It also makes the planks durable, and scratch- and mold-resistant. Halstead New England Inc makes LifeProof LVPs. A 12-mil wear layer is actually pretty good (ignoring the durability concerns mentioned in SmartCore reviews)but considering that so many top brands offer different wear layer options, its odd that SmartCore doesnt. SmartCore floors offer a pretty decent color selection as far as faux-wood flooring goes. The commercial warranty for most LVP products that have a 12-mil-or-thicker wear layer is roughly 10 years. COREtec products range between $5$10/per square foot and up, making it one of the most expensive LVP options around. Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. So, in terms of getting the floors, this is quite a setback. Each guide includes a table showing each collection the brand makes and its cost, key features and warranty. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. Low-VOC: All Shaw LVP is certified to contain low levels of volatile organic compounds, which are indoor air pollutants, Texturing options from smooth to heavily grained EIR (embossed in register) styles, Stone and tile looks are produced too, and not every brand makes them, Planks in various widths with 48 and 73 length options, 6 UniClic floating floor lines with wear layers from 6 to 20 mils, UniClic warranties from 15 yeas to Lifetime for residential use and up to 10 years for commercial use, UniClic Cost ranges from about $1.70 to $4.50 per square foot, Glue down options in 6 mils and 12 mils flooring, Warranties on glue down options of 15 or 25 for residential use, Cost from less than $1 to a little more than $2 per square foot, 50-year residential and 15-year commercial warranties are among the best in the industry. But LifeProof is a bit different. Its because of the WPC. To explain, Armstrong Vivero is made in 3 lines, Good, Better and Best. Lets put it this way: tile is so cool, the Washington Post even wrote an article about just how cool it is. Which is Better: LifeProof or SmartCore Flooring? Lifeproof vinyl planks prices vary, depending on their thickness and wear layer. The easy answer is, it depends on the features you want the most. ISOCORE has a closed-cell waterproof foam. This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. Shaw is one of the largest producers of flooring in the world. If you want sustainable, eco-friendly vinyl planks, SmartCore is the best flooring option for you. LifeProof LVP is also durable. Since 2013, people have known Smartcore as quality floors that look like wood, cork, and bamboo. She is one of the few personalities from Oklahoma who are famous in the food industry. It protects the visual/design layer beneath. Either way, if eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, wed recommend going with sustainable wood flooring or hemp flooring instead. There are no flexible options available. COREtecs polyurethane + quartz crystal wear layers are exceptionally durable. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. If you are looking for alternatives to SmartCore, we would highly suggest Proximity Mills or Newton. Just dont use a vacuum with a beater bar or youll scratch your wear layer! What is a floating floor? Both One and Galaxy lines have 12-mil wear layers. Overall: wed still recommend certain types of hardwood over LVP for outdoor use. The Shaw Floorte LVP has a wood/plastic core, or WCP. You can generally buy SmartCore for about $3$4/sq. Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. A good number of SmartCore flooring reviews confirm that SmartCore flooring installation is easy to DIY. But before you start using the vinyl floors, what makes them durable, and for how long? Hyper-realistic visuals and textures, enhanced bevels and beautiful color variation give the authentic look and feel of the real thing, without the hassle the real thing brings! Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! Its because Smartcore has specs. We want to remind you that our brand buying guides are comprehensive with pros, cons, comparisons and costs. The company combines quality and value with environmentally responsible flooring. If you need cheap LVP, these lines are worth considering, especially the low-cost options. They say "bigger is better". February 20, 2023 SPC, also known as Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite flooring is marketed as an upgrade to ordinary luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring, []. COREtec Makes Both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro, But COREtec is Owned By USFloors Which Is Owned by Shaw, SmartCore Flooring Reviews Are Mixed OverallBut Most Say the Product Is Decent, SmartCore Flooring Is Waterproof (Like All Vinyl Plank). It might not win any awards, but its not a bad product. Because both SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra can be installed as floating floors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If youre looking into waterproof laminate flooring, you probably have some questions. Whether you have kids or pets, you shouldnt worry. 6.5mm thick vinyl planks are available in eight different colors: Seasoned Wood, Walton Oak, Shadow Hickory, Tekoa Oak, Seaside Oak, Essential Oak, Breezy Stone, and Starry Light. Jul 23 . Youll get the firm in Norwalk, CT, USA. However: if you ask us, its average. SmartCore Pro, on the other hand, features an SPC (Stone-Plastic Composite) core. But with LifeProof, they have a 6, 8, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. This kind of suggests that SmartCore flooring simply isnt the best for commercial locationsor perhaps anywhere that sees consistent foot traffic. So, cases of foul smell and odor wont be present. Shaw makes two lines with different construction, and both are built very well. (2) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. SPC incorporates limestone powder into its construction, making for a (supposedly) more durable product. When it comes to durability and built quality, the SmartCore is always better than the LifeProof floor covering. Whats the better vinyl floor between Smartcore and LifeProof? The core material is different. But like we said, youre going to need an additional moisture barrier to protect your subflooring if you want to put it anywhere it might deal with excessive moisture (you know, like anywhere youd usually want to install LVP?). The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. All Proximity Mills products are FloorScore-certified as low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. Obviously, the best vinyl plank flooring for you is the one that fits your lifestyle and offers professional results. The downside of this is that the warranty is prorated. So, in short, Vivero Good is the worst Vivero flooring of your three options. The only fallback of the Smartcore is the pricing. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. You cant go wrong with the Shaw Floorte Plus flooring for commercial settings, especially with the 20-year commercial warranty. Which LVP Is Better: SmartCore Pro or SmartCore Ultra? The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. Iv used the Lifeproof and it is one of the better options out there. Cartons of Smartcore Ultra premium vinyl plank flooring are available, and they may cover an area ranging from 15 to 28 square feet. Vinyl plank, and by extension SmartCore flooring, doesnt have any special care requirements beyond a vacuum and the occasional mop. Remember, the firm says that they give you the best LVPs before getting profits. Heres How. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. Q: Do any vinyl plank flooring companies make scratch-proof flooring? Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring: Whats the Difference? Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. Q: Is all vinyl plank flooring waterproof? Yes. The LVP is both worst and good? 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. Q: Is SmartCore or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand? These styles look like wood. Underlayments protect vinyl planks from damage and increase their service life. The biggest difference between these two brands is in the choices of core and premium options. All rights reserved. For more information,visit this page. As for the 12-mil layer, most of them have many wood collections. Side note: Newton also produces a few excellent lines of waterproof laminate, if you want the durability of a waterproof flooring option but arent married to LVP. The overall purchase price ranges from $76.04 to $84.04. The overall purchase price ranges from $47.13 to $63.04. And below, were going to take an in-depth look at SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra to see how they stack up. Then again. We hope this chart was helpful and, for a full breakdown of all the best LVP flooring, check out our full . Our Mohawk Vinyl Plank Flooring Guideincludes a detailed table of the lines and much more information, but heres an overview: In total, there are 21 different collections like Defined Beauty (14 colors), Perfect Escape (8 colors) and Bowman (14 colors) that add up to 218 different Mohawk LVP options. It really helps other visitors to estimate the cost of flooring project. Founded in 1978 by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, Home Depot is one of the largest home improvement retailers, supplying construction and home improvement products, tools, and services. Lowes SmartCore flooring is (with one exception) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plankaka LVP. COREtec makes the COREtec and Smartcore LVPs. SmartCore doesnt do much to address the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooringwhich means the product doesnt really bring anything new to the table. Other brands like Shaw Vinyl Flooring, Floortee Pro, DuraTru are comparable to the LifeProof. It is similar to the wood/polymer core, or WPC, lines mentioned above. SMARTCORE Ultra is the smart choice for hi-def style and design. This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. I have Smart-core in my sunroom, holding up well and looks nice. The COREtec firm makes the Smartcore LVPs. Lifeproof vinyl plank isnt bad, but the Smartcore is just better. However, the pricing isnt that of a deal, as getting something better will always cost you a few dollars extra. The Benefits SmartCore Ultra Flooring Waterproof Quality Not all vinyl flooring has good waterproof quality, but this one from SmartCore is different. It also comes with an attached underlayment, cheaper ones don't have that and you'd have to purchase and lay it separately. And there's also a five-year warranty for commercial use. It received a 5 in the Quality category. On the high end, cost is about $2.70 per square foot. This distribution arrangement allows Floor & Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive. Mohawks lack of confidence in the quality of the flooring is shown in the short warranties. Its a good brand for DIY the first time. Her work has made her a famous name in this Livingproofmag.com is as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Theres a reason hardwood floor alternatives like SmartCore are so popular, after all. They are much easier to install than the Smartcore LVPs. If youre looking into different types of floor tiles, youre probably in on the secret already. Basically, unless youre planning on using it to create some super-intricate parquet flooring patterns, youre probably looking at a relatively inexpensive install. Most all LVP and LVT are water-resistant and ideal for damp areas, but if you want something thats truly waterproof, read the fine print and check out the construction of the core. Obviously, thats a huge issue for any PVC flooring product marketed for its strength. but apparently, Lowes didnt get that memo. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. SmartCore is manufactured by COREtec, a brand of luxury vinyl created by USFloors, and now patented and acquired by Shaw Industries. Being plastic, it is totally waterproof. The SmartCore SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe's) is part of the Flooring test program at Consumer Reports. With that in mind, if youre looking for scratch-resistant flooring or a synthetic alternative for the best wood flooring for dogs, SmartCore probably isnt it. Side note: if youre ever comparing tile vs. laminate, make sure to factor in your cleaning habits. The price of any LVP is also essential in choosing the best one for your house. Summary of Cali Bamboo Vinyl Plank Flooring. Required fields are marked *. Yes, today, people go for the vinyl floors that are easy to clean. VOCs stands for volatile organic compounds, which are harmful chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives. Pro version is much more durable and can handle rubber mallet taps and blows during installation. The wear layer is a clear coat of urethane or acrylic, depending on brand. Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. Its well worth considering for your flooring project. Would you instead avoid both of them? It has a wear layer just 6 mils thick thats the biggest concern. We mentioned Proximity Mills before, but really, you have a lot of options. In general, SPC is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing. Cali Vinyl Pro is an SPC, or stone/polymer core line. What is the best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring? Also, theyve been making floors for more than 30 years. It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. Otherwise, Mohawk and other leading brands have much more durable vinyl plank flooring collections. It also has a wear layer infused with ceramic beads that enhances the planks stability and strength. Laminate vs. Hardwood Floors: Which are Better? For example: Lowes cork flooring iswell, it isnt exactly the best cork flooring out there. At $3.50$7.00/square foot, Proximity Mills offers features youd expect to find in a much more expensive LVP product. And the results have been mixed, at best. SmartCore vs Lifeproof: Which Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Better? Oh, and If you were discouraged from buying wood because of the cost to refinish hardwood flooring, you should know that if your SmartCore gets marked up, your only option is to replace all of it. Q: Can you install any brand of vinyl plank in any room of your home? And we mean cool. When buying any vinyl floors, you should look at the guaranty terms. SmartCores commercial warranty is only 5 yearsand all of the exceptions outlined above still apply. Even if youve looked through all the vinyl plank flooring reviews you can find, you still have questions. On the other hand, the Lifeproof vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged. ft and 15.76 sq. The company is all about building performance flooring (a word youll see a lot on their website), and their LVP, in particular, is excellent. Much to address the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring for you is the Residential.! Secret already chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives at SmartCore and... That the warranty is prorated the 6 best Waterproof Laminate flooring brands of 2023, 20+ of!, for a full breakdown of all the vinyl floors that look like,., theyve been making floors for more than 30 years just how cool it is, at.... 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