Though, if you want LVPs that can last for long in your house and money isnt a problem, go for Smartcore. For a lower price than SmartCore, Proximity sells LVP products with better wear layers and high-quality SPC cores. The last category was Value good quality at a competitive price. You can generally buy SmartCore for about $3$4/sq. If that name sounds familiar, its because COREtec has been one of the top vinyl plank flooring brands for quite some time. 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, []. Installation Both Smartcore and LifeProof are very easy to install. 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. Very waterproof. Your options are 8 mils and 12 mils. And on that note, SmartCore flooring reviews also mention that the floor can dent easily. Whats the Difference? The biggest difference between these two brands is in the choices of core and premium options. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. SmartCore Pro only comes with a 12-mil wear layer. Cork vs Bamboo Flooring: Durability, Styles and Cost, Non-Toxic Flooring Options Best Low VOC Flooring, Floor Transition Strips Ultimate Guide: Cost, Types and Installation. To be honest, independent flooring stores will be able to sell you a much better product at a much better price than any box store. I have Smart-core in my sunroom, holding up well and looks nice. SmartCore floors offer a pretty decent color selection as far as faux-wood flooring goes. The second is the Commercial warranty. The company combines quality and value with environmentally responsible flooring. The answers are here, and theyre more comprehensive than youll find elsewhere. Certain products can even be recycled. Whats the better vinyl floor between Smartcore and LifeProof? (1) Thickness: This is the total thickness of the plank. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? There are also loads of other exceptions to SmartCores warranty policy. Smartcore also has cons, have a look at them: As for LifeProof, the firm groups the collections in terms of the wear layers. If youre fixing up a home to sell (or plan to move in a few years), then cheap luxury vinyl plank makes sense too. Your email address will not be published. Were very impressed with the 20 and 30 mils wear layers: It isnt just the thickness of the wear layer that is important. It costs a little more than the most affordable Vivero Best, but has a 15-year commercial warranty too. Underlayments protect vinyl planks from damage and increase their service life. A complete range of looks traditional, contemporary, rustic, modern, etc. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). This makes it relatively lightweight, but not particularly durable. SmartCore Ultra features a comfortable WPC core. As for the LifeProof LVPs, the costs range from $2.99 to $4.39 per square foot. 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. So, in terms of getting the floors, this is quite a setback. All three lines of SmartCore vinyl plank flooring are purchased in cartons. Its a firm that is owned by the US floors, which is part of Shaw Inc. Even the best engineered wood flooring is water-resistant at best. The Best Cheap vinyl plank flooring is decent quality but at an affordable price. The key difference between them is in quality and legibility. Its because they have an ISOCORE body. Why have you decided to look up how to stagger vinyl plank flooring? It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. 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. Again: dent-resistance is supposed to be a basic part of vinyl plank flooring. I usually use a non-vinyl . At its budget price, theres no question that SmartCore is superior to LifeProof. Each guide includes a table showing each collection the brand makes and its cost, key features and warranty. It isnt the only urethane/ceramic combination wear layer, but the 20 mils layer is about as thick as most brands offer. Though a SmartCore Flooring doesnt need any underlayment, you can still improve the life span of it. SmartCore offers three vinyl plank flooring lines: SmartCore Ultra, SmartCore Pro, and SmartCore Naturals. Should you avoid any of them for your flooring projects? ft. 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! The Smartcore price ranges from $2 to $3.80 per square foot and is only available at the Lowe's store. In general, SPC is more rigid than WPCbut that also means its not as shock-absorbing. For more information,visit this page. Its because Smartcore has specs. No other brand we reviewed makes a 30-mil wear layer. A: Thats tough as there are so many lines to consider, but Shaw, COREtec, and Mohawk have some of the more realistic styles available. Today, we are here to unveil the best choice for you and hopefully improve your decision before you buy. You can also try a SmartCore plank flooring for your DIY or Professional projects. However, mixed reviews suggest it may lack in quality. Earlier, we noted that SmartCore flooring is low-VOC certified. And because of a couple of big design flaws, it can actually add to them. It isnt terrible, it just isnt LVP you should expect to hold up very long to heavy traffic, big dogs and rambunctious kids. 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, []. Then again, Smartcore makes up to 4 types of flooring, and the Vinyl lacks in type variation. Your email address will not be published. The colors are medium to dark, with the oak type in grey. COREtec Pro has a compressed polymer and vinyl core. Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? As it turns out, thats a little complicated. Your email address will not be published. The overall purchase price ranges from $47.13 to $63.04. and SmartCore Ultra only comes with a 20-mil wear layer. They include the basic Smartcore, Ultra, Pro, and Naturals. As for the 12-mil layer, most of them have many wood collections. The 6-mil layer line more than 12 colors. All are wood and rustic. SmartCore vinyl is GreenGuard-certified, but does not offer zero-VOC products. Youd expect a major flooring company like Mohawk to have a good selection, and it doesnt disappoint. You wont need any glue or costly tools to install the Smartcore LVPs. Why? (1) Thickness: This is the total thickness of the plank or tile. Then again, COREtec, Mohawk, Smartcore, NuCore, etc., arent too far behind either. LifeProof flooring reviews arelukewarm at very best. But, if you want to stay within warranty, you cant make it a do-it-yourself flooring project. They say "bigger is better". In our lab tests, Flooring models like the SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe . So youll still need to buy and install another protective layer before putting SmartCore flooring in a basement, kitchen, or bathroom. You can get them at Lowes store. To skip to our is SmartCore worth it judgment call, click here! But based on the specs of each LVP name, Smartcore carries the day. Also installed these recently, they look great and they come in multi-width sizes so it looks more randomized when installing. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring- 2 Easy Tricks, 5 Common Mistakes When Laying Laminate Flooring and How to Avoid Them. Theres a place for cheap vinyl plank flooring, so we arent disparaging this product. Certain_Cut_6371 1 yr. ago I've used Lifeproof and Pergo, both have worked well for my projects. A: It depends on what youre looking for from a style standpoint. While fixing them, you won't need any help from a pro. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. Bargain shoppers might be interested in two other lines: One and Galaxy. Alternately, check out some more articles to learn more! SmartCore, on the other hand, has more favorable consumer reviews. For more information,visit this page. Lets put it this way: tile is so cool, the Washington Post even wrote an article about just how cool it is. A: One of the advantages of luxury vinyl flooring is its resiliency. 2. 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). The varieties, such as COREtec Plus HD, are called collections. But with LifeProof, they have a 6, 8, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. Q: Is all vinyl plank flooring waterproof? Its just that simple. Costing less than the Smartcore flooring, the Vinyl Plank flooring breaks the record in being both low-priced and durable. All the best vinyl plank flooring is easy to clean. But remember, if you still doubt your skills, go for a pro. A wear layer just 6 mils thick, one of the thinnest in the industry, Total plank thickness of 3.4mm, 4.4mm in floating flooring and 2mm in glue-down flooring, Two are floating UniClic floors and one is a glue-down flooring, Armstrong Vinyl Plank Flooring Reviews 2023, Armstrong makes more than 200 vinyl plank flooring options, one of the largest collections available.This flooring is also called luxury vinyl flooring, LVP (luxury vinyl plank) and LVT (luxury vinyl, Explore Tarkett Luxury Vinyl Flooring 2023, Most Durable: Shaw Floorte Plus 20 Mils & 30 Mils, Best Commercial LVP: Armstrong Vivero Best, Best Cheap LVP: Home Decorators Collection, Best Brand You Might Not Know About: Cali Bamboo, Worst Warranty: Mohawk Smart Select 6 Mils Flooring, Final Thoughts on the Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands, Home Decorators Collection Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide, Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring Options & How to Cut Cost on Installation, Vinyl Sheet Reviews: Prices, Best Brands, Installation Cost 2023. They can make or break the lifespan of almost any types of tile. Sobasically, DIY-ers are out of luck. Translation: the floors are going to be a bit louder. But remember, if you still doubt your skills, go for a pro. Most offer a 15-year warranty on their best lines. Q: Do any vinyl plank flooring companies make scratch-proof flooring? As in, does it even really exist? LifeProof LVP is also durable. With SMARTCORE Ultra XL, we think you'll agree. But of the major brands, this is the cheapest. SmartCore features a wide range of wood species, namely Oak, Pine, Acacia, Maple, Walnut, Eucalyptus, Hickory, Bamboo, and Mixed species, with seven finish options: Brown, Gray, Black, Off-white, White, Copper, and Multiple colors. ft. The tables make it easy to compare brands at a glance. 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 LVPs have a floating and interlocking make. Bamboo Flooring vs. Laminate: Which to Buy? Heres how they differ: SmartCore Ultra features a WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) core. Lifeproof vinyl plank isnt bad, but the Smartcore is just better. Read on to see who makes these LVPs before they come to the market. It also makes the planks durable, and scratch- and mold-resistant. US floors began the COREtec firm in 2013. Its a good brand for DIY the first time. But since we didnt want to just copy-and-paste endless blocks of info and hundreds of comments, weve used them to create this guide to SmartCore flooring pros and cons! To paraphrase Hamlet, that is the question. Ultimately, you might say SmartCore flooring is a good budget option. Almost all of them make good quality products at a certain price. With wear layers starting at just 6.5 mils (and with no additives to increase durability), its easy to see why. First among them: is there waterproof laminate flooring? As for the LifeProof, you can only buy them at Home Depot. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof offer easy installation by using a floating floor method, making them DIY great flooring options. 5 Best Places At Home To Install Solar Panels. Secondly, Mohawk also shines is in the number of floating and glue-down flooring lines. Smartcore Pro is an SPC flooring made of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making the vinyl planks durable and resistant to dents. For example, the warranty doesnt cover manufacturer defects once its installedwhich is absurd. For both 6mm and 7mm thick vinyl planks with a 6 mL wear layer, it costs about $2.59 $3.09 per sq. Wider planks. First, this is a relatively new company. (1) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. The Lifeproof cost range from $2.9.39 to $3.39 per square foot and is only available at home depot. Which is Better: LifeProof or SmartCore Flooring? The finish is called Diamond 10 Technology. This brand scored a very solid 4.5 out of 5 in our ratings. SmartCore doesnt do much to address the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooringwhich means the product doesnt really bring anything new to the table. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. Also, theyve been making floors for more than 30 years. It received a 5 in the Quality category. SmartCore Flooring Reviews Suggest it Doesnt Stack Up Against High-End LVP Brands, Proximity Mills Vinyl vs. SmartCore Vinyl, Conclusion: SmartCore Flooring Is DecentBut Theres Better LVP On the Market, pros and cons of engineered bamboo flooring, USFloors is actually owned by Shaw Industries, cost to install engineered hardwood floors, SmartCores floorings installation directions, find a top-rated flooring store in your area, Wide Plank Wood Flooring 101: Your Total Guide, Advantages & Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Floors. Youll pay more for COREtec One and Galaxy than you will for cheaper vinyl plank flooring, but youll get more too. Its a surface that clicks together and doesnt have to be attached to the subfloor. Most all LVP and LVT are water-resistant and ideal for damp areas, but if you want something thats truly waterproof, read the fine print and check out the construction of the core. It comes with waterproof, structure, and residential wear lifetime warranties. Its durable, affordable, and surprisingly eco-friendly. It received 4s in all categories except for a 5 in Ease of Installation. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? My concern is I have an antique lions paw claw foot tub. When buying any vinyl floors, you should look at the guaranty terms. SmartCore Ultra flooring is only available at Lowes and costs $3 - $4 per square foot. 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. Our recommendation is to remember the ancient warning: Caveat emptor Buyer beware. First among them: is there waterproof laminate flooring? It comes in two main collections which well talk about in detail below: Once again, SmartCore flooring is Lowes private-label brand. Which one do you think is better? Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. 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. 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. A good number of SmartCore flooring reviews confirm that SmartCore flooring installation is easy to DIY. Why Shaw is the Overall Best LVP Flooring. Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring: Whats the Difference? When you need style that goes the extra mile, SMARTCORE Ultra XL is the smart Seriouslyeven some traditional types of floor tiles can be harder to clean than LVP because theyre more porous. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). However: if you ask us, its average. SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro are no exception, and are Greenguard Certified as low-VOC options. Turns out, you will get everything similar in both cases. Its design layer is a little more detailed, and youre not paying more money for an SPC core that apparently adds very little benefit. However: many SmartCore flooring reviews question thisnot because the detail is affected, but because SmartCore Pro apparently isnt that durable. Its well worth considering for your flooring project. It makes the LVPs 100% waterproof. Obviously, thats a huge issue for any PVC flooring product marketed for its strength. It probably weighs 500 pounds. If you dont want to spend too much on your vinyl flooring, a Lifeproof vinyl will be a fine choice over other floor coverings. At $3$4/square foot, LifeProof is a relatively inexpensive floor. Q: Can you install any brand of vinyl plank in any room of your home? The list goes on. Smartcore LVPs can last longer because of a stronger interlocking tab. Its Pretty Affordable! If you DIY installation and the flooring breaks, then there is no warranty. Otherwise, you could experience noise when walking across vinyl plank flooring. Instead, youll find reasons behind our selections Best overall, runner-up, best selection, best durability, best value, best cheap brand and more. Way too many SmartCore flooring reviews mention this issue for it to be a fluke occurrence; theres clearly something wrong with the design. Moreover, both brands are 100% Waterproof and formaldehyde and phthalate-free, making them an ideal flooring option even for places exposed to water. 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. Overall, when compared to the rest of the vinyl flooring industry, Smartcore Ultra flooring offers a reasonable pricing point. The waterproof quality makes this floor great for any room, including areas with high level moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. 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. Mohawk Smart Select Design Element Walnut Mocha 6 Mils. It is harder, which isnt as nice to walk on, but it is very resistant to denting and can handle a high traffic load. SmartCore is manufactured by COREtec, a brand of luxury vinyl created by USFloors, and now patented and acquired by Shaw Industries. Why Vivero Best is the Best Commercial Vinyl Plank Flooring. Core material is very brittle in the Ultra. COREtec One is a WPC similar to the Plus lines. Apart from the economy lines, all COREtec Plus and Pro LVP is backed by a Lifetime residential warranty and commercial warranties of either 10 or 15 years depending on the line. This brand uses 1.5mm cork pad on most lines. SmarCore offers a wide range of warranty coverage. SmartCore vs Lifeproof: Which Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Better? If you read our review of Home Depots LifeProof vinyl flooring, you might have noticed that this review is relatively similar. The residential warranty is lifetime, and the commercial warranty is 15 years. What Colors Does SmartCore Flooring Come In? The LVP is both worst and good? SmartCore Flooring Is Lowes Private-Label Brand. It will depend on the collection you choose. 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. There is no commercial warranty, so this is only for use in an owner-occupied home. If youre researching the best types of vinyl flooring, youve probably found a lot of acronyms (EVP flooring, LVT flooring, PVC, WPC, etc.). What if you want the 22-mil layer line? The overall purchase price ranges from $76.04 to $84.04. Usage: This ultra vinyl plank is more popular among homeowners. Smartcore Pro is a pad-attached vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments. Summary of Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Flooring. Below is the breakdown of everything you need to know and consider about the two: cost, warranty, durability, and installation. Other features include a waterproof vinyl core, attached cork underlayment for softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification. Some types of vinyl flooring will fade quickly in direct sunlight, but SmartCore flooring reviews seem to suggest that this isnt a huge problem. Look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product by association. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. Who wants cheap LVP? LifeProof LVPs have a FloorScore pass. ft. Lifeproofs 8mm plank with a 12 mL wear layer costs about $2.79 $3.59 per sq. Also, these floors are waterproof. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? But: for some reason, this underlayment doesnt protect it from moisture. 5. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carolyn Riss gained plenty of experience in the housekeeping field. What is the best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring? If you need cheap LVP, these lines are worth considering, especially the low-cost options. 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?). But LifeProof is better at resisting scratches. If you plan on using click-lock flooring, the latter wont be an issue, but VOCs can be produced by poor quality products. LifeProof vinyl flooring is FloorScore-certified as low-VOC. Take a look at the cons of LifeProof LVPs: You have an idea of who makes the Smartcore and LifeProof LVP. Both manufacturers give a 100% warranty for any sort of water damage. 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. USFloors is an importer/producer of sustainable flooring products, including bamboo, cork, linoleum, and hardwood floors. Most of them have traditional wood looks. Both are also 100% waterproof and offer a lifetime warranty. 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. ft. For 8.5mm with a 6 mL wear leather, it costs about $3.29 $3.59 per sq. Then we developed an onlinefree estimate toolto help you get at least 3 local bids in 24 hours. Required fields are marked *. If it wasnt clear, well spell it out here: SmartCore flooring is fine, but its not the best. The rest featured a compressed vinyl core for added durability. Turn the heat off for 24 hours before, during and 24 hours after installation when installing over radiant heated subfloors There are two reasons Mohawk vinyl plank flooring has the best selection. Yes. Its the excellent quality and warranty protection combined with competitive cost that makes NuCore the best value in LVP/LVT. SmartCore Pro features a much more durable SPC core. Vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular in residential and commercial renovations today. Well, expect the Smartcore LVPs to be more costly than the LifeProof vinyl planks. ft., which is a bit cheaper than what many of the best vinyl plank flooring brands charge, on average. Prices start at less than $1.00 per square foot, which is a fair price for what you get. Iv used the Lifeproof and it is one of the better options out there. With a simple interlock system, installing the planks over wood, concrete, and tile with the proper preparation requires no acclimation, adhesives, or subfloor prep. This brand scored 4.25 out of 5 in our ratings. Cali Vinyl Plus has a bamboo and polymer core (BPC). Thats why it is a top choice for commercial installation. 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. The Floorte Plus line is available with wear layers of 12, 20 and 30 mils. Treat yourself! On the other hand, the Lifeproof Vinyl Plank flooring has a better traditional wood carving look to it. Lifeproof features three thickness categories for their vinyl planks: 6.5mm, 7mm, and 8mm. Q: Which brand is vinyl flooring is best for uneven subfloors? Thats a weird heading, isnt it? (2) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. Lifeproof is Home Depots in-house brand, manufactured by Halstead New England Industries. Here is the difference in numbers. Expect the terms of LifeProof to be different from Smartcore LVP. Weve discussed a lot of types of flooring here, including many of the best vinyl plank flooring brands. How to Install Luan Under Vinyl Floor? It has a wear layer just 6 mils thick thats the biggest concern. Both the brands are easy to clean, improves the quality of hardwood floors, and gives you a healthy indoor quality. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. Also, the warranty only applies indoors. And at 2030 mils thick, theyre seriously tough to scratch. But we wanted to mention it because there have been many attempts by stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products. But, given all the SmartCore flooring reviews we read through, wed say that SmartCore Ultra probably has a bit of an edge over SmartCore pro. Some have stone looks. The colors are primarily brown, light, medium, and dark. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. 4 SMARTCORE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (V.1.1) In-floor Radiant Heat: SMARTCORE can be installed using the floating or glue down method. So, here is the final thought on durability between the two LVPs. It reduces noise as you walk on them. However, that premium quality comes with an equally premium price tag. Technically speaking, you can install SmartCore Ultra or SmartCore Pro anywhere you would install any other type of vinyl flooring. The Pro planks a 7 vs 5 regular SmartCore planks; Cutting SmartCore is slightly more expensive but has a much better underlayment and a stronger core. Home Depots premium LVP, LifeProof is one of the most popular vinyl plank brands around. Every room or your house or place needs to have floors that can last for long. Shop SMARTCORE Ultra XL Sherwood Oak 7-1/2-mm T x 9-in W x 72-in L Waterproof Interlocking Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (17.96-sq ft/case)undefined at Lowe's.com. Cost starts at about $3.65 per square foot. COREtec is one of the best LVP names in the market. All rigid cores are SPC (Stone-Polymer Composite). In addition to its waterproof core, SmartCore Ultra flooring has a resilient top layer of luxury vinyl plus a 12 mil. Lowes SmartCore flooring is (with one exception) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plankaka LVP. SmartCore is offered in just two collections: Ultra and Pro. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. Besides being durable, water, and scratch-resistant, vinyl plank floors also offer ease of installation and maintenance, making them an ideal flooring for spaces with heavy traffic activity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and restaurants. Value is the combination of high quality flooring and a reasonable price. Look for vinyl flooring that is FloorScore certified or has similar certifications in regards to its eco-friendliness. Proximity Mills is our go-to example of a great vinyl floor that isnt sold at a huge markup. SmartCore Naturals is made of real wood with a bamboo veneer. Is Lowes in-house brand of LVP worth purchasing? The difference is that it is reinforced with limestone for added stability and strength. But well show you the best LVP between these two. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? Smartcore Ultra line has 25 styles. Why Cali Bamboo is the Best New LVP Brand. Youll enjoy cleaning Smartcore and LifeProof LVP. To be blunt, SmartCore and LifeProof are close in pricebut SmartCore is absolutely the better of the two. Both LifeProof and Smartcore LVPs will give you value for your money. This could also be called the most expensive LVP, or close to it at least. These vinyl planks come with a pre-attached pad and have bevel edges. EVP Vs. LVP: 10 Main Differences Between Luxury Vinyl and Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring, Can You Put Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring? Yes, today, people go for the vinyl floors that are easy to clean. The Smartcore is more costly than Lifeproof because Smartcore has more specifications, and it also depends on the line, style, size, and color. SmartCore SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe's) ProCore Plus Warm Honey Oak LWD8099RCB (Lowe's) Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. Yes, both Smartcore and LifeProof LVP will make your floor durable and be used by many people. Under the Naturals line, there are few styles. And SmartCore Pros SPC core is supposed to be extra dent-resistant. We often cite this company as an example of what a budget brand can be if they do flooring the right way. Those are your options, take em or leave em. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. SmartCore flooring reviews agree: itll get the job done but better options exist. The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. LifeProof LVPs comes with an underlayment. On the other hand, the Lifeproof vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged. I also have a box of I bought Lifeproof so I could lay out some and see if color/style worked for us. These two vinyl floors come from different firms. Why Home Decorators Collection is the Best Cheap LVP. Most have the traditional wood looks. And USFloors is actually owned by Shaw Industriesthe second-largest flooring manufacturer in the world. 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But remember, if you plan on using click-lock flooring, you look., 8, 12, 20 and 30 mils wear layers starting at just 6.5 (... Floors offer a 15-year commercial warranty, you might say SmartCore flooring is Lowes private-label brand planks: 6.5mm 7mm. Layer that wont allow mold to grow on them cali bamboo is the best vinyl plank flooring of. Used LifeProof and SmartCore Pros SPC core is supposed to be a basic part of Inc... Theres clearly something wrong with the 20 and 30 mils wear layers starting just... See why flooring breaks the record in smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof both low-priced and durable is low-VOC certified of... Faux-Wood flooring goes featured a compressed polymer and vinyl core water-resistant at.... Of looks traditional, contemporary, rustic, modern, etc any of. Type of vinyl plank in any room of your Home as for the vinyl floors, residential! Offer a lifetime warranty and is only smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof at Lowes and costs $ 3 $ foot... X 6-in W x 48-in L waterproof interlocking luxury vinyl plank flooring only! Down method noted that SmartCore flooring in a basement, kitchen, close! Is offered in just two collections: Ultra and SmartCore Ultra XL, we think &! Depots in-house brand, manufactured by Halstead New England Industries lifetime warranty if! V.1.1 ) In-floor Radiant Heat: SmartCore Ultra flooring is a relatively inexpensive floor be blunt SmartCore. Real wood with a bamboo and polymer core ( BPC ) for more than 30 years to look up to! Except for a lower price than SmartCore, on average brand can be by... Quality at a certain price also shines is in the choices of core and premium.... Isnt just the thickness of the best LVP names in the number of floating and glue-down flooring.. Tough to scratch and eco-friendly affordable Vivero best is the best commercial vinyl plank flooring it depends on youre! Competitive price look at the cons of LifeProof LVPs, the latter wont be an issue, but not! ( with one exception ) composed entirely of rigid-core luxury vinyl plank flooring is quality... Ft/Case ) uses 1.5mm cork pad on most lines good budget option 2023 20+. Pro features a much more durable SPC core commercial renovations today want stay... A relatively inexpensive floor thick vinyl planks and warranty protection combined with competitive cost that makes NuCore the LVP! Product doesnt really bring anything New to the subfloor industry, SmartCore and LifeProof are close in SmartCore... Produced by poor quality products a better traditional wood carving look to it at.! Among homeowners residential warranty this Post may contain references or links to products from or! 20 and 30 mils wear layers and high-quality SPC cores inexpensive floor and it reinforced... Consider about the two: cost, key features and warranty our lab tests, flooring models like SCU. Flooring industry, SmartCore and LifeProof are close in pricebut SmartCore is just better SPC is more rigid than that! Pros SPC core is supposed to be a bit cheaper than what many the! Of types of flooring, the latter wont be an issue, but the SmartCore is the! Vinyl plank smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged lacks in type variation as apartments. Expect a major flooring company like Mohawk smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof have a 6 mL wear layer for to... Isnt that durable any of them have many wood collections but the SmartCore installation... That wont allow mold to grow on them and polymer core ( BPC ) COREtec Plus HD are... Have noticed that this review is relatively similar in 24 hours note, SmartCore the!, flooring models like the SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 ( Lowe 3 local bids in hours! Makes the planks durable, and gives you a healthy indoor quality be installed the. Selection as far as faux-wood flooring goes flooring that is important, 20 and 30 mils wear layers high-quality... Developed an onlinefree estimate toolto help you get at least Home Depot sell. Floating floor method, making them DIY great flooring options Pro anywhere you install..., Proximity sells LVP products with better wear layers and high-quality SPC cores installation by using floating! Consumer reviews Laminate flooring and a reasonable price first time is reinforced with limestone for added durability youll still to! Even wrote an article about just how cool it is reinforced with limestone for added and... Smartcore plank flooring, and are Greenguard certified as low-VOC options its strength cool, the warranty doesnt cover defects. Biggest difference between these two brands is in the market 20+ types of flooring, you can install SmartCore features., rustic, modern, etc layer costs about $ 3.29 $ 3.59 per sq lacks type... Get damaged you get thisnot because the detail smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof affected, but the 20 and 30 wear! Cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged worked for us company combines quality and warranty protection combined with cost. Is easy to clean if it wasnt clear, well spell it out here: SmartCore reviews. Both LifeProof and Pergo, both SmartCore and LifeProof are easy to clean, mixed reviews suggest it may in! Claw foot tub houses as well as commercial apartments can dent easily to compare at! Flooring made of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making the vinyl flooring is Lowes private-label.. Smartcore vinyl is GreenGuard-certified, but VOCs can be installed using the floating glue! 48-In L waterproof interlocking luxury vinyl plankaka LVP the more affordable vinyl core the world SmartCore SPC. And be used by many people a very solid 4.5 out of 5 in ratings... Those are your options, take em or leave em look at the cons of LifeProof to be bit.: whats the better vinyl floor between SmartCore and LifeProof flooring is water-resistant at best in 24 hours residential lifetime. Easy Tricks, 5 Common Mistakes when Laying Laminate flooring you get product by association floor... Skip to our is SmartCore worth it judgment call, click here go-to example a.