It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. COREtec Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad. Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? But well show you the best LVP between these two. Its because Smartcore has specs. You wont need any glue or costly tools to install the Smartcore LVPs. 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. Seriouslyeven some traditional types of floor tiles can be harder to clean than LVP because theyre more porous. Bamboo Flooring vs. Laminate: Which to Buy? SmartCore doesnt do much to address the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooringwhich means the product doesnt really bring anything new to the table. Then again, COREtec, Mohawk, Smartcore, NuCore, etc., arent too far behind either. The second is the Commercial warranty. Lowes slaps its name on SmartCore flooringbut who actually manufactures it? The wear layer is a clear coat of urethane or acrylic, depending on brand. US floors began the COREtec firm in 2013. Which is Better: LifeProof or SmartCore Flooring? VOCs stands for volatile organic compounds, which are harmful chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives. Both SmartCore and LifeProof flooring are private-label LVP floors offered by big box stores, right? Vinyl plank floors provide different style selections at a fraction of the cost. The main parts you will be comparing are wear layer thickness, which is in mils, attached underlayment or not, and how thick the image layer is. If that name sounds familiar, its because COREtec has been one of the top vinyl plank flooring brands for quite some time. Shaw Floorte Pro has a stone/plastic core, or SPC. COREtec makes the COREtec and Smartcore LVPs. Yes, they have many similar features that can suit the dcor of your house. The Shaw Floorte LVP has a wood/plastic core, or WCP. And because of a couple of big design flaws, it can actually add to them. It received a 5 in the Quality category. What brand of vinyl plank flooring is the best? When hes not creating content, he can be found doing crosswords, drinking coffee, and petting the office dogs. You should still clean up spills promptly, but SmartCore floors are a great option to use for bathroom or even mudroom flooring. Proximity Mills offers the most bang for your buck. Reducing VOCs is a priority in the industry and it shows in newer products like low-VOC carpet and non-toxic laminate flooring. SmartCore flooring, like virtually every LVP product, is almost completely waterproof (well revisit this later on). The colors range from light to dark. Who wants cheap LVP? The wear layers for both Smartcore and LifeProof help resist stains, dents, and spills. Also, the body of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic. The waterproof quality makes this floor great for any room, including areas with high level moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. That means its ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens along with playrooms or entryways. Smartcore Pro is an SPC flooring made of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making the vinyl planks durable and resistant to dents. ft. The Pro collection has 15 styles. If you want something tough, consider looking for some of the most durable wood flooring, or frankly, a better LVP product. Heres are the reasons COREtec is rated the second-best vinyl plank flooring. But they can be harder than real diamonds, and that would make for a tough flooring finish. The best choice will depend on what you are looking for in an LVP. The Smartcore is more costly than Lifeproof because Smartcore has more specifications, and it also depends on the line, style, size, and color. Carpet or Hardwood in Bedrooms: Which is Better? Other features include a waterproof vinyl core, attached cork underlayment for softness and sound control and low-VOC GreenGuard certification. It comes in two main collections which well talk about in detail below: Once again, SmartCore flooring is Lowes private-label brand. Whether you have kids or pets, you shouldnt worry. The Best Cheap vinyl plank flooring is decent quality but at an affordable price. And we mean cool. Both LifeProof and SmartCore offer a range of colors, thicknesses, and styles. However, SmartCore flooring doesnt really do anything here thats outside of common industry practice. COREtec One is a WPC similar to the Plus lines. COREtec Plus is the original and features a WPC core. While fixing them, you wont need any help from a pro. We hope this chart was helpful and, for a full breakdown of all the best LVP flooring, check out our full . And there's also a five-year warranty for commercial use. Thats too high for cheap vinyl plank flooring. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? Each guide includes a table showing each collection the brand makes and its cost, key features and warranty. 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. Overall, the flooring is rigid enough to withstand anything. We want to remind you that our brand buying guides are comprehensive with pros, cons, comparisons and costs. Cali Vinyl Pro is an SPC, or stone/polymer core line. 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. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. So, lets dive into it as we start with the info about the two LVP names. A: No, although most manufacturers would lead you to believe that. Below is the breakdown of everything you need to know and consider about the two: cost, warranty, durability, and installation. Yes, today, people go for the vinyl floors that are easy to clean. Many negative LifeProof reviews mention its lack of scratch resistance. SmartCore is marketed like its the easiest flooring to install, so youre supposed to be able to install it almost anywhere. Were just trying to give you some context before we talk about it. Its what will help you make the best choice between the two floors. Now, we wouldnt say that Newtons products are head over heels superior to SmartCores in generalbut at the price, they absolutely are. How to Install Luan Under Vinyl Floor? For more information,visit this page. Still, there are some vinyl plank brandslike Proximity Millsthat are more focused on recyclability. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How To Fix Gouges In Hardwood Floors (Step-by-Step Guide), Can You Paint Hardwood Floors? The flooring tends to be more aggressive when it comes to darker color contrast. No other brand we reviewed makes a 30-mil wear layer. What is a floating floor? This gives the floor some extra bounce and makes it feel a bit more like authentic hardwood species. Will this flooring dent or crack under weigh if tub? It will depend on the use of your floor. All rights reserved. You can get them at Lowes store. We often cite this company as an example of what a budget brand can be if they do flooring the right way. Frankly speaking, there is no true winner in the flooring industry. It also features three hardness scales: 3 (Janka rating 1261 1400), 4 (Janka rating 1401 2500), 5 (Janka rating 2501+). The company is all about building performance flooring (a word youll see a lot on their website), and their LVP, in particular, is excellent. Each of the top LVP flooring brands has a niche that will help you make a buying decision based on what you are looking for cost, value, longevity, etc. Its because of the WPC. Well, expect the Smartcore LVPs to be more costly than the LifeProof vinyl planks. And USFloors is actually owned by Shaw Industriesthe second-largest flooring manufacturer in the world. The LVP is both worst and good? LifeProof Berkley Waterproof Engineered Bamboo Click YY-VSPC-DG02 (Home Depot) . No zero-VOC floors products are offered. Mohawk makes three Smart Select flooring lines with 15-year residential warranties and no commercial warranties. The residential warranty for SmartCore flooring only applies if you hire a professional contractor. Fun fact: Proximity Mills is one of our top-reviewed carpet brands as well. The second is the commercial warranty. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). Vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular in residential and commercial renovations today. Halstead New England manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring, and wall plank for homes and commercial spaces. A WPC core is softer and thicker. (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). This kind of suggests that SmartCore flooring simply isnt the best for commercial locationsor perhaps anywhere that sees consistent foot traffic. You will find several good options for your project regardless of your homes architecture or your decorating style or the color range you prefer. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? It can be overwhelming to compare them all, especially because so many brands use rigid cores these days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carolyn Riss gained plenty of experience in the housekeeping field. On the other hand, the Lifeproof vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged. These are cheap luxury vinyl flooring lines. Overall: wed still recommend certain types of hardwood over LVP for outdoor use. Also, kids and pets can play on both LVPs. As it turns out, waterproof laminate flooring is realand some of the best laminate flooring brands make it. LifeProof LVPs comes with an underlayment. But the SmartCore stands tall if you want a premium option. 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 overall purchase price ranges from $47.13 to $63.04. There is the 6, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. 2. That in itself does not show value. Does SmartCore flooring require underlayment? COREtec One is the only collection that does not have attached pad. Or, if you dont want to deal with the disadvantages of floating floors, you can glue your SmartCore flooring down too. Even if a floor is flooded for a short period of time, this LVP will probably keep the water from getting to a wood subfloor. 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. This tool is powered by our partner Networx which has been specializing in collecting, vetting and rating vinyl flooring contractors for more than 20 years.Comparing the 3 bids can help you get the reasonable installation cost and avoid getting ripped. Engineered Hardwood vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring: Whats the Difference? To put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors. Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. SmartCore SCU XL Southern Pecan LX93707206 (Lowe's) ProCore Plus Warm Honey Oak LWD8099RCB (Lowe's) Were impressed with the companys LVP and laminate. What about the LifeProof LVPs? Can I Use in Bathrooms? SmartCore Pro, on the other hand, features an SPC (Stone-Plastic Composite) core. LifeProof LVPs have a FloorScore pass. SmartCore Naturals is made of real wood with a bamboo veneer. Today, we are here to unveil the best choice for you and hopefully improve your decision before you buy. What Colors Does SmartCore Flooring Come In? 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! Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. Theres a reason hardwood floor alternatives like SmartCore are so popular, after all. Otherwise, Mohawk and other leading brands have much more durable vinyl plank flooring collections. These vinyl planks come with a pre-attached pad and have bevel edges. Theres no way around it! Why Mohawk Has the Best Selection of LVP Flooring. Also installed these recently, they look great and they come in multi-width sizes so it looks more randomized when installing. Smartcore is different from LifeProof because of the wear layer. Both One and Galaxy lines have 12-mil wear layers. The Smartcore, with all its additional features, is always better than the Lifeproof Vinyl plank flooring. This brand uses 1.5mm cork pad on most lines. Thats a weird heading, isnt it? 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?). You can buy and install them. 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 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, []. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. Underlayments protect vinyl planks from damage and increase their service life. Whats the Difference? For a lower price than SmartCore, Proximity sells LVP products with better wear layers and high-quality SPC cores. But we wanted to mention it because there have been many attempts by stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products. There are about 100 style and color options for you to browse. These two vinyl floors come from different firms. There are several varieties of each line. Our opinion? 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 you want the wood looks, there are more than a dozen colors. On the other hand, the Lifeproof Vinyl Plank flooring has a better traditional wood carving look to it. Whats the better vinyl floor between Smartcore and LifeProof? Either way, if eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, wed recommend going with sustainable wood flooring or hemp flooring instead. Again, dont expect it to look fantastic past 5-7 years unless it gets very light, no-shoes kind of traffic. Smartcore also has cons, have a look at them: As for LifeProof, the firm groups the collections in terms of the wear layers. (2): Warranty: The first number is the residential warranty. 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. With Smartcore, youll get lines with 12 to 20 mil wear layers. That said, waterproof flooring isnt as exclusive as it once was. Not all of the SmartCore Pro reviews are bad, but if youre looking for the safer option, SmartCore Ultra flooring may be the way to go. Your budget is a key factor in choosing a flooring plank for your projects. However, it will wear faster if you put it in the elements. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). That said, COREtec is actually owned by USFloors. Wider planks. Here is the difference in numbers. The remainder top out at 3.5 stars or fewer. If your budget is small, LifeProof wont be a bad choice. A: Each manufacturer has certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT flooring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It shows that the LVPs are safe for use. Its design layer is a little more detailed, and youre not paying more money for an SPC core that apparently adds very little benefit. 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Easy Step-By-Step Guide ), types of Basement floor Drains ( a Complete Guide smartcore ultra xl vs lifeproof,. Priority for you to browse out at 3.5 stars or fewer LifeProof help resist stains, dents, installation! But better options exist affordable vinyl core, or frankly, a better LVP,! Use for bathroom or even mudroom flooring out at 3.5 stars or fewer, so youre to... Recommend going with sustainable wood flooring, like virtually every LVP product is. Organic compounds, which are harmful chemicals released into the air by many plastics and adhesives buying guides comprehensive! Stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top flooring... Before you buy sells LVP products with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad it wear. The reasons coretec is rated the second-best vinyl plank cant withstand uneven interlocking and may get damaged most durable flooring. 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