Karndean vs Amtico: Honest Comparison from a Trade-Direct LVT Wholesaler (2026)
Karndean and Amtico dominate the UK premium LVT market. Both produce designer luxury vinyl that runs £35-60+ per square metre. So which one should you actually pick? This is a straight comparison from a flooring wholesaler that sells Karndean direct from the manufacturer and has supplied both ranges into trade and residential projects across Sussex and the South East for years.
Quick answer first, then the detail.
The 30-second answer
- Pick Karndean if you want the widest range, the most colours, the best supply chain in the UK, and a brand that's easy to source replacements for 5+ years down the line. Knight Tile is the best-value entry point; Van Gogh and Da Vinci sit at the premium end.
- Pick Amtico if you specifically want the Amtico Signature designer ranges, the Spacia laying patterns, or you're working with a designer or contractor who specifies Amtico for a particular look.
- Pick neither if the project is price-sensitive. Both brands sit at £35-60/m² fitted. Our own Style Parquet, Style LVT and Woods Click SPC ranges deliver the same wear-layer specs at £13-29/m² supply-only, trade-direct.
The rest of this page goes into the differences in depth: wear layers, ranges, click vs glue-down, warranty, pricing, where to buy, and how the brands actually perform after installation.
Brand background
Karndean Designflooring has been in business since 1973. UK-headquartered in Evesham, Worcestershire. Manufactures across Asia and Europe. Sold through independent flooring retailers, contract specifiers, and trade wholesalers like Flooring Wholesale.
Amtico International was founded in 1964 and is also UK-based, headquartered in Coventry. Sister brand of the Mannington Mills group. Amtico Signature, Spacia, and Form ranges are sold through independent retailers and the Amtico Studio network.
Both brands focus on the residential and commercial premium LVT segments. Both have a heritage of designer collaborations, varied wood-effect and stone-effect plank designs, and bespoke laying patterns.
Range comparison
Karndean ranges (UK availability 2026)
- Knight Tile — entry-level glue-down LVT. 2mm thick, 0.3mm wear layer. Around 60+ colourways. Best value Karndean.
- Van Gogh — mid-tier glue-down. 2.5mm thick, 0.55mm wear layer. 66+ wood-effect colours.
- Van Gogh Rigid Core — SPC click version of Van Gogh. 5mm thick, 0.55mm wear layer. 20+ colours.
- Da Vinci — designer glue-down with herringbone, parquet, and large-format plank options.
- Korlok — premium click LVT with attached underlay. Easier DIY install.
- Opus — commercial-grade glue-down LVT for contract use.
Amtico ranges
- Spacia — entry-level Amtico glue-down. 2mm thick, 0.3mm wear layer. Closest competitor to Knight Tile.
- Signature — Amtico's flagship designer range. 2.5mm thick, 0.7mm wear layer. Wide design library including premium stone effects.
- Form — mid-tier wood-effect range with 0.55mm wear layer.
- Click Smart — Amtico's SPC click range. 4.5-5mm rigid core.
- Marine — water-resistant Amtico for commercial wet zones.
Wear layer comparison
Wear layer is the single most important LVT spec because it determines how long the floor lasts under foot traffic before showing visible wear. Higher number means thicker protective top layer.
| Tier | Karndean | Amtico | Wear layer | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Knight Tile | Spacia | 0.3mm | 10-15 years residential |
| Mid | Van Gogh, Form | Form | 0.55mm | 15-25 years residential |
| Premium | Da Vinci, Opus | Signature | 0.7mm | 25+ years residential / heavy commercial |
For a typical UK family home, 0.3mm wear layer is usually plenty. For a busy kitchen, hallway, or rental property, 0.55mm is the safer pick. For commercial reception areas, retail spaces, or AirBnB lets, go 0.7mm.
Click vs glue-down
Both brands sell their flagship ranges as glue-down LVT. Glue-down requires a flat, dry, smooth subfloor and is fitted with the appropriate adhesive (typically F-Ball F44 or equivalent). Once installed it's effectively permanent and gives the best long-term performance.
Both also offer SPC click variants (Van Gogh Rigid Core, Amtico Click Smart) for DIY-friendly installations where you want a floating floor with no adhesive. SPC click is faster to lay, more forgiving of minor subfloor imperfections, and easier to lift if you ever need to.
For most residential projects we recommend SPC click. For commercial, contract, or large open-plan areas where seamless visual flow matters, glue-down is still the better long-term choice.
Pricing comparison (Spring 2026)
All prices below are typical trade-direct supply-only at Flooring Wholesale. Retail prices through Karndean Studios or Amtico Studios run 30-50% higher.
- Karndean Knight Tile glue-down: from around £29/m² supply
- Karndean Van Gogh glue-down: from around £35/m² supply
- Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core SPC click: from around £39/m² supply
- Karndean Da Vinci herringbone: from around £42/m² supply
- Amtico Spacia glue-down: from around £30/m² supply
- Amtico Signature glue-down: from around £55/m² supply
- Amtico Click Smart SPC: from around £40/m² supply
For lower budget projects, our own Style LVT 2mm and Style Parquet herringbone come in at £13-15/m² supply with 0.3mm wear layer equivalent to Knight Tile or Spacia. Woods Click SPC at £15/m² delivers 5mm rigid core comparable to Van Gogh Rigid Core or Click Smart at a fraction of the price.
Where to buy
Both Karndean and Amtico are sold through independent retailer networks. Avoid the showroom markup by sourcing through trade-direct wholesalers like Flooring Wholesale. We supply Karndean Knight Tile, Van Gogh, Van Gogh Rigid Core, and Da Vinci direct from the manufacturer. For Amtico, source through an Amtico Studio or a contract supplier.
Warranty and aftercare
Karndean offers 20-year residential warranty on Knight Tile and Van Gogh, 25-year on Da Vinci. Amtico offers 25-year residential warranty on Signature and Spacia. Both warranties are conditional on proper installation, correct adhesive (for glue-down), and use of the brand's recommended aftercare products.
Frequently asked questions
Is Karndean better than Amtico?
Neither is objectively better. Karndean has a wider range and stronger UK trade supply chain. Amtico has the Signature range which is the deepest premium LVT collection on the UK market. The choice depends on the specific design and budget.
Can I mix Karndean and Amtico in the same project?
Yes if the wear layers and thicknesses match across rooms. Use the same adhesive system across the project. Talk to us before specifying mixed brands as transitions need to be planned in advance.
Which is easier to fit DIY?
SPC click ranges (Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core or Amtico Click Smart) are easier than glue-down. For first-time DIY fitters our own Woods Click SPC at £15/m² is the best value and easiest to lay.
Do you sell Amtico?
We don't currently stock Amtico. We focus on Karndean direct supply and our own-brand Style and Woods Click ranges. For Amtico samples, contact your nearest Amtico Studio.
What's the cheapest premium LVT alternative?
Our Style LVT 2mm range at £13/m² supply has the same 0.3mm wear layer as Knight Tile and Spacia. For premium wear layer at trade pricing, our Impression and Grande LVT collections deliver 0.55mm and 0.7mm respectively at £20-29/m² supply.
What to do next
Request free samples of any Karndean range or our own-brand LVT collections. Same-day dispatch from our Worthing warehouse. Free m² consumption calculator available. Trade pricing for contractors and fitters on request.
