The second is the Commercial warranty. All the best vinyl plank flooring is easy to clean. And, well, reviewers arent fond of SmartCore Pros SPC core. Yes. Lifeproof has an already attached underlayment that absorbs impact, which reduces noise and provides insulation too. As in, does it even really exist? You can generally buy SmartCore for about $3$4/sq. That means its ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens along with playrooms or entryways. Iv used the Lifeproof and it is one of the better options out there. ft. cost ranges from $3.80 $4.20 per sq. But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! They all are in wood and stone looks. Check this too: Vinyl Vs Laminate Flooring. As in, does it even really exist? COREtec Makes Both SmartCore Ultra and SmartCore Pro, But COREtec is Owned By USFloors Which Is Owned by Shaw, SmartCore Flooring Reviews Are Mixed OverallBut Most Say the Product Is Decent, SmartCore Flooring Is Waterproof (Like All Vinyl Plank). Thats a cheap price for a lifetime warranty. Read on to see who makes these LVPs before they come to the market. COREtec Premium has a 3mm pad that creates a softer floor with better sound reduction than standard LVP pad. Carpet or Hardwood in Bedrooms: Which is Better? The information is specific where appropriate. What is a floating floor? In fact, as far as fake wood flooring goes, LVP is probably one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. The only con that lets Smartcore LVPs down is the price. They arent safe from dents and scratches. There are two reasons Mohawk vinyl plank flooring has the best selection. They include the basic Smartcore, Ultra, Pro, and Naturals. 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! 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. Why? Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. Armstrong Vivero Best, Shaw Floorte Plus and LifeProof three excellent options for commercial LVP. Cali Vinyl Pro is an SPC, or stone/polymer core line. And below, were going to take an in-depth look at SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra to see how they stack up. Still, there are some vinyl plank brandslike Proximity Millsthat are more focused on recyclability. In addition to SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, Lowes also sells a third collection: SmartCore Naturals. Required fields are marked *. Both are also 100% waterproof and offer a lifetime warranty. Shaw is one of the largest producers of flooring in the world. First among them: is there waterproof laminate flooring? The finish is called Diamond 10 Technology. For both 6mm and 7mm thick vinyl planks with a 6 mL wear layer, it costs about $2.59 $3.09 per sq. What if you want the 22-mil layer line? Smartcore LVPs can last longer because of a stronger interlocking tab. The majority of COREtecs products feature a super-comfortable WPC (wood-polymer composite) core. COREtec makes the COREtec and Smartcore LVPs. Can I Use in Bathrooms? Ultimately, this prefinished hardwood flooring collection is probably one to skipit just doesnt stack up against any of the best hardwood floor brands. Also, the warranty only applies indoors. SmartCore is manufactured by COREtec, a brand of luxury vinyl created by USFloors, and now patented and acquired by Shaw Industries. Other brands like Shaw Vinyl Flooring, Floortee Pro, DuraTru are comparable to the LifeProof. Ultra features a 12 mil acrylic wear layer; Pro features a much more robust 20 mil ceramic bead-infused wear layer. 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. Then again, the underlayment will give insulation and sound dampening properties to the Smartcore flooring. These vinyl planks come with a pre-attached pad and have bevel edges. LifeProof LVPs comes with an underlayment. Smartcore is different from LifeProof because of the wear layer. 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. Halstead New England manufactures flooring products, including click-clock, vanity top, flooring, and wall plank for homes and commercial spaces. Trying to choose the right LVP flooring is hard. Yes, they have many similar features that can suit the dcor of your house. Both Smartcore and LifeProof are very easy to install. But well show you the best LVP between these two. It shows that the LVPs are safe for use. The 6 Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands of 2023, 20+ Types of Floor Tiles: Your 2022 Guide. but apparently, Lowes didnt get that memo. This includes rolling loads, which means exactly what it sounds like it wont be damaged by carts being rolled over it with a heavy load. Why COREtec is the Runner-up Best LVP Brand. The varieties, such as COREtec Plus HD, are called collections. There are several varieties of each line. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. What is the best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring? Smartcore Pro is a pad-attached vinyl flooring which is waterproof and very adaptable to wet locations in houses as well as commercial apartments. To be fair, Im sure we could find worse LVP if we did an exhaustive survey of every brand produced. ft with two coverage options: 15.71 sq. The short answer is that Shaw makes vinyl plank flooring from mid-range with good quality and reasonable cost to premium LVP with the best warranties available. For 7mm thick vinyl planks there are five color options, Trail Oak, Sterling Oak, Fresh Oak, Scratch Stone, and Biscayne Oak, while the 8mm planks only have two color options: Ocala Oak and Alys Oak. Usage: This ultra vinyl plank is more popular among homeowners. We wrote a whole Proximity Mills review that shows why wed recommend it (or similar brands) over a box store offering like SmartCore. In addition to its waterproof core, SmartCore Ultra flooring has a resilient top layer of luxury vinyl plus a 12 mil. For more information,visit this page. Like Shaw, there are two lines with different construction technology: COREtec Plus and COREtec Pro. It has a layer that wont allow mold to grow on them. Lets put it this way: tile is so cool, the Washington Post even wrote an article about just how cool it is. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If youre looking into waterproof laminate flooring, you probably have some questions. Because replacing individual SmartCore planks is almost impossible without taking the entire floor apart. Halstead firm also produces the Allure and TrafficMaster LVPs. Like, hipster-fabulous, Brooklyn-bound, ultra-chic cool. But with LifeProof, they have a 6, 8, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. The best warranties are not. You can even use it as sunroom flooring! If that name sounds familiar, its because COREtec has been one of the top vinyl plank flooring brands for quite some time. 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. Even if youve looked through all the vinyl plank flooring reviews you can find, you still have questions. The list goes on. Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better? This brand is sold exclusively by Floor & Decor, both online and in its stores. The Smartcore price ranges from $2 to $3.80 per square foot and is only available at the Lowe's store. We mentioned Proximity Mills before, but really, you have a lot of options. And like Shaw and other brands LVP, the planks and tiles can float or be glued down. All rigid cores are SPC (Stone-Polymer Composite). All COREtec products are Greenguard-certified, but the company does not offer zero-VOC options. Like the Smartcore LVPs, these vinyl floors have a wear layer. Our Mohawk Vinyl Plank Flooring Guideincludes a detailed table of the lines and much more information, but heres an overview: In total, there are 21 different collections like Defined Beauty (14 colors), Perfect Escape (8 colors) and Bowman (14 colors) that add up to 218 different Mohawk LVP options. The inventor of WPC flooring, COREtecs products are very well-regarded. All Proximity Mills products feature an ultra-durable, ceramic bead-infused wear layer. Sizes: SmartCore Ultra floors are available in planks and tiles. Then we developed an onlinefree estimate toolto help you get at least 3 local bids in 24 hours. Given its questionable construction and mixed reviews, LifeProof vinyl flooring is probably a product to skipespecially at its price point. The commercial warranty for most LVP products that have a 12-mil-or-thicker wear layer is roughly 10 years. A WPC core is softer and thicker. And because of a couple of big design flaws, it can actually add to them. Because both SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra can be installed as floating floors. A: No, although most manufacturers would lead you to believe that. The wooden tiles are so amazing and you will like them at the first glance. A: Each manufacturer has certain tolerances youll need to stick to when installing LVP or LVT flooring. Every room or your house or place needs to have floors that can last for long. These styles look like wood. That alone doesnt make it the best. But remember, if you still doubt your skills, go for a pro. They are rich in chocolate and charcoal shades. A good number of SmartCore flooring reviews confirm that SmartCore flooring installation is easy to DIY. Remember, the firm says that they give you the best LVPs before getting profits. For the flooring looks options, Smartcore provides Wood, Stone, Tile, Marble, and Solid. The answers are here, and theyre more comprehensive than youll find elsewhere. Costing less than the Smartcore flooring, the Vinyl Plank flooring breaks the record in being both low-priced and durable. From the light touch of ash flooring to the jet-black of ebony flooring, SmartCore comes in a lot of hues and patterns. And USFloors is actually owned by Shaw Industriesthe second-largest flooring manufacturer in the world. So, without delay, lets jump right into it. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Value is the combination of high quality flooring and a reasonable price. How does brand A stack up to brand B? Though, if you want LVPs that can last for long in your house and money isnt a problem, go for Smartcore. Both the brands are easy to clean, improves the quality of hardwood floors, and gives you a healthy indoor quality. First, lets talk about the perks of SmartCore flooringwhich, to be fair, are pretty much the pros of vinyl flooring in general. Though a SmartCore Flooring doesnt need any underlayment, you can still improve the life span of it. Its a surface that clicks together and doesnt have to be attached to the subfloor. When it comes to durability and built quality, the SmartCore is always better than the LifeProof floor covering. Obviously, the best vinyl plank flooring for you is the one that fits your lifestyle and offers professional results. It also features three hardness scales: 3 (Janka rating 1261 1400), 4 (Janka rating 1401 2500), 5 (Janka rating 2501+). 5. Linoleum vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl: Differences, Pros, & Cons. Most SmartCore Flooring Reviews Favor SmartCore Ultra, But Reviews for SmartCore Naturals AreNot Great. For more information,visit this page. At the end of the day, the best hardwood floors should be durable, beautiful, and comfortablebut they shouldnt have to be waterproof. It also makes it a bit more sound-dampening, for noise-reduction. Also, the body of the LVP has various plastics to make them withstand more traffic. 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. SmartCore is GreenGuard Gold certified, which is proven to have low chemical emissions and manages indoor air quality. The average cost of Smart Pro vinyl planks range from $3 $4.3 per sq. Summary of Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank Flooring. 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). This Shaw Inc. makes floors that have low VOCs and are eco-friendly. To put that in context: buying SmartCore floors is head-over-heels more affordable than buying hardwood floors. However, the user experience may vary depending on best durability, value, runner-up, etc. Why Shaw is the Overall Best LVP Flooring. A: There are two things to worry about with indoor air quality the flooring itself and adhesives. Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? 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. On the other hand, the Lifeproof Vinyl Plank flooring has a better traditional wood carving look to it. However: nearly all SmartCore flooring reviews we dove into mentioned that this waterproof claim was perhaps a little less than accurate. The overall purchase price ranges from $76.04 to $84.04. So, if you sell it to the second person, it will be the end of the warranty. Proximity Mills offers the most bang for your buck. With wear layers starting at just 6.5 mils (and with no additives to increase durability), its easy to see why. ft. SmartCore Naturals is made of real wood with a bamboo veneer. Does SmartCore flooring require underlayment? What caused its score to drop was a 3 in selection. As it turns out, waterproof laminate flooring is realand some of the best laminate flooring brands make it. Carpet vs. Laminate: The *Real* Pros & Cons, Why Concrete Flooring That Looks Like Wood is So Darn Cool. COREtec One is the only collection that does not have attached pad. Yes, both Smartcore and LifeProof LVP will make your floor durable and be used by many people. Laminate vs. Hardwood Floors: Which are Better? But, if you want to stay within warranty, you cant make it a do-it-yourself flooring project. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Flooringclarity.com All Rights Reserved. Most have the traditional wood looks. Today, we are here to unveil the best choice for you and hopefully improve your decision before you buy. It has a 12 mL wear layer, which provides durability and prevents stains, and scratches. Thats why it is a top choice for commercial installation. Smartcore, as another user mentioned is what Lowe's sells and seems comparable to LifeProof. SMARTCORE Ultra is the smart choice for hi-def style and design. And at 2030 mils thick, theyre seriously tough to scratch. It can be overwhelming to compare them all, especially because so many brands use rigid cores these days. So, you can say bye to the grout lines showing on the floor. Smartcore also has cons, have a look at them: As for LifeProof, the firm groups the collections in terms of the wear layers. If you read our review of Home Depots LifeProof vinyl flooring, you might have noticed that this review is relatively similar. Its because of the strong wear layers. Is SmartCore flooring good? Smartcore vs. LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Install Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring? Smartcore Ultra line has 25 styles. This distribution arrangement allows Floor & Decor to keep the cost pretty competitive. ft and 15.76 sq. Our recommendation is to remember the ancient warning: Caveat emptor Buyer beware. There is the 6, 12, and 22-mil wear layer. So youll still need to buy and install another protective layer before putting SmartCore flooring in a basement, kitchen, or bathroom. The only fallback of the Smartcore is the pricing. And just try not to damage planks when youre taking them aparthah! When buying any vinyl floors, you should look at the guaranty terms. Prices are in the range of $3-$4 per square foot, but they give you options for quality LVP that is more affordable. Cost starts at about $3.65 per square foot. Q: Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring off-gas, is it safe in my home? and SmartCore Ultra only comes with a 20-mil wear layer. Thats a weird heading, isnt it? These give you options for quality and price. For example, the warranty doesnt cover manufacturer defects once its installedwhich is absurd. If you plan on using click-lock flooring, the latter wont be an issue, but VOCs can be produced by poor quality products. Pros The SmartCore Ultra is low-maintenance and includes an acoustic pad with enhanced performance. Q: Do any vinyl plank flooring companies make scratch-proof flooring? Compare that with wear layers of 6 to 8 mils on most economy LVP brands. Lowes markets it under the SmartCore brand name because, like SmartCore Pro and SmartCore Ultra, its supposedly waterproof. The difference is that it is reinforced with limestone for added stability and strength. You can install them without removing the sub-floors. If youre looking for the best cost-to-value ratio, Proximity Mills is an excellent choice. 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 options are 8 mils and 12 mils. The easy answer is, it depends on the features you want the most. Seriouslyeven some traditional types of floor tiles can be harder to clean than LVP because theyre more porous. The guaranty terms apply only to the first buyer. Q: Is all vinyl plank flooring waterproof? Secondly, Cali Bamboo, as the name suggests, started with bamboo flooring and only developed its LVP lines in 2016 and later. You wont need any glue or costly tools to install the Smartcore LVPs. Your budget is a key factor in choosing a flooring plank for your projects. Also, theyve been making floors for more than 30 years. In most cases, it wont even come close to the cost to replace carpet with hardwood or the cost to install engineered hardwood floors. Look, were not trying to pooh-pooh the product by association. Aside from that, there arent many differences in color, variety, even protection. 2. Smartcore and LifeProof are easy to clean and eco-friendly. Both have collections that are similar in price, but LifeProof has a wider selection overall thats easier to track down locally. SmartCore is offered in just two collections: Ultra and Pro. The Smartcore flooring has a user-friendly touch, which makes it great for DIY projects. We do more than list the best LVP brands with trite descriptions of how great they are. With SmartCore, there's a layer of rubber on the bottom, whereas COREtec sports a slightly thicker layer of cork. If youre looking into different types of floor tiles, youre probably in on the secret already. This is the traditional way that LVP has been made since introduced in the early 2000s. Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? But if not, you should know: tile is cool now! The LVPs have a floating and interlocking make. Where other brands add ceramic beads to the finish, Armstrong uses cultured diamonds with all the properties of real diamonds to provide the ultimate in scratch, stain, and scuff resistance. Those are Armstrongs words, but theyre backed up by science. How to Install Luan Under Vinyl Floor? Some types of vinyl flooring will fade quickly in direct sunlight, but SmartCore flooring reviews seem to suggest that this isnt a huge problem. Thickness varies between 12 and 22 mils, depending on the collection. I also have a box of I bought Lifeproof so I could lay out some and see if color/style worked for us. Otherwise, Mohawk and other leading brands have much more durable vinyl plank flooring collections. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? If you want the wood looks, there are more than a dozen colors. Both the Smartcore and Lifeproof flooring is highly durable against heavy foot traffic. Both SmartCore and Lifeproof are durable and easy to install, but if you prefer lower-priced vinyl planks with notable warranty coverages, then Lifeproof suits you best. You can also try a SmartCore plank flooring for your DIY or Professional projects. A: At this time, there is no vinyl flooring available that is impervious to scratches, but some brands hold up better than others. Feel free to share with us. If youre just starting your research into LVP, our Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide is a comprehensive resource loaded with information that will assist you in your buying decision. Mohawk Smart Select Design Element Walnut Mocha 6 Mils. You get a lot for your money, though selection isnt quite as strong. Lifeproof vinyl plank isnt bad, but the. SmartCore flooring reviews agree: itll get the job done but better options exist. Lowes answer to Home Depots LifeProof, SmartCore is a decent floor for the price. They compare very similarly in price to SmartCore however Proximity Mills and Newton both have much better consumer reviews. SmartCore Pro vs. Ultra: What are the Similarities? Even if you hire someone, the cost to install vinyl plank flooring is usually pretty reasonable. You cant go wrong with the Shaw Floorte Plus flooring for commercial settings, especially with the 20-year commercial warranty. The Pro collection has 15 styles. Do you have any thoughts about these two LVP names? Moreover, both brands are 100% Waterproof and formaldehyde and phthalate-free, making them an ideal flooring option even for places exposed to water. (1) Warranty: The first number is the Residential warranty. It was started in 2004 and has really grown in the last five years. With that in mind, if youre looking for scratch-resistant flooring or a synthetic alternative for the best wood flooring for dogs, SmartCore probably isnt it. Turn the heat off for 24 hours before, during and 24 hours after installation when installing over radiant heated subfloors (6 Simple Ways). SmartCore Ultra features a comfortable WPC core. If youre looking for a much wider variety of unique wood floor designs (that are more durable and only marginally more expensive than SmartCores) wed check them out. 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. The best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring is from Floorlot blue, Roberts, First Step, etc. And at the same price, better floors are available. Why NuCore is the Best Value Vinyl Plank Flooring. 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. Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. Now that all the paperwork is out of the way, lets get into the meat of this thing. Smartcore Naturals vinyl planks with coverage of 20.01 sq. ft. For 8.5mm with a 6 mL wear leather, it costs about $3.29 $3.59 per sq. SmartCore Flooring Installation: How Does it Work? People love LifeProof and other LVP from Halstead because they are cheap, safe, and last for long. 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. Both manufacturers give a 100% warranty for any sort of water damage. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). At its budget price, theres no question that SmartCore is superior to LifeProof. But LifeProof is a bit different. Most of them have traditional wood looks. Why Mohawk Has the Best Selection of LVP Flooring. LifeProof flooring is low-budget vinyl flooring, which has only minor quality compromises. And if youre hesitant about buying the product because of the well-documented disadvantages of cork flooring, the stuff isnt going to change your mind. Our opinion? But the SmartCore stands tall if you want a premium option. 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. Pro Galaxy is the more affordable vinyl core brand with 30-year and 7-year warranties. (1) Thickness: This is the total thickness of the plank. Love hickory but spooked after reading the pros and cons of hickory flooring? What is the best vinyl plank flooring brand? First, this is a relatively new company. Is Lowes in-house brand of LVP worth purchasing? 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. 2023 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. Yes, today, people go for the vinyl floors that are easy to clean. 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. Q: Is SmartCore or LifeProof a better budget-flooring brand? If you dont want to spend too much on your vinyl flooring, a Lifeproof vinyl will be a fine choice over other floor coverings. Technically speaking, you can install SmartCore Ultra or SmartCore Pro anywhere you would install any other type of vinyl flooring. To explain, Armstrong Vivero is made in 3 lines, Good, Better and Best. Weve narrowed it down to two brands, Smartcore and Lifeproof. The colors range from light to dark. SmartCore vinyl is GreenGuard-certified, but does not offer zero-VOC products. On the high end, cost is about $2.70 per square foot. Of course, this isnt a SmartCore issue as much as it is an LVP issue in general. 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. Its because Smartcore has specs. The first is the 200+ styles in traditional wood looks, but with stone and tile too. But we wanted to mention it because there have been many attempts by stores like Lowes and Home Depot to sell proprietary flooring products. ft. Lifeproofs 8mm plank with a 12 mL wear layer costs about $2.79 $3.59 per sq. SmartCore Ultra flooring is only available at Lowes and costs $3 - $4 per square foot. 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. But: for some reason, this underlayment doesnt protect it from moisture. But theres no way around it: this isnt environmentally-friendly flooring. That said, waterproof flooring isnt as exclusive as it once was. The LVPs need a dual-lock way of installation. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. In fact, the Floorte Plus with the 30 mils wear layer has the best commercial warranty of any weve reviewed. SmartCore vs Lifeproof: Which Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Better? The downside of this is that the warranty is prorated. It probably weighs 500 pounds. Theres a place for cheap vinyl plank flooring, so we arent disparaging this product. A: One of the advantages of luxury vinyl flooring is its resiliency. Theres no way around it! 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. All three are available in six categories: Vinyl Plank, Vinyl Tile, Sheet Vinyl (cut-to-length), VCT tile, Sheet Vinyl (pre-cut), and Vinyl flooring samples. Which one do you think is better? Something very unusual about SmartCoreand particularly SmartCore Prois that its weirdly prone to scratching. SmartCore offers three vinyl plank flooring lines: SmartCore Ultra, SmartCore Pro, and SmartCore Naturals. 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. SmartCore Ultra is a WPC flooring made of wood fibers and polymer plastics. If you want something great, wed recommend that you look elsewhere. 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, []. Since 2013, people have known Smartcore as quality floors that look like wood, cork, and bamboo. The remainder top out at 3.5 stars or fewer. Amdry vs Dricore: Which Basement Subfloor Is Better? 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. ISOCORE has a closed-cell waterproof foam. Shaw makes two lines with different construction, and both are built very well. ft, while an 8mm plank with 22 mL wear layer costs about $4.09 $4.39 per sq. If youre fixing up a home to sell (or plan to move in a few years), then cheap luxury vinyl plank makes sense too. Like most LVPs, both LifeProof and Smartcore will be safe to use in your house. 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