Karndean Flooring Shrinking - HELP

[MandyMoo33]

In May we had Karndean Summer Oak fitted which is wood effect plank tiles.

Since being fitted (it was perfect when first laid) we have noticed how it has shrunk slightly leaving gaps.

The floor layer has gone out of his way to help and try to make it right but in fairness to him we truly believe it is the product and upon searching the Internet there seem to be others who have had similar experiences.

Karndean are due to visit and according to others they go out of their way to point the finger elsewhere.

I would really appreciate any help anyone else can give - I did find an old thread on here with a member saying they actually had a group up and running for people with Karndean issues but this was back in 2009.

Thanks in advance x

We have had Karndean in the hall, dining kitchen and conservatory. Product is wearing excellent in hall and kitchen after 10 years, however, conservatory all the Karndean has shrunk and has moisture beneath. Karndean inspector came out and said it was a fitting issue, shop bought from no longer trading. Karndean inspector said everything was wrong with the fitting from the wrong glue to incorrect levelling, he even blamed damp in the floor - yet their Karndean shrunk, not by a little but has gaps of circa 8-10mm. Even if incorrectly fit, why has it shrunk?

Had Karndean in three different houses with underfloor heating and never had a problem.

I always had the da vinci range, which is great.
I was told that knight tile is not recommended for underfloor heating some time ago by a fitter, when discussing if he had seen issues with any of the range. Knight tile was the only one he had seen issues with.

Our Karndean was mid range Van Gouch - Burnt Ginger.

I and in the process of ordering Kardean Palio Clic pienza, at £45 m2, are you telling me this flooring is rubbish and should not buy. We would be placing it in our kitchen diner which has underfloor heating, plus in our hall way which will be a busy area, also has log burner.

We have had karndean knight tile in our kitchen/dining room since April. Dark wood planks with black detail strips. Cost £950. No shrinking but I regret it now as its scratched to buggery and can see every tiny mark and bit of dirt. We have the felt pads on chairs makes no difference.

Hi Hun
Sorry to hear about the shrinkage. I've got a flooring business with my husband he is second generation installer and we install a lot of carpet and vinyl including Karndean.

Here's a list to check off to insure the best installation and performance of product.

1. Floor prep is critical vinyl only has a 3mm variance of forgiveness
2. Vinyl products can not be layed over yellow tongue or slate sub floor. Yellow tongue, slate and uneven sub floors need to be masonited first.
3. All 5mm vinyl products should be glued down with at least a pressure sensitive glue but Id recommend hard set glue. (even loose lay products). 2-4mm products need to be hard set glued down.
4. Areas of any thickness of vinyl floors that are in direct sunlight like sliding door areas need to be installed with a hard set glue for at least 2m from the doorway.
5. Product should be opened, separated and left in areas to be installed for at least 48 hours before installation to acclimatise product.
6. Vinyl should be cut in TIGHT to edges if the room no expansion gaps are needed.

I hope this helps flooring is a huge investment I imagine this is a bit stressful. Karndean are a very reputable company who have been producing vinyl flooring for a very long time we have always found them very fair and willing to rectify customer complaints. Good luck

Had Karndean down in kitchen for last eleven years. No sign of wear despite a dishwasher bursting into flames and dropping hot melted metal onto the floor. Later, a flood - still withstood it all. I also have it in bathroom and toilets. Then again in my front room. My son-in-law is a builder and has been fitting Karndean for years. He has it throughout his house and always looks great. Never had a problem.

hi, we have just had palio clic karndean put down in our lounge/dining room. Looks really lovely and feels warmer than laminate BUT two weeks in and we already have significant scratches :( I have only used the karndean cleaner and haven't done any major furniture moving. really disappointed.

Karndean floor laid yesterday and already very thin gaps.

Did you go back to whoever fitted the floor @Lewis99?

That's what I would suggest. You get more responses by starting a new thread rather than posting on an old one.

Had Karndean van gough aged redwood laid 2 weeks ago and initially it looked ok but soon after the fitters left we noticed gaps everywhere! Contacting the boss of the store we bought it from was a nightmare their solution was to stick filler in here there and everywhere! The filler doesn't even match the tile colour. I noticed on here that someone said Karndean is best laid in a cool room but the guys who r fitters told me the room should be warm. We contacted Karndean who told us as long as you can't get a credit card in the gaps then there is not a problem?!?! So dissapoinyed right now as I have new furniture comming soon and was assured they would rip the lit up and start again today. However the fitters arrived this morning and basically said they don't think they could get it any better than it currently is! They said if they remove the filler there will be gaps left. So their suggestion is to fill all the edges with filler so it doesn't look so odd having just bits filled here n there. He basically said it has happened because we didn't have the heating on when it was laid so they r blaming us in a roundabout way! I am honestly fuming at the thought of paying over £1200 for a floor I don't like. Dunno what to do now. 😕