Polyflor Camaro Review 2026: Honest Long-Term Take from a UK Trade-Direct Supplier

Polyflor Camaro is one of the most-specified LVT ranges in the UK for residential and light-commercial projects. 2.5mm thick, 0.55mm wear layer, UK-manufactured in Manchester since 1915 by James Halstead. We've supplied Camaro into projects across the South East for years and supply 46+ colours direct from the manufacturer. This is an honest review covering what it does well, where it falls short, and how it stacks up against the obvious alternatives.

Quick verdict

  • Strengths: realistic decor, strong 0.55mm wear layer, UK manufacturing, wide colour range, commercial-grade ratings for many colourways, established product with 15+ years of UK installs and service data.
  • Weaknesses: not as cheap as own-brand alternatives, glue-down standard is water-resistant but not fully waterproof (Camaro Rigid Core SPC click fixes this), some colourways harder to source than others, branded markup at retail level.
  • Best for: mid-tier residential kitchens, hallways, living rooms. Light commercial use. Anyone who specifically wants the Polyflor brand spec and 15-year service track record.
  • Skip if: budget is the priority — our own-brand Impression LVT 2.5mm 0.55mm wear layer hits the same spec at £20/m² supply vs Camaro £32/m² supply.

Related guides

What Polyflor Camaro actually is

Polyflor Camaro is a 2.5mm thick glue-down luxury vinyl tile with a 0.55mm wear layer. The construction is standard high-quality LVT: PVC backing, vinyl composite core, decorative photographic print layer, and a clear PUR-coated wear surface on top. Plank format mostly, with stone-effect tile options across selected ranges. Manufactured at the James Halstead plant in Whitefield, Greater Manchester.

Camaro Rigid Core is the SPC click variant of the same range. Same decor library and surface but with a rigid stone-polymer core, 5mm thick, click-fit installation, and full waterproof rating.

Design and decor quality

Camaro's decor library is one of the strongest on the UK market. Wood effects range from blonde and bleached oak through warm honey tones to dark walnut and smoked oak. Stone effects cover concrete, slate, marble, and limestone variants. The print resolution and colour variation across multiple unique plank prints prevents the "copy-paste" repetition that gives away cheaper LVT.

Standout colourways: Bay Apple, Atlantic Slate, Naked Blonde Oak Large Parquet, Grey Concrete, Burnt Ginger Oak. The large-format planks in the Camaro range (longer and wider than typical LVT) suit open-plan rooms because the patterns repeat less visibly.

Wear and durability after 5+ years

Camaro's 0.55mm wear layer delivers what the spec promises. In typical UK domestic use (family kitchen, hallway, living room) we see Camaro looking essentially identical to installation after 5 years. Scuffs and indents from heavy chair legs are the most common visible wear; the wear layer itself doesn't thin or pit. For commercial-spec Camaro (CRC variants), the same applies under heavier traffic.

The honest weakness: Camaro standard glue-down is water-resistant but not fully waterproof at the joints. A sustained leak under a dishwasher or washing machine can compromise the adhesive bond at the seam. For wet-prone rooms (bathrooms, utility, kitchens with older plumbing), Camaro Rigid Core SPC click is the right choice.

Pricing comparison (Spring 2026)

  • Polyflor Camaro standard LVT: from £32/m² supply (varies by colourway)
  • Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core SPC click: from £42/m² supply
  • Karndean Van Gogh glue-down (closest competitor by spec): from £35/m² supply
  • Our Impression LVT 2.5mm 0.55mm wear (own-brand equivalent): from £20/m² supply
  • Our Grande LVT 2.5mm 0.7mm wear (premium own-brand): from £28/m² supply

The honest take: Camaro carries a brand premium of roughly 35-50% over our own-brand Impression LVT, which delivers the same wear-layer spec and the same residential-grade construction. For a 30m² kitchen, that's roughly £360 in supply cost difference. For projects where the brand label matters (commercial spec, retail fit-outs, contractor compliance), Camaro is the right choice. For residential where spec matters more than name, our Impression range is the trade-direct alternative.

Camaro vs Karndean Van Gogh

The closest competitor. Both 0.55mm wear layer, both UK-manufactured, both with wide colour libraries. Differences:

  • Decor library: Karndean has more colours overall. Camaro has stronger commercial / contract specs.
  • SPC click variant: Both available. Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core vs Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core. Spec near-identical.
  • Pricing: Similar at supply.
  • Manufacturer location: Karndean (Evesham), Polyflor (Manchester). Both UK.
  • Sustainability claims: Polyflor has a more developed recycling programme (Recofloor).

Verdict: Karndean has the design edge for residential design-led projects. Camaro has the edge for commercial/contract spec and where Recofloor sustainability counts. Both are excellent.

Camaro Summer 2026 rebate

FW is eligible for the Polyflor Summer 2026 promo: 1-2 points per box rebate on Camaro, Camaro Rigid Core, Colonia, and Expona Commercial purchased between 1 March and 31 August 2026. This passes through to customer pricing for orders during that window.

Installation—what trade fitters say about Camaro

Camaro glue-down is straightforward to install for fitters experienced with LVT. Standard requirements: F-Ball Styccobond F44 adhesive, primed and levelled subfloor (RH below 75%), 24-hour acclimatisation. F46 adhesive for damp subfloors. F49 for underfloor heating.

Camaro Rigid Core is DIY-friendly with the rigid click system. Faster install, more forgiving of minor subfloor unevenness.

For herringbone Camaro variants, see our How to Lay Herringbone Flooring guide.

What we'd avoid in Camaro

  • Don't use standard Camaro glue-down in wet rooms (bathrooms, utility, downstairs WCs). Use Camaro Rigid Core SPC click instead.
  • Don't skip the F-Ball Styccobond F44 specification — cheaper adhesives void the Polyflor warranty.
  • Don't lay Camaro over an unlevelled subfloor; the 2.5mm thickness shows through every imperfection.
  • For light residential bedroom/living-room-only use where waterproof isn't needed and budget matters, our entry-tier Style LVT 2mm at £13/m² supply delivers 0.3mm wear at a fraction of Camaro pricing.

Warranty and after-sales

Camaro residential warranty 20 years against wear-through, fading, and manufacturer defects. Camaro Rigid Core 25 years. Commercial Camaro variants (CRC, Atomic) carry 10-15 year commercial warranties depending on traffic class.

Frequently asked questions

Is Polyflor Camaro waterproof?

Camaro standard glue-down is water-resistant (suitable for kitchens and bathrooms with proper installation). Camaro Rigid Core SPC click is fully waterproof and the right pick for genuinely wet zones.

How long does Camaro last?

20 years residential / 12 years light commercial for standard Camaro. 25 years residential for Camaro Rigid Core.

Can Camaro be used over underfloor heating?

Yes, all Camaro variants are UFH-compatible up to 27°C surface temperature. Use F49 adhesive for glue-down over UFH.

Where is Polyflor Camaro manufactured?

Whitefield, Greater Manchester. UK-manufactured by James Halstead plc.

Is Camaro better than Karndean?

Neither is objectively better at the same spec tier (Camaro 0.55mm vs Karndean Van Gogh 0.55mm). Karndean has more residential design colours; Camaro has stronger commercial/contract spec and the Recofloor sustainability programme. Choice comes down to specific colour preference.

What's the trade-direct alternative to Camaro?

Our own-brand Impression LVT 2.5mm with 0.55mm wear layer delivers the same residential spec at roughly half the supply price. Same construction quality, no branded markup.

Where do I see Polyflor Camaro samples?

Free samples on every Polyflor Camaro colour we list. Order free samples next-day from our Worthing warehouse.

What to do next

Browse the full Polyflor Camaro range, order free samples, or get a trade-direct quote. We supply Camaro direct from Polyflor on partnership terms which means trade-direct pricing without authorised-retailer markup.