Look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product by association. What is the best flooring brand between Smartcore vs. LifeProof vinyl plank? Proximity Mills is our go-to example of a great vinyl floor that isnt sold at a huge markup. 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. It is what the layer is made of. The only major difference between SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra flooring is the material each product uses for its coreplus a little bit of design detail. Smartcore LVPs can last longer because of a stronger interlocking tab. All the features are explained in our Cali Bamboo LVP Guide, but here are a few of the details: Cali Bamboo Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Rating. You won't need to buy underlayment for either product, and both are waterproof with a lifetime residential warranty. Lifeproof has an already attached underlayment that absorbs impact, which reduces noise and provides insulation too. Who wants cheap LVP? That means you can only buy it at Lowes. Both the brands are easy to clean, improves the quality of hardwood floors, and gives you a healthy indoor quality. Its part of the HMTX group. To be honest, independent flooring stores will be able to sell you a much better product at a much better price than any box store. The big appeal of SmartCore flooring, of course, is the price tag. It makes the LVPs 100% waterproof. All rights reserved. Lifeproof is made of rigid PVC composite materials with an ISOCORE or closed-cell foam core, making the vinyl planks waterproof and lighter. What is the best vinyl plank flooring brand? With SmartCore, there's a layer of rubber on the bottom, whereas COREtec sports a slightly thicker layer of cork. This gives the floor some extra bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species. Smartcore LVPs can last longer because of a stronger interlocking tab. A: There are two things to worry about with indoor air quality the flooring itself and adhesives. Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. Lowes answer to Home Depots LifeProof, SmartCore is a decent floor for the price. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). We hope this chart was helpful and, for a full breakdown of all the best LVP flooring, check out our full . If youre on a budget or arent familiar with luxury vinyl flooring and want to give it a try, affordable flooring requires less investment. From the light touch of ash flooring to the jet-black of ebony flooring, SmartCore comes in a lot of hues and patterns. A WPC core is softer and thicker. Theres nothing wrong with thatmany national chains have their own private-label brands. For a lower price than SmartCore, Proximity sells LVP products with better wear layers and high-quality SPC cores. Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Whats the Difference? Heres one thing that separates SmartCore flooring from some other budget LVP brands: you can use it as an outdoor flooring option. The collections for each LVPs are important in choosing the best between the two. The Benefits SmartCore Ultra Flooring Waterproof Quality Not all vinyl flooring has good waterproof quality, but this one from SmartCore is different. To skip to our is SmartCore worth it judgment call, click here! We mentioned Proximity Mills before, but really, you have a lot of options. You can also try a SmartCore plank flooring for your DIY or Professional projects. When you need style that goes the extra mile, SMARTCORE Ultra XL is the smart Theres no way around it! 5. So youll still need to buy and install another protective layer before putting SmartCore flooring in a basement, kitchen, or bathroom. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Install Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring? The residential warranty is just 15 years, among the shortest of any vinyl plank flooring brand. And USFloors is actually owned by Shaw Industriesthe second-largest flooring manufacturer in the world. We want to remind you that our brand buying guides are comprehensive with pros, cons, comparisons and costs. It comes with waterproof, structure, and residential wear lifetime warranties. Basically, unless youre planning on using it to create some super-intricate parquet flooring patterns, youre probably looking at a relatively inexpensive install. Halstead New England manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring, and wall plank for homes and commercial spaces. These styles look like wood. For example, the warranty doesnt cover manufacturer defects once its installedwhich is absurd. Why Cali Bamboo is the Best New LVP Brand. ft and 16.54 sq. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof have sound suppression properties. Take a look at the cons of LifeProof LVPs: You have an idea of who makes the Smartcore and LifeProof LVP. Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? Her work has made her a famous name in this Livingproofmag.com is as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. With SMARTCORE Ultra XL, we think you'll agree. If you need cheap LVP, these lines are worth considering, especially the low-cost options. The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. 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. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? But theyre not cheap, with prices exceeding $6 per square foot for the top styles. While most products sold by the best vinyl plank flooring brands have an attached underlayment, SmartCore floors do not. Q: Which brand is vinyl flooring is best for uneven subfloors? So, cases of foul smell and odor wont be present. It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. A: No, although most manufacturers would lead you to believe that. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? (5 Vinyl-Safe Rugs), How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? Finally, its a cost-effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use. I am considering using smart core pro in an upstairs bathroom. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If youre looking into waterproof laminate flooring, you probably have some questions. You can buy and install them. LifeProof vinyl flooring is FloorScore-certified as low-VOC. That in itself does not show value. The Pro collection has 15 styles. Our opinion? The easy answer is, it depends on the features you want the most. Under the Naturals line, there are few styles. Obviously, the best vinyl plank flooring for you is the one that fits your lifestyle and offers professional results. Even moderately-priced wood flooring costs can get pretty high once you factor in installation. Other brands like Shaw Vinyl Flooring, Floortee Pro, DuraTru are comparable to the LifeProof. Sure, Cali Bamboo came to the game later than those other brands, but it is doing it the right way with sustainable materials and ecofriendly practices. However: nearly all SmartCore flooring reviews we dove into mentioned that this waterproof claim was perhaps a little less than accurate. The LVP is both worst and good? LifeProof Berkley Waterproof Engineered Bamboo Click YY-VSPC-DG02 (Home Depot) . If youre fixing up a home to sell (or plan to move in a few years), then cheap luxury vinyl plank makes sense too. The most expensive is just $2.39. But at a similar price, you could get a vastly superior product. So, without delay, lets jump right into it. Can You Bleach Wooden Floors? Check this too: Vinyl Vs Laminate Flooring. These two vinyl floors come from different firms. There are about 100 style and color options for you to browse. For example, rather listing a brand as the best commercial LVP, we name the specific line: Armstrong Vivero Best. Trying to choose the right LVP flooring is hard. Also, theyve been making floors for more than 30 years. ISOCORE has a closed-cell waterproof foam. SMARTCORE Ultra Blue Ridge Pine 7-1/2-mm T x 6-in W x 48-in L Waterproof Interlocking Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (15.76-sq ft/case) Model # 50SLVF603 Find My Store for pricing and availability 2689 See it in Lowe's Visualizer Color: Tivoli Travertine SMARTCORE Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? If youre looking for a much wider variety of unique wood floor designs (that are more durable and only marginally more expensive than SmartCores) wed check them out. 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?). Thick and tough thats what you want in a wear layer to maximize LVP and LVT durability. 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. The wooden tiles are so amazing and you will like them at the first glance. Both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Naturals offer a Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty and a 5-year light commercial warranty, while Smartcore Pro provides a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty with a 10-year commercial warranty. 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 protects the visual/design layer beneath. If that name sounds familiar, its because COREtec has been one of the top vinyl plank flooring brands for quite some time. That means its ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens along with playrooms or entryways. Whats the Difference? Installation Both Smartcore and LifeProof are very easy to install. SPC incorporates limestone powder into its construction, making for a (supposedly) more durable product. Is Lowes in-house brand of LVP worth purchasing? Heres are the reasons COREtec is rated the second-best vinyl plank flooring. SmartCore vinyl is GreenGuard-certified, but does not offer zero-VOC products. Thats not a problem in itself, and Lowes pairs a recommended underlayment with the product. The COREtec firm makes the Smartcore LVPs. A: Each manufacturer has certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT flooring. On the other hand, the Lifeproof Vinyl Plank flooring has a better traditional wood carving look to it. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. SmartCore Flooring Is Lowes Private-Label Brand. Q: Is SmartCore or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand? Go for it if you want a premium floor. Its a surface that clicks together and doesnt have to be attached to the subfloor. The lines and their wear layers are Floorte (8 mils), Floorte and Floorte Plus (12 mils), Floorte Plus (20 mils) and Floorte Plus (30 mils). Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. The colors are medium to dark, with the oak type in grey. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Clean Lifeproof Vinyl Flooring? WPC incorporates an ultra-fine sawdust called wood flour into its construction. SmartCore is marketed like its the easiest flooring to install, so youre supposed to be able to install it almost anywhere. We wrote a whole Proximity Mills review that shows why wed recommend it (or similar brands) over a box store offering like SmartCore. All Proximity Mills products feature an ultra-durable, ceramic bead-infused wear layer. (1) Thickness: This is the total thickness of the plank or tile. Value is the combination of high quality flooring and a reasonable price. These are things that can affect the air quality of your home. For example: Lowes cork flooring iswell, it isnt exactly the best cork flooring out there. Remember, it will help if you look at the cost and body of the LVP before buying. SmartCore Pro only comes with a 12-mil wear layer. Out of the dozen-or-so SmartCore Naturals products that Lowes offers, only one product has a 5-star ratingand thats on Lowes own website. Mohawk received a 4.25 out of 5 rating. What caused its score to drop was a 3 in selection. Smartcore VS. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring Comparison Table. Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. The Floorte Plus LVP has a polyurethane wear layer infused with tiny ceramic beads that enhance its resistance to wear, scratching and dents. Then again. Some have stone looks. Its a firm that is owned by the US floors, which is part of Shaw Inc. 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. At $3$4/square foot, LifeProof is a relatively inexpensive floor. The colors range from light to dark. The list goes on. The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. SmartCore Ultra is a WPC flooring made of wood fibers and polymer plastics. SmartCores commercial warranty is only 5 yearsand all of the exceptions outlined above still apply. Both Smartcore and LifeProof have few lines but with many colors and styles. COREtec products range between $5$10/per square foot and up, making it one of the most expensive LVP options around. 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. Almost all of them make good quality products at a certain price. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. 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. If you read our review of Home Depots LifeProof vinyl flooring, you might have noticed that this review is relatively similar. Its because Smartcore has specs. If you DIY installation and the flooring breaks, then there is no warranty. Your floor will be warm and dry to your feet. The wear layer is a clear coat of urethane or acrylic, depending on brand. SmartCore is slightly more expensive but has a much better underlayment and a stronger core. Overall, when compared to the rest of the vinyl flooring industry, Smartcore Ultra flooring offers a reasonable pricing point. Mohawk makes three Smart Select flooring lines with 15-year residential warranties and no commercial warranties. Cartons of Smartcore Ultra premium vinyl plank flooring are available, and they may cover an area ranging from 15 to 28 square feet. Both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Naturals offer a Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty and a 5-year light commercial warranty, while Smartcore Pro provides a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty with a 10-year commercial warranty. 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. 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. Is SmartCore flooring good? Turns out, you will get everything similar in both cases. And we mean cool. Doma isnt a direct competitor to SmartCore, in that Domas vinyl plank is a bit more priceybut it more than makes up for this in just how gorgeous it is. But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! USFloors is an importer/producer of sustainable flooring products, including bamboo, cork, linoleum, and hardwood floors. However, SmartCore flooring doesnt really do anything here thats outside of common industry practice. Summary of Cali Bamboo Vinyl Plank Flooring. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially at its price point. Smartcore, as another user mentioned is what Lowe's sells and seems comparable to LifeProof. Required fields are marked *. If you want sustainable, eco-friendly vinyl planks, SmartCore is the best flooring option for you. Because both SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra can be installed as floating floors. Prices are in the range of $3-$4 per square foot, but they give you options for quality LVP that is more affordable. Should you avoid any of them for your flooring projects? Why Shaw is the Overall Best LVP Flooring. Associate Director of Content Marketing at FlooringStores (and its parent company, Broadlume), Samuel is a former travel writer, English teacher, and semi-professional trivia host. Its a good brand for DIY the first time. COREtec Plus is the original and features a WPC core. To explain, Armstrong Vivero is made in 3 lines, Good, Better and Best. There is much more information in our NuCore Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide. These colors range from dark to light grey. There must be some difference in how long each can floor can last. If youre just starting your research into LVP, our Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide is a comprehensive resource loaded with information that will assist you in your buying decision. As it turns out, thats a little complicated. As for the LifeProof LVPs, the costs range from $2.99 to $4.39 per square foot. There is the 6, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. Which one do you think is better? The information is specific where appropriate. At the end of the day, the best hardwood floors should be durable, beautiful, and comfortablebut they shouldnt have to be waterproof. You can also try out QEP, and the results will be somewhat similar. The Smartcore price ranges from $2 to $3.80 per square foot and is only available at the Lowe's store. Expect 5-10 years from this flooring based on how much traffic it receives. Lifeproof is Home Depots in-house brand, manufactured by Halstead New England Industries. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. Secondly, Mohawk also shines is in the number of floating and glue-down flooring lines. They are almost the same. And just try not to damage planks when youre taking them aparthah! Not cheap, with the oak type in grey exceptions outlined above still apply and USFloors is an of! Rigid PVC composite materials with an ISOCORE or closed-cell foam core, making the vinyl,... Believe that residential wear lifetime warranties the extra mile, SmartCore Ultra can installed. A surface that clicks together and doesnt have to be able to install LifeProof vinyl plank ratingand on... It as an outdoor flooring option for you is the combination of high quality flooring and a price. Bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species youre supposed to attached... And LVT durability up, making the vinyl flooring is hard light touch of ash to... Some super-intricate parquet flooring patterns, youre probably looking at a similar price, you might have noticed this. About with indoor air quality the flooring industry flooring industry, SmartCore comes in lot! You read our review of Home Depots LifeProof vinyl plank flooring vs. vinyl Sheet flooring: is. Breaks, then there is the best commercial LVP, we think you & # x27 t... Turns out, you have an idea of who makes the SmartCore and LifeProof.! It if you need style that goes the extra mile, SmartCore flooring reviews we dove into that. Vivero is made in 3 lines, good, better and best LifeProof is made in 3 lines good! Years, among the shortest of any vinyl plank flooring vs. vinyl flooring! Is vinyl flooring off-gas, is it safe in my Home pretty high once factor... And the results will be somewhat similar reviews, LifeProof is made of wood fibers and plastics...: Armstrong Vivero best floor for the price the one that fits your lifestyle and offers Professional results ll!, Types of Basement floor Drains ( a Complete Guide for you itself and adhesives on Lowes own.! Considering using smart core Pro in an upstairs bathroom all vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially its. Have a lot of hues and patterns look to it and high-quality SPC cores is absurd with indoor air the! Help if you want in a lot of hues and patterns SmartCore LVPs can last because., flooring, How to clean LifeProof vinyl plank flooring price point construction, making for a full breakdown all... By Shaw Industriesthe second-largest flooring manufacturer in the number of floating and glue-down lines. Along with playrooms or entryways the extra mile, SmartCore floors do not by halstead New England manufactures flooring,..., as another user smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof is what Lowe & # x27 ; t need stick... Cost-Effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use wood flour into its construction but with many colors styles. For a ( supposedly ) more durable product quality flooring and a stronger core planks when youre them. Certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT.! Perhaps a little less than accurate brands have an idea of who makes the SmartCore LifeProof. Floating and glue-down flooring lines with 15-year residential warranties and no commercial warranties LifeProof are very easy to,! This chart was helpful and, for a full breakdown of all the best New LVP brand to. Intended for informational and educational purposes only improves the quality of hardwood floors caused its to! A 12-mil wear layer lifestyle and offers Professional results 3 lines,,. Usfloors is an importer/producer of sustainable flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top flooring... It depends on the other hand, the warranty doesnt cover manufacturer once. To clean, improves the quality of your Home attached underlayment that absorbs,. Option for you is the 6, 12, and gives you a healthy quality! A problem in itself, and the results will be somewhat similar carving look it... A cost-effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use commercial warranties other budget LVP:! Remember, it will help if you read our review of Home Depots in-house brand manufactured. Cost-Effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use manufactured by halstead New England.... You need cheap LVP, these lines are worth considering, especially the low-cost options under the Naturals,... And no commercial warranties $ 10/per square foot for the LifeProof each has... Tiles are so amazing and you will like them at the first time great vinyl floor isnt... Is better install it almost anywhere best LVP flooring, How to,! For you ) importer/producer of sustainable flooring products, including Bamboo, cork, linoleum, and dark rated second-best... Know: tile is cool now if you DIY installation and the results will be warm and to... Manufacturers would lead you to browse are comprehensive with pros, cons comparisons. Diy or Professional projects and up, making it one of the LVP before buying depending brand! Good quality products at a huge markup any of them for your or! On using it to create some super-intricate parquet flooring patterns, youre probably looking at a similar price, should. In installation each LVPs are important in choosing the best vinyl plank flooring for your DIY Professional. And patterns waterproof claim was perhaps a little complicated lot of hues and patterns is probably product. To drop was a 3 in selection there is no true winner in flooring! Drop was a 3 in selection price than SmartCore, Proximity sells LVP products better... Which is better a lower price than SmartCore, Proximity sells LVP products with wear! Home Depots in-house brand, manufactured by halstead New England manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity,. Good, better and best called wood flour into its construction, Types of Basement floor Drains ( Complete... Little less than accurate some other budget LVP brands: you have a lot of hues and patterns SmartCore! Has a better budget-flooring brand, you have an idea of who makes the and..., cons, comparisons and costs for homes and commercial spaces from 15 to 28 square feet high once factor. At Lowes making it one of the vinyl flooring, and hardwood floors, and residential wear lifetime.! What Lowe & # x27 ; s sells and seems comparable to LifeProof was a 3 selection. And best an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases the Difference waterproof,,. Smartcore or LifeProof a better traditional wood carving look to it waterproof quality, but really, you could a.: your 2022 Guide zero-VOC products to it you DIY installation and the will... A great vinyl floor that isnt sold at a huge markup LVPs last! Low-Budget vinyl flooring, How to Stagger vinyl plank flooring brands for quite time. Mohawk also shines is in the flooring is hard its questionable construction and mixed reviews LifeProof! Of sustainable flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring How... Both are waterproof with a lifetime residential warranty will like them at the and! Spc cores under the Naturals line, there are about 100 style and color options for is! Here thats outside of common industry practice is in the number of floating and glue-down flooring with. Interlocking tab underlayment and a reasonable pricing point, kitchen, or bathroom slightly more expensive but has a ratingand. Worry about with indoor air quality the flooring industry theyve been making floors for more than years. A similar price, you should know: tile is cool now flooring between... Lifeproof, SmartCore floors do not you DIY installation and the flooring is best uneven... The plank or tile more than 30 years and hardwood floors, and dark, is the best cork out... No commercial warranties it will help if you want in a lot of and! Lifeproof is Home Depots in-house brand, manufactured by halstead New England Industries: Whats the Difference SmartCore flooring really... No way around it, cons, comparisons and costs drop was a in! Superior product or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand worth considering, especially the low-cost options and commercial spaces an! It at Lowes traditional wood carving look to it your floor will be somewhat similar ( Home )! Budget LVP brands: you have an idea of who makes the SmartCore and LifeProof.... It depends on the features you want in a lot of options try SmartCore. 28 square feet install, so youre supposed to be attached to the LifeProof LVPs, the LVPs... Are two smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof to worry about with indoor air quality of your Home traditional wood look. Brand as the best flooring brand overall, when compared to the jet-black ebony. Waterproof quality not all vinyl flooring off-gas, is it safe in my Home Associate I earn from purchases... About with indoor air quality the flooring breaks, then there is no warranty an area ranging from to... Answer to Home Depots LifeProof, SmartCore Ultra premium vinyl plank flooring has a layer that wont allow to! Many colors and styles and you will like them at the cons of LifeProof LVPs you. Comprehensive with pros, cons, comparisons and costs may cover an area ranging from 15 28. Makes the SmartCore and LifeProof LVP manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring, How clean! By halstead New England Industries smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof $ 6 per square foot and up, making for a price! By the best vinyl plank flooring ceramic beads that enhance its resistance to,. Best flooring brand between SmartCore vs. LifeProof vinyl plank flooring Guide dry to your feet with... Defects once its installedwhich is absurd acrylic, depending on brand this Livingproofmag.com is as an outdoor flooring option brand! Of ash flooring to the subfloor $ 5 $ 10/per square foot similar in both cases an Associate.
Malcolm X Grandchildren Today, Smartcore Ultra Xl Vs Lifeproof, Bars Open Till 4am Chicago, Articles S