Introducing Karndean Van Gogh French Oak SCB85, a beautifully sophisticated oak design that brings the timeless elegance of classic French oak to your interiors through DIY-friendly click-lock installation. Inspired by the refined character of European French oak, this design features rich brown tones with subtle golden undertones and distinctive grain patterns that capture the authentic character of this celebrated hardwood. The natural oak grain showcases traditional character marks, gentle color variation, and authentic timber detailing that evoke the centuries-old oak floors found in French châteaux and Parisian apartments. The 1220mm x 180mm (48" x 7") standard plank format delivers classic timber proportions with the modern convenience of Van Gogh Rigid Core's innovative 5G click-lock system—allowing confident DIY installation without glue or nails. The pre-attached acoustic foam backing reduces noise transfer by up to 21dB, making it perfect for upstairs bedrooms and multi-story homes where conventional hardwood would create excessive noise. This design is also available in gluedown format as VGW85T for permanent installations, giving you flexibility to use rigid core upstairs (acoustic benefits) and gluedown downstairs (permanent installation) throughout your home. As part of Van Gogh Rigid Core's mid-range collection, French Oak combines the distinctive grain detail and design heritage of the celebrated Van Gogh range with the installation convenience, acoustic performance, and enhanced 6.5mm stability that make it perfect for modern living, renovations, and rental properties where you want classic European elegance without professional fitting costs.
Key Features:
- Authentic French Oak Design with timeless European character
- Rich brown tones with subtle golden undertones
- Traditional oak grain patterns with distinctive character marks
- Classic European aesthetic with sophisticated natural variation
- Standard Plank Format: 1220mm x 180mm (48" x 7") for classic timber proportions
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DIY-Friendly 5G Click-Lock System - easy installation without glue or nails
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Pre-attached Acoustic Foam Backing - no separate underlay needed
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Reduces noise transfer by up to 21dB - perfect for upstairs rooms
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6.5mm thickness - enhanced stability and comfort
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Available in gluedown format (VGW85T) - matching design for permanent installations
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100% Waterproof construction - suitable for kitchens and bathrooms
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Enhanced Surface Protection (K-Guard+ with PU coating)
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0.55mm wear layer for superior durability
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Micro bevelled edges for authentic wood appearance
- Lifetime Residential / 15-Year Commercial Warranty
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Mid-range pricing - distinctive quality with DIY savings
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K-Core rigid PVC for dimensional stability
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Plank-to-plank variation for authentic timber floor appearance
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Detailed oak grain texture with realistic embossing
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Versatile classic tones work across traditional and contemporary styles
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Warmer underfoot than real hardwood
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2.196m² box coverage - efficient standard plank coverage
Ideal For:
Residential Applications:
French Oak's classic brown tones and European character make it exceptionally versatile throughout the home, while the rigid core construction solves the traditional challenges of hardwood installation. Upstairs bedrooms benefit enormously from the acoustic backing that reduces noise transfer by up to 21dB—the sophisticated brown tones create elegant, restful sleeping spaces while the acoustic foam prevents footfall noise from disturbing rooms below. Perfect for DIY renovations where you want the authentic look of classic French oak flooring without the expense of professional installation, which typically costs £30-50 per square meter. The rich brown tones with golden undertones work beautifully in living rooms and family spaces, creating sophisticated environments that feel both elegant and comfortable—perfect for traditional, transitional, and even contemporary interiors. In dining rooms, the classic French oak complements both antique furniture and modern pieces, while remaining 100% waterproof and easy to clean after family meals—capturing the elegance of French château dining without the maintenance of real wood. Hallways and entrances benefit from the timeless appeal that French Oak provides—the sophisticated European character creates an impressive first impression that signals quality and attention to detail. Home offices appreciate the professional, established appearance that classic oak brings—perfect for video calls where you want a refined, serious backdrop. Period properties and heritage homes can achieve authentic oak aesthetics sympathetic to the building's character without the cost and complexity of installing real hardwood. Kitchen breakfast areas can incorporate the classic wood aesthetic without the water-damage concerns of genuine oak. Rental properties benefit from the reversible click-lock installation—floors can be lifted and reinstalled when moving. The rigid core construction handles uneven subfloors better than hardwood, accommodating minor imperfections without costly floor preparation.
Commercial Applications:
Van Gogh Rigid Core's 15-year commercial warranty makes French Oak suitable for moderate traffic commercial environments where a classic, established appearance is important. Perfect for traditional offices, law firms, and professional services where the rich brown French oak creates an atmosphere of established success, reliability, and traditional values—ideal for businesses projecting heritage and trustworthiness. Boutique retail spaces including antique shops, traditional home décor stores, and heritage-focused retailers appreciate the classic backdrop that complements traditional merchandise beautifully. Hospitality venues including traditional hotels, French restaurants, wine bars, and classic cafes can achieve the authentic European oak aesthetics that create sophisticated, timeless atmospheres. The rich brown tones evoke French elegance. Estate agents, financial advisors, and consulting firms benefit from the professional, established appearance that classic oak projects. Heritage sites, museums, and visitor centers in period buildings can use French Oak to match traditional aesthetics while benefiting from practical modern performance. Educational settings in traditional buildings appreciate the classic oak character without the maintenance burden of real wood. For quick turnaround projects, the click-lock installation minimizes business downtime compared to traditional hardwood installation. Show homes in traditional developments can use French Oak to create sophisticated, timeless appeal that resonates with buyers seeking classic elegance.
With 35 SKUs across the Van Gogh Rigid Core collection including standard planks, large planks, herringbone, and stone designs, there's exceptional versatility for projects requiring distinctive design quality with DIY-friendly installation.
Technical Excellence:
French Oak is constructed using Karndean's advanced rigid core technology, delivering superior performance through carefully engineered layers:
K-Guard+ Surface Protection: The topmost layer features Karndean's enhanced PU technology that provides a hygienic, durable finish exceptionally easy to clean. This protective coating resists everyday wear, spills, and scuffs while maintaining the beautiful French oak appearance. Unlike real hardwood that requires regular refinishing, oiling, or varnishing, K-Guard+ keeps maintenance simple—just sweep and mop with Karndean Clean. The rich brown tones are particularly forgiving, concealing minor dust and wear effectively.
0.55mm Wear Layer: This substantial 20 mil wear layer provides superior protection from everyday traffic and wear, making it suitable for both residential and commercial applications. Traditional hardwood shows scratches, dents, and wear in high-traffic areas, but this enhanced wear layer ensures long-lasting performance even in busy family homes or commercial spaces.
High-definition Photographic Layer: This layer creates the strikingly realistic French oak grain you see underfoot, capturing the distinctive grain patterns, traditional character marks, subtle color variation, rich brown tones with golden undertones, and natural character of authentic European oak. The enhanced detail and realistic embossing work together to deliver a convincingly authentic appearance that rivals expensive hardwood installations found in French period properties.
K-Core Rigid Layer: The heart of the construction is Karndean's K-Core rigid PVC layer, which provides exceptional dimensional stability. The rigid core prevents the planks from flexing, gapping, or warping—common problems with real hardwood. This technology also supports the 5G click-lock mechanism that makes DIY installation possible.
Pre-attached Acoustic Foam Backing: This integrated cushioning layer provides significant noise reduction (up to 21dB), making French Oak practical for upstairs installations where traditional hardwood would create excessive noise. It also enhances comfort underfoot, eliminates the need for separate underlay, and contributes to the warmer feel compared to real hardwood.
6.5mm Total Thickness: The substantial 6.5mm thickness provides superior stability and comfort, along with the ability to handle minor subfloor imperfections that would be problematic with thinner products or real hardwood.
Installation & Maintenance:
DIY-Friendly Installation: The 5G click-lock system makes professional-looking classic oak installations accessible to confident DIYers. Traditional hardwood requires skilled professional installation costing £30-50 per square meter. This rigid core format simply clicks together, allowing you to create beautiful French oak floors yourself.
No Glue Required: As a floating floor system, the planks simply click together without any adhesive. This makes installation cleaner, faster, and more forgiving than traditional hardwood installation.
No Underlay Needed: The pre-attached acoustic foam backing eliminates the need to purchase and install separate underlay—saving time, money, and ensuring consistent acoustic performance throughout.
Standard Plank Installation Options:
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Straight Lay: Classic installation running lengthwise creates clean, spacious feel that emphasizes the traditional French oak character
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Diagonal Lay: Makes smaller rooms appear larger while showcasing the beautiful grain patterns and European character
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Room to Room Flow: Use French Oak throughout for seamless open-plan living with consistent classic elegance
Acoustic Benefits for Upstairs: The acoustic backing reduces noise transfer by up to 21dB, making classic oak aesthetics practical for upstairs bedrooms where conventional hardwood would be problematic.
Reversible Installation: Unlike permanent hardwood installations that cannot be removed without destruction, rigid core can be lifted and reinstalled if needed—perfect for rental properties.
Suitable for Uneven Subfloors: The rigid core construction can accommodate minor subfloor imperfections that would require expensive leveling for hardwood installation. A damp-proof membrane is required for concrete subfloors.
Compatible with Underfloor Heating: Works perfectly with underfloor heating systems up to 27°C, providing gentle warmth that enhances the cozy feeling of the classic oak tones.
Simple Maintenance: Just sweep and mop with Karndean Clean—no sanding, refinishing, oiling, or varnishing. The K-Guard+ surface treatment means you'll never face the costly refinishing that hardwood requires every few years. The rich brown tones don't show dirt as readily as very light colors.
Individual Plank Replacement: If damage occurs, individual planks can be clicked out and replaced by DIYers without professional help—impossible with glued or nailed hardwood.
Expansion Gaps Required: Unlike gluedown formats, rigid core requires small expansion gaps (5-10mm) around the room perimeter to allow for natural movement. These gaps are easily concealed with scotia beading or skirting boards—color-matched scotia is available for French Oak.
Can Install Over Existing Floors: Suitable for installation over most existing hard floors, making renovations quicker and avoiding the costly floor removal hardwood would require.
Design Inspiration:
French Oak's classic brown tones and European character offer exceptional design versatility:
Standard Plank Installation Patterns:
Straight Lay: The most popular pattern for standard planks, running lengthwise creates clean lines that emphasize the room's length while showcasing the beautiful French oak grain and traditional character. Perfect for creating flowing interiors with classic European elegance throughout.
Diagonal Lay: Installing diagonally can make smaller rooms appear larger while adding visual interest. This pattern draws the eye across the space and highlights the natural grain patterns and rich coloring.
Room to Room Flow: Use French Oak throughout multiple rooms for seamless open-plan living. The classic brown tones create cohesive, flowing interiors that make homes feel elegant and connected with timeless European character.
Classic European Styling:
Traditional & Classic French: French Oak's rich tones suit traditional European interiors beautifully. The sophisticated brown palette complements antique furniture, traditional wood tones, and classic French décor. Pair with cream or soft white walls, ornate furnishings, rich fabrics, and traditional accessories for authentic French château elegance.
Parisian Apartment Style: The classic oak aesthetic evokes elegant Parisian apartments. Use as a foundation for sophisticated urban interiors with a mix of antique and modern pieces, neutral color schemes, and understated luxury—capturing the effortless elegance of French style.
Transitional European: The rich natural tones bridge traditional French elegance and contemporary living perfectly. Use in homes that blend classic European character with modern comfort—the French oak provides heritage authenticity while practical benefits suit contemporary lifestyles.
Country French: The warm brown tones work beautifully in French country and provincial interiors. Pair with natural materials, traditional furniture, soft colors, and rustic accessories for authentic French countryside character that feels both elegant and comfortable.
Traditional English with French Influence: French Oak coordinates beautifully with traditional English interiors while adding Continental sophistication. Perfect for period properties seeking to blend English heritage with French elegance.
Contemporary Classic: The timeless oak character works in contemporary interiors seeking to add warmth, natural character, and traditional quality. Use as a counterpoint to modern furniture and minimal decoration—the classic wood provides organic warmth and sophistication.
Heritage & Period: Perfect for period property renovations where authentic oak aesthetics are required but the cost and maintenance of real hardwood are impractical. French Oak delivers the traditional character that respects architectural heritage.
Versatile Classic Neutral: The brown tones work as a sophisticated neutral foundation across numerous design styles—traditional, transitional, even contemporary. The classic oak character adds timeless quality that remains relevant across decades.
Coordinate Across Formats:
Multi-Format Installations: Consider using French Oak rigid core upstairs (acoustic benefits crucial for bedrooms with classic, restful character) and the matching gluedown format VGW85T downstairs (permanent installation for high-traffic ground floor). This creates coordinated European elegance with installation formats optimized for each area.
Mix with Van Gogh Planks: The classic brown tones coordinate beautifully with other Van Gogh Rigid Core designs. Combine with complementary wood tones or stone tiles for creative zoning—French Oak works particularly well with limestone tiles in traditional kitchens.
Whole-Home Classic Consistency: The versatile brown palette works in every room—bedrooms, living areas, dining rooms, hallways—creating cohesive, flowing interiors with consistent European character throughout.
Accessories & Finishing:
Complete your installation with Karndean scotia beading and skirting boards—color-matched scotia is available for French Oak to create seamless finishing that enhances the classic appearance. Use transition strips at doorways to create professional joins. The expansion gaps required for rigid core are easily concealed with appropriate finishing accessories that complement the traditional European aesthetic.
Why Choose Van Gogh Rigid Core:
DIY-Friendly Installation: Save hundreds of pounds on professional installation costs with the simple click-lock system. Traditional hardwood installation costs £30-50/m² in fitting alone—eliminate these costs entirely by installing classic French oak yourself.
Pre-attached Underlay: No separate underlay to buy or install—the acoustic foam backing is already integrated, saving time and money.
Acoustic Performance: Reduces noise transfer by up to 21dB, making classic oak aesthetics practical for upstairs bedrooms and multi-story homes where conventional hardwood would create excessive noise.
Quieter Than Hardwood: The acoustic backing creates a quiet walking surface compared to real hardwood that echoes and creates noise—particularly appreciated in elegant bedrooms and peaceful living spaces.
Warmer Than Real Wood: Unlike genuine hardwood that feels cold, rigid core vinyl remains comfortable and warm underfoot year-round—perfectly complementing the warm visual character of French Oak.
Classic European Elegance: Achieve the beautiful sophisticated character of French oak that brings timeless European elegance to any interior—perfect for traditional homes, period properties, and spaces prioritizing classic quality.
Mid-Range Excellence: Van Gogh Rigid Core delivers the same distinctive grain detail and design heritage as premium hardwood but with installation convenience and DIY savings that make French oak accessible to more homeowners.
Authentic Oak Appearance: High-definition photographic layer and realistic embossing create convincingly authentic French oak grain and natural variation that rivals expensive hardwood installations.
100% Waterproof Construction: Unlike real hardwood that suffers water damage, this format is fully waterproof—suitable even for kitchens and bathrooms where traditional French oak would be impractical.
Enhanced Wear Layer: The 0.55mm (20 mil) wear layer provides superior durability that surpasses traditional hardwood finishes, which scratch, dent, and show wear in high-traffic areas.
6.5mm Thickness: Substantially thicker than gluedown formats, providing enhanced stability and comfort.
Rigid Core Technology: K-Core provides exceptional dimensional stability, preventing the gapping, warping, and cupping common with real hardwood.
Lifetime Residential Warranty: Superior warranty coverage for your investment—hardwood warranties are typically much shorter and exclude water damage.
15-Year Commercial Warranty: Suitable for commercial offices, retail spaces, and hospitality venues requiring classic, established aesthetics.
Perfect for Renovations: Can install over existing hard floors with minimal preparation—hardwood requires extensive subfloor preparation, leveling, and often complete floor removal costing hundreds of pounds.
Handles Uneven Subfloors: Rigid core construction accommodates minor imperfections that would require expensive leveling for hardwood installation.
Reversible Installation: Can be lifted and reinstalled if needed—impossible with glued or nailed hardwood that's permanently affixed and destroyed upon removal.
Quick Installation: Faster than traditional hardwood, meaning minimal disruption to your home—can be DIY-installed in weekends rather than weeks.
Easy Maintenance: Simple sweep and mop—no sanding, refinishing, oiling, or varnishing. Traditional hardwood requires refinishing every 7-10 years at significant cost and disruption.
Hygienic: Won't harbor dust, dirt, or allergens in wood grain like real hardwood, and easier to keep pristine than natural wood.
Family-Friendly: Safe for children and pets, comfortable to play on, and easy to maintain even in busy households—hardwood scratches from pet claws and shows every impact.
Individual Plank Replacement: Damaged planks can be clicked out and replaced without professional help—hardwood plank replacement requires skilled craftsmen and often doesn't match perfectly.
Underfloor Heating Compatible: Works with modern heating systems up to 27°C, providing gentle warmth that enhances the classic character.
Trusted Brand: Over 50 years of Karndean flooring expertise bringing classic European oak aesthetics with practical benefits.
Versatile Applications: Suitable for residential and commercial projects across all room types where French oak aesthetics add timeless distinction.
Cost-Effective Oak: Save on professional fitting (£30-50/m²), underlay, and ongoing maintenance costs compared to real French oak hardwood.
Timeless Appeal: Classic French oak with rich brown tones and traditional character—sophisticated elegance that never goes out of style and appeals to broad range of tastes.
Heritage Quality: The authentic French oak character brings a sense of established quality, heritage, and European craftsmanship to any interior.
Available in Gluedown: Also available as VGW85T for areas where permanent installation is preferred, allowing coordinated installations with format-specific advantages throughout your home.
Unique Design Heritage: Van Gogh Rigid Core shares the same inspiration and design quality as the celebrated Van Gogh Gluedown range.
Classic Proportions: Standard 48" x 7" plank format provides authentic timber floor appearance that's traditional and timeless.
Sophisticated Character: The rich brown tones with golden undertones and traditional grain patterns create spaces that feel sophisticated, established, and elegantly European—perfect for homes and commercial spaces where classic quality matters.
French Oak SCB85 delivers authentic French oak aesthetics with timeless European elegance through revolutionary click-lock convenience—the perfect combination of classic appearance and modern practicality for today's homes and commercial spaces prioritizing traditional quality and sophistication.
