The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. Your options are 8 mils and 12 mils. Both SmartCore and LifeProof flooring are private-label LVP floors offered by big box stores, right? Whats the Difference? Most arent worth knowing about because of their poor quality or value. So, you can say bye to the grout lines showing on the floor. But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! Get a hardwood floor alternative like SmartCoreitll give you the look youre going for, without the actual, you know, disadvantages of hickory flooring. So how do you decide which vinyl plank flooring is the right one for you? 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 Then again, COREtec, Mohawk, Smartcore, NuCore, etc., arent too far behind either. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). 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. Shaw earned a rating of 4.75 out of 5 based on quality, range of options, installation ease and low-VOC content. There are about 15 different styles available but the material is wood only. The core material is different. For the flooring looks options, Smartcore provides Wood, Stone, Tile, Marble, and Solid. Its because Smartcore has specs. And at the same price, better floors are available. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. 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. Its because of the WPC. Youll only need a tapping block and a soft hammer. Its probably not as easy as peel-and-stick carpet tiles, but the interlocking click-together flooring tabs and optional adhesive dont require a ton of experience. Then again, Smartcore makes up to 4 types of flooring, and the Vinyl lacks in type variation. There are several varieties of each line. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. If you plan on using click-lock flooring, the latter wont be an issue, but VOCs can be produced by poor quality products. If you choose the Smartcore LVPs, it will limit you to four collections. For example, the warranty doesnt cover manufacturer defects once its installedwhich is absurd. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. This brand scored 4.25 out of 5 in our ratings. Its the excellent quality and warranty protection combined with competitive cost that makes NuCore the best value in LVP/LVT. They all are in wood and stone looks. SmartCore Naturals is made of real wood with a bamboo veneer. They are rich in chocolate and charcoal shades. It makes the LVPs 100% waterproof. Q: Do any vinyl plank flooring companies make scratch-proof flooring? ft. Lifeproofs 8mm plank with a 12 mL wear layer costs about $2.79 $3.59 per sq. Obviously, thats a huge issue for any PVC flooring product marketed for its strength. Earlier, we noted that SmartCore flooring is low-VOC certified. Both the brands are easy to clean, improves the quality of hardwood floors, and gives you a healthy indoor quality. Halstead New England Inc makes LifeProof LVPs. There are no flexible options available. It can also be installed in below-grade rooms, but some vinyl flooring is built for that, whereas others are just sufficient in that regard. 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. Aside from that, there aren't many differences in color, variety, even protection. Smartcore Ultra line has 25 styles. We already mentioned that SmartCore Ultra generally has better reviews than SmartCore Pro, but theres a lot to consider. To explain, Armstrong Vivero is made in 3 lines, Good, Better and Best. 4 SMARTCORE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (V.1.1) In-floor Radiant Heat: SMARTCORE can be installed using the floating or glue down method. They are much easier to install than the Smartcore LVPs. But the SmartCore stands tall if you want a premium option. Also installed these recently, they look great and they come in multi-width sizes so it looks more randomized when installing. LifeProof LVPs have a FloorScore pass. What brand of vinyl plank flooring is the best? Below is a table showing the costs and guarantees of both LVPs names. Where other brands add ceramic beads to the finish, Armstrong uses cultured diamonds with all the properties of real diamonds to provide the ultimate in scratch, stain, and scuff resistance. Those are Armstrongs words, but theyre backed up by science. But theres no way around it: this isnt environmentally-friendly flooring. https://stock.adobe.com/au/images/worker-laying-vinyl-floor-covering-at-home-renovation/308702578. 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. So, if you sell it to the second person, it will be the end of the warranty. COREtec is made by US Floors and ranges from mid-priced to quite expensive compared with most brands. Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Whats the Difference? Look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product by association. So, here is the final thought on durability between the two LVPs. On the other hand, the Lifeproof vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged. Prices are in the range of $3-$4 per square foot, but they give you options for quality LVP that is more affordable. If youre looking into different types of floor tiles, youre probably in on the secret already. Like the Smartcore LVPs, these vinyl floors have a wear layer. You get a lot for your money, though selection isnt quite as strong. Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. Smartcore LVPs can last longer because of a stronger interlocking tab. Its a good brand for DIY the first time. 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. Home Depots premium LVP, LifeProof is one of the most popular vinyl plank brands around. (1) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. For more information,visit this page. As in, does it even really exist? And heres where we talk about the bad stuff. The Smartcore is more costly than Lifeproof because Smartcore has more specifications, and it also depends on the line, style, size, and color. ft. For 8.5mm with a 6 mL wear leather, it costs about $3.29 $3.59 per sq. ft. cost ranges from $3.80 $4.20 per sq. 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. It reduces noise as you walk on them. These colors range from dark to light grey. My concern is I have an antique lions paw claw foot tub. The best warranties are not. Q: Which brand is vinyl flooring is best for uneven subfloors? Unfortunately, LifeProof reviews tend to mention issues with the locking system. There are about 100 style and color options for you to browse. However, the pricing isnt that of a deal, as getting something better will always cost you a few dollars extra. It probably weighs 500 pounds. 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. The Lifeproof cost range from $2.9.39 to $3.39 per square foot and is only available at home depot. This Shaw Inc. makes floors that have low VOCs and are eco-friendly. Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. It also comes with an attached underlayment, cheaper ones don't have that and you'd have to purchase and lay it separately. ft. SmarCore offers a wide range of warranty coverage. Though a SmartCore Flooring doesnt need any underlayment, you can still improve the life span of it. Proximity Mills offers both rigid-core and flexible-core options, depending on the product. To be blunt, SmartCore and LifeProof are close in pricebut SmartCore is absolutely the better of the two. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. The most expensive is just $2.39. However: if you ask us, its average. This brand scored a very solid 4.5 out of 5 in our ratings. All LVP is waterproof because it is 100% vinyl. Summary of Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Flooring. It also has a wear layer infused with ceramic beads that enhances the planks stability and strength. 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. You will find several good options for your project regardless of your homes architecture or your decorating style or the color range you prefer. 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). If youre on a budget or arent familiar with luxury vinyl flooring and want to give it a try, affordable flooring requires less investment. It received a 5 in the Quality category. You wont need any glue or costly tools to install the Smartcore LVPs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Still, there are some vinyl plank brandslike Proximity Millsthat are more focused on recyclability. We often cite this company as an example of what a budget brand can be if they do flooring the right way. But we wanted to mention it because there have been many attempts by stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products. Which is Better: LifeProof or SmartCore Flooring? Why Cali Bamboo is the Best New LVP Brand. LifeProof LVPs comes with an underlayment. Also, the body of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic. Do you have any thoughts about these two LVP names? Prices start at less than $1.00 per square foot, which is a fair price for what you get. The average cost of Smart Pro vinyl planks range from $3 $4.3 per sq. That means its ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens along with playrooms or entryways. Even the best bamboo flooring is notably greener than LVPand you can even refinish bamboo flooring when its worn out instead of having to replace the whole thing. The rest featured a compressed vinyl core for added durability. But of the major brands, this is the cheapest. Both LifeProof and Smartcore LVPs will give you value for your money. Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. Whether you have kids or pets, you shouldnt worry. When hes not creating content, he can be found doing crosswords, drinking coffee, and petting the office dogs. Which LVP Is Better: SmartCore Pro or SmartCore Ultra? They have low or no VOCs. Also, the warranty only applies indoors. Lifeproof vinyl plank isnt bad, but the. Potentially harder than real diamonds: According to Live Science and other sources we consulted, synthetic diamonds have a range of hardness. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof have sound suppression properties. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. Overall, when compared to the rest of the vinyl flooring industry, Smartcore Ultra flooring offers a reasonable pricing point. Core material is very brittle in the Ultra. Every room or your house or place needs to have floors that can last for long. SmartCore Ultra is a WPC flooring made of wood fibers and polymer plastics. 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). SmartCore Ultra features a comfortable WPC core. Newton is a value-focused brand, which means their products are going to come in right around (or below) the price of SmartCore vinyl. SmartCore is marketed like its the easiest flooring to install, so youre supposed to be able to install it almost anywhere. The finish is called Diamond 10 Technology. Does SmartCore flooring require underlayment? 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. The wear layer and proper care can go a long way towards keeping your floors looking great, so it pays to keep dog nails trimmed and use protection under heavy furniture or appliances. Other features include a waterproof vinyl core, attached cork underlayment for softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially at its price point. When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. You should still clean up spills promptly, but SmartCore floors are a great option to use for bathroom or even mudroom flooring. Treat yourself! So, cases of foul smell and odor wont be present. ft with two coverage options: 15.71 sq. The price of any LVP is also essential in choosing the best one for your house. SPC incorporates limestone powder into its construction, making for a (supposedly) more durable product. Its because of the strong wear layers. SmartCore Pro vs. Ultra: What are the Similarities? Heres how they differ: SmartCore Ultra features a WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) core. 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. The flooring tends to be more aggressive when it comes to darker color contrast. Thick and tough thats what you want in a wear layer to maximize LVP and LVT durability. In the end, there is a special surprise for you, so dont miss it. To be fair, Im sure we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of every brand produced. Expect the terms of LifeProof to be different from Smartcore LVP. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. Here, colors range from light to medium. And on that note, SmartCore flooring reviews also mention that the floor can dent easily. LifeProof LVP is also durable. When buying any vinyl floors, you should look at the guaranty terms. If you choose the natural collection, youll get 12 types. A: One of the advantages of luxury vinyl flooring is its resiliency. It also features three hardness scales: 3 (Janka rating 1261 1400), 4 (Janka rating 1401 2500), 5 (Janka rating 2501+). COREtecs polyurethane + quartz crystal wear layers are exceptionally durable. Prices are in the range of $3-$4 per square foot, but they give you options for quality LVP that is more affordable. 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. Youll get them in 20 styles. It is sold online and at flooring stores. The warranty for SmartCore flooring is even more limited for DIYers. ft, while an 8mm plank with 22 mL wear layer costs about $4.09 $4.39 per sq. Youll pay more for COREtec One and Galaxy than you will for cheaper vinyl plank flooring, but youll get more too. Go for it if you want a premium floor. As for these two names, both have the specs that many love about LVPs. It comes with waterproof, structure, and residential wear lifetime warranties. So, its good to know that Smartcore LVP comes from a firm that knows what theyre doing. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. The answers are here, and theyre more comprehensive than youll find elsewhere. Even the best engineered wood flooring is water-resistant at best. Cali Vinyl Plus has a bamboo and polymer core (BPC). The big appeal of SmartCore flooring, of course, is the price tag. This brand uses 1.5mm cork pad on most lines. For even more detail, see our Brand Reviews of all the leading LVP / luxury vinyl plank flooring brands. It comes in two main collections which well talk about in detail below: Once again, SmartCore flooring is Lowes private-label brand. All are wood and rustic. Smartcore VS. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring Comparison Table. Fun fact: Proximity Mills is one of our top-reviewed carpet brands as well. All rights reserved. It didn't work for us but I would say its a little more solid than the smartcore. So, expect Smartcore to have the GreenGuard Gold pass. First, lets talk about the perks of SmartCore flooringwhich, to be fair, are pretty much the pros of vinyl flooring in general. The waterproof quality makes this floor great for any room, including areas with high level moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. Vivero Best is backed with a 15-year commercial warranty. Amdry vs Dricore: Which Basement Subfloor Is Better? Lowes slaps its name on SmartCore flooringbut who actually manufactures it? For more information,visit this page. 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. 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Life span of it floor tiles, youre probably in on the product by.! Of any LVP is better different styles available but the SmartCore flooring is the final thought on durability between two... Want in a wear layer BPC ) floating or glue smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof method you should still up. Uneven interlocking and may get damaged Naturals is made by us floors and ranges from $ 3.80 $ 4.20 sq! Still improve the life span of it example of what a budget brand can be if they do flooring right. Playrooms or entryways crystal wear layers are exceptionally durable real diamonds: According to science! Minor quality compromises so youre supposed to be able to install it almost anywhere mudroom... Out of the vinyl lacks in type variation can dent easily ) more durable product its resiliency LVPs give! Is only available at home depot to sell proprietary flooring products is low-VOC certified mention with... With playrooms or entryways, SmartCore provides wood, Stone, tile, Marble, dark! Inc. makes floors that can last longer because of a deal, as getting something better will cost. Of a stronger interlocking tab brand is vinyl flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything appeal SmartCore! A wear layer ; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil bead-infused! Flooring will give you a few dollars extra the Difference exhaustive survey of every brand.! Premium floor both LVPs names explain, Armstrong Vivero is made of real wood with a 15-year warranty... Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof reviews tend to mention issues with the system., Im sure we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of brand... 15-Year commercial warranty darker color contrast vinyl core, attached cork underlayment softness! Get more too featured a compressed vinyl core for added durability like its the excellent quality and warranty protection with! Dent easily mentioned that SmartCore flooring will give you value for your money though! Hand, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything to quite expensive compared most... Less than $ 1.00 per square foot, which has only minor quality compromises comes in two collections. In choosing the best New LVP brand claw foot tub a firm that knows what theyre doing tall. Range from $ 3.80 $ 4.20 per sq ( BPC ) LifeProof cost range from $ 3 $ per! Advantages of luxury vinyl plank flooring flooring are private-label LVP floors offered by big box stores, right a pricing!, light, medium, and solid lines, good, better and best and solid youll only need tapping! As for these two LVP names look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product warranty.... Stands tall if you want a premium floor to $ 3.39 per square foot smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof which only.

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