Prices start at less than $1.00 per square foot, which is a fair price for what you get. It comes with waterproof, structure, and residential wear lifetime warranties. Thick, high-quality wear layers; multiple installation styles; zero-VOC optionsall at an incredibly reasonable price. What is a floating floor? If you DIY installation and the flooring breaks, then there is no warranty. 4 SMARTCORE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (V.1.1) In-floor Radiant Heat: SMARTCORE can be installed using the floating or glue down method. No zero-VOC floors products are offered. 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. SmartCores website says SmartCore Pro sacrifices a smidge of detail in the design layer for its enhanced durability. SmartCore Flooring Is Lowes Private-Label Brand. They can make or break the lifespan of almost any types of tile. ft. SmarCore offers a wide range of warranty coverage. This brand scored a very solid 4.5 out of 5 in our ratings. Both LifeProof and SmartCore offer a range of colors, thicknesses, and styles. Even the best engineered wood flooring is water-resistant at best. That's why we've 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. When it comes to waterproofing, you wont see any difference. I usually use a non-vinyl . Both Smartcore and LifeProof have few lines but with many colors and styles. Those are your options, take em or leave em. Oh, and Doma (really, all of these other brands) offer better warranties, too. Which has the better wear layer? Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. These are cheap luxury vinyl flooring lines. But if you want to know the best overall flooring planks, the Shaw company churns out the best quality. Love hickory but spooked after reading the pros and cons of hickory flooring? So: Is SmartCore Flooring Good? These are tongue & groove designs that can float or be glued to the subfloor for maximum stability. When it comes to the looks and feel, the Smartcore flooring will give you a natural wood-like structure. Know what the firm offers you in case anything happens to the LVPs. 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. Lifeproof is made of rigid PVC composite materials with an ISOCORE or closed-cell foam core, making the vinyl planks waterproof and lighter. It costs a little more than the most affordable Vivero Best, but has a 15-year commercial warranty too. 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. Does SmartCore flooring require underlayment? Unfortunately, LifeProof reviews tend to mention issues with the locking system. If you read our review of Home Depots LifeProof vinyl flooring, you might have noticed that this review is relatively similar. I use it in bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Whats the Difference? Ultimately, this prefinished hardwood flooring collection is probably one to skipit just doesnt stack up against any of the best hardwood floor brands. SmartCore vs Lifeproof: Which Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Better? The Pro planks a 7 vs 5 regular SmartCore planks; Cutting Required fields are marked *. So, you can say bye to the grout lines showing on the floor. It received 4s in all categories except for a 5 in Ease of Installation. If you are looking for alternatives to SmartCore, we would highly suggest Proximity Mills or Newton. So, other types even do not need to be in the shop. The wear layers for both Smartcore and LifeProof help resist stains, dents, and spills. Which LVP Is Better: SmartCore Pro or SmartCore Ultra? Both SmartCore and LifeProof flooring are private-label LVP floors offered by big box stores, right? The majority of COREtecs products feature a super-comfortable WPC (wood-polymer composite) core. Certain_Cut_6371 1 yr. ago I've used Lifeproof and Pergo, both have worked well for my projects. 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. It comes in two main collections which well talk about in detail below: Once again, SmartCore flooring is Lowes private-label brand. Theres really no other way to say it: SmartCore flooring, including both SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, is just decent. They compare very similarly in price to SmartCore however Proximity Mills and Newton both have much better consumer reviews. The last category was Value good quality at a competitive price. Prices are in the range of $3-$4 per square foot, but they give you options for quality LVP that is more affordable. If it wasnt clear, well spell it out here: SmartCore flooring is fine, but its not the best. We gave NuCore a combined rating of 4.25 out of 5. And more importantly, there are better options out there for the price. Its more costly. It was started in 2004 and has really grown in the last five years. Shaw is one of the largest producers of flooring in the world. So, its good to know that Smartcore LVP comes from a firm that knows what theyre doing. Lifeproof is Home Depots in-house brand, manufactured by Halstead New England Industries. Expect 5-10 years from this flooring based on how much traffic it receives. You can buy and install them. For more information,visit this page. If youre looking into different types of floor tiles, youre probably in on the secret already. 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. The flooring tends to be more aggressive when it comes to darker color contrast. Several pieces of core and joint on the ultra broke with very little force. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. Lifeproof provides a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty and a 10-year Light Commercial Warranty (though it only applies to the first owner). Q: Is SmartCore or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand? Concerns: The only thing that gives us a little concern is the wear layer. At $3$4/square foot, LifeProof is a relatively inexpensive floor. If that name sounds familiar, its because COREtec has been one of the top vinyl plank flooring brands for quite some time. It also makes it a bit more sound-dampening, for noise-reduction. (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). Other than that, everything is somewhat similar. As for the 12-mil layer, most of them have many wood collections. Theres nothing wrong with thatmany national chains have their own private-label brands. LifeProof LVPs comes with an underlayment. It makes two well-constructed lines, the same approach as Shaw Floorte and COREtec. Halstead firm also produces the Allure and TrafficMaster LVPs. What Colors Does SmartCore Flooring Come In? Thats too high for cheap vinyl plank flooring. Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. These styles look like wood. So, in terms of getting the floors, this is quite a setback. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. Other brands like. Almost all of them make good quality products at a certain price. 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. Most of them have traditional wood looks. Smart Ultra vinyl planks cost ranges from $3 $4 per sq. Like the Smartcore LVPs, these vinyl floors have a wear layer. In fact, the Floorte Plus with the 30 mils wear layer has the best commercial warranty of any weve reviewed. For example, rather listing a brand as the best commercial LVP, we name the specific line: Armstrong Vivero Best. But, if you want to stay within warranty, you cant make it a do-it-yourself flooring project. Other brands like Shaw Vinyl Flooring, Floortee Pro, DuraTru are comparable to the LifeProof. Home Depots premium LVP, LifeProof is one of the most popular vinyl plank brands around. The rest featured a compressed vinyl core for added durability. A good number of SmartCore flooring reviews confirm that SmartCore flooring installation is easy to DIY. The biggest difference between these two brands is in the choices of core and premium options. Cali Vinyl Pro is an SPC, or stone/polymer core line. Carpet or Hardwood in Bedrooms: Which is Better? 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. but apparently, Lowes didnt get that memo. Or, if you dont want to deal with the disadvantages of floating floors, you can glue your SmartCore flooring down too. Halstead New England Inc makes LifeProof LVPs. With SmartCore, there's a layer of rubber on the bottom, whereas COREtec sports a slightly thicker layer of cork. The residential warranty is lifetime, and the commercial warranty is 15 years. Then again, COREtec, Mohawk, Smartcore, NuCore, etc., arent too far behind either. Heres one thing that separates SmartCore flooring from some other budget LVP brands: you can use it as an outdoor flooring option. You should still clean up spills promptly, but SmartCore floors are a great option to use for bathroom or even mudroom flooring. To paraphrase Hamlet, that is the question. Ultimately, you might say SmartCore flooring is a good budget option. https://stock.adobe.com/au/images/worker-laying-vinyl-floor-covering-at-home-renovation/308702578. SmartCore Naturals is a hybrid vinyl engineered wood composed of actual hardwood and bamboo veneer layers with its top layer sealed with a protective coating. SmartCore flooring reviews agree: itll get the job done but better options exist. If youre researching the best types of vinyl flooring, youve probably found a lot of acronyms (EVP flooring, LVT flooring, PVC, WPC, etc.). There are about 100 style and color options for you to browse. We rely on readers like you to share your flooring project cost or quote. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. For more information,visit this page. What is comparable to LifeProof flooring? It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. 2. You can even use it as sunroom flooring! ft. Lifeproofs 8mm plank with a 12 mL wear layer costs about $2.79 $3.59 per sq. The core material is different. Youll pay more for COREtec One and Galaxy than you will for cheaper vinyl plank flooring, but youll get more too. How Much Does SmartCore Flooring Cost? The finish is called Diamond 10 Technology. Whats the Difference? So, here is the final thought on durability between the two LVPs. smartcore pro- wear layer thickness of 20 mil, has the attached underlayment and is designed for commercial settings such as kitchens, show rooms, salons ect.. has a stronger stain resistance than the other two options. The second is the commercial warranty. It is harder, which isnt as nice to walk on, but it is very resistant to denting and can handle a high traffic load. First among them: is there waterproof laminate flooring? Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. But LifeProof is better at resisting scratches. How to Install Luan Under Vinyl Floor? While fixing them, you wont need any help from a pro. But: for some reason, this underlayment doesnt protect it from moisture. When you need style that goes the extra mile, SMARTCORE Ultra XL is the smart For example: Lowes cork flooring iswell, it isnt exactly the best cork flooring out there. What caused its score to drop was a 3 in selection. As in, does it even really exist? Also installed these recently, they look great and they come in multi-width sizes so it looks more randomized when installing. EVP Vs. LVP: 10 Main Differences Between Luxury Vinyl and Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring, Can You Put Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring? On the other hand, the Lifeproof vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. COREtec Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad. Costing less than the Smartcore flooring, the Vinyl Plank flooring breaks the record in being both low-priced and durable. COREtec makes the COREtec and Smartcore LVPs. Heres How. If you choose the natural collection, youll get 12 types. Its because Smartcore has specs. The best warranties are not. LifeProof LVP is also durable. The difference is that bamboo is more sustainable and greener than wood. Lowes markets it under the SmartCore brand name because, like SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, its supposedly waterproof. If you want a realistic look on your vinyl plank flooring, try choosing the Luxury flooring planks. SmartCore Flooring Reviews Usually Say That DIY Installation Is Easy, And Professional Installation Isnt Too Expensive Either, SmartCore Flooring Offers Easy Maintenance, SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro Are Both Low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), SmartCore Flooring Can Be Used Outside (Though it Will Wear Out Faster), SmartCore Floorings Attached Pad Does Not Protect it from Moisture, SmartCore Flooring Reviews (Surprisingly) Say it Scratches Easily, SmartCore Flooring May Dent Easily Too (Especially SmartCore Pro), SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra Only Have One Wear Layer Thickness Option, SmartCore Floorings Lifetime Residential Warranty Is Very Limited, Again: You Can Not Install SmartCore as a DIY Project Within Warranty, SmartCore Floorings Commercial Warranty Is Even Worse, SmartCore Flooring Isnt Environmentally Friendly, The Core of SmartCore Flooring Isnt Particularly Special. So, without delay, lets jump right into it. It will depend on the use of your floor. Again: dent-resistance is supposed to be a basic part of vinyl plank flooring. The residential warranty is just 15 years, among the shortest of any vinyl plank flooring brand. But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! It is what the layer is made of. Aside from that, there arent many differences in color, variety, even protection. What if you want the 22-mil layer line? Potentially harder than real diamonds: According to Live Science and other sources we consulted, synthetic diamonds have a range of hardness. Here, colors range from light to medium. VOCs stands for volatile organic compounds, which are harmful chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives. 3 pilotdog68 4 yr. ago The vinyl will not be damaged by water, but water could certainly seep through the seams, which is what he was talking about. Remember, it will help if you look at the cost and body of the LVP before buying. If you plan on using click-lock flooring, the latter wont be an issue, but VOCs can be produced by poor quality products. On the other hand, the Lifeproof Vinyl Plank flooring has a better traditional wood carving look to it. Most SmartCore Flooring Reviews Favor SmartCore Ultra, But Reviews for SmartCore Naturals AreNot Great. 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. Both are in wood and stone looks. As for these two names, both have the specs that many love about LVPs. Yes! As it turns out, waterproof laminate flooring is realand some of the best laminate flooring brands make it. It has a wear layer just 6 mils thick thats the biggest concern. Moreover, both brands are 100% Waterproof and formaldehyde and phthalate-free, making them an ideal flooring option even for places exposed to water. And there's also a five-year warranty for commercial use. (Step By Step Guide), Should Kitchen Countertops Match The Floor? SMARTCORE Ultra is the smart choice for hi-def style and design. These vinyl planks come with a pre-attached pad and have bevel edges. 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 Its a surface that clicks together and doesnt have to be attached to the subfloor. Youll get them in 20 styles. You will find several good options for your project regardless of your homes architecture or your decorating style or the color range you prefer. Sizes: SmartCore Ultra floors are available in planks and tiles. ft., which is a bit cheaper than what many of the best vinyl plank flooring brands charge, on average. Its part of the HMTX group. Most offer a 15-year warranty on their best lines. In most cases, it wont even come close to the cost to replace carpet with hardwood or the cost to install engineered hardwood floors. In general, SPC is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing. With wear layers starting at just 6.5 mils (and with no additives to increase durability), its easy to see why. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. These two vinyl floors come from different firms. Why Cali Bamboo is the Best New LVP Brand. Both the brands are easy to clean, improves the quality of hardwood floors, and gives you a healthy indoor quality. Then again. If your budget is small, LifeProof wont be a bad choice. You can also try out QEP, and the results will be somewhat similar. Thickness varies between 12 and 22 mils, depending on the collection. 2. Amdry vs Dricore: Which Basement Subfloor Is Better? For more information,visit this page. It also has a wear layer infused with ceramic beads that enhances the planks stability and strength. You can generally buy SmartCore for about $3$4/sq. So, in short, Vivero Good is the worst Vivero flooring of your three options. ft and 15.76 sq. Whether you have kids or pets, you shouldnt worry. All COREtec products are Greenguard-certified, but the company does not offer zero-VOC options. Adding an underlayment to the flooring provides an extra layer of protection. The difference is that it is reinforced with limestone for added stability and strength. The big appeal of SmartCore flooring, of course, is the price tag. Side note: Newton also produces a few excellent lines of waterproof laminate, if you want the durability of a waterproof flooring option but arent married to LVP. You cant go wrong with the Shaw Floorte Plus flooring for commercial settings, especially with the 20-year commercial warranty. COREtec products range between $5$10/per square foot and up, making it one of the most expensive LVP options around. If you look into some teak flooring pros and cons, for example, youll find that its natural resins make it great for patios, decks, and so on. 5. When gluing floor, use only recommended flooring adhesive. Smartcore is different from LifeProof because of the wear layer. Being plastic, it is totally waterproof. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? But theres no way around it: this isnt environmentally-friendly flooring. Though a SmartCore Flooring doesnt need any underlayment, you can still improve the life span of it. 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. SmartCore Ultra is a WPC flooring made of wood fibers and polymer plastics. Lowes SmartCore flooring is (with one exception) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plankaka LVP. Its Pretty Affordable! You can also try a SmartCore plank flooring for your DIY or Professional projects. Were impressed with the companys LVP and laminate. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? To skip to our is SmartCore worth it judgment call, click here! 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. Its the excellent quality and warranty protection combined with competitive cost that makes NuCore the best value in LVP/LVT. LifeProof is also worth a look: If youre a Home Depot fan, then their LifeProof LVP with a 22 mils wear layer is worth considering too. While most products sold by the best vinyl plank flooring brands have an attached underlayment, SmartCore floors do not. So how do you decide which vinyl plank flooring is the right one for you? Why Home Decorators Collection is the Best Cheap LVP. The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. Its what will help you make the best choice between the two floors. Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. 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. That said, COREtec is actually owned by USFloors. Summary of Cali Bamboo Vinyl Plank Flooring. The second is the Commercial warranty. Because replacing individual SmartCore planks is almost impossible without taking the entire floor apart. Most have the traditional wood looks. Finally, its a cost-effective choice for areas that dont get heavy use. Most arent worth knowing about because of their poor quality or value. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. 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. 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. The Smartcore price ranges from $2 to $3.80 per square foot and is only available at the Lowe's store. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. A: Each manufacturer has certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT flooring. The Lifeproof cost range from $2.9.39 to $3.39 per square foot and is only available at home depot. Well, you had just laid the first row of 2023 Todays Homeowner Media. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Carpet vs. Laminate: The *Real* Pros & Cons, Why Concrete Flooring That Looks Like Wood is So Darn Cool. Proximity Mills offers the most bang for your buck. This Shaw Inc. makes floors that have low VOCs and are eco-friendly. Halstead New England manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring, and wall plank for homes and commercial spaces. The easy answer is, it depends on the features you want the most. Also, these floors are waterproof. Turns out, you will get everything similar in both cases. SmartCore Pro only comes with a 12-mil wear layer. The best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring is from Floorlot blue, Roberts, First Step, etc. smartcore ultra also has a wear layer of 12 mil, but has an attached underlayment. All three lines of SmartCore vinyl plank flooring are purchased in cartons. Lets now look at the differences between the specs of the two LVP names. Still, there are some vinyl plank brandslike Proximity Millsthat are more focused on recyclability. COREtec isnt a household name like Shaw or Mohawk, but flooring experts understand just how good this brand is. It is sold online and at flooring stores. And SmartCore Pros SPC core is supposed to be extra dent-resistant. It doesnt offer as many varieties, but the SmartCore flooring reviews weve read are much more positive regarding quality and DIY-friendliness. 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. However: many SmartCore flooring reviews question thisnot because the detail is affected, but because SmartCore Pro apparently isnt that durable. And the results have been mixed, at best. Lifeproof vinyl planks prices vary, depending on their thickness and wear layer. The collections for each LVPs are important in choosing the best between the two. A WPC core is softer and thicker. Smartcore Naturals vinyl planks with coverage of 20.01 sq. All Proximity Mills products are FloorScore-certified as low-VOC or entirely VOC-free. They say "bigger is better". Feel free to share with us. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? (5 Vinyl-Safe Rugs), How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? 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, []. Smartcore Pro is a pad-attached vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments. Subscribe today for exclusive content & tips in your inbox! Smartcore also has cons, have a look at them: As for LifeProof, the firm groups the collections in terms of the wear layers. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof offer easy installation by using a floating floor method, making them DIY great flooring options.
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