Karndean Flooring Cost

Looking to find out how much Karndean costs to fit in the UK?

If so, this guide is essential reading. You'll find Karndean flooring costs per m², what Karndean flooring costs to get installed by a specialist fitter, and much more!

Even if you're just exploring your options, getting quotes early will help you understand what's realistic for your home and budget. Most homeowners take this route, as it helps them get the full picture.

Use MyJobQuote and you'll get fast, free, and no-obligation quotes from flooring fitters near you.

You'll find our full guide below.

How Much is Karndean Flooring?

The average cost of a Karndean flooring installation is typically between £560 and £1,050 for a medium-sized UK room (16m²). However, the exact price you're quoted will depend on the type of Karndean you choose to get.

Glue-down Karndean flooring fitting costs will be on the lower end of this range, at between £560 to £800 for a 16m² area. It remains the most affordable and popular option.

The cost of rigid core Karndean flooring installation will be £640 to £960 for a 16m² area. It's more expensive than glue-down varieties, but it's a good choice if you have a slightly uneven floor.

Looselay Karndean flooring is the most expensive option — and isn't a common choice. You're typically looking at a cost of between £800 to £1,050.

But how much is Karndean flooring per m²?

You're looking at a cost per square metre of around £35 to £75 for Karndean flooring. This estimate includes material and labour rates.

For a more detailed breakdown, keep reading.

Karndean Flooring Cost Per M²

The table below shows estimated Karndean flooring cost per square metre, including material and fitting costs.

Karndean Flooring Installation Prices

Let’s take a look at the average Karndean floor price for both supply and installation for different sizes and types of Karndean flooring:

Supply Cost of Karndean Flooring

The average supply cost of Karndean flooring is around £35 per square metre. This reflects the real world prices you should expect for mid-range Karndean options.

To put this into context, you should expect to pay around £350 to buy Karndean flooring for an average-sized room (about 10m²).

You'll find the cost of Karndean flooring per square metre (without installation) for the three main types in the table below.

Additional Karndean Flooring Costs

When calculating the vinyl flooring fitting cost, you may also want to consider additional expenses such as:

Floor Screeding Cost

Screed is a cement-based material which is normally applied to the floor after an underfloor heating installation to enable high-quality heat transfer.

If you're laying vinyl flooring as part of a full remodel, then you may need to pay for new floor screeding.

Floor screeding costs between £300 – £380 to cover an average-sized room.

New Skirting Boards Cost

To enhance the look of your new Karndean floor, you may also want to consider installing new skirting boards.

Installing new skirting board costs between £200 – £340 for an average-sized room. You could also pay extra for skirting board heating, which is also known as a Thermaskirt.

Thermaskirt is similar to underfloor heating, although it is a lot easier to install. On average, Thermaskirt costs around £500 to fit in a medium-sized room.

Underfloor Heating Cost

Before installing Karndean flooring, you may want to consider having underfloor heating installed.

This will offer an efficient and comfortable way to heat your home.

The cost of underfloor heating will vary depending on the type you choose.

For instance, a wet system, which uses pipes to pump water from the main water supply, usually costs around £1,200. While a dry system, which uses electricity to heat the floor, is generally priced at about £800.

How Much Does Karndean Fitting Cost?

Next, let's take a look at labour fees and timescales.

The majority of Karndean floor fitters will charge around £100 to £200 per day to lay your new flooring.

What do labour fees depend on?

Their costs will also vary depending on the size of the room, as a 10m² room would cost around £100 – £200 for a day's work, while a 16m² room would take around 1 to 2 days to complete with labour costs ranging from £200 – £400.

If the size of your space is up to 25m², then you should expect to pay around £300 to £600 for up to 3 day’s work.

The above prices may vary for different locations, for instance, tradespeople in London typically charge up to £220 per day, while labourers in the surrounding areas have a daily rate of around £160 or less.

They may also charge more to remove your old flooring along with any other preparation costs.

What is Karndean Flooring?

Where did Karndean flooring come from, originally?

Karndean was founded in the UK in the 1970s and was then introduced in a select amount of countries — including Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

What is it made from?

Karndean is a vinyl-based flooring finish which is typically made from pigments, limestone and polyvinyl chloride.

It also features five layers, including two PVC backing layers, one PVC embossed wear layer, one high-definition layer and a protective polyurethane coating on top.

Why has it become popular?

Karndean flooring is popular due to its similar appearance to real hardwood flooring, which not only makes it stand out but will also cost you far less than wood flooring materials. It is also a very comfortable option as it is warm underfoot while also being extremely durable and easy to maintain.

What Impacts Karndean Flooring Installation Costs?

There are various factors you need to consider when calculating the overall cost of a typical Karndean floor installation, including:

Type of Karndean Flooring

The type of Karndean floor you choose is a massive cost factor, as some styles are more expensive than others. If you have a low budget in mind, you may want to opt for glue-down Karndean flooring, which on average ranges from £350 to £1,250.

Other options include rigid core, which is usually priced at £350 – £1,250, while the most expensive option is looselay Karndean flooring, which costs around £500 – £1,600.

Size of Flooring Space

The size of your room is also an important thing to consider, as the larger your space is, the more expensive your flooring installation will be.

For instance, a 10m² room would cost between £350 and £650, while a 16m² will range between £560 and £1,050, and a 25m² would cost between £875 and £1,600.

If you would prefer a custom size or styled pieces, you also have to consider this in choosing your flooring. Whether you buy with the supplier or work with a contractor directly, you should consider all options and fits to find the best one for your home.

Waste Removal Cost

If you need your old floor removed before a new Karndean floor can be fitted, you will also have to consider the cost of waste removal. To get rid of the old floor, tradespeople tend to charge around £3 – £5 per m².

If you plan to rip out the floor yourself, you may need to hire a waste removal company which generally costs around £70 – £160.

Location of Property

Where your property is located is also important, as this will determine the labour cost. For example, if you live in the middle of the countryside, you may have limited access to floor fitters so you might have to pay more for them to travel.

Labour rates also vary in different areas in the UK, with London carpenters charging up to £220 per day.

Ease of Access

Tradespeople may also charge more if there is limited access to your flooring. For example, if you want a new floor fitted in the attic or the basement, this will require a lot of manual work to move it up and down the stairs, so labourers may charge more for their inconvenience.

What's Involved in Installing Karndean Flooring?

To help you understand the process of hiring a professional floor fitter to install your new Karndean flooring, here is a step-by-step guide that will offer you some insight on the job itself.

• The first step usually involves the measuring process where the fitter will come out to record the dimensions of your floor space to establish how much flooring is required while also providing you with an estimate.
• On the day of the job, the fitter will measure the floor space again to ensure that the flooring materials fit correctly. This step may involve some cutting to ensure it is installed correctly.
• They will then start to fit the first row while making sure the short edges of the floor are clicked together. Once this is complete, they will then use a knife to cut a straight edge to achieve the 5mm gap between the wall and the end of the row to meet requirements.
• Once the first row is secured in place, the tradesman will then start to fit the rest of the rows by clicking the tongue into the groove and making sure they are all aligned.
• After a full row is complete, a hand roller or mallet will be used to smooth out any gaps which should avoid lifting.
• Once the entire floor is in place and secure, the tradespeople will then remove the spacers and clean the floor with a brush to remove dirt and debris.

Can I Install Karndean Flooring Myself?

Installing the flooring yourself is an option; however, this is normally only performed by experienced DIY enthusiasts who have fitted flooring before.

You should also keep in mind it will take more time if you don’t know what you are doing. You also need to be careful to avoid damaging the flooring, as you may end up paying more for a new supply.

Choosing Karndean Flooring

There are several types of Karndean flooring, so to help you choose the right one here is a breakdown of glue-down, rigid core and looselay Karndean flooring.

Glue-down Karndean Flooring Cost

Glue-down Karndean flooring is basically vinyl tiles that can be glued into place. This type of flooring typically costs around £20 – £30 per m².

The main advantage of glue-down flooring is that the adhesive prevents the tiles from slipping and also offers a long-lasting flooring solution, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.

The problem with this type of floor is that it is more difficult to install, so a professional’s help will be required. It is also much harder to replace in comparison to other flooring options due to the tiles being glued down with strong adhesive.

Rigid Core Karndean Flooring Cost

Rigid core is a type of floating floor which is installed by simply clicking it into place, as the pieces fit together like a puzzle. This typically costs around £20 – £50 per m².

One of the benefits of rigid core flooring is that it is straightforward to install as it does not require adhesive. It can also be installed over existing flooring, so this will save you money on waste removal costs.

A disadvantage of a floating floor is that it is not as durable as glue-down flooring and tends to shift out of place. It also requires a separate underlay as the floor must be level before the rigid core tiles can be installed.

Looselay Karndean Flooring Cost

Looselay Karndean is one of the latest flooring solutions available, which does not require adhesive or a click-to-lock system as it is made of materials which improve friction and allow the tiles to stick to the subfloor. You should expect to pay around £35 – £50 per m².

Looselay flooring is one of the sturdiest options available as the tiles are thick and heavy, which will help them last up to 15 years. They are also very easy to remove, so if you need a repair or want to replace your floor, then this is the best choice.

As this type of flooring is relatively new, there are limited designs to choose from, so you may need to be able to get looselay vinyl, which matches your interior. It may also be hard to get hold of stock, as there are not many looselay flooring manufacturers.

How to Maintain Karndean Flooring

While Karndean is popular with people looking for a flooring solution that's easy to maintain, you'll still need to care for your new Karndean floor to keep it looking its best.

General Cleaning

You should regularly sweep and vacuum your Karndean floor to clear it of any daily dust and dirt.

If the floor is in an area of heavy foot traffic such as the hallway or kitchen, you should keep up with regular cleaning to ensure no debris remains long enough to cause any damage to the flooring. Although Karndean is a hard-wearing material, it may still get scratched through use.

Deep Cleaning

When you need to undertake a deeper clean, you should use a mop with a pH-neutral cleaner.

Double-check before using any cleaning product that it is pH-neutral and non-abrasive. Using harsh chemicals on your Karndean floor may damage the surface and ruin the aesthetic appeal of your flooring.

Ongoing Protection

There are some other things you can do to protect your Karndean floor over time:

• Clean up any spills promptly and dry them with a cloth.
• Don't allow water to pool on the surface.
• Avoid dragging furniture across the floor.
• Apply soft felt pads to the bottom of any furniture legs.
• Use doormats at home entrances to get rid of loose debris.

As Karndean flooring prices are high in comparison to some other flooring types, taking good care of them will protect your investment and keep your home looking great.

What Are the Benefits of Karndean Flooring?

Fitting Karndean flooring is a popular choice in the UK thanks to some very useful benefits.

As well as the quality of this type of flooring, you can also expect the following:

Hard-Wearing

Karndean has the advantage of being an extremely hard-wearing flooring material. Thanks to its durability and scratch resistance, it has a solid reputation as a flooring option that can withstand the stresses of daily life.

In practice, this means that it's useful for every type of household, although it isn't completely impervious to damage, so bear that in mind if you have a young family or pets in your home.

Easy to Maintain

The maintenance of Karndean flooring is generally straightforward.

As long as you undertake regular cleaning, there is usually no need for extensive cleaning routines as you would expect with hardwood floors, for example. In this way, Karndean flooring is a more practical option than traditional floors.

Water Resistant

Karndean flooring is water resistant, so it can be used in kitchens and bathrooms without undue stress. While other flooring options may be susceptible to the dangers of water ingress, Karndean is more hardy than that.

You should still, however, take care to minimise the amount of standing water on the surface, for your own safety reasons as well as the long-term care of the floor.

Aesthetic Appearance

One of the most important factors for customers searching for new flooring is simply how it looks, and Karndean flooring excels in that respect.

The high-quality specifications and design of Karndean flooring mean that it has excellent aesthetic appeal, with options to suit every style of home.

Wide Range of Options

There is an array of diverse Karndean flooring designs, so you should find one that fits your style.

For example, as a direct alternative to wooden or stone flooring, there are Karndean designs to match those materials. Similarly, their range of premium abstract designs can add flair to a signature space like a hallway or bathroom.

Karndean Flooring Alternatives

After reading the pros and cons of different Karndean flooring types, you may decide that this flooring solution is not the right one for you. If this is the case, take a look at this guide for alternative flooring options.

Laminate Flooring Cost

Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor solution which is made up of four layers which include high-density wood and photographic applique layers which help to simulate real hardwood flooring.

The typical laminate flooring cost is around £10 per m², but it all depends on what you want — the cost of higher quality types of laminate flooring can be closer to between £20 - £25 per m².

For a medium-sized room (approx. 25m²), it should cost between £800 – £1,300 to buy laminate flooring and get it installed by a specialist fitter.

The main benefit of laminate flooring is that it is usually cheap and costs around 50% less than real wood flooring, so if you have a low budget in mind, this may be the best option. A laminate floor is also much easier to clean, and it is also resistant to scratches and moisture along with any wear and tear.

In comparison to other flooring options, laminate flooring is not as aesthetically pleasing as natural wood, especially if you choose a lower-quality floor. It is also not easy to repair, as new pieces of laminate may not match the old colour.

Wood Flooring Cost

Wood flooring is made up of natural hardwood including oak, maple and cherry. The cost of wood flooring is between £35 – £46 per m²

Hardwood flooring can easily be repaired by sanding over any imperfections, which will help it last for a long time. It is also one of the most attractive flooring solutions due to the natural beauty of the wood.

Many homeowners are put off by hardwood flooring as it is not only expensive but it is also susceptible to damage such as scratching or moisture damage. Therefore, it may not be the best option for high-traffic areas as it does mark easily.

Tile Flooring Cost

A tile is a manufactured square or rectangular floor material which is usually made up of clay, ceramic, stone or metal. The average cost of tile flooring installation ranges from £20 – £40 per m².

The main benefit of installing tiles in your kitchen or bathroom is that they are effortless to maintain and are also highly water-resistant. Tile floors are also extremely durable as they are made from robust materials that prevent them from cracking.

Tiles can be hard to install, especially in upstairs installations as they usually are very heavy, so you may expect an increase in labour costs. They are also not the most comfortable option as they tend to be cold underfoot.

Carpet Flooring Cost

Carpet is a textile floor which can be made from natural such as wool or synthetic fibres, including polyester and nylon. Typically, the carpet fitting cost you're quoted will be between £5 – £30 per m², with labour costs being an additional £60 – £80 for a simple, standard-sized room.

The great thing about carpet is that it is one of the most affordable options, which also offers a softer and more versatile floor. Carpets are also very easy to install, so you can benefit from low labour costs.

The problem with carpet is that it tends to show wear and tear, such as rips or spills, so it may not be the best choice if you have children or pets. It also requires regular carpet cleaning to prevent any unsightly stains.

Cost of Karndean Flooring Removal

If you wish to replace your Karndean flooring with an updated option or want to change the floor completely, then you will need to figure out the removal costs. The majority of floor fitters will include the cost of removing the carpet in their estimate, which is normally around £3 – £5 per m².

If you plan to remove your floor yourself, then you may want to hire a waste removal company. These usually charge around £70 – £160.

Checklist: Hiring Someone to Install Karndean Flooring

Before hiring a flooring specialist to install your Karndean flooring, take a look at the following checklist:

• Choose a tradesperson or company that specialises in Karndean flooring.
• Check their qualifications, which could include a Level 1 award in flooring operations or basic construction skills.
• Only work with floor fitters who have at least 5 years' experience
• Check reviews or ask for photographs of previous jobs.

Make sure they have public liability insurance or employer's liability insurance to protect you and your home should any incidents occur.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.karndean.com/en-gb/floors/about-us
https://www.karndean.com/en-gb/floors/inspiration/inspiration-by-room/living-room/
https://floorcritics.com/glue-down-vs-floating-vinyl-plank/
https://www.bestlaminate.com/blog/pros-cons-loose-lay-vinyl-flooring/
https://heritagecb.com/carpeting-pros-and-cons/
https://www.floorstoreonline.co.uk/flooring-guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-karndean-flooring/
https://www.eandmservices.com/karndean-luxury-vinyl-flooring/