Karndean Flooring Review: Is It Worth the Investment

Last year, I was planning to buy luxury vinyl flooring for my kitchen renovation. For weeks, I explored multiple floor showrooms but could not make a decision.

Karndean Flooring’s reputation, product durability, and strong market position motivated me to give it a try. So, I ordered “Karndean LooseLay Longboard Golden Danish Oak” from royalfloorsonline.com. It has been six months living with these floors, and I am ready to share my honest experience about my purchase.

This review provides valuable insights into the pros, cons, and everything in between for homeowners considering Karndean Flooring for their next purchase.

Pros of Karndean Flooring

The Visual Impact: Nobody can deny how realistic their luxury vinyl floors look. Unlike other vinyl flooring, the tiles have subtle grain variations, realistic knots, and a wood texture, which even impressed my contractor. The texture also feels like real aged wood under the feet.
Waterproof Performance: During these six months, the waterproof claim has been tested more than I planned. Despite the juice spills, daily cooking splashes, and several dishwasher incidents, the tiles have kept their integrity as new. I have to admit that this flooring provides a real peace of mind in the kitchen setting.
Ease of Installation: There was no need for glue, clicking, or any extra hassle for the installation. My contractor was able to do a 200-square-foot kitchen in just a day.
Simple Maintenance: Karndean Floors are scratch and impact-resistant, offering exceptional durability, which is why the tiles need low maintenance.

Cons of Karndean Flooring

Premium Price: Where the benefits offered are better than any other competitor, customers also need to know that Karndean Flooring is not a cheap brand. It costs $5+ per square foot, which is significantly expensive than standard vinyl flooring options. The premium price was also a concern for me, but the long-term value provided by the brand motivated me to go with the purchase.
Limited DIY-Friendliness: The Golden Danish Oak I ordered comes with the LooseLay system, which is relatively DIY-friendly, while the other collection pieces require professional installation and specific adhesives. My advice is to carefully choose from the Karndean range to save installation costs.
Not Completely Scratch-Proof for Heavy Furniture: Even though the marketing claims say that LVT is scratch-proof, the marks and scratches can be left by heavy furniture if dragged across the floor.
Thickness Variations: The Karndean range has multiple thickness ranges across the collections, which can create issues when using multiple ranges in adjoining rooms.

Best Use Cases for Karndean Flooring

Based on the experience, the following are the best use cases for Karndean Flooring:

Kitchens and Bathrooms are the best-fit areas for Karndean flooring. Its waterproof design eliminates moisture concerns, while the realistic wood-look appearance maintains aesthetic appeal. Unlike real hardwood, Karndean floors offer durability without the high maintenance.
High-traffic family Areas with kids and pets can benefit from the scratch-free and durable nature of the LVT flooring. Their Golden Retriever’s nails have left zero scratches on our floor.
Commercial Spaces seeking residential warmth find Karndean’s LEED certification and low VOC emissions particularly appealing, especially in offices, retail spaces, and hospitality environments.

Cost & Value for Money

The upfront cost of buying from Karndean Flooring is indeed higher. I paid approximately $1,200 for materials for my 200-square-foot kitchen through royalfloorsonline.com. David provided me the best customer service and let me see the exact colors before committing to purchase, but if I talk about money, it was $400 more than a standard luxury Vinyl brand would cost.

However, if I consider the long-term value (20-year warranty, zero maintenance costs, and the realistic appearance) provided by this option, the purchase was a valuable opportunity. Now I can enjoy the look and feel of hardwood in my kitchen, without the moisture worries or the $2,000–$3,000 price tag that real hardwood would have brought.

Karndean Flooring is a premium option, so make sure you use it in areas where it is justifiable, like the kitchen, high-traffic areas of the house, and bathrooms. Low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms or study rooms, can be installed with affordable options.

Final Verdict: Is Karndean Flooring Worth It?

Karndean Flooring is definitely worth the investment if you are looking for quality, durability, and authentic appearance in moisture-prone or high-traffic areas.

Based on my experience, I recommend buying Karndean flooring from retailers like Royal Floors Online for the best results. You get expert guidance, product knowledge, and local trust. But I strongly advise doing your own research according to the use case and budget options.

But don’t forget to order the samples first, as this will allow you to assess the texture, color, feel, and thickness of the tile and ultimately help you make an informed decision.