Armstrong has been in the flooring game for over 100 years and has quite an arsenal of LVP to sift through. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Like we said, most other LVP brands infuse their cores with other materials to make them more durable or comfortableeven floors in NuCores super-budget price range. Typical installation tools include a razor knife, a rubber mallet, a jigsaw, or a table saw for cutting around walls, last rows, and door casings. But clearly, LifeProof surpasses NuCore with its remarkable service life and top-class features. Engineered Bamboo Flooring: Pros and Cons, Comparing Tile vs. Wood Floors for Your Home. Here were my requirements: I quickly nixed some options due to my requirements. CoreLuxe EVP in Beach Cottage Oak(Lumber Liquidators), SMARTCORE Luxury Locking Vinylin Cottage Oak (Lowes). NuCore is an affordable flooring material that is easy to install and looks gorgeous when installed in a home. While NuCore flooring reviews are generally positive, there are a few flawsbig, big flaws, actuallythat tend to pop up when you read enough of them. NuCore offers a wide range of flooring options. The only fallback of the Smartcore is the pricing. One thing to note, is that the planks are made from all new vinyl and none of it is from recycled pieces. Therefore, if the subfloor is not in too bad condition, Lifeproof vinyl flooring can be installed. Adura's teaks, oaks, and maples are solid, basic replica wood species that are ideal for your moderately priced kitchen remodel, living room . However, if you use anything other than water, make sure the cleaner is approved for vinyl flooring. A consumer will always try to get as many features as possible on a lower budget. You dont need to worry about bacteria, mold or mildew with LifeProof, the top and bottom layers are treated to prevent these things. These floorings are highly efficient in preventing erosion of wooden or concrete floors. Heres why we chose LifeProof flooring, as well as why we didnt choose CoreLuxe or SMARTCORE. To make your choice easy, look in NuCore vs. Lifeproof vinyl flooring. Sorry, Floor and Decor! While NuCore can't be called high-end or luxury flooring, if you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, this is a brand that should fit your expectations. And NuCore flooring reviews say it lives up to this claim. It might not be great in high traffic areas. Moreover, when it comes to installation around door jambs and door casings. SmartCore flooring is Lowes private label brand and suffers from many of the same flaws as LifeProof. So if this vinyl plank isnt actually scratch-resistant well, thats a big problem. The only difference is in the features, but we have already covered that part. Or is it just another private-label budget option? Indeed, this waterproofing feature lasts until there is any sign of punchers. Were not really sure what to make of that. I still love it the as much as I did when I got it. Installation uses grip strips but is still a floating floor. If youre looking for a classic LVP product thats better than NuCores (and if you dont need the insane durability of a Proximity Mills or a Pergo Extreme), this might be the brand for you. Like both the NuCore flooring and the Lifeproof are durable. While there isnt a way to repair the plank, you can replace them. Plank thickness is either 5.5mm or 6.5mm, and the wear layer is rather generous: 20 mil or greater. However, we all want the best choice for our home apartment. (Note: I question this because its core layer is MDF. Slipping and falling down in your apartment is really dangerous, especially for the old and ill. And remember that NuCore Performance occupies the higher end of that range. If you choose to do the install yourself, you may find that you lose several years of your warranty. )Continue, Over time, vinyl plank flooring shifts and leaves gaps between them. NuCores 5 Different Finish Options Explained, NuCore EIR (Embossed-in-Register)aka Authentic Texture. But we would recommend LifeProof vinyl flooring as it is both more robust and better compared to NuCore ones. The price range starts from as low as $2.5. In a multi video series,. It has a pretty thick wear layer of 22 mils. These qualities are their selling points. While installation, the flooring doesnt need to be glued. NuCore Waterproof Flooring ( Floor and Decor) Cost: $2.69-$2.99/sq ft Thickness: 5.5-6.5 mm thickness with a 22 mil wear layer Health Factors: GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions Made in: China Full disclosure, I have worked with Floor and Decor in the past on our master bathroom. The antimicrobial property makes it easier to clean and maintain hygiene. Mohawk True Design vs Lifeproof. I was especially excited about this floor because of the lower price, the great reviews, and the personal testimonial from a few friends. We also put quarter round trim around the baseboard and edges of the NuCore once it was installed to give it a finished look. NuCore vinyl flooring is one of the cheapest vinyl floorings. A bit of a step up from the Tranquility line in terms of thickness, the CoreLuxe line has a solid polymer core and a high-density 1mm attached pad underneath. As authors, we strive to give homeowners the best and most well-researched answers to DIY and household concerns. Your call for what youre looking for, but both are great. On average, its many lines of LVP cost more than NuCore, but the extra moolah goes towards superior durability and quality too. When I left this post in early 2019, I was just about to decided which flooring to put in our basement. It comes in a massive range of designs and patterns. Typically, you can expect to pay an average of $3 per square foot for LifeProof flooring. Thanks to the drop and lock install method, removing a plank is made easier. But what about the caulking? In addition, it helps to maintain durability. Full disclosure, I have worked with Floor and Decor in the past on our master bathroom. The reviewers dont single out a particular collection either, and while wed usually dismiss an isolated claim, this complaint pops up often. To evaluate any claim, IVC reserves the right to inspect the flooring and obtain any other information necessary for the assessment of the claim. It is recommended for residential uses, and very light commercial uses. Not only does the PVC make the planks more pliable and easier to install but they add a strength normally found in the top-tier brands. NuCore flooring is a budget-priced luxury vinyl plank brand sold exclusively by Floor & Decor. In kitchens, the food can spill down and make a whole bunch of mess. Not all cleaners are created equal and some harsher chemicals can eventually remove the protective wear layer. With Lifeproof, your daily spills and accidents are no big deal. Besides, other factors like ease of installation, removal, and relocation also play a role here. NuCore waterproof flooring generally ranges between $2.50 and $3.80/sq. Waterproof vinyl flooring review as I compare Nucore vinyl and Lifeproof vinyl. We have resources about flooring brands, different types of flooring, maintenance and how-to tips. Plus, Lifeproof flooring has a low VOC certification and is scratch-resistant, making it an ideal flooring for homeowners. But it may suggest the seams are too deep, or that some products may have too deeply-beveled edges. You can use a wet mop to remove any stain. When it comes to the durability of vinyl flooring, it largely depends on the usage of the place. LifeProof flooring, for example, is low-VOC-certified. Some of the most common additives are aluminum oxide crystals and tiny ceramic beads. The colors looked lovely online, and the reviews were great. Unfortunately I wasnt able to see it in the storeeven a sampleand I really couldnt justify the high price for such a low mm thickness and mil wear layer. Most of the NuCore rigid core designs have a texture that has been embossed in . Washed Oak Dove was my favorite, but unfortunately Lowes didnt have any samples. Our Pergo Extreme reviews explain why this LVP option is tough to beat, at least when compared to NuCore. 25 year limited residential warranty. Antimicrobial properties are incorporated into. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. The reviews are excellent, but the store associate said these floors are best over subfloors that have very little, if any, imperfections. Required fields are marked *. We noted earlier that NuCore waterproof flooring costs about $3.00/sq. One of the big perks of vinyl flooring: its waterproof. It comes in a massive range of designs and patterns. And Thats Not a Good Sign. Covering a gap between the floor and the wall is not an easy task. Especially since the colors online looked beautiful. Filling the gap would be the most effective way to increase the rooms safety and maintain quality. This company makes some gorgeous vinyl floors, which are probably the most stylish and trendy ones available today. Installing new flooring for your home or any using space can be tricky. Clearly, at this price point, it is hard to beat NuCore. Floor & Decor doesnt clarify. If, however, you are concerned with the finished product, dont want to be on your hands and knees for hours or want the job done with a labor warranty, a professional should be considered. This flooring is also antibacterial and easy to clean. Not too much color variation (not my cup of tea), and not too beach-y looking. LifeProof Flooring Is Certified Low-VOC Low-VOC flooring, or flooring with a smaller concentration of volatile organic compounds, is becoming more popular than ever. Nucore Vs. Duralux Vinyl Flooring But then again, its cheaper to buyso you get what you pay for. Moreover, it is a high-quality, environmentally friendly product that can be installed in any residential area. I consideredCottage OakandHuntington Oak, ultimately favoring Cottage Oak because it had a bit more gray in it. Keep in mind though, that their calculations also include the cost of the materials. ft. to install. She is one of the few personalities from Oklahoma who are famous in the food industry. For more information,visit this page. Ease of Installation. Durability. Bummer. Therefore, it would be wise to fix the gaps to maintain the aesthetic and elegance of the floor and its, Read More How to Fix Gaps in Vinyl Plank Flooring? If their wear layers are simple vinyl, they offer very little extra protection. All of that to say: there is one big issue here with the NuCore waterproof flooring designation. What Kind of Core Does NuCore Flooring Actually Have? It also helps to maintain durability. However, we ultimately chose to go the Home Depot route and get LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Planks in Sterling Oak. Colorthe perfect gray-brown to tie in our existing coffee-colored flooring without looking like we were trying to match. For the best value for money, NuCore is good. Free of formaldehyde, phthalate and is antimicrobial which prevents mold and mildew growth, 100% waterproof. If NuCore struggles with this well, you get the point. Floor & Decor simply says that NuCore floors have a rigid core but provides no other info. And since we cant find any info about what Techtanium is, we cant say that it offers any more protection than regular NuCore. It had what appeared to be the best wear layer at 20 mil. Each case of LVP will cover about 18 to 20 square feet and run you a little under $3 per square foot, or $55 to $60 per case. Its real, and its awesome. Additionally, householdadvice.net participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. While I hope you found this post helpful and can use it to help guide your search, definitely ask store associates and read a variety of reviews to ensure you make the best decision for your home. (Full Guide)Continue, When considering installing laminate flooring in your home, one of the first things you might wonder about is whether or not you can install it on top of your existing concrete floor. For Lifeproof warranty service, you must go to the Home Depot store that sold you the floor covering material. Having more wear layers between your topcoat and the decorative layer will extend the floors life. CORETec is the inventor of wood-polymer composite cores (WPC) and is widely respected as one of the top brands in vinyl. Have you found your answer yet? A draw here as well. Some reviewers note that after moving furniture or cleaning their NuCore flooring, they noticed damaged planks. EndNote. NuCore vinyl flooring has the quality to make your room soundproof. (Though its worth noting that with comparable specs to Shaws Kalahari line but a much lower price, this one would be a better bet.). Look & Feel Commercial warranty is only for 5-10 years. We work hard to put together knowledge about the home improvement industry in a simple way to help people fix their problems. The 12-mil wear layer has a 10-year commercial warranty, vs 5 years for the 6 mil wear layer. Well, here, the NuCore is clearly the winner. As for Lifeproof vinyl flooring, it comes in various wear layers. Instead they use synthetic, or lab-created diamonds. The designs and prints it offers can be pretty close to natural wood flooring. Wed say its similar, if a bit lower in quality. When installing, you need to allow about 1/4 all around for expansion. Long set time. (5 Easy Steps)Continue, A gap between floor and wall can be a safety hazard. If the LVP is properly maintained it can last over 15 years. For reference, anything over 12 mils thick is recommended for residential use. For a supposedly resilient floor, that is really not good. While it may not be as durable in certain situations as planks that cost twice as much, it isnt a cheap flooring that needs constant care or replacement. What are people saying about it? My CoreLuxe review in a nutshellit was beautiful, and it honestly felt the most substantial out of all three options. This is an odd issue for a product thats supposed to be good for sunrooms. So: its likely that NuCores core is just made of plain ol vinyl. Its super hard to find (though our team can help you track some down if youre interested). It comes in zero-VOC options. While thats not the end of the world, its also not ideal (well explain why further down). You will also find that both brands are 100% waterproof across their entire line . However, this is a feature common to many types of faux-wood flooring, including all vinyl surfaces, wood-look tile, and some laminate options like RevWood. Home Depot will review and, if necessary, file a claim with IVC. NuCore EIR (or Authentic Texture) seems to go a step further andwe guessfully mimics the authentic texture of the source material. Which vinyl floor looks the most realist. And to be blunt: its not very good. Without a seal, water can seep through the cracks, causing all sorts of nasty problems (like mold and mildew). Moreover, NuCore Floorings are $1 cheaper per square foot than LifeProof. Well talk about that more in the cons section below. Well, yes and no. And this might also offer a clue into some big durability issues that tend to pop up often in NuCore flooring reviews. A LifeProof vinyl floor is thin, lightweight, and doesnt require an underlayment. 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 brand offers features which you might find attractive. Another great thing about NuCoreand LVP in generalis that it can be installed almost anywhere in the home. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? However, Shaw flooring is the overall best for all sorts of flooring applications. Like other types of floors, Shaw Vinyl Plank All floors need to be taken care, Read More How to Clean Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring? They were also all beautiful in the stores, and this line has a much wider selection of colors. Lifeproof is an innovative sanded textured PVC material that has been manufactured to offer a higher quality finish than other PVC products on the market. However, a big detractor for SMARTCORE for me was that the store associate said Id also need to buy an underlayment. Like any premium option, rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is generally more expensive than flexible LVP, which tends to run between $1 and $4 per square foot. You can select these designs in 5 types of finishing NuCore Textured, NuCore Embossed-In Register, NuCore Hand-scraped, NuCore High Glass, and NuCore Smooth. But theres a catch. But being insane can lead to well-informed decisions, which I am confident weve made! It is a durable and affordable alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, as well as being fairly easy to install. That could be problematic if you dont have anywhere to store all the flooring. 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