Thank you for your ideas, Cancork! I am thinking they are way too evenly spaced to be mallet marks. The length apart is always the same but the width side to side where the line of them show up is on different parts of the plank. But maybe? Would a mallet be used to secure the plank to the large sample board?

I do think it's likely that it is part of the mechanized process. To me it looks like the end of a brush stroke where it just starts drying out and gets sticky. But definitely could be roller marks! But per the Karndean rep, it's not a flaw, it's a normal part of the top layer. I will pass the roller mark idea along to my salesperson who is communicating with the rep. Or should I go to the area rep directly?

But, I could do as you suggest and see if any stores stock a box of Karndean. Or maybe one they have already ordered for someone else I could peak at?

If I order a box and then decide to go with it, will the subsequent ordered boxes be of the same color lot?

Perhaps one of the stores could refer me to an existing Van Gogh customer that I could look at the floor? That might be imposing though. Come to think of it, I was able to see the same marks on an installed Van Gogh section of floor in one of the stores!

Thanks so much for brainstorming with me!

Maybe how they were stored/stacked at the store? Perhaps they were stored with something laying on top? As you say, they are at regular intervals. If it is from the manufacturing process I would say that is a defect.

I agree with you, nanj, however...

From the Karndean territory rep for Minnesota, "This is part of the texture (wear layer) and that particular color and tone shows it more than most, unfortunately. It is not a defect."

If I want this color, I guess I have to decide if this is something I can live with. I can't imagine though that people that have unknowingly purchased it this way are happy (if their lighting reflects the smudges this way) with the installed product. Again this particular texture defect is on Van Gogh only.

Anyone have it installed that can report on it?

Hello ishop19,

We've successfully installed the Van Gogh line in many homes, and have never come across the point of the "texture" looking like smudges. I do see what you're referring to in your photos, and I'd have to say that it must part of the top layers' added "texture." It's definitely not a mallet mark. Mallet marks do make distinct marks, (and not generally needed for LVT installation, we time the adhesive to optimal tack, and use weighted rollers) but can easily be removed from vinyl. I would agree with picking up one box, and staggering the seams in an area of your home, just to lay it out a bit ( so you can see how the light hits the flooring on a larger scale). If you still see the "smudges" that you're referring to, and wiping it down with windex doesn't remove them, than I'd say that it's, without a doubt, part of the graining texture pattern. Remember, you did bring home a floor sample, so who knows what those planks have been through. Karndean makes some really beautiful products, and I'm sure that if this particular color will "drive you nuts," you'll be able to find a nice alternative.

Good Luck

The Flooring Blog

We just went with the Art Select Dawn Oak last month, and I'm not seeing anything resembling those marks on ours. I do know that we tried to beat up our sample boards before purchasing, but weren't able to, um, distress them at all. I know the two lines are somewhat different (Van Gogh vs. Art Select), but in person it was really only a texture thing, not a quality thing, if that makes sense. No regrets here, but I do agree that if you were to get even one box in to see if the marks are there in the actual product to be installed, it might be a good idea. We're living normally (read: messily) on ours, and so far everything just wipes up with no fuss at all. Love it!

Thank you for collaborating that Art Select, at least, does not have smudges in the wear layer.

"Van Gogh vs. Art Select), but in person it was really only a texture thing, not a quality thing, if that makes sense."

Are you saying that in your selection process you thought both lines had a good quality appearance but overall you preferred the texture of Art Select better? (As a reference, art select is glossier, has a beveled edge, and looks handscraoed)? In that case, that makes sense!

I wish I could find a color in Art Select that I like as well.

I think Dawn Oak might be a little too red for me, but I'm so confused on colors right now! That's why I was so happy to finally land on one but then I found the smudge issue in VG.

Would love to see pictures!!

Okay, I will try to get it together to take a photo or two this afternoon :-). Yes, that's exactly what I meant-- I actually loved the Lancewood in the Van Gogh line, but I liked the look of the hand-scraping and distress marks (not smudges) in the Art Select. We haven't re-done our trim, and the Dawn Oak complemented it nicely. I do have to peer at the planks and be sure that the distress marks aren't damage, but so far, so good! It wasn't a cheap floor, but I have a feeling my family could mark up a real hardwood floor in no time flat. Hence, this. I truly hope that the marks in your sample are from previous testers and are not in the product itself.

Here are a couple of random shots from my floor. The glare from the camera makes the floor look way shinier than it really is, although it does have a shine in full sunlight (today is just an ordinary gray day in Oregon). It does have a definite red/orange to it, although not nearly as much as some of the others. Never mind all the junk in the corners!

One more up close so you can see the "texture" that I keep having to examine up close.

Thank you! It always helps to see a color in a real space! It looks really nice.

How's your floor looking now? This is a photo of our same flooring which was installed this spring. It began showing marks from the very beginning and believe it or not, this is a "clean" floor - moments ago. We've referred our dissatisfaction back to the retailer and will see what happens. Just thought I'd check to see if you ultimately were pleased with your purchase, given that you seemed to share some of the same concerns.