Your floor will be warm and dry to your feet. You get vinyl plank flooring with a lifetime residential warranty and a price that starts below $2.00 per square foot. protective wear layer to prevent staining. Know what the firm offers you in case anything happens to the LVPs. To paraphrase Hamlet, that is the question. Ultimately, you might say SmartCore flooring is a good budget option. Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. Our recommendation is to remember the ancient warning: Caveat emptor Buyer beware. Plus, every one of their products is low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carolyn Riss gained plenty of experience in the housekeeping field. Fun fact: Proximity Mills is one of our top-reviewed carpet brands as well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If youre looking into waterproof laminate flooring, you probably have some questions. SmartCore Ultra is a WPC flooring made of wood fibers and polymer plastics. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. It isnt terrible, it just isnt LVP you should expect to hold up very long to heavy traffic, big dogs and rambunctious kids. The wear layer is a clear coat of urethane or acrylic, depending on brand. Its because of the strong wear layers. 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! At $3$4/square foot, LifeProof is a relatively inexpensive floor. They include the basic Smartcore, Ultra, Pro, and Naturals. Secondly, Mohawk also shines is in the number of floating and glue-down flooring lines. (6 Simple Ways). It will depend on the use of your floor. The overall purchase price ranges from $47.13 to $63.04. The 6-mil layer line more than 12 colors. But if you want to know the best overall flooring planks, the Shaw company churns out the best quality. COREtec One is a WPC similar to the Plus lines. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. My concern is I have an antique lions paw claw foot tub. However: nearly all SmartCore flooring reviews we dove into mentioned that this waterproof claim was perhaps a little less than accurate. Lets now look at the differences between the specs of the two LVP names. So, in terms of getting the floors, this is quite a setback. And below, were going to take an in-depth look at SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra to see how they stack up. It shows that the LVPs are safe for use. And more importantly, there are better options out there for the price. Shaw Industries, founded in 1967, is a well-known Dalton-based manufacturer and distributor of flooring materials, including hardwood, carpet, laminate, resilient, synthetic turf, tile, and stone for commercial and residential markets. Since 2013, people have known Smartcore as quality floors that look like wood, cork, and bamboo. The collections for each LVPs are important in choosing the best between the two. It probably weighs 500 pounds. What is comparable to LifeProof flooring? When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. If it wasnt clear, well spell it out here: SmartCore flooring is fine, but its not the best. The waterproof quality makes this floor great for any room, including areas with high level moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. 2. Jul 23 . Theres really no other way to say it: SmartCore flooring, including both SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, is just decent. They arent exactly cheap LVP. Weve narrowed it down to two brands, Smartcore and Lifeproof. Cali Vinyl Plus has a bamboo and polymer core (BPC). They have low or no VOCs. The short answer is that Shaw makes vinyl plank flooring from mid-range with good quality and reasonable cost to premium LVP with the best warranties available. 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. COREtec makes the Smartcore LVPs using the telegraphing tech. But theres no way around it: this isnt environmentally-friendly flooring. It makes two well-constructed lines, the same approach as Shaw Floorte and COREtec. It is sold online and at flooring stores. Even if you hire someone, the cost to install vinyl plank flooring is usually pretty reasonable. Check this too: Vinyl Vs Laminate Flooring. Bamboo Flooring vs. Laminate: Which to Buy? Shaw offers everything from low-VOC vinyl flooring to just about every wood flooring type in the world, so at least you know SmartCore flooring is being made by people who know what theyre doing. Pros The SmartCore Ultra is low-maintenance and includes an acoustic pad with enhanced performance. Linoleum vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl: Differences, Pros, & Cons. If youre researching the best types of vinyl flooring, youve probably found a lot of acronyms (EVP flooring, LVT flooring, PVC, WPC, etc.). They arent safe from dents and scratches. These vinyl planks come with a pre-attached pad and have bevel edges. (1) Thickness: This is total plank thickness. Smart Ultra vinyl planks cost ranges from $3 $4 per sq. Love hickory but spooked after reading the pros and cons of hickory flooring? You can generally buy SmartCore for about $3$4/sq. SmartCore Naturals is made of real wood with a bamboo veneer. Turn the heat off for 24 hours before, during and 24 hours after installation when installing over radiant heated subfloors Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. The Best Cheap vinyl plank flooring is decent quality but at an affordable price. If youre fixing up a home to sell (or plan to move in a few years), then cheap luxury vinyl plank makes sense too. With its impressive ability to mimic the authentic color and texture of wood, its a great alternative for hardwood flooring. SmartCores commercial warranty is only 5 yearsand all of the exceptions outlined above still apply. Usage: This ultra vinyl plank is more popular among homeowners. SmartCore Pro only comes with a 12-mil wear layer. While fixing them, you wont need any help from a pro. Still, there are some vinyl plank brandslike Proximity Millsthat are more focused on recyclability. Some readers complained that they cound't find the local installers or overpaid the installation. Its well worth considering for your flooring project. EVP Vs. LVP: 10 Main Differences Between Luxury Vinyl and Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring, Can You Put Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring? However, it will wear faster if you put it in the elements. The only fallback of the Smartcore is the pricing. ft. (1) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. Both are also 100% waterproof and offer a lifetime warranty. They are almost the same. All the best vinyl plank flooring is easy to clean. If you choose the natural collection, youll get 12 types. Other features include a waterproof vinyl core, attached cork underlayment for softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification. Its just that simple. This includes rolling loads, which means exactly what it sounds like it wont be damaged by carts being rolled over it with a heavy load. A: There are two things to worry about with indoor air quality the flooring itself and adhesives. However, the pricing isnt that of a deal, as getting something better will always cost you a few dollars extra. You get a lot for your money, though selection isnt quite as strong. The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. Youll pay more for COREtec One and Galaxy than you will for cheaper vinyl plank flooring, but youll get more too. SmartCore is manufactured by COREtec, a brand of luxury vinyl created by USFloors, and now patented and acquired by Shaw Industries. These colors range from dark to light grey. Obviously, thats a huge issue for any PVC flooring product marketed for its strength. Theres no way around it! Turns out, you will get everything similar in both cases. 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. Why have you decided to look up how to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Well, you had just laid the first row of 2023 Todays Homeowner Media. Aside from that, there aren't many differences in color, variety, even protection. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. From the light touch of ash flooring to the jet-black of ebony flooring, SmartCore comes in a lot of hues and patterns. Both SmartCore and LifeProof flooring are private-label LVP floors offered by big box stores, right? 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. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Then again, the underlayment will give insulation and sound dampening properties to the Smartcore flooring. Price starts below $2.60 per square foot and tops out under $4.00. COREtec manufactures both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. Smartcore Pro is an SPC flooring made of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making the vinyl planks durable and resistant to dents. That in itself does not show value. The plank size is 6"x48" and the size of the tiles is 12"x24". Smartcore Pro is a pad-attached vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments. What brand of vinyl plank flooring is the best? And at the same price, better floors are available. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? Now that all the paperwork is out of the way, lets get into the meat of this thing. In fact, as far as fake wood flooring goes, LVP is probably one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. US floors began the COREtec firm in 2013. Then again. It is harder, which isnt as nice to walk on, but it is very resistant to denting and can handle a high traffic load. Most of them have traditional wood looks. You will find several good options for your project regardless of your homes architecture or your decorating style or the color range you prefer. Iv used the Lifeproof and it is one of the better options out there. Either way, if eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, wed recommend going with sustainable wood flooring or hemp flooring instead. 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. They are much easier to install than the Smartcore LVPs. First, lets talk about the perks of SmartCore flooringwhich, to be fair, are pretty much the pros of vinyl flooring in general. To put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors. Which has the better wear layer? Then, well take a deep dive into SmartCore flooring reviews, talk about its pros and cons, and help you decide whether its worth purchasing. (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). Vinyl plank, and by extension SmartCore flooring, doesnt have any special care requirements beyond a vacuum and the occasional mop. Shaw makes two lines with different construction, and both are built very well. Lowes SmartCore flooring is (with one exception) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plankaka LVP. You can get them at Lowes store. No other brand we reviewed makes a 30-mil wear layer. For both 6mm and 7mm thick vinyl planks with a 6 mL wear layer, it costs about $2.59 $3.09 per sq. For more information,visit this page. When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. 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. And heres where we talk about the bad stuff. Then again, Smartcore makes up to 4 types of flooring, and the Vinyl lacks in type variation. SmartCore doesnt do much to address the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooringwhich means the product doesnt really bring anything new to the table. Both have collections that are similar in price, but LifeProof has a wider selection overall thats easier to track down locally. You won't need to buy underlayment for either product, and both are waterproof with a lifetime residential warranty. In short, well help you find the exact flooring youre looking for, whether it is premium, cheap but dependable or something in between. 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. The remainder top out at 3.5 stars or fewer. They compare very similarly in price to SmartCore however Proximity Mills and Newton both have much better consumer reviews. Expect the terms of LifeProof to be different from Smartcore LVP. LifeProof Berkley Waterproof Engineered Bamboo Click YY-VSPC-DG02 (Home Depot) . The guaranty terms apply only to the first buyer. Both Smartcore and LifeProof have few lines but with many colors and styles. (5 Vinyl-Safe Rugs), How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? Most have the traditional wood looks. Yes and no. The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. How Much Does SmartCore Flooring Cost? Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. There are about 15 different styles available but the material is wood only. The key difference between them is in quality and legibility. Whats the better vinyl floor between Smartcore and LifeProof? Does SmartCore flooring require underlayment? Vivero Best is backed with a 15-year commercial warranty. Bargain shoppers might be interested in two other lines: One and Galaxy. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially at its price point. 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). You get what you pay for with luxury vinyl plank flooring, and what youre paying for in many cases is the wear layer. Prices start at less than $1.00 per square foot, which is a fair price for what you get. The LVPs need a dual-lock way of installation. In our lab tests, Flooring models like the SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe . ft and 15.76 sq. However, that premium quality comes with an equally premium price tag. The VOC in low-VOC flooring may seem like just another silly acronymbut this ones actually super important. SmartCore is marketed like its the easiest flooring to install, so youre supposed to be able to install it almost anywhere. Carpet vs. Laminate: The *Real* Pros & Cons, Why Concrete Flooring That Looks Like Wood is So Darn Cool. 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. It also comes with an attached underlayment, cheaper ones don't have that and you'd have to purchase and lay it separately. In general, SPC is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. A 12-mil wear layer is actually pretty good (ignoring the durability concerns mentioned in SmartCore reviews)but considering that so many top brands offer different wear layer options, its odd that SmartCore doesnt. But they can be harder than real diamonds, and that would make for a tough flooring finish. The only con that lets Smartcore LVPs down is the price. Get a hardwood floor alternative like SmartCoreitll give you the look youre going for, without the actual, you know, disadvantages of hickory flooring. COREtec Makes Both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro, But COREtec is Owned By USFloors Which Is Owned by Shaw, SmartCore Flooring Reviews Are Mixed OverallBut Most Say the Product Is Decent, SmartCore Flooring Is Waterproof (Like All Vinyl Plank). Overall, SmartCore flooring reviews are pretty mixed. This is premium flooring at mid-grade prices. 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