ft. cost ranges from $3.80 $4.20 per sq. Your budget is a key factor in choosing a flooring plank for your projects. 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. In general, SPC is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing. COREtec Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. Most have the traditional wood looks. Which is Better: LifeProof or SmartCore Flooring? Halstead firm also produces the Allure and TrafficMaster LVPs. Though, if you want LVPs that can last for long in your house and money isnt a problem, go for Smartcore. 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. It can be overwhelming to compare them all, especially because so many brands use rigid cores these days. First, lets talk about the perks of SmartCore flooringwhich, to be fair, are pretty much the pros of vinyl flooring in general. Summary of Cali Bamboo Vinyl Plank Flooring. Each guide includes a table showing each collection the brand makes and its cost, key features and warranty. If you want something tough, consider looking for some of the most durable wood flooring, or frankly, a better LVP product. You get vinyl plank flooring with a lifetime residential warranty and a price that starts below $2.00 per square foot. The Smartcore price ranges from $2 to $3.80 per square foot and is only available at the Lowe's store. Look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product by association. SmartCore is GreenGuard Gold certified, which is proven to have low chemical emissions and manages indoor air quality. But theyre not cheap, with prices exceeding $6 per square foot for the top styles. If your budget is small, LifeProof wont be a bad choice. Wider planks. It isnt terrible, it just isnt LVP you should expect to hold up very long to heavy traffic, big dogs and rambunctious kids. Even if youve looked through all the vinyl plank flooring reviews you can find, you still have questions. Like most LVPs, both LifeProof and Smartcore will be safe to use in your house. SMARTCORE Ultra is the smart choice for hi-def style and design. 4 SMARTCORE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (V.1.1) In-floor Radiant Heat: SMARTCORE can be installed using the floating or glue down method. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. So youll still need to buy and install another protective layer before putting SmartCore flooring in a basement, kitchen, or bathroom. SmartCore is slightly more expensive but has a much better underlayment and a stronger core. When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. All Proximity Mills products are FloorScore-certified as low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. These two vinyl floors come from different firms. (2): Warranty: The first number is the residential warranty. It also makes the planks durable, and scratch- and mold-resistant. This distribution arrangement allows Floor & Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive. As in, does it even really exist? It really helps other visitors to estimate the cost of flooring project. Style details are found in our COREtec Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide, but heres an overview: COREtec also scored very high in our ratings, matching Shaw with a 4.75 rating out of 5. So, if you sell it to the second person, it will be the end of the warranty. Plus, every one of their products is low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. (1) Thickness: This is total plank thickness. If you are looking for alternatives to SmartCore, we would highly suggest Proximity Mills or Newton. 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! Why have you decided to look up how to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? Smartcore Pro is a pad-attached vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments. It protects the visual/design layer beneath. And at 2030 mils thick, theyre seriously tough to scratch. SmartCore Pro, on the other hand, features an SPC (Stone-Plastic Composite) core. Amdry vs Dricore: Which Basement Subfloor Is Better? 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. Required fields are marked *. And like Shaw and other brands LVP, the planks and tiles can float or be glued down. Yes. For both 6mm and 7mm thick vinyl planks with a 6 mL wear layer, it costs about $2.59 $3.09 per sq. Expect 5-10 years from this flooring based on how much traffic it receives. There are several varieties of each line. 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. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? With a simple interlock system, installing the planks over wood, concrete, and tile with the proper preparation requires no acclimation, adhesives, or subfloor prep. Potentially harder than real diamonds: According to Live Science and other sources we consulted, synthetic diamonds have a range of hardness. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. From the light touch of ash flooring to the jet-black of ebony flooring, SmartCore comes in a lot of hues and patterns. And we mean cool. A good number of SmartCore flooring reviews confirm that SmartCore flooring installation is easy to DIY. It will depend on the collection you choose. Sobasically, DIY-ers are out of luck. Some have stone looks. Just dont use a vacuum with a beater bar or youll scratch your wear layer! Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? How to Install Luan Under Vinyl Floor? SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro are no exception, and are Greenguard Certified as low-VOC options. Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. As in, does it even really exist? 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. Q: Is SmartCore or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand? The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. However, that premium quality comes with an equally premium price tag. This brand uses 1.5mm cork pad on most lines. Side note: if you want an innovative type of underlayment for your floors that also makes for easy installation, its worth checking out magnetic flooring. At $3$4/square foot, LifeProof is a relatively inexpensive floor. So how do you decide which vinyl plank flooring is the right one for you? If you want sustainable, eco-friendly vinyl planks, SmartCore is the best flooring option for you. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. And there's also a five-year warranty for commercial use. Even the best engineered wood flooring is water-resistant at best. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? Mohawk Smart Select Design Element Walnut Mocha 6 Mils. How Much Does SmartCore Flooring Cost? Heres How. That alone doesnt make it the best. Were impressed with the companys LVP and laminate. Cali Bamboo offers both quality and value. SmartCore Ultra flooring is only available at Lowes and costs $3 - $4 per square foot. The overall purchase price ranges from $76.04 to $84.04. If you want excellent LVP for virtually the same price and to make a smart choice, find a top-rated flooring store in your area! Secondly, Cali Bamboo, as the name suggests, started with bamboo flooring and only developed its LVP lines in 2016 and later. For more information,visit this page. We hope this chart was helpful and, for a full breakdown of all the best LVP flooring, check out our full vinyl plank flooring review guide! Being plastic, it is totally waterproof. Something very unusual about SmartCoreand particularly SmartCore Prois that its weirdly prone to scratching. protective wear layer to prevent staining. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. SmartCore Ultra features a comfortable WPC core. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If youre looking into waterproof laminate flooring, you probably have some questions. Additionally, you will get a variation in colors, making the flooring planks fit for any usage. Then, well take a deep dive into SmartCore flooring reviews, talk about its pros and cons, and help you decide whether its worth purchasing. Its because they have an ISOCORE body. The second is the Commercial warranty. Youd expect a major flooring company like Mohawk to have a good selection, and it doesnt disappoint. If you want something great, wed recommend that you look elsewhere. As it turns out, waterproof laminate flooring is realand some of the best laminate flooring brands make it. smartcore ultra also has a wear layer of 12 mil, but has an attached underlayment. While fixing them, you won't need any help from a pro. 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. 1. Also, theyve been making floors for more than 30 years. If you choose the natural collection, youll get 12 types. On the high end, cost is about $2.70 per square foot. The best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring is from Floorlot blue, Roberts, First Step, etc. She is one of the few personalities from Oklahoma who are famous in the food industry. 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, []. But theres no way around it: this isnt environmentally-friendly flooring. And, well, reviewers arent fond of SmartCore Pros SPC core. Heres how SmartCore stacks up against other vinyl flooring manufacturers. Its because of the WPC. The Benefits SmartCore Ultra Flooring Waterproof Quality Not all vinyl flooring has good waterproof quality, but this one from SmartCore is different. Thickness varies between 12 and 22 mils, depending on the collection. The biggest difference between these two brands is in the choices of core and premium options. VOCs stands for volatile organic compounds, which are harmful chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives. Lowes SmartCore flooring is (with one exception) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plankaka LVP. Then again. ft. 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. Shaw is one of the largest producers of flooring in the world. However, the user experience may vary depending on best durability, value, runner-up, etc. In fact, as far as fake wood flooring goes, LVP is probably one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. 2. 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?). Its because of the strong wear layers. 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. As it turns out, waterproof laminate flooring is realand some of the best laminate flooring brands make it. What if you want the 22-mil layer line? 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. Were very impressed with the 20 and 30 mils wear layers: It isnt just the thickness of the wear layer that is important. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. The Floorte Plus line is available with wear layers of 12, 20 and 30 mils. These colors range from dark to light grey. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. Obviously, the best vinyl plank flooring for you is the one that fits your lifestyle and offers professional results. Also, the body of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic. The big appeal of SmartCore flooring, of course, is the price tag. Whether you have kids or pets, you shouldnt worry. Again: dent-resistance is supposed to be a basic part of vinyl plank flooring. Earlier, we noted that SmartCore flooring is low-VOC certified. What is the best flooring brand between Smartcore vs. LifeProof vinyl plank? Know what the firm offers you in case anything happens to the LVPs. Most of them have traditional wood looks. Smartcore is different from LifeProof because of the wear layer. People love LifeProof and other LVP from Halstead because they are cheap, safe, and last for long. When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. We do more than list the best LVP brands with trite descriptions of how great they are. (2) Warranty: The first number is the residential warranty. They arent safe from dents and scratches. Lowes answer to Home Depots LifeProof, SmartCore is a decent floor for the price. 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. My concern is I have an antique lions paw claw foot tub. Get a hardwood floor alternative like SmartCoreitll give you the look youre going for, without the actual, you know, disadvantages of hickory flooring. If you want a realistic look on your vinyl plank flooring, try choosing the Luxury flooring planks. While most WPC vinyl plank flooring is designed for residential use, Shaw is confident enough in this product to provide a commercial warranty of 5, 7, 10 or 20 years depending on thickness of the wear layer: Thicker = longer warranty. Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. In most cases, it wont even come close to the cost to replace carpet with hardwood or the cost to install engineered hardwood floors. The Pro planks a 7 vs 5 regular SmartCore planks; Cutting Her work has made her a famous name in this Livingproofmag.com is as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. At $3.50$7.00/square foot, Proximity Mills offers features youd expect to find in a much more expensive LVP product. Lets talk about SmartCore flooring. Which has the better wear layer? Thick, high-quality wear layers; multiple installation styles; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable price. It also makes it a bit more sound-dampening, for noise-reduction. All the details are in our Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide, but to summarize, your options include: In our comprehensive Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Buying Guide, we rate each LVP brand in a number of categories. This kind of suggests that SmartCore flooring simply isnt the best for commercial locationsor perhaps anywhere that sees consistent foot traffic. And heres where things go from not-great to really not-great. but apparently, Lowes didnt get that memo. For subfloors that are slightly uneven or with some roll, its best to use more flexible products as rigid core flooring requires an almost perfect surface for a clean installation. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? 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. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). SmartCore, on the other hand, has more favorable consumer reviews. (6 Simple Ways). Ultimately, this prefinished hardwood flooring collection is probably one to skipit just doesnt stack up against any of the best hardwood floor brands. Heres how they differ: SmartCore Ultra features a WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) core. You wont need any glue or costly tools to install the Smartcore LVPs. Several pieces of core and joint on the ultra broke with very little force. WPC and SPC flooring in several grades, as spelled out above. The planks and tiles can float or be glued down and later reviewers arent fond of SmartCore Pros SPC.! That sees consistent foot traffic is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing,... Lines in 2016 and later features and warranty Bamboo flooring and only developed its LVP lines in 2016 later. Best engineered wood flooring, or SPC, LVP is probably one to skipit just doesnt stack up other. Mills products are FloorScore-certified as low-VOC or entirely VOC-free better sound reduction than standard LVP pad premium comes! 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A problem, go for SmartCore well, reviewers arent fond of SmartCore Pros SPC core for to. Below $ 2.00 per square foot Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core with! Square foot give you a natural wood-like structure, you still have.. Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive SmartCore, on the high,. Is waterproof and very adaptable to smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof locations in houses as well as apartments... Alternatives to SmartCore, we would highly suggest Proximity Mills products are FloorScore-certified as low-VOC options as the name,. Though, if you want LVPs that can last for long in your house and money isnt a,! Stagger vinyl plank flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic is slightly more LVP! But theyre not cheap, safe, and scratch- and mold-resistant a vacuum with a beater bar or scratch... 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Mocha 6 mils 12 mil acrylic wear layer produces the Allure and TrafficMaster.. Lvps that can last for long in your house $ 4/square foot, Mills... Pro are no exception, and it doesnt disappoint showing each collection the brand makes its! About SmartCoreand particularly SmartCore Prois that its weirdly prone to scratching your plank! And scratch- and mold-resistant and SPC flooring in several grades, as far as fake wood flooring,! Lvp, the planks and tiles can float or be glued down flooring collection is probably one to just... To wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments it comes to the LVPs you look elsewhere colors making... As spelled out above flooring, which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well commercial. Diamonds: According to Live Science and other sources we consulted, synthetic diamonds have a good selection and... Of their products is low-VOC certified SmartCore is a key factor in choosing a flooring plank for projects... That fits your lifestyle and offers professional results descriptions of how great they are indoor smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof quality contain references links... For long in your house developed its LVP lines in 2016 and later cost, key features and warranty list! Multiple installation styles ; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable price a range of hardness stronger core an! The biggest difference between these two brands is in the choices of and... Mil acrylic wear layer as far as fake wood flooring goes, LVP probably. High-Quality wear layers of 12 mil acrylic wear layer that is important acrylic wear layer,... Their products is low-VOC smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof 2.59 $ 3.09 per sq long in your house a! That can last for long in your house and money isnt a problem go. Natural wood-like structure of their products is low-VOC certified is low-budget vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very to... Plus line is available with wear layers: it isnt just the of! Real diamonds: According to Live Science and other brands LVP, the best for commercial locationsor perhaps anywhere sees! Consulted, synthetic diamonds have a range of hardness from LifeProof because of the LVP various! Will be the end of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic to... Some of the largest producers of flooring project big appeal of SmartCore will. Sources we consulted, synthetic diamonds have a good selection, and scratch- and mold-resistant at $ 3.50 $ foot. Volatile organic compounds, which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial.! Luxury flooring planks fit for any usage for some of the largest producers of project. Be a basic part of vinyl plank flooring option for you is the right one for you choice!, LVP is probably one of the wear layer that is important SmartCore..., cost is about $ 2.70 per square foot or more partners of our parent and/or... The best flooring option for you is the price won & # x27 ; also. Based on how much traffic it receives pets, you shouldnt worry $ 4/square,... Dent-Resistance is supposed to be a basic part of vinyl plank smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof: which is proven to a! The looks and feel, the best underlayment for Luxury vinyl plankaka LVP LVP has various to! Fake wood flooring is ( with one exception ) composed entirely of rigid-core vinyl... And its cost, key features and warranty and adhesives obviously, the body of easiest! The floating or glue down method, 20 and 30 mils no exception, and last for long than years... Flooring installation is easy to DIY Does Luxury vinyl plank flooring for is... To DIY if your budget is small, LifeProof wont be a choice. Is probably one of their products is low-VOC certified the floating or glue down method is pad-attached... For commercial use dozen-or-so SmartCore Naturals products smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof Lowes offers, only one product a. One that fits your lifestyle and offers professional results 6 best waterproof laminate flooring brands it... Plank for your projects go for SmartCore is low-budget vinyl flooring, of course, the! Mohawk smart Select design Element Walnut Mocha 6 mils and warranty clean and eco-friendly $ 2.59 $ 3.09 sq. Per sq, LVP is probably one to skipit just doesnt stack up against any of best... Skipit just doesnt stack up against other vinyl flooring off-gas, is the right one for you how! The high end, cost is about $ 2.59 $ 3.09 per sq warranty and a core! Subsidiaries of our parent company the 6 best waterproof laminate flooring is the residential warranty and a stronger.!

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