £15 to £30 per m². While more affordable than Karndean, these products often feature thinner wear layers, less realistic designs, and shorter warranties. The old adage about getting what you pay for applies here.
Other Premium LVT
Brands like Amtico and Moduleo compete directly with Karndean at similar price points. The choice between them often comes down to design preferences and specific product features rather than significant cost differences.
Calculating Your Total Project Cost
To give you a realistic picture, let’s work through an example. Imagine you’re fitting Karndean Van Gogh in a 20m² kitchen with a concrete subfloor that needs minor levelling.
Your costs might look something like this: Van Gogh flooring at approximately £45 per m² comes to £900 for materials. Installation at £20 per m² adds £400. Smoothing compound at £7 per m² adds £140. Adhesive contributes roughly £95. Door trimming for two doors adds £60. The total reaches approximately £1,595, or just under £80 per m² all-in.
This example illustrates why getting a proper survey and quote matters. The headline material price tells only part of the story.
Getting the Best Value
A few practical tips can help you manage costs without compromising on quality.
First, get multiple quotes but compare like with like. Ensure each quote includes the same scope of work and preparation. Second, consider which collection genuinely meets your needs. Knight Tile or Opus might deliver everything you want at a lower cost than Van Gogh or Art Select. Third, address any subfloor issues properly. Skimping on preparation leads to problems later that cost far more to fix. Finally, buy slightly more material than your exact measurements suggest. Cutting waste and keeping spares for future repairs is worthwhile.
Get Your Free Quote
Ready to explore Karndean for your home? At Kent Flooring, we provide honest, detailed quotes that account for every aspect of your project. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Request your free quote today, or visit our showroom to see the full Karndean range in person and discuss your requirements with our team.
