When it comes to choosing luxury vinyl flooring for your home, two names consistently come up: Quick-Step and Karndean. Both are trusted brands sold here at TEKA Flooring, and both deliver quality, but they’re built differently, priced differently, and suited to different needs. In this article, we’ll compare Quick Step vs. Karndean to help you decide which is the better option for your space.
What Are Quick-Step and Karndean?
Quick-Step: Laminate and LVT Specialists
Quick-Step Flooring is a Belgian brand best known for its laminate flooring, though they also produce luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Their collections – including Impressive, Impressive Ultra, Majestic, and Eligna – are popular for their realistic wood and stone looks, easy click installation, and competitive pricing.
Karndean: Luxury Vinyl Flooring Experts
Karndean Flooring is a UK-based brand that focuses exclusively on luxury vinyl flooring. Their collections – Van Gogh, Knight Tile, Art Select, and more – are designed to replicate the look and texture of real wood and stone with exceptional accuracy. Karndean is widely regarded as one of the most design-forward LVT brands on the market.
The Differences Between Quick-Step vs. Karndean
| Feature | Quick-Step | Karndean |
| Product Type | Laminate & LVT | LVT only |
| Installation | Uniclic click (floating) | Gluedown or Rigid Core (click) |
| Waterproof | No (select ranges water-resistant) | Yes, 100% waterproof |
| Suitable Rooms | Living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room, kitchen (select) | All rooms incl. bathroom, kitchen, wet rooms, commercial |
| Wear Layer | N/A (laminate) | 0.3mm – 0.7mm |
| Thickness | 8mm – 12mm | 2mm – 3mm |
| Design Realism | Good | Excellent (registered emboss, bevelled edges) |
| Underfloor Heating | Yes | Yes |
| Pet Friendly | Yes (Scratch Guard) | Yes |
| Price Range | £19.99 – £41.49/m² | £28.99 – £97.99/m² |
| Domestic Warranty | Up to 25 years | Lifetime |
| DIY Friendly | Yes (Uniclic click) | Gluedown = professional recommended; Korlok = DIY friendly |
| Best For | Budget-conscious buyers, dry living areas | Whole-home use, wet rooms, design-led projects |
1. Product Type and Construction
- Quick-Step
Quick-Step’s most popular products are laminate floors – a composite material with a photographic layer protected by a hard wear layer, sitting on an HDF core. They also offer LVT ranges, but laminate is where they’ve built their reputation. Laminate is generally more affordable and easier to install, but it’s not fully waterproof and can’t be sanded or refinished. - Karndean
Karndean makes only luxury vinyl tile (LVT). LVT is a multi-layer product: a rigid or flexible core, a photographic design layer, and a clear protective wear layer on top. It’s 100% waterproof, softer underfoot than laminate, and suitable for wet rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
2. Installation Method
- Quick-Step’s Uniclic System
Quick-Step is famous for its patented Uniclic click-lock system. Planks snap together without glue, making it a true floating floor. It’s one of the easiest laminate systems to install – great for DIY. - Karndean’s Gluedown and Rigid Core Options
Karndean offers two main installation methods:- Gluedown (Van Gogh, Knight Tile, Art Select): Planks are adhered directly to the subfloor. More permanent, better for high-traffic and commercial spaces.
- Rigid Core / Korlok (click-fit): A floating floor option similar to Quick-Step’s approach, easier to install without professional help.
3. Durability and Performance
- How Quick-Step Holds Up :
Quick-Step laminate is scratch-resistant and easy to maintain. Their Scratch Guard technology adds surface protection, and many ranges carry a 25-year domestic warranty. However, laminate is not fully waterproof – prolonged moisture exposure can cause swelling. - Why Karndean Excels :
Karndean LVT is 100% waterproof, slip-resistant, and soft underfoot. It handles spills, humidity, and heavy foot traffic without issue. The wear layer thickness (0.3mm to 0.7mm depending on the range) determines how long it lasts – Art Select’s 0.7mm wear layer is among the most durable available.
4. Design Authenticity
- The Look of Quick-Step :
Quick-Step designs are stylish and on-trend. Their laminate collections offer convincing wood and stone effects, though the texture realism can vary. Their LVT ranges are more competitive on this front. - Karndean’s Attention to Detail :
Karndean uses real wood and stone as templates for their designs. The result is incredibly realistic textures, registered emboss finishes, and bevelled edges that are hard to distinguish from natural materials. If design authenticity matters to you, Karndean is the stronger choice.
5. Price and Value
- Quick-Step’s Affordability :
Quick-Step laminate starts from around £19.99/m² (on offer) and typically ranges from £27.49 to £41.49/m² for premium collections like Impressive Ultra. It’s the more budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality. - Karndean’s Premium Positioning :
Karndean ranges from £28.99/m² (Knight Tile on offer) up to £97.99/m² for Heritage collections. The Art Select range – their most design-forward – sits around £62.49/m². You’re paying for superior waterproofing, thicker wear layers, and more authentic aesthetics.
6. Where Can You Use Them?
- Quick-Step
Best suited for: living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms. With HydroSeal technology, select collections can handle kitchens. Not recommended for bathrooms or wet rooms. - Karndean
Suitable for every room in the house – including bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. Also widely used in commercial settings. If you need one floor type throughout the whole property, Karndean is the more versatile choice.
7. Warranty
Both brands offer strong warranties:
- Quick-Step: Up to 25-year domestic warranty on most collections
- Karndean: Lifetime domestic warranty across all ranges; lifetime guarantee if installed by a Karndean-trained fitter
Quick-Step vs. Karndean – Our Verdict
Neither brand is objectively better – it depends on your priorities:
- Choose Quick-Step if you want an affordable, easy-to-install floor for dry living areas, or if you’re working to a tighter budget without compromising on style.
- Choose Karndean if you want a fully waterproof, design-led floor that works in every room, with superior texture realism and a lifetime warranty.
At TEKA Flooring, we stock both brands and can help you find the right fit for your project. Pop into our Peterborough showroom or browse online to see the full range.
Our Recommended Products at TEKA Flooring
Quick-Step Recommendations
1. Quick-Step Impressive Classic Oak Natural
Price: £27.99 £19.99/m² (Special Offer)
A timeless classic oak laminate from Quick-Step’s Impressive collection. Featuring a realistic wood grain finish with a water-resistant surface, this 8mm plank is ideal for living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. Easy click installation and a lifetime domestic warranty make it one of the best-value floors in our range.
2. Quick-Step Impressive Truffle Oak
Price: £29.99/m²
A rich, warm-toned oak laminate with a deep truffle finish. Part of the Impressive collection, this 8mm floor offers Quick-Step’s signature Uniclic installation and Scratch Guard protection, perfect for busy family homes.
3. Quick-Step Impressive Ultra Soft Oak Light Brown
Price: £41.49/m²
Step up to the Impressive Ultra range for a 12mm floor with enhanced water resistance and a more refined finish. Soft Oak Light Brown brings a contemporary, airy feel to any room, ideal for open-plan living spaces.
4. Quick-Step Impressive Almond Oak
Price: £29.99/m²
A light, neutral oak with a smooth, clean finish. Almond Oak works beautifully in smaller rooms where you want to maximise the sense of space. Scratch Guard and water-resistant surface included as standard.
5. Quick-Step Impressive Ultra Bourbon Oak
Price: £41.49/m²
A bold, characterful oak with warm amber tones. Bourbon Oak from the Impressive Ultra range delivers a premium 12mm floor with enhanced durability and a more pronounced wood grain texture, great for dining rooms and hallways.
Karndean Recommendations
1. Karndean Knight Tile Dutch Limed Oak
Price: £31.99/m²
An entry point into Karndean’s world without compromising on quality. Dutch Limed Oak from the Knight Tile range features a smooth, limed finish with a 0.3mm wear layer and lifetime domestic warranty. Gluedown installation makes it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where a permanent, stable floor is needed.
2. Karndean Van Gogh Gluedown Neutral Brushed Oak
Price: £44.99/m²
A contemporary take on natural oak with soft, neutral tones and a beautifully brushed grain. The Van Gogh range features a 0.55mm wear layer, significantly more durable than Knight Tile, making it suitable for busy households and light commercial use. Fully waterproof and compatible with underfloor heating.
3. Karndean Art Select Golden Artisan Oak
Price: £62.49/m²
From Karndean’s premium Art Select range, Golden Artisan Oak is a characterful limed and washed oak with prominent crown formations and burnished knots. The 0.7mm wear layer is the thickest available in the Karndean range, and the registered emboss finish makes it virtually indistinguishable from real wood. Available in both straight and herringbone patterns.
4. Karndean Art Select Dune Oak
Price: £62.49/m²
A light, sandy oak with a subtle grain and clean aesthetic. Dune Oak suits modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors and works equally well in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. The Art Select 0.7mm wear layer ensures it stands up to years of daily use.
5. Karndean Art Select Canyon Oak
Price: £62.49/m²
A rich, warm-toned oak with deep grain detail and a rustic character. Canyon Oak brings warmth and depth to any room, and its 0.7mm wear layer makes it one of the most durable floors in our Karndean range. Ideal for open-plan living areas and hallways.
Discover Quick-Step and Karndean at TEKA Flooring Peterborough
Both Quick-Step and Karndean are available to view in person at our Peterborough showroom. Our team can help you compare samples side by side, discuss your project requirements, and find the right floor at the right price.
Book a Design Consultation or browse our full range online. Our team will help you choose the perfect floor and even offer professional fitting services. Quality, style, and service only at TEKA Flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Quick-Step better than Karndean?
Neither is objectively better – it depends on your needs. Quick-Step is more affordable and great for dry living areas. Karndean is fully waterproof, more design-authentic, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Both are premium brands we trust and recommend. - Can Quick-Step be used in bathrooms?
Standard Quick-Step laminate is not recommended for bathrooms. Select collections with HydroSeal technology offer improved moisture resistance for kitchens, but for wet rooms, Karndean LVT is the safer choice. - Is Karndean worth the extra cost?
For most homeowners, yes. The fully waterproof construction, thicker wear layers, and more realistic textures justify the price difference – especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas. The lifetime warranty adds long-term value too. - Which is easier to install, Quick-Step or Karndean?
Quick-Step’s Uniclic click system is one of the easiest laminate installations available – suitable for confident DIYers. Karndean’s gluedown ranges require professional installation, though their Korlok rigid core range is also click-fit. - Do both brands work with underfloor heating?
Yes. Both Quick-Step and Karndean are compatible with underfloor heating systems. Always check the specific product specifications and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maximum floor temperature. - How long do Quick-Step and Karndean floors last?
Quick-Step offers up to 25-year domestic warranties on most collections. Karndean offers a lifetime domestic warranty across all ranges – and a lifetime guarantee if installed by a Karndean-trained fitter. - Can I get free samples of Quick-Step and Karndean at TEKA?
Yes. You can order free samples from our website or visit our Peterborough showroom to see and feel the products in person before you buy. - What’s the difference between Karndean Knight Tile and Art Select?
Knight Tile is Karndean’s entry-level range with a 0.3mm wear layer, starting from around £31.99/m². Art Select is their premium range with a 0.7mm wear layer, more detailed designs, and bevelled edges – starting from £62.49/m². For high-traffic areas or commercial use, Art Select is the better investment.
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