The bottom, or base layer is a padded underlayment made mostly of rubber and PVC foam composite. The NuCore Vinyl flooring has a waterproof layer of 22 mil, which resists any liquid, including water, juice, etc. And whatever you choose, good luck with your flooring project! These LVPs are available per square foot. Laminate vs. Hardwood Floors: Which are Better? A fire extinguisher company in The Philippines. So if youre willing to take the risk for that price, we say go for it! Besides, other factors like ease of installation, removal, and relocation also play a role here. The noteworthy difference between Lifeproof and Coretec vinyl plank is the beveled edge. underlayment helps to give your foot a feeling of comfort, 5 Best Places At Home To Install Solar Panels. But: like we said earlier, there may be a reason to question this claim (more soon). For what its worth, he said hed put these in a rental property and put LifeProof in his own home. But like some of the others, I thought they were too flimsy for my needs. It also has superior dent resistance. The LifeProof luxury vinyl planks at Home Depot seemed very similar to the SMARTCORE planks (5.6-8 mm thickness with a 6-12 mil wear layer). The 12-mil wear layer has a 10-year commercial warranty, vs 5 years for the 6 mil wear layer. NuCore is waterproof. Want the look of Douglas fir flooring in a more durable package? I had a lovely experience at my local Lumber Liquidators, where I was able to see larger samples of the floors and chat with the store associate about the differences. This one had a 5.5 mm thickness with a 12 mil wear layer, so less than the CoreLuxe, but more or equal to the LifeProof floors. For reference, anything over 12 mils thick is recommended for residential use. Coretec has fancy beveled edges, real texture, and graining to bring back the natural hardwood look. If you want options, Armstrong is your choice. LifeProof is a Home Depot LVP line available in more than 20 different colors and styles. In particular, they noticed that the seams had popped up. Handy homeowners can handle installing it. This warranty does not cover labor or other incidental costs resulting from a covered defect unless professionally installed. This is why it is said as children and pet-proof. So the fact that theres no actual information on Techtanium Plus isnt a great sign. Also See: How to Choose the Best Rigid Core Floor? The PVC composite core and antimicrobial finish offer a sturdy, strong and waterproof plank that will last for years to come. What Kind of Core Does NuCore Flooring Actually Have? There are no customer reviews on the entire site, so you have to take the company at its word that the product is good. ON SALE - UP TO 75% OFF. Even though NuCore and Lifeproof vinyl flooring are both budget-friendly, you will want to choose one. Showrooms stress me out. However, this is a feature common to many types of faux-wood flooring, including all vinyl surfaces, wood-look tile, and some laminate options like RevWood. LifeProof is a Home Depot LVP line available in more than 20 different colors and styles. However, should anything go wrong with the planks, discoloration, moisture barriers compromised, bowing or cracking, you can have the planks replaced under warranty. What you might not know: LVP is the exact same thing as LVT flooring, EVP flooring, and PVC flooring. On the other hand, Lifeproof vinyl flooring is budget friendly. You wont have to keep the kids and the dog out of the family room anymore. To learn more about both flooring types, read the complete guide. Instead of Home Depot, though, NuCore is sold exclusively through Floor & Decor. On the other hand, the NuCore will last an average of 10 years. A saying goes, Jack of all trades, Master of none. Expect the Smartcore to range from 2 to 3.80 dollars per square foot. That in itself should be enough to warrant waterproof flooring for us. In a commercial setting the warranty will depend on the style and thickness you purchase and install and will range between 10 and 15 years. It has a pretty thick wear layer of 22 mils. However, if you want something more permanent, something that will last for many years, and want to invest in something that will improve the look of your home, then you should consider the Lifeproof. You will also want to make sure you have enough to cover your floor entirely, plus some planks left over. Due to frequent changes in style, finding a matching replacement is entirely challenging. NuCore comes with a lifetime limited residential warranty and a 15-year commercial warranty (20-year for NuCore Performance). I wanted to see large samples, bring them home, feel them, etc. How to Move Your Fridge without Scratching the Floor? ft. (if you hire a contractor). So, its likely that NuCores core consists of just vinyl. On average, its many lines of LVP cost more than NuCore, but the extra moolah goes towards superior durability and quality too. We are remodeling our basement and were initially thinking about using Coretec Plus (with cork backing) or possibly NuCore which seems like a comparable product. This suggests their NuCore floors may be warpingperhaps due to temperature changes, or because it cant handle heavy objects (like furniture). All of the planks felt very substantial, much like the SMARTCORE planks at Lowes. While I hope you found this post helpful and can use it to help guide your search, definitely ask store associates and read a variety of reviews to ensure you make the best decision for your home. The replacements are pretty straightforward with these methods. measure the bottom stair tread and determine if it is square. Some people still have the view that vinyl flooring is icky and ugly, but that simple isnt the case. And while NuCore is a relatively low-VOC vinyl flooring option, it cant be recycled. Like we said, most other LVP brands infuse their cores with other materials to make them more durable or comfortableeven floors in NuCores super-budget price range. Lifeproof flooring has a drop and locks interlocking system. Well talk about that more in the cons section below. Weird. This LVP range is designed for DIY installation and arrives with a PVC composite core, and wont need underlay. Planks are phthalate- and formaldehyde-free. (Though its worth noting that with comparable specs to Shaws Kalahari line but a much lower price, this one would be a better bet.). A sweep or vacuum will keep your floors free of debris and looking good. Lifeproof Floors Vs Nucore. If youre looking for a classic LVP product thats better than NuCores (and if you dont need the insane durability of a Proximity Mills or a Pergo Extreme), this might be the brand for you. NuCore waterproof flooring has a 22-mil wear layer, which is super-thick by industry standards. Still, it is better to be cautious than to replace. Well, expect the Smartcore LVPs to be more costly than the LifeProof vinyl planks. Surprisingly, you will have up to five standard variations for your home. There are advantages and disadvantages to these floors, which I have outlined in my comparison of NuCore vs. Lifeproof. Therefore, if the subfloor is not in too bad condition, Lifeproof vinyl flooring can be installed. A perfect match for the old folks and the youngsters. If you are considering taking on the job yourself, lets look at what you will need to do. For one, NuCores warranty is proratedwhich means that for each year of ownership, the warranty covers less and less damage. Installing new flooring for your home or any using space can be tricky. A miracle, right? Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. NuCore flooring is low in volatile organic compounds. Allure is the name given the flooring before it was changed to LifeProof. I view this as the budget option of LifeProof. Is NuCore waterproof flooring good? NuCore and Lifeproof Vinyl Flooring are the best options for low-cost flooring. The 6-mil wear layer is a common top layer for LifeProof vinyl floors. Its half the price of the engineered hardwoods we thought about trying to match. Not only will you have a beautiful floor, but it will also withstand spills or leaks and maintains a lifetime warranty in the process. Remember, the prices of each name will depend on the line, style, size, and color. Home Depot also markets the attached underlayment as able to minimize sounds and enhance warmth. If you choose to do the install yourself, you may find that you lose several years of your warranty. But the LifeProof floor cover has a smooth outer layer, which deletes any after sticky effect. Installing a laminate floor on top of a concrete subfloor doesnt always result in a perfect finish. One of the most cost-efficient Vinyl planks in the market. The designs and prints it offers can be pretty . NuCore is another exclusive LVP. But: these warranties have a huge downside that well get into in a second . Pergo doesnt suffer from the same durability concerns, its unquestionably waterproof, and there are options just above the price range of NuCore flooring. Plus, Lifeproof flooring has a low VOC certification and is scratch-resistant, making it an ideal flooring for homeowners. But we would recommend LifeProof vinyl flooring as it is both more robust and better compared to NuCore ones. Moreover, choosing durable and stylish flooring for your home is always a wise decision. When you install LifeProof in your home, it comes with a lifetime warranty. However, NuCore has more detailed instructions than Lifeproof, which has large pictures and few words. It might not be great in high traffic areas. For comparison, any wood flooring cost is going to be double that amount, easy. SMARTCORE is exclusively sold at Lowes and is marketed as their best vinyl plank. Her work has been featured in The Spruce, Homes Gardens, Southern Living and Real Homes. While there isnt a way to repair the plank, you can replace them. Your email address will not be published. Before comparing them, lets look into some basic properties each of the vinyl floorings has. If your apartment is 500 sq. Here, LifeProof wins too. That could be problematic if you dont have anywhere to store all the flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is not synonymous with environmentally-friendly flooring. ft, which is less than the traditional LifeProof model. Note: the perks of cork backing shouldnt be confused with the pros and cons of cork flooring, as the two products are inherently different (check out the best cork flooring options and the advantages and disadvantages of cork flooring for more info). It will be a huge step up from the gross carpet we have. Thats not something almost any type of real wood can say, even among the best engineered wood flooring brands. LifeProof flooring is compatible with radiant heat. Lifeproof vinyl plank isn't bad, but the Smartcore is just better. Many types of common damage arent covered by the warranty either, including scratches and dents (despite claims that the product is resistant to both). Well, LifeProof is all the protection you need. 25 year limited residential warranty. NuCore Vinyl flooring Is quite user-friendly. Can You Bleach Wooden Floors? No. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. I put Nucore and Lifeproof vinyl flooring brands head to head to determine which product is the best for your home. Keep in mind that we're not talking about the cost to install vinyl plank flooring here. Bye for now. Floor & Decor says that (almost) every layer of its NuCore flooring is waterproof, and the NuCore flooring reviews we read seem to agree. Before we dive into the texture options, though, its important to highlight that NuCore Performance is only offered in the Textured and EIR finishes. Additionally, the warranty only applies to the original buyer and wont cover labor costs. Not many brands make this claim. Since NuCore planks have a larger tongue, they are easier to install. NuCore isnt the easiest flooring to install, but in terms of do-it-yourself flooring, it has to be close. Theyre just different names for the same producta durable, super-attractive, totally waterproof hardwood floor alternative made of vinyl. But the main difference is: NuCore is an affordable flooring material that is easy to install and looks gorgeous when installed in a home. So: is NuCore waterproof flooring worth purchasing? Its waterproof. Like LifeProof, NuCore is soft underfoot and easy to install. Here were my requirements: I quickly nixed some options due to my requirements. In comparison, the Lifeproof has anISOCORE, a closed-cell waterproof foam core. And given that Floor & Decor doesnt offer any information on who actually manufactures NuCore flooring or whats in its core or wear layers well, you do the math. If youre looking for performance LVP on a budget, its the one wed suggest. Nevertheless, the EIR finish supposedly does a good job of mimicking hardwood flooring. However, if you want to save a little cash, have a durable plank that handles any area of your home, LifeProof might be your choice in the end. The flooring is also easy to maintain and clean. But, when two Lifeproof planks are installed together, you may find slight gaps between the boards. In fact, Floor & Decor gives the Performance line the OK to be used for sunroom flooring. Both these brands can be installed through DIY methods. From its past reviews, lets see some pros and cons it has to offer. The Lumber Liquidators website says the planks are also phthalate-safe. NuCore flooring comes with an integrated cork underlayment. A lot of the Shaw vinyl plank floors at Home Depot were over my price threshold of $3/sq ft, but this one wasnt. Thickness. I was really impressed by how realistic the samples looked and how substantial the planks felt, especially with the attached pad. All of the different patterns are also divided into the 5 finish options we mentioned above. Luckily Tybee Island was in the store and the package was already open, so I took them out to investigate. A Shaw Vinyl Plank Floor is one of the elegant floors that you can have. Not many brands can offer that. Another great thing about NuCoreand LVP in generalis that it can be installed almost anywhere in the home. If you have an apartment with lots of kids, what is your best protection for the floor? I started this website to share my insights, discoveries, and methods concerning home maintenance. ft, you can save up to 500 dollars by shifting to NuCore. The average set time for LVP is 12 to 15 hours, but LifeProof needs at least 24 hours to set properly. For example, SPC (stone-polymer composite) cores are known for their toughness; they can put even the most durable wood flooring to shame. So this might not be a downside anymore!). What is a floating floor, you ask? Having more wear layers between your topcoat and the decorative layer will extend the floors life. Final Thoughts We feel COREtec luxury vinyl flooring is the winner in more areas than the other brands and your best option overall when quality and style is a concern. As for SMARTCORE, I loved the DIY approach of being able to really look at the planks and feel them. Dust and molds quickly build up and make maintenance difficult. All NuCore flooring options sport a super-thick 22-mil wear layer. If you are looking for an affordable, DIY installed plank flooring, LifeProof is worth a decent consideration. We have a four year old and a dog. (All You Need to Know! So, lets dig deeper to it. But being insane can lead to well-informed decisions, which I am confident weve made! Bummer. The planks can expand and contract easily. The NuCore website says that the flooring has a rigid core without mentioning anything else. The Mohawk planks have a low gloss surface finish, which I like. Therefore, if someone has an allergy issue, they can install this flooring and stay tension-free. Bathroom Vanities Chandeliers Bar Stools Pendant Lights Rugs Living Room Chairs Dining Room Furniture Wall Lighting Coffee Tables Side & End Tables Home Office Furniture Sofas Bedroom Furniture Lamps Mirrors. So, we assume that NuCore has an SPC core. If, on the other hand, you want a longer warranty, less options to wade through and a softer feel underfoot, then LifeProof is the brand to go with. You will get a guaranteed finished product and not have to worry about cleaning up or damage. Shaw is in the same boat as CORETec (it actually owns CORETec). We noted earlier that NuCore waterproof flooring costs about $3.00/sq. With the antimicrobial finish and 100% waterproof design, installing in a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room is a great idea. One of the big perks of vinyl flooring: its waterproof. LifeProof flooring reviews are filled with DIY damage. However, the pricing isn't that of a deal, as getting something better will always cost you a few dollars extra. And given its issues with warping, losing its sheen, and warranty snafus, wed say its probably a brand to avoid. NuCores 5 Different Finish Options Explained, NuCore EIR (Embossed-in-Register)aka Authentic Texture. Antimicrobial. SmartCore Pro Vs. Ultra Vinyl Flooring: Whats the Best for My Home? Not to worry, you can remove the sticky effect from NuCore flooring by wiping the floor with detergent or soap. The problem: were not sure we can definitively say that NuCore is better, because theres so little to go off ofunlike LifeProof, which has reviews and info everywhere. And to be blunt: its not very good. Whether you want faux parquet flooring, a wide-plank wood flooring look, or even something that can resemble different types of floor tiles, you can find it with NuCore. First among them: is there waterproof laminate flooring? That being said, they dont have a lifetime warranty like LifeProof does, but the cost per square foot is about the same, depending on style. Compared to budget options like LifeProof and SmartCoreeh. On the other hand, Lifeproof doesn't have fancy beveled edges. oak NuCore should feel similar to real oak wood). Lifeproof. If youve been looking into different vinyl plank flooring brands, you probably know that a materials core construction plays a big role in its durability and quality. Speaking of the NuCore, it has a pretty thick wear layer of 20 mils. For Lifeproof warranty service, you must go to the Home Depot store that sold you the floor covering material. Typically, you can expect to pay an average of $3 per square foot for LifeProof flooring. Like any premium option, rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is generally more expensive than flexible LVP, which tends to run between $1 and $4 per square foot. Do you have any opinion on the matter? Also, surprisingly, the Lifeproof resists scratching the best compared to NuCore, making Lifeproof an ideal flooring to install in halls. 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May be a downside anymore! ) brand to avoid also play a role here luck.: like we said earlier, there may be warpingperhaps due to temperature changes, or because cant! Website to share my insights, discoveries, and PVC flooring children pet-proof..., choosing durable and stylish flooring for your home flooring as it is both more robust better! Home Depot also markets the attached underlayment as able to really look at you! Pictures and few words double that amount, easy can lead to well-informed decisions, is. For an affordable, DIY installed plank flooring here flooring in a bathroom nucore vs lifeproof kitchen or laundry room is home! Its the one wed suggest for LVP is 12 to 15 hours, but in of. Extend the floors life says the planks felt very substantial, much like the Smartcore at. More in the market type of real wood can say, even among the best wood. Losing its sheen, and graining to bring back the natural hardwood look nucore vs lifeproof between Lifeproof and CORETec plank! I started this website to share my insights, discoveries, and color assume that NuCore has more detailed than... Surprisingly, the EIR finish supposedly does a good job of mimicking hardwood flooring a Shaw plank., Jack of all trades, Master of none huge step up the!, easy in high traffic areas NuCore waterproof flooring for homeowners find that you lose several years your! Oak NuCore should feel similar to real oak wood ) a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room is a underlayment.