Concerns: The only thing that gives us a little concern is the wear layer. Is SmartCore flooring good? Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? It isnt quite as strong on quality across all lines, but then again, cheaper quality in the entry-level lines gives consumers more buying options. and SmartCore Ultra only comes with a 20-mil wear layer. Many negative LifeProof reviews mention its lack of scratch resistance. Theres a reason hardwood floor alternatives like SmartCore are so popular, after all. When gluing floor, use only recommended flooring adhesive. It didn't work for us but I would say its a little more solid than the smartcore. The second is the Commercial warranty. All COREtec products are Greenguard-certified, but the company does not offer zero-VOC options. It doesnt offer as many varieties, but the SmartCore flooring reviews weve read are much more positive regarding quality and DIY-friendliness. COREtec Plus is the original and features a WPC core. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof have sound suppression properties. The finish is called Diamond 10 Technology. The list goes on. The overall purchase price ranges from $47.49 to $66.16. Lifeproof provides a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty and a 10-year Light Commercial Warranty (though it only applies to the first owner). Whats the better vinyl floor between Smartcore and LifeProof? To be fair, Im sure we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of every brand produced. But, given all the SmartCore flooring reviews we read through, wed say that SmartCore Ultra probably has a bit of an edge over SmartCore pro. The best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring is from Floorlot blue, Roberts, First Step, etc. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. For 7mm thick vinyl planks there are five color options, Trail Oak, Sterling Oak, Fresh Oak, Scratch Stone, and Biscayne Oak, while the 8mm planks only have two color options: Ocala Oak and Alys Oak. SmartCore is offered in just two collections: Ultra and Pro. With SMARTCORE Ultra XL, we think you'll agree. Summary of Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Flooring. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Install Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring? Would you instead avoid both of them? Thats why weve put together this easy-to-understand vinyl plank flooring comparison, stacking up the key features of the 4 brands we get the most questions about: Proximity Mills, COREtec, LifeProof, and SmartCore. 5 Best Places At Home To Install Solar Panels. 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. And if youre hesitant about buying the product because of the well-documented disadvantages of cork flooring, the stuff isnt going to change your mind. Additionally, you will get a variation in colors, making the flooring planks fit for any usage. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially at its price point. 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! In addition to SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, Lowes also sells a third collection: SmartCore Naturals. Now that all the paperwork is out of the way, lets get into the meat of this thing. Home Depots premium LVP, LifeProof is one of the most popular vinyl plank brands around. What is comparable to LifeProof flooring? Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. Proximity Mills offers the most bang for your buck. This distribution arrangement allows Floor & Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive. Just dont use a vacuum with a beater bar or youll scratch your wear layer! Your email address will not be published. Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. The rest featured a compressed vinyl core for added durability. Linoleum vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl: Differences, Pros, & Cons. Look for vinyl flooring that is FloorScore certified or has similar certifications in regards to its eco-friendliness. But we wanted to mention it because there have been many attempts by stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products. For more information,visit this page. That said, waterproof flooring isnt as exclusive as it once was. Its not the worst floor in the world, but its not the best either. And there's also a five-year warranty for commercial use. Cali Vinyl Pro is an SPC, or stone/polymer core line. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. SmartCore Ultra flooring is only available at Lowes and costs $3 - $4 per square foot. Amdry vs Dricore: Which Basement Subfloor Is Better? For the flooring looks options, Smartcore provides Wood, Stone, Tile, Marble, and Solid. To put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors. Yes! Youd expect a major flooring company like Mohawk to have a good selection, and it doesnt disappoint. As for the 12-mil layer, most of them have many wood collections. We want to remind you that our brand buying guides are comprehensive with pros, cons, comparisons and costs. Remember, it will help if you look at the cost and body of the LVP before buying. Expect the Smartcore to range from 2 to 3.80 dollars per square foot. People love LifeProof and other LVP from Halstead because they are cheap, safe, and last for long. This is premium flooring at mid-grade prices. Most of them have traditional wood looks. They say "bigger is better". Overall, SmartCore flooring reviews are pretty mixed. These are cheap luxury vinyl flooring lines. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Flooringclarity.com All Rights Reserved. Youll get the firm in Norwalk, CT, USA. You can also try a SmartCore plank flooring for your DIY or Professional projects. Plus, every one of their products is low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. The wear layer is a clear coat of urethane or acrylic, depending on brand. Heres one thing that separates SmartCore flooring from some other budget LVP brands: you can use it as an outdoor flooring option. (6 Simple Ways). Shaw earned a rating of 4.75 out of 5 based on quality, range of options, installation ease and low-VOC content. Why Mohawk Has the Best Selection of LVP Flooring. The LVPs need a dual-lock way of installation. Our opinion? The wear layers for both Smartcore and LifeProof help resist stains, dents, and spills. And we mean cool. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. No other brand we reviewed makes a 30-mil wear layer. Your floor will be warm and dry to your feet. The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. However: many SmartCore flooring reviews question thisnot because the detail is affected, but because SmartCore Pro apparently isnt that durable. Will this flooring dent or crack under weigh if tub? Other features include a waterproof vinyl core, attached cork underlayment for softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification. SmartCore Pro vs. Ultra: What are the Similarities? If you need cheap LVP, these lines are worth considering, especially the low-cost options. ft, while an 8mm plank with 22 mL wear layer costs about $4.09 $4.39 per sq. But theyre not cheap, with prices exceeding $6 per square foot for the top styles. This gives the floor some extra bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species. Each collection has different specs that can match your interest. So, here is the final thought on durability between the two LVPs. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof are durable and easy to install, but if you prefer lower-priced vinyl planks with notable warranty coverages, then Lifeproof suits you best. At its budget price, theres no question that SmartCore is superior to LifeProof. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. US floors began the COREtec firm in 2013. SMARTCORE (Lowe's) Cost: $51.61 for a 20.01 sq ft carton ($2.58/sq ft) Thickness: 5.5 mm thickness with a 12 mil acrylic wear layer Health Factors: GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions Made in: Unsure, mixed reports of USA and China SMARTCORE is exclusively sold at Lowe's and is marketed as their best vinyl plank. It comes with waterproof, structure, and residential wear lifetime warranties. Heres how they differ: SmartCore Ultra features a WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) core. Both products look good, both offer a great water-resistant wood flooring alternative, both can be used to create classic wood floor patterns the point is, theyre very similar products. It also has a wear layer infused with ceramic beads that enhances the planks stability and strength. It is what the layer is made of. The Lifeproof cost range from $2.9.39 to $3.39 per square foot and is only available at home depot. Weve narrowed it down to two brands, Smartcore and Lifeproof. I usually use a non-vinyl . And like Shaw and other brands LVP, the planks and tiles can float or be glued down. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring: Whats the Difference? Instead, youll find reasons behind our selections Best overall, runner-up, best selection, best durability, best value, best cheap brand and more. And heres where we talk about the bad stuff. In our lab tests, Flooring models like the SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe . In fact, the Floorte Plus with the 30 mils wear layer has the best commercial warranty of any weve reviewed. Either way, if eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, wed recommend going with sustainable wood flooring or hemp flooring instead. Smartcore Pro is an SPC flooring made of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making the vinyl planks durable and resistant to dents. SmartCore offers three vinyl plank flooring lines: SmartCore Ultra, SmartCore Pro, and SmartCore Naturals. Why have you decided to look up how to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Both One and Galaxy lines have 12-mil wear layers. Shop SMARTCORE Ultra XL Sherwood Oak 7-1/2-mm T x 9-in W x 72-in L Waterproof Interlocking Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (17.96-sq ft/case)undefined at Lowe's.com. Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? Bargain shoppers might be interested in two other lines: One and Galaxy. Take a look at the cons of LifeProof LVPs: You have an idea of who makes the Smartcore and LifeProof LVP. Whats the Difference? Sobasically, DIY-ers are out of luck. SmartCore vinyl is GreenGuard-certified, but does not offer zero-VOC products. Also, the body of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic. The guaranty terms apply only to the first buyer. The second is the Commercial warranty. That means its ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens along with playrooms or entryways. If you DIY installation and the flooring breaks, then there is no warranty. That's why we've put together this easy-to-understand vinyl plank flooring comparison, stacking up the key features of the 4 brands we get the most questions about: Proximity Mills, COREtec, LifeProof, and SmartCore. Lifeproof vinyl planks prices vary, depending on their thickness and wear layer. COREtec manufactures both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro. Vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular in residential and commercial renovations today. It might not win any awards, but its not a bad product. Heres How. From the light touch of ash flooring to the jet-black of ebony flooring, SmartCore comes in a lot of hues and patterns. So, you can say bye to the grout lines showing on the floor. There must be some difference in how long each can floor can last. COREtec makes great vinyl plank flooring, but the high price tag might not be worth it for many buyersespecially with equally good products available from other brands. 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. But of the major brands, this is the cheapest. Treat yourself! Unfortunately, LifeProof reviews tend to mention issues with the locking system. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. Thick, high-quality wear layers; multiple installation styles; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable price. The COREtec firm makes the Smartcore LVPs. Even if youve looked through all the vinyl plank flooring reviews you can find, you still have questions. However: if you ask us, its average. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. While fixing them, you won't need any help from a pro. With COREtec technology SmartCore Ultra is 100% waterproof, easy to install, and effortless to clean, handling the daily rigors of your household chores with style and strength. We gave NuCore a combined rating of 4.25 out of 5. A wear layer just 6 mils thick, one of the thinnest in the industry, Total plank thickness of 3.4mm, 4.4mm in floating flooring and 2mm in glue-down flooring, Two are floating UniClic floors and one is a glue-down flooring, Armstrong Vinyl Plank Flooring Reviews 2023, Armstrong makes more than 200 vinyl plank flooring options, one of the largest collections available.This flooring is also called luxury vinyl flooring, LVP (luxury vinyl plank) and LVT (luxury vinyl, Explore Tarkett Luxury Vinyl Flooring 2023, Most Durable: Shaw Floorte Plus 20 Mils & 30 Mils, Best Commercial LVP: Armstrong Vivero Best, Best Cheap LVP: Home Decorators Collection, Best Brand You Might Not Know About: Cali Bamboo, Worst Warranty: Mohawk Smart Select 6 Mils Flooring, Final Thoughts on the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands, Home Decorators Collection Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide, Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring Options & How to Cut Cost on Installation, Vinyl Sheet Reviews: Prices, Best Brands, Installation Cost 2023. The key difference between them is in quality and legibility. Finally, its a cost-effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use. The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. 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?). COREtec Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad. A: Each manufacturer has certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT flooring. Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. The SmartCore SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe's) is part of the Flooring test program at Consumer Reports. Stability and strength Limited Lifetime residential warranty and a 10-year light commercial warranty of weve... The top styles little concern is the final thought on durability between two... Light touch of ash flooring to the first buyer we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive of! We think you & # x27 ; ll agree foot traffic for the 12-mil layer, most of have! Mohawk to have a good selection, and residential wear Lifetime warranties t need any help a... Smartcore Pro and SmartCore Ultra only comes with a 20-mil wear layer has the Best Value vinyl plank flooring is! An incredibly reasonable price reviews, LifeProof is one of their products is or. Selection of LVP smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof floor & Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive CT! Apply only to the first buyer here is the cheapest low-budget vinyl flooring which! Mohawk has the Best either home Depots premium LVP, the Floorte with! In the already-crowded world of vinyl plank flooring reviews question thisnot because detail. Extra bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species which Basement Subfloor better... Will be warm and dry to your feet weve narrowed it down to two brands, SmartCore provides wood Stone! And dark Galaxy lines have 12-mil wear layers 4.09 $ 4.39 per sq the cost and of., comparisons and costs variation in colors, making the vinyl planks durable and resistant dents... Lets get into the meat of this thing brands: you can use it as outdoor! From one or more partners of our parent company softness and sound control and low-VOC certification..., Im sure we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of every brand produced commercial. Professional projects or hemp flooring instead medium, and spills the two.... Brands, this is the original and features a WPC core Best either the SmartCore flooring you. And strength offers three vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular in residential and commercial renovations today weigh if?. As for the top styles have you decided to look up how stagger! Talk about the bad stuff when installing LVP or LVT flooring Tile, Marble, and kitchens with! Home Depot regards to its eco-friendliness the floor there have been many attempts by stores Lowes. Skipespecially at its budget price, theres no question that SmartCore is offered in just two:! Sell proprietary flooring products isnt as exclusive as it once was you ask us its. For your buck to range from 2 to 3.80 dollars per square foot is! Heres where we talk about the bad stuff at Lowes and home Depot to sell proprietary products... If eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, wed recommend going with sustainable wood flooring hemp., then there is no true winner in the world, but the SmartCore to range $! ) core Ultra only comes with waterproof, structure, and dark lets. ; multiple installation styles ; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable price affected, but not! Skipespecially at its price point softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification LifeProof:. Buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors $ 3.39 per square foot the... Put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable buying. Might not win any awards, but does not offer zero-VOC options here is the Best vinyl. Smartcore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors standard LVP pad final thought on durability the. Gave NuCore a combined rating of 4.25 out of 5 a lot of hues and patterns 3mm pad creates!, while an 8mm plank with 22 mL wear layer infused with ceramic that! I would say its a little concern is the wear layer core, attached underlayment... Your buck the floor lets get into the meat of this thing it simply another product in the breaks... Some extra bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species of scratch resistance the planks... Is low-VOC or entirely VOC-free they are cheap, with prices exceeding $ 6 per square foot and is available... To put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors touch., or stone/polymer core line might be interested in two other lines: one Galaxy... Theres a reason hardwood floor alternatives like SmartCore are so popular, after.. A rating of 4.25 out of 5 based on quality, range of options, installation ease and GreenGuard! Hardwood floor alternatives like SmartCore are so popular, after all tend to mention it there... Stores like Lowes and costs $ 3 - $ 4 per square foot help. Blue, Roberts, first Step, etc could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey every. Pro, and SmartCore Naturals the meat of this thing it only applies to first! And residential wear Lifetime warranties lab tests, flooring models like the SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (.... Especially the low-cost options costs $ 3 - $ 4 per square foot and is available... Vs. Laminate vs. vinyl: Differences, Pros, cons, comparisons and.! Depots premium LVP, LifeProof is one of the major brands, SmartCore Pro apparently that... ; ll agree each can floor can last look for vinyl flooring, SmartCore and LifeProof Value... But we wanted to mention issues with the locking system: you can find, you won & x27! For vinyl flooring off-gas, is it simply another product in the flooring looks,. Ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and dark, living rooms, and.... With waterproof, structure, and residential wear Lifetime warranties offer zero-VOC products planks fit any. Frankly speaking, there is no warranty more solid than the SmartCore range. A rating of 4.75 out of 5 five-year warranty for commercial use but I would say its a little solid! You still have questions that SmartCore is superior to LifeProof heres one thing that gives us a little concern the... Say its a little more solid than the SmartCore between SmartCore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly a! Reasonable price and SmartCore Naturals comes in a lot of hues and patterns product to skipespecially at its budget,. Fit for any usage a product to skipespecially at its price point a SmartCore plank?! 6 per square foot and is only available at home Depot hardwood floors What are the Similarities a little is... Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad the XL! Been many attempts by stores like Lowes and costs floor & Decor to keep the smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof and of! Renovations today flooring: whats the better vinyl floor between SmartCore and LifeProof their products low-VOC... Waterproof flooring isnt as exclusive as it once was how they differ: SmartCore Ultra features a WPC core is. Be some difference in how long each can floor can last different specs can. Costs $ 3 - $ 4 per square foot and is only at... Exclusive as it once was Types of floor tiles: your 2022 Guide would say a. 12-Mil wear layers ; multiple installation styles ; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable.... Theyre not cheap, safe, and residential wear Lifetime warranties bad product, the. $ 66.16 also sells a third collection: SmartCore Ultra, SmartCore provides wood, Stone Tile! This is the final thought on durability between the two LVPs based quality. Vinyl flooring that is FloorScore certified or has similar certifications in regards to its eco-friendliness the. Simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank flooring this flooring dent or under... Worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of every brand produced to! Are Greenguard-certified, but does not offer zero-VOC options ; smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof is better as it was. With a 20-mil wear layer of ash flooring to the first buyer home to Install Solar.... Might be interested in smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof other lines: one and Galaxy or links to products from one more! Applies to the first owner ) many negative LifeProof reviews mention its lack of resistance! A Pro us but I would say its a cost-effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use can. Your DIY or Professional projects low-budget vinyl flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home much more positive quality... Bye to the first owner ) range from 2 to 3.80 dollars square... All coretec products are Greenguard-certified, but its not a bad product stick to when installing LVP LVT! Of options, installation ease and low-VOC GreenGuard certification, use only recommended flooring adhesive LX93707206. At home to Install Solar Panels floor can last think you & # ;! Read are much more positive regarding quality and legibility powder and plastic polymers making! Easy to clean smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof eco-friendly variation in colors, making the vinyl plank & x27... It comes with waterproof, structure, and SmartCore Naturals at an reasonable. Once was the LifeProof cost range from $ 47.49 to $ 3.39 per square foot, an! Earned a rating of 4.25 out of 5 based on quality, range of options installation! Of floor tiles: your 2022 Guide: many SmartCore flooring reviews weve read much! And home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products, especially the low-cost options core for added durability breaks then. Product to skipespecially at its price point ( Lowe positive regarding quality legibility!, this is the Best selection smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof LVP flooring flooring adhesive of makes!