Buyer’s Guide to Karndean Art Select and LooseLay 

Buyer’s Guide to Karndean Art Select and LooseLay 

Karndean is an incredible choice when it comes to your floors, as they’ve been in the industry since 1973, they certainly know their way around a floor. As a company they have strong core values that help them run smoothly and consistently producing beautiful, bold, and innovative floors that WILL look amazing in your home! 

However, with so many amazing different floors from such an amazing manufacturer, it’s hard to pick which collections should get our attention for this blog post! For now, we will see which floor is better, or a Karndean Art Select vs LooseLay situation. 

Scroll down for our FAQ about Karndean’s Collections!

What to know before buying a new Karndean Floor!

Karndean mainly specializes in commercial grade LVT flooring, and are very popular amongst contractors and such. If you walk into a commercial building, the chance that you’re walking on a Karndean floor is high! 

Even if you aren’t looking to buy flooring for a commercial setting, typically commercial grade floors are able to withstand a ton more wear and tear than your normal floors! These floors are fortified with high wear layers (up to 30+ mil!)  that you won't find in floors made for residential. 

These two collections are also vinyl with PVC core, meaning they do not swell like laminate flooring.

Karndean’s Art Select

A high quality vinyl by Karndean, this floor is characterized by the fact it is a glue down floor which sets it apart from its Looselay counterpart. Art Select has a hefty 30mil layer, making it heavily resistant to wear and a lot of traffic, making it good for large commercial buildings. 

Despite the heft of its wear layer, it’s a pretty light weight and thin floor, only being about 3mm thick. Due to the fact it’s a glue down floor, it can be installed in many different designs which you can find instructions for on Karndean’s Website here! Along with the different patterns and designs it can be installed in, it comes in a myriad of colors with both wood and stone designs. 

• Glue-Down LVT
• Thickness of only 3mm 
• 30mil wear layer, making it resistant to traffic
• Wood and Stone looks
• Lifetime Warranty 

Karndean’s LooseLay

Karndean Looselay is mainly characterized as a slightly more affordable version of Karndean’s Art Select with a different installation method, and a lot of the same features. They both come in wood and stone looks and have life long warranties.
However, Karndean LooseLay is a bit thicker than its counterpart, being 1.5mm’s thicker than Art Select. This thickness is because it doesn't need to be glued down to be installed, being one of the easiest floors to DIY or replace. It lays flat and interlocks with other planks on your subfloor!

• LooseLay LVT 
• Thickness of 4.5mm, heavy duty and thick!
• 20mil wear layer
• More Affordable
• Wood and Stone looks
• Lifetime Warranty

FAQ 

What is the difference between Karndean Art Select and LooseLay?

Art Select is a glue-down vinyl plank that is permanently adhered to the subfloor, while LooseLay is a friction-backed vinyl that can be installed with minimal or no adhesive depending on the space.

Is Karndean LooseLay actually stable without glue?

Yes, when installed correctly on a flat subfloor, LooseLay stays in place due to its weight and friction backing. Perimeter adhesive may still be recommended in larger or high-traffic areas.

Which is better for kitchens: Art Select or LooseLay?

Both perform well in kitchens, but glue-down Art Select offers slightly better seam stability. LooseLay is easier to replace if a plank is damaged.

Can Karndean flooring be installed in basements?

Yes. Both Art Select and LooseLay are suitable for basements because they are vinyl and do not swell from moisture like laminate.

Is Karndean better than laminate flooring?

For moisture-prone areas, yes. Vinyl does not absorb water, while laminate uses a wood-based core that can swell if exposed to moisture.

Does LooseLay flooring move over time?

It can shift if installed over an uneven subfloor or in large open areas without perimeter adhesive. Proper installation prevents movement.

Which option is easier to repair?

LooseLay is easier to repair because planks can be lifted and replaced. Glue-down Art Select requires more effort to remove and replace individual pieces.