Karndean...I don't get it.

aliasojo

Is Karndean just posh vinyl tiles or strips of vinyl? So a Karndean floor would have loads of joins everywhere (although I assume they'd be invisible)?

Forgive the naive question, but why would this be preferable to sheet lino?

silvercar

Karndean floors I've seen mimic tiles so the joins are very visible.

Similar to Amtico and marmoleum.

Generally the surfaced is sealed (imagine cleaning the floor with milk and leaving the residue to dry, so the surface is protected from spills, though major floods could penetrate the floor.

The difference to sheet lino is that the Karndean is attached to the floor rather than laid on it.

aliasojo

So in theory, if my washing machine flooded, the water could get in between the Karndean joins rather than sitting on top as it would with sheet vinyl? (I'm using top quality vinyl as a comparison btw).

Some of the vinyls I've been pricing need glued down in the same way Karndean does and they seem to be around the same price per m2 so I'm not sure why so many people rate Karndean given that it is separate components and more of a risk of damage at the joins.

I think the Karndean samples I've seen look lovely but vinyl seems to be more practical? Which made me wonder if I was missing something, hence the post.

ic

Isn't the main feature of Karndean that it wears well? I think work has it in the entrance reception. Despite 150 people walking over it every day in and out of the office in all weathers for the past two years, it still looks like new when mopped down. Vinyl wouldn't stand up to that wear and tear.

trf1960

I think its more a case that you can 'design' the flooring with Karndean/Amtico etc. as opposed to just having the design as per cushion flooring. We had Karndean in our kitchen - I wouldn't say it was any better than the (good quality) cushion flooring we had previously its just that we could decide if we wanted a different colour edging or pattern for around the edges not to mention different colour strips in-between the tiles which make the pattern stand out.

One thing I do notice though. Our kitchen has a concrete floor and with these 'tiles' everything certainly does seem noisier as opposed to cushion flooring and god forbid you drop a plate/cup etc .

SarahS_2

We've had Karndean in our bathroom for the past 6 years and it still looks brand new. here's a choice between just butting each tile against its neighbour or using joining strips which simulate grouting but don't get as grubby! Yes we've had to replace one lot in our ensuite when the shower leaked below the tray and got underneath the tiles lifting them off the boards but we've not had any leaks from water getting through the joins from above - if that makes sense!
Go for what you like best & good luck.

aliasojo

Thanks all. Since I'm not too fussed about designing anything in particular and my biggest concern is practicality with regard to water ingress etc, then my gut feeling is that sheet vinyl would be better for us.

startrekker

before you finally decide..... sheet vinyl will blow if any water gets underneath it, and if it is your kitchen that you are doing and it does get flooded, and the water is left on the surface for too long, chances ist that it would damage your vinyl as well............. if its water that concerns you, go for ceramic tiles.....

aliasojo

Thanks startrekker but tiles are not suitable given our kitchen floor sub base as it stands.

Nor do I want wood or laminate for various reasons. We've weighed the options up for months and had 2 flooring fitters out to give opinions based on suitablity and vinyl was the best option based on our needs, wants, and the length and level of stability of our existing floor joists. (Suspended wood floor).

The vinyl will be wall to wall with no joins, not just under plinth edge to plinth edge. It will aso be glued down so should be able to withstand some water issues, hopefully. I just wondered how Karndean compared with vinyl.

I dont know what our last vinyl was but it was commercial quality and had heat welded seams and was impenetrable by water. It had small particles of metal in it's composition and was as tough as old boots. If I knew what it was, I'd look for it again tbh as it was so tough but I haven't got a clue and I haven't come across anything like it yet.

Nile

Hello aliasojo

As you seem to have made the decision to go with vinyl flooring, I can recommend Rhinoflooring.;) We have it in our kitchen. It's hard wearing and mops up lovely.:D

http://www.armstrong.com/resflreu/eu1/rhinofloors/uk/gb/

Regards

Nile

TinkyWinky_2

You are absolutely right about water ingress which is why my lovely Karndean floor (which runs right through the ground floor of my new house) is missing a bit in the kitchen!!!!!

5 grand's worth of flooring beaten by a labrador puppy slopping water out the bowl :eek: . I am NOT impressed. Thankfully we have loads left over from when it was fitted so we'll just have what needs to be taken out relaid but I am less than happy that the screed used couldn't withstand that little amount of water.

That's my only complaint about it though. It looks fabulous and stands up to dog claws which is why we fitted it rather than wood.