Karndean Flooring Cost

How Much Does Karndean Flooring Cost?

If you're looking to spruce up your home, then installing Karndean flooring might be an option for you. The average cost of fitting Karndean flooring in your home is around £25-£50 per metre sq, ranging from £300 for a small room to anywhere up to £2,000 for large rooms.

There are many options for Karndean flooring, which all range in price, including the cheapest option of glue-down Karndean parquet flooring, the average cost of rigid core Karndean flooring, and the more expensive choice of looselay Karndean flooring.

The overall cost will differ depending on the size of the room, type of flooring, location of property and time of labour, but a typical Karndean flooring installation on a medium-sized living room with rigid core flooring will typically cost between £600-£1,200.

Karndean Flooring Prices

Below is a general idea of how much it would cost to install Karndean flooring on different types of flooring materials in either a small (10m²), medium (16m²), or large (25m²) room.

Supply Costs

Below is a general idea of the supply costs for Karndean flooring for different materials in either a small (10m²), medium (16m²), or large (25m²) room.

Additional Costs

There are other additional costs that you may want to consider when installing Karndean flooring that can be done by your flooring specialist or beforehand by another tradesman.

Below are a few extra jobs that you may want to consider having done during your project.

Installing New Skirting Boards

If you want to amplify the look of your new Karndean flooring, then it's worth completing the look with new skirting boards. The cost of installing new skirting boards can range between £200-£400 depending on the size of the room.

Alternatively, you can have Thermaskirt installed, which is a type of skirting board heating costing up to £500. This is a popular choice paired with underfloor heating and is easy and quick to install.

Underfloor Heating

If you want to install underfloor heating, you'll need to have this done before installing new Karndean flooring. Underfloor heating is a popular and luxurious way to heat up your home efficiently.

The average cost when installing underfloor heating is around £800-£1,200 for a dry (electric) system, and between £1,500-£2,500 for a wet system that pumps water from the main water supply.

55%

Materials
£440

35%

Tradesmen
£280

10%

Waste Removal
£80

Labour Costs and Time Frames

When installing Karndean flooring, it's important to make sure you're paying the right amount from your installer.

The average labour costs are typically between £100-£150 per day and can take anywhere between one and seven days depending on the size of the room and any additional jobs that need doing.

The average supply costs of flooring per m² can be between £20-£35 depending on the quality and type of flooring, reaching up to between £800-£1,200 for a medium-sized room with both labour and material costs.

Cost Affecting Factors of Karndean Flooring

When organising your budget for installing Karndean flooring, you need to consider a range of factors that can either add or detract from your overall costs.

Below are a few cost affecting factors that you'll need to consider when calculating your prices.

Size of Flooring

The larger your room, the more materials you'll need for your flooring installation, which can hike up your prices.

A small sized room is roughly around £300-£500 at 10m², a medium-sized room is roughly around £600-£800 at 16m², whilst a larger room is roughly around £1,000-£2,000 at 25m².

Type of Flooring

There are several types of Karndean flooring to choose from, depending on your preference and needs. Glue-down flooring is the cheapest option ranging between £200-£800 for small to large rooms, whilst rigid core is the next highest option between £300-£1,200.

Lastly, the most expensive choice is looselay flooring, ranging in price between £500-£1,500.

Ease of Access

Prices can change due to the ease of access when the tradesperson is working on the flooring.

If you're looking to have Karndean flooring installed in a basement or attic/loft room, then it'll take more time, and manual labour, meaning the price may go up more due to extra work and inconvenience.

Waste Removal

There will be a considerable amount of waste removal if you're removing your old flooring before installing a new Karndean floor.

Depending on how much waste you have, a tradesperson may charge you between £3-£5 per square metre, whilst it can cost around £80-£150 to hire your own waste removal company or skip hire for the day.

What Does Installing Karndean Flooring Entail?

If you want help understanding the general procedure of a professional Karndean flooring installation, below is a step by step guide of what the installation process entails when you hire a tradesperson.

Measuring and Planning

When starting the job, your flooring specialist will come to the property and measure out the dimensions of your flooring space.

This is to figure out how much material and supplies are required for the job and get an accurate view of the job itself.

This may also be the best time to plan the removal of the previous flooring.

Cutting and Fitting

Once the materials have been ordered and the current flooring has been removed, your fitter will re-measure the flooring and place the materials down, cutting off any extra supply to ensure your flooring is fitted accurately.

They will set up the area and begin to fit the first row of flooring, ensuring that the edges of flooring are clicked and bound together before cutting a straight edge to accomplish a 5mm gap between the end of the floor and the wall.

Smoothing and Finishing

Once the first row is secured, the rest of the flooring rows will be fitted in a similar fashion by clicking the tongue into the groove.

Once all the floor has been laid down, they will use a mallet or a hand roller to smooth down the floor and even out any gaps that may lift.

Finally, your flooring specialist will detach the spacers and clear away all waste, as well as cleaning up the floor, so it's ready for use.

DIY Karndean Flooring

It is probably not the best idea to undertake a Karndean flooring installation as a DIY job due to the accuracy of measurements and the time it takes to complete the job.

If you're taking on the job alone, then you may damage the flooring and end up paying even more, to fix the job and install over it.

However, if you're a DIY enthusiast with ample experience in this type of job, then you may feel confident to fit the flooring alone.

If this is the case, make sure to measure accurately to ensure you don't buy too much supply and always have second-hand help for maximum safety.

Types of Karndean Flooring

When looking into buying Karndean flooring, make sure you take a look at all the options and choose the right one for you.

Below are the most common types of Karndean flooring, along with their pros and cons.

Glue-down Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is usually the cheapest option, consisting of basic vinyl tiles which are glued down with a strong adhesive. Glue-down flooring usually costs between £20-£30 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Long-lasting
• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Cheap

Cons:

• ✖ Difficult installation
• ✖ Harder to remove & replace

Rigid Core Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is popular with those who don't want to remove their original flooring and is installed by clicking into place. Rigid core flooring usually costs between £30-£50 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Easy installation
• ✔ Can be installed over existing floor
• ✔ Average priced

Cons:

• ✖ Not as durable
• ✖ Needs separate underlay

Looselay Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is the most expensive and high-quality option of Karndean flooring. Looselay floors use materials that enhance friction which helps the tiles stick firmly to the subfloor, usually costing between £40-£80 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Very strong
• ✔ Easily removable

Cons:

• ✖ Limited design choices
• ✖ Not a common choice/hard to get
• ✖ Expensive

Alternatives to Karndean Flooring

If you're still unsure about Karndean flooring or the information so far has turned you off, here are some alternative choices.

Below is a general guide of similar options for your flooring needs.

Wood Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is one of the most natural and pretty to look at, with a wealth of different options, including maple, oak and cherry. Natural hardwood flooring usually costs between £40-£60 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Easily repaired
• ✔ Attractive look

Cons:

• ✖ Expensive
• ✖ Easily damaged
• ✖ Affected by moisture

Tile Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is popular in kitchens and bathrooms and is typically made in a square or rectangle shape in either stone, ceramic, clay or metal. Tile flooring usually costs between £20-£40 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Water-resistant
• ✔ Easy to maintain
• ✔ Durable

Cons:

• ✖ Difficult installation
• ✖ Cold underfoot
• ✖ Higher labour costs

Laminate Flooring Cost

This type of flooring imitates real hardwood flooring with a synthetic floor solution, using photographic applique layers and high-density wood. Laminate flooring usually costs between £10-£20 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Cheap
• ✔ Easy to clean
• ✔ Damage resistant

Cons:

• ✖ Not easy to fix
• ✖ Not as attractive as wood

Carpet Flooring Cost

This type of flooring is the cheapest and easiest option for most households, using textile flooring made from wool, polyester or nylon. Carpet flooring usually costs between £5-£15 per square metre.

Pros:

• ✔ Affordable
• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Soft on feet

Cons:

• ✖ Needs regular cleaning
• ✖ Easy to stain/wear & tear
• ✖ Can go out of fashion

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Karndean Flooring

There are no specific building regulations or need for planning permission when installing karndean flooring.

As long as the flooring your laying is strong enough to support weight and resistant to heat loss and ground moisture.

If you're ever unsure, contact your local planning authority or a building control body, especially if your home is in a listed building or near a conservation area.

Karndean Flooring Repairs and Maintenance

When planning your cleaning routine for Karndean flooring, you need to make sure you find the right treatment for your home with a pH-neutral cleaner.

This floor is easy to clean due to the durable and hygienic surface, as long as it's maintained regularly.

There are several Karndean floor cleaner options for you, and the most popular option is Karndean Clean which cost around £15 for a 2l bottle.

If you're ever unsure, check with the floor's manufacturer and see what they recommend for both cleaning and repairs.

Removing Karndean Flooring Cost

People often change their flooring if they want an update to their home or a change of decor. If this is the case and you want to remove your Karndean floor, you will need to hire an expert to remove the floor for you.

If you're hiring the same person to remove and fit a new floor, your installer will usually add this cost to their overall pricing estimate.

This can cost between £3-£5 per square metre per flooring removal. However, if you're an avid DIYer and decide to take this on as a DIY job, you'll want to hire a waste removal company or skip hire, which can cost around £80-£150.

FAQs

What is the best way to clean Karndean flooring?

When cleaning Karndean flooring, it's best to start by sweeping the surface with a soft brush before adding any solution.

After this, use a damp mop and a pH neutral cleaner/detergent to wipe the floor gently.

Any severe staining can be cleaned with a specific Karndean cleaner such as Karndean Clean, just make sure not to use harsh chemicals or bleach.

How soon can you walk on Karndean flooring after installation?

You should usually wait between 8-10 hours before walking on your new Karndean flooring. If you're unsure, test out the flooring before walking on any surface and make sure to ask your installer before they leave.

What is Karndean flooring made of?

Karndean is a specific kind of vinyl flooring made from pigments, polyvinyl chloride and either limestone or calcium carbonate.

There are four different layouts to Karndean: a clear PVC embossed layer, two PVC backing layers, an HD photographic layer, and a top coat made of polyurethane.

How long does Karndean flooring last?

Karndean flooring is a fantastic option if you're looking for a durable choice that will resist heavy wear and tear whilst lasting a long time if you care and maintain the floor correctly.

In even better news, if you've had your flooring fitted by a registered Karndean fitter, then the manufacturer guarantees cover for up to 12 years in a commercial setting and a whopping 35 years within domestic conditions. This means that any repair or fixtures will be covered free of charge!

How long does it take to install Karndean flooring?

Depending on the type of flooring you choose and the size of the room, this project can take anywhere between 1-7 days, including preparation time and time for waste removal and Karndean floor covering.

Make sure to ask your flooring specialist when you're planning the project so you can act accordingly and remove your furnishings/stay at a hotel.

What should I do before my installers arrive?

Before your floor installers arrive, it'll make things easier if you clear out the room to avoid extra time onto your labour costs.

The room itself must be adjusted to room temperature to match the flooring between 64-79 °F for at least 24 hours and should be maintained throughout the installation process and for 24 hours after.

Do you need an underlay for Karndean flooring?

The need for underlay can range depending on where the flooring is being fitted and the specific type of floor you're installing.

However, some ranges may need an extra underlay depending on the subfloor condition. Your installer should be able to help you with this question and be able to steer you in the right direction if you're unsure.

How to Find & Hire a Karndean Flooring Specialist

When you're looking to hire Karndean floor fitters, you want to make sure you have the best person for the job and that you're paying the right price.

Hiring the right person for you is important for a smooth installation process so that you feel comfortable and safe with the job being done.

If you're unsure, then don't worry, we're here to help!

Below are things to consider and questions you should ask when searching for and talking to potential specialists.

• Ask each contractor you speak to for a breakdown of costs, and make sure to browse around and get several quotes from different installers so you can compare prices.
• Make sure you're searching for installers who specifically specialise in Karndean flooring.
• Ensure they have the correct qualifications, including a Level 1 award in flooring operations or basic construction skills, as well as previous experience in floor fitting.
• Check your installers Karndean floor reviews and photographs online either on their website or on Tripadvisor.
• Ask whether they offer any guarantees with their work, such as warranty or refund periods.
• Double-check that they have public liability insurance or employer's liability insurance to protect you and your home should any incidents occur.
• Lastly, organise a payment plan before signing anything and ask for a receipt after the job is finished.

Sources

https://www.karndean.com/en-gb/floors/cleaning-products/karndean-clean