Floor And Decor Vinyl Plank Reviews

What Is Nucore Vinyl Plank Flooring

This luxury vinyl plank flooring is exclusively available at Floor & Decor, a company founded in 2000 by the former executive of The Home Depot.

With that said, the brand continues to impress homeowners and professionals with innovative flooring finishes and types as seen in the growing line of NuCore flooring products. Their exclusive premium flooring offerings set it apart from dozens of competitors in the market.

NuCore Vinyl Plank Flooring, in particular, is known for its aesthetically pleasing attributes. It also incorporates antimicrobial properties in the flooring, which keeps your home clean and safe from any harmful bacteria, fungus, or viruses.

As NuCore LVP material is both visually appealing and effective, it’s no surprise that more homeowners are considering this choice for their flooring projects.

Nucore Waterproof Flooring Is Easy To Install

NuCore isnt the easiest flooring to install, but in terms of do-it-yourself flooring, it has to be close. Just like snap-together tile flooring, you connect the grooves of each NuCore plank and then lay it downexcept NuCore doesnt have to be grouted.

Is it as easy to install as peel-and-stick carpet tiles? Maybe not. But theres really not much else to it!

Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Flooring Reviews

You have a limited selection of 65-70 styles in 2 lines compared with up to 200 styles in 10+ lines from brands like Shaw, Mohawk and Armstrong.

The two lines are:

• 4mm thick planks with an 8 mils commercial-grade wear layer
• 4.2mm planks with either an 8 mils or 12 mils residential-grade wear layer

Those are Home Depots descriptions.

Note: Home Depot does not offer a commercial warranty on either line.

Thickness: This is total plank thickness.

Warranty: The first number is the residential warranty. The second is the commercial warranty.

Price: The cost shown is for the flooring only. It does not include trim or transition pieces needed when LVP butts up to other flooring types.

Installation: LVP costs $1.50-$2.75 per square foot depending on the job complexity.

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Duralux Vinyl Plank Pros Cons And Ratings

Store brands are a great way to pick up affordable flooring that might otherwise slip under the radar. Thats the case with DuraLux luxury vinyl products, although the jury is still out on the quality. There are only a handful of reviews for their flooring online, and while none were overly negative, there is just a lack of information on their flooring in general.

Pros:

The foam underlayment on the performance line is a nice perk, as are the price points for both series. You get an excellent warranty on their lines given the price and easy to acquire online.

Cons:

Limited selection of styles and only a handful of tile options. Questionable quality due to lack of reviews and not much variance in plank size.

Ratings:

Certifications: What Do They Mean

The certifications for LVP/LVT are about its environmental suitability. There are no certifications for hardness, as there are for laminate flooring.

Note: Not all flooring has all these certifications. They should be listed on the box or on the floorings website or product page.

FloorScore: FloorScore certification program was established by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute for hard surface flooring that meets strict indoor air quality requirements including those for LEED, Californias indoor air quality program for schools and the Green Guide for Health Care, plus many more.

CARB2: California Air Resource Board rating certifies the flooring has zero or low formaldehyde emissions.

GreenGuard: According to GreenGuard, GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers create–and helps buyers identify–interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Hypoallergenic: This means that the flooring doesnt harbor allergens and irritants like carpet does.

Phthalate-free: While not a certifiable standard, many homeowners wish to avoid these plasticizers used to make vinyl more flexible and stronger. The science is mixed on whether phthalates pose a risk. Still, many of the leading brands are aware of consumer concern and do not use them.

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What Are The Key Advantages Of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Whether you want a prefinished hardwood flooring or cut-stone look, LVP can give it to you. And the choices dont stop with different patterns: you can find LVP in all types of widths and lengths too .

Plus, LVP way outperforms water-resistant wood flooring in terms of waterproofing and general durability. In fact, high-quality LVP is stronger than the most durable wood flooring you can buy.

And as far as hardwood floor alternatives go, LVP is almost untouchableonly the best laminate flooring can compete . Even then, only a few brands of waterproof laminate flooringlike Mohawks RevWood flooring or F& Ds AquaGuard flooringare truly comparable.

My Top 3 Best Affordable Vinyl Plank Flooring Options

After researching these 10 options and spending more time in stores and staring at samples than Id like to admit, here are my top three choices for overall bank for my basement buck:

• SMARTCORE Luxury Locking Vinyl in Cottage Oak at Lowes

But Im going to leave you hanging on what I chose. As of writing this post, this is what my basement looks like comparing my top 3 flooring options. If you listen hard enough, you can hear Mike whispering just make a damn decision already.

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Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain. You dont need anyone to teach you how to clean vinyl floors. A quick mop or vacuum removes most surface dirt. For tougher stains, use a mixture of hot water and vinegar to soak the area for up to 15 minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth. The flooring can be refinished if too much scuffing occurs over time.

Do Vinyl Planks Need Underlayment

Some high-quality Vinyl Planks do not require underlayment as they come with pre-attached underlayment. They can be installed straight over wood, concrete, tiles, etc as long as the sub-floor is in good condition. However, some vinyl planks do not come with pre-attached underlayment and do require it to be laid on the subfloor prior to installation.

It is very important to check the underlayment specifications when looking at buying vinyl planks as the lack of underlayment has an impact on the overall cost of installation.

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There Are Tons Of Options To Choose From

One of the best things about NuCore flooring: it offers a huge selection.

For example, lets say you want the look of hickory flooring in your living room. If you know anything about the pros and cons of hickory flooring, youll know its price tag can be high. NuCore flooring gives you the appearance of hickoryin whatever finish you wantbut without the disadvantages of hickory flooring .

Nucore Vinyl Flooring Costs

Simply put, these luxury vinyl planks also come at a premium price. NuCore vinyl flooring planks start from $2.50 to $4 per square foot. The total price will depend on your chosen style, with the high-quality textured wood finish costing you the most.

Nonetheless, this brand gives you value for your money. These are usually available in cartons enough to cover 19 to 30 feet of flooring.

Before you make any purchase, secure some samples first . Doing so assures you of the quality of your new luxury vinyl plank floors.

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Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Pros

• Price The various Home Decorators Vinyl Lines cost around $2 per square foot on average, therefore they are some of the most affordable options of luxury vinyl flooring on the market.
• Good Wear Layer thickness some of the Home Decorators Collection lines have a 20 MIL wear layer which is pretty good in LVP standards. Additionally, these are also quite cheap starting at only $2.39 per square foot.
• Waterproof The brands vinyl planks are 100% waterproof meaning they can be installed in all areas of the house including bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. However we wouldnt recommend putting Vinyl Planks down in walk-in showers where they receive constant water, better to go with tiles for that option.
• Underlay Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Planks come with a pre-attached underlayment meaning you dont have to spend extra bucks for that as with laminate flooring.
• Good Online Reviews The Home Decorators Collection has over 2800 reviews on the Home Depot website. These average 4 out of 5 stars.

It Obvious Its Not Just Me

It obvious its not just me. After waiting an hour for someone to help load laminate i decided my 70yr. old bad back better get busy or it wouldn’t get loaded. once i got to checkout an informed staff i would need assistance, once again nothing. I told them they had two choices get a loader or put it back on the shelf. I ended up pulling 800.00 dollars of laminate right in front of the mgrs. desk an walked out. Lazy late night druggies who could care less. SHOP ANYWHERE BUT F& D!

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Why Shaw Floorte Plus

Shaw Floorte Plus is impressively thick measuring 12mm in overall thickness. Not only that, this line has a 30mil wear layer and there is only one line that can match that, Coretec Grande. Additionally, Floorte Plus has a strong mineral core. All this makes Floorte Plus very durable and long-lasting.

The Floorte Plus series is highly resistant to scratches making it suitable for pets and high traffic areas. This is backed by an excellent 20-year Commercial Warranty. Shaw is one of three brands that offer vinyl planks measuring 12+ mm thick in the industry.

Overall, if you are looking for a vinyl plank floor that will stand the passing time choosing Shaw Floorte Plus is a great option. However, it does have its premium price tag and you get what you pay for.

Shaw Titan HD Plus Ancestry Beech

Finally: Karndean Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Not An Exclusive Brand

Last but not least, Karndean isnt an exclusive brand.

What does this mean? Simple! You can buy Karndean vinyl plank flooring at most flooring stores. That is, its not sold exclusively at certain big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

Floors sold at these locations tend to focus on convenience and savings as opposed to product quality, and they tend to carry a bad reputation among contractors and buyers.

For example, Costco laminate flooringwhich is really just Mohawk and Shaw laminate flooringis pretty mediocre compared to the products that are normally sold by Mohawk and Shaw .

Anyway, Karndean doesnt make those sacrificesyou can buy it anywhere.

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Special Collection: Karndean Looselay

Pricing: $5/sq. ft.

And heres where we dramatically depart from other great vinyl plank flooring brands: Karndean LooseLay flooring.

Specs-wise, Karndean LooseLay is very similar to the glue-down version of Karndean vinyl plank flooring collections like Van Gogh and Opus: its flexible, it has a 20-mil wear layer, a 15-year commercial warranty, and comes in both wood and stone looks .

However, LooseLay is worth separating because of its innovative design and DIY-friendliness. While Karndean strongly recommends that buyers hire pro installers for their other floors, LooseLay can be installed with minimal experience.

Nucore Vinyl Plank Flooring Pros Cons And Ratings

NuCore makes our Best Brands list as the vinyl plank flooring with the Best Value. That means it is high-quality, but the price is competitive.

Pros:

Value. Selection is in the top 5, and thats pretty good for a brand most havent heard of.

Cons:

It is only available from Floor & Decor stores and the companys website.

Ratings:

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Nucore Waterproof Flooring: How Its Holding Up After A Year

Q: How do you install it?

A: I actually wrote a post about just that, which you can find it here. You can also watch the short video below as well, the post will go into more detail.

In a nutshell, its pretty easy to install.

Q: About how long did install take?

A: Of course this is going to depend on the size of the room you are installing it in, but once you get the hang of installing it, it goes pretty fast. My husband worked on ours after work for about two hours a day. On average, he was probably able to complete one good sized room done in 2-3 days time, so thats about 4-6 actual work hours.

Q: How do you install it on stairs?

A: You can install a few planks on the stairs and then fit the edges with the coordinating stair noses that are offered. What we opted to do though, was replace our old stair treads with actual hardwood treads. We used the stair noses on the edges of where the top floor dropped off to the stairs.

The photo above shows NuCore on our landing and then a stair nose at the edge.

Q: Can you install this on top of existing tile?

A: Yes. That being said, you would want to make sure the tile was level and in good condition.

Q: How thin is it?

A: 6.5mm

Q: What do I do if the transition from NuCore to another flooring in my home is of varying heights?

A: You should be able to use a coordinating reducer to make the transition smoother.

Q: How does this stuff stay in place without gluing it down?

Q: Do your floors need to be even for the install to be easy?

Lifetime Warranty Or Is It

Home Depot calls it a lifetime warranty, but we think that is misleading.

First, the warranty is prorated.

• 100% years 1-5
• 10% year 15 and beyond

The warranties of most of the better brands of vinyl plank flooring are not prorated.

Secondly, labor reimbursement isnt impressive. It is 100% for the first two years, 50% for years 3-5 and 0% after 5 years.

Given the warranty limitations, it is clear that Home Depot expects this flooring to last 7-10 years in most settings.

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Nucore Vs Proximity Mills

Proximity Mills is the newest LVP option on this list and arguably the most intriguing. For one, its one of the very few LVP options thats recyclable. It comes in zero-VOC options. And like Shaw and CORETec, its extremely durable and waterproof. But what we really love about it is its cost-to-benefit ratio. If youre looking for performance LVP on a budget, its the one wed suggest.

The one downside of Proximity Mills? Its super hard to find .

Summary Of Lvp Construction

There are two basic types Wood/polymer and Stone/polymer cores.

WPC flooring is usually associated with residential use because it is softer but less resistant to dents and heavy loads. However, it is suited to light commercial use like office space and light retail.

SPC flooring is mostly used in light to heavy commercial areas because it is harder, so it resists dents and other damage. But theres nothing prohibiting its use in homes too.

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New Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring Known As Evp Or Rigid Core Flooring Is The Best Luxury Vinyl On The Market Today Prices Range From $160 To $960 Per Sq/ft So Finding The Best Quality Amongst The Brands Is Crucial

Welcome to our updated review of the best luxury vinyl flooring currently available in the US. Both vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tile flooring are now well established home flooring options. In the last few years weve seen an evolution of luxury vinyl flooring as more and more manufacturers have started producing rigid core vinyl planks and tiles that not only look great but are super durable.

In our extensive guide we will show you exactly what luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring is, the pros and cons, the latest styles and trends, how its installed and, most importantly, reviews of the best vinyl plank flooring brands and manufacturers.

If you want to install luxury vinyl plank flooring in your home then be sure to read right to the end. Use these quick links for your convenience.This article may contain affiliate links. for more information.

Pros & Cons Of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Todays flooring options are so widely varied that the average consumer is easily confused by the alphabet soup of acronym product names in just one flooring type, let alone all the distinct choices in each category. Sometimes, it helps to narrow the focus a bit. Pare things down. So lets do that, shall we?

Lets talk Vinyl — specifically vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is growing in popularity in both residential and commercial applications. But what are all of these acronyms? LVP? WPC? WTH? Well get into LVP, some SPC and some WPC for good measure, as well as the differences between them, and the pros and cons of each.

When we say vinyl flooring many people immediately think of the sheet/roll flooring Mom had in the kitchen of their childhood home or the stick down tiles from college you know the ones that you ripped a hole in when you dropped stuff on them while making nachos to watch the big game?! If thats what youre thinking, that aint it.

The similarities between the great products offered in the world of vinyl today, and those of the past are pretty minimal: theyre both a synthetic, man-made variant, made to look like a natural material at a typically lower price-point.

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Update: We Love Our Floors

Hi everyone! I get a decent number of messages about this post, so I wanted to pop back in and do an update. Which flooring did I choose? When I left this post in early 2019, I was just about to decided which flooring to put in our basement. I was down to the following:

• CoreLuxe EVP in Beach Cottage Oak
• LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank in Sterling Oak
• SMARTCORE Luxury Locking Vinyl in Cottage Oak

I do believe that all three of these would have been great options. However, we ultimately chose to go the Home Depot route and get LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Planks in Sterling Oak. Heres why we chose LifeProof, as well as why we didnt choose CoreLuxe or SMARTCORE.