Amtico vs Karndean Flooring: Which Is Best for Your Home?

July 28, 2026

Amtico and Karndean are two of the best-known LVT flooring brands in the UK. Both produce durable, easy-to-maintain flooring in a wide range of realistic wood, stone, herringbone and patterned designs.

The important thing to know is that neither brand is simply better than the other. The real differences are in their individual designs, collections and fitting options, so the best choice usually becomes clearer once you compare the actual floors rather than the names on the sample boards.


What is the difference between Amtico and Karndean?

Amtico is particularly strong on design flexibility. Alongside natural wood and stone effects, its ranges include parquet, herringbone, geometric patterns and decorative borders. This makes it particularly interesting when the flooring is intended to become a feature of the room.

Karndean also offers an extensive choice of wood, stone and patterned flooring, with a particularly broad selection of natural-looking wood designs across different colours, textures and plank sizes.

Both brands offer products across different price points, so it is important to compare similar ranges. Durability also varies by individual product rather than simply by manufacturer.

For most homeowners, the biggest practical difference will therefore be which design looks best in the room and which product is most suitable for the installation.


How should you choose between Amtico and Karndean?

Start with the room rather than the brand. Think about the colour and style you want, how much traffic the floor will receive and whether a straight plank, herringbone or more decorative pattern suits the space.

Then compare suitable Amtico and Karndean samples side by side. Colours and textures can look surprisingly different at full size, particularly when placed alongside kitchen units, furniture and existing woodwork.

The total fitted price matters too. Preparation, fitting method and pattern can make more difference to the final cost than the brand itself. A straightforward plank installation, for example, will normally require less fitting time than herringbone or a detailed geometric layout.

Whichever brand you choose, proper subfloor preparation and professional fitting are just as important as the flooring itself. If longevity is one of your priorities, our guide to How Long Does LVT Flooring Last? explains this in more detail.

Ultimately, Amtico and Karndean are both strong choices. Rather than deciding which brand is supposedly best, find the floor that looks right, suits the way you use the room and works within the overall project budget.

Visit our Bromley showroom to compare Amtico and Karndean flooring side by side, explore larger samples and get practical advice from our experienced team. We’ll help you choose the right flooring before arranging professional installation.