March 27/April 3, 2017: Volume 31, Issue 21
Export, Pa.—Karndean Designflooring has taken the wraps off Korlok, a new rigid core floor that was more than three years in the making. The new line features several elements that are meant to enhance speed and ease of installation; in this case, the objective was to construct a floor that would be suitable for projects that needed to be completed quickly.
“We took the time to perfect the technology and create designs that fill a need within our existing product catalog,” said Larry Browder, CEO of Karndean, noting the company approaches every project with a design mindset. In this case, the design team searched for natural materials that would be either too costly or impractical for everyday living and then meticulously brought out the true character of these materials in the new collection.
Korlok comes with a 5G drop and lock technology, which requires minimal subfloor preparation. Likewise, no adhesive is needed. The proprietary, waterproof K-Core technology behind the product provides a rigid core that allows for installation over most existing hard floors. Plus, the pre-attached premium foam backing saves on time, cost and labor since there is no need for a separate underlayment. It also makes Korlok quieter to walk on, making it ideal for upstairs rooms in the home where noise transfer is a concern.
Browder said every prospective Karndean product is put through the rigors of testing to ensure it performs to the company’s high-quality standards. “Korlok is composed of layers of premium performance, from our waterproof K-Core, to the 5G locking mechanism, to our K-Guard+ surface protection. Nowhere else will you find a rigid core product with the quality designs and performance.”
The collection offers 12 colors from woods sourced across North America and Europe, including Texas ash and butternut, which is hand selected from the East Coast to the cross-sawn grays of reclaimed French oak. Korlok is finished with Karndean’s K-Guard+ surface protection, which provides a hygienic, durable surface that is easy to clean, according to Browder. Korlok also carries a lifetime residential warranty and 15-year commercial warranty.
A complete package
Korlok is the latest entry in Karndean’s total flooring solutions package, which encompasses gluedown, loose lay and rigid core formats. In the portfolio are six glue down ranges along with two floating floor solutions—Karndean LooseLay and Korlok—each of which solves a different problem, the company said.
With the addition of Korlok, Browder said Karndean has a format to fit any type of subfloor scenario, be it an imperfect or uneven subfloor or a concrete slab in areas with high humidity. “Regardless of the install method, consumers and retailers can rely on every product we developed. Our mission is to develop the truest, most authentic designs possible across all installation options, which is why we offer more than 200 products across our total flooring solutions.”
Browder encourages Karndean’s existing flooring dealers to round out their assortments by carrying Korlok. As of press time, Korlok displays have not yet reached the retail marketplace. In fact, only a handful of dealers have seen the product. One of them, Bob Caputo, owner of Carpetland USA of Dothan, in Dothan, Ala., was impressed. “We are very excited about Korlok—the visuals are great. Karndean does a great job with style and color. This product is designed to be installer friendly, which is always a plus. This will be a great product for us.”