Is Karndean Suitable to Use Over Underfloor Heating?

10 4 minutes read

Flooring — Process of laying laminate panels on floor with underfloor heating, 3d illustration

Underfloor heating (UFH) has grown in popularity across homes in the UK and beyond, providing consistent, energy-efficient warmth while eliminating the need for bulky radiators. As more homeowners embrace this modern heating solution, a key consideration becomes: what type of flooring works best with it? Karndean design flooring is one of the leading brands in the LVT flooring (luxury vinyl tile) market, it is frequently asked about its compatibility with underfloor heating.

The good news is that Karndean is suitable for use over most underfloor heating systems, provided specific guidelines are followed. This article explores the suitability of Karndean flooring over UFH across several of its most popular ranges: Art Select, Van Gogh, Van Gogh Rigid Core, Knight Tile, Knight Tile Rigid Core, and Palio Essenza.

Table of Contents

Karndean Art Select

Karndean Art Select is the brand’s premium collection, offering luxurious wood and stone designs that are virtually indistinguishable from natural materials. It is a glue-down LVT, meaning each tile or plank is adhered directly to the subfloor.

When it comes to underfloor heating, Art Select performs excellently due to its relatively low thermal resistance. This ensures efficient heat transfer from the heating system to the surface, allowing rooms to warm up quickly and maintain a consistent temperature.

To ensure long-term performance, Karndean recommends:

Using only wet (hydronic) or electric systems embedded in screed.
Maintaining a maximum floor surface temperature of 27°C.
Ensuring the subfloor is dry, level, and properly prepared before installation.

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With its robust 0.7mm wear layer and luxurious design, Art Select is a premium choice for homeowners who want both beauty and compatibility with underfloor heating.

Karndean Van Gogh

Karndean Van Gogh is well-loved for its bold, large-format wood planks that make a striking design statement. This range is also a glue-down format, making it a solid option for underfloor heating systems.

Just like with Art Select, Van Gogh’s glue-down installation allows for excellent heat conductivity. Because it’s directly bonded to the subfloor, there’s minimal air between layers, enhancing warmth distribution.

Van Gogh’s durable 0.55mm wear layer is more than sufficient for residential and light commercial use. Its realistic textures and finishes bring warmth and character to interiors, and its compatibility with UFH ensures that practicality doesn’t come at the cost of comfort.

Again, it’s critical to use a suitable levelling compound and approved adhesive compatible with underfloor heating when installing this flooring over a heated subfloor.

Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core

The Van Gogh Rigid Core range is a click-lock version of the original Van Gogh collection. It’s a floating floor system, designed for quicker installation without adhesives. It also features an acoustic backing that reduces sound transfer between floors, making it ideal for apartments or upper floors.

Rigid Core LVT tends to have slightly higher thermal resistance compared to glue-down types due to its thicker core and built-in underlay. However, Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core is still suitable for use over underfloor heating—just be sure that:

There are no air gaps between the heating system and the flooring.
The surface temperature remains under 27°C.

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This range offers convenience and comfort in equal measure—especially beneficial for those seeking a quick upgrade that works seamlessly with modern heating systems.

Karndean Knight Tile

Karndean Knight Tile is one of the most popular ranges for residential use, offering a wide variety of wood and stone designs. Like Art Select and Van Gogh, this is a glue-down LVT, making it another excellent candidate for installation over underfloor heating.

The Knight Tile collection has a 0.3mm wear layer, which is lighter than Van Gogh or Art Select, but still suitable for typical domestic use. When paired with UFH, Knight Tile’s thinner profile allows it to heat up quickly and evenly.

This range is ideal for budget-conscious homeowners who don’t want to compromise on design or comfort. As with all Karndean glue-down products, correct subfloor preparation and adhesive choice are crucial to ensure effective heating and long-lasting results.

Karndean Knight Tile Rigid Core

The Rigid Core version of Knight Tile brings the same design variety with the added convenience of click-lock installation and an integrated acoustic backing. It is ideal for DIY enthusiasts or those looking to minimise installation time.

Despite being a floating floor, Knight Tile Rigid Core is still compatible with UFH—just like its glue-down counterpart. However, since floating floors introduce an extra layer between the heating system and the floor surface, the thermal efficiency is slightly reduced. This can be managed by:

Ensuring close contact between the subfloor and heating elements.
Sticking to the recommended 27°C surface temperature limit.

This range is perfect for households that want stylish flooring without sacrificing the benefits of underfloor heating.

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Karndean Palio Essenza

Karndean’s Palio Essenza is a glue‑down LVT collection offering ten wood and four stone designs, available in plank and herringbone formats, each 2 mm thick with a 0.3 mm wear layer and PU protective coating. It realistically mimics oak, ash, marble, limestone, and concrete while remaining 100% waterproof—ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility areas.

It is compatible with underfloor heating (up to 27 °C) and rated R10 for slip resistance, it’s durable, easy to clean, and backed by a 20‑year residential warranty. Design strips allow bespoke borders, and the product requires proper subfloor prep for installation.

General Guidelines for Using Karndean with UFH

While all the above ranges are suitable for underfloor heating, it’s vital to follow Karndean’s general installation and heating guidelines:

Maximum floor temperature: Never exceed 27°C. Doing so can cause the floor to warp or delaminate.
Gradual warm-up: After installation, the UFH should be brought to temperature gradually over a minimum of 48 hours.
Moisture control: Ensure that the subfloor has a moisture content within accepted limits before installing Karndean flooring.
Manufacturer-approved high temperature adhesives (for glue-down ranges): Only use adhesives recommended for use with UFH to maintain product integrity and warranty protection.

Conclusion

Karndean flooring is not only stylish and durable but also perfectly compatible with modern underfloor heating systems. Whether you opt for a glue-down range like Art Select or Knight Tile, or prefer the convenience of a click-lock rigid core product like Van Gogh Rigid Core, you can enjoy the combined benefits of warmth, comfort, and beautiful design.

By following proper installation protocols and maintaining recommended temperature limits, homeowners can confidently pair Karndean LVT with underfloor heating for a high-performance flooring solution that looks as good as it feels.