Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

luxury vinyl tiles brand preferences?

Jump to Latest
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
D

dale rex

· Registered
Joined
·
167 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am actually finding some time to install a new floor in my kitchen. Wife has been bugging me for awhile now. ;)
I dont install floors as part of my business but have some experience with Pergo laminate installation in my own living room. I am opting for LVP in the kitchen due to moisture concerns with spillage and pets. Looked at flooring suppliers and trying to find unbiased reviews online and am finding horror stories and reviews that are all over the place from angry consumers. I am aware of the big name brands in this type of flooring, Pergo Extreme, Mannington Adura, Dixie Trucore, Congoleum Triversa etc. This premium flooring i think has a wear layer of 20 mils and a total thickness anywhere from 5 to 7 mm with an SPC core. The million dollar answer that I am seeking is among the brands I named in the premium lines which is going to give the best results as far as appearance, installation and longevity? I know its loaded question that could be very subject to personal preference, but I am seeking your opinions from a professional point of view and not some angry homeowner that likes to post scathing reviews as a hobby. :oops:
 
#5 ·
I use Home Depot life proof never had a problem I have it installed in my kitchen no problems so far six years!
Just recently did a job for a client.

Image
 
#8 ·
I have installed a lot of the life proof from Home Depot and haven’t heard any complaints. Same for the stuff from Lowe’s. It’s called smart core or cortec I can’t remember. The first picture is the one from Lowe’s the second is life proof from Home Depot
Image

Image
 
#9 ·
Snobnd said:
I use Home Depot life proof never had a problem I have it installed in my kitchen no problems so far six years!
Click to expand...
I installed 2500' of Lifeproof four years ago, in a home with three very active youngsters and all their toys. I was just back there 3-4 weeks ago, and it looked pretty much the same as the day I finished up. Just be aware that there are different grades of Lifeproof. Don't recall exactly what that was, but it wasn't the cheapest.

Of course, LVP from any manufacturer is still going to look like LVP.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
I used Smartcore in a small powder room and it's holding up well. I have heard good things about LifeProof too. I need to make a smart choice or I'll never hear the end of it from my lovely wife.😂 Plus with all of the work to move out all of the appliances including a front load washer and dryer on pedestals, I don't want to have to do this again for a long time.
 
#12 · (Edited)
The home depot brand has a pretty thin wear layer.


The most common failure I hear about/see is seam separation but I don’t know if it’s the product or the install. I’ve never seen a “failure“ from a thin wear layer but I guess it happens.



Coretec claims you don’t need expansion joints in large rooms. I think I read that life proof required them for rooms over a certain size.


“COREtec is also dimensionally stable, so it will not expand or contract under normal conditions, and never needs expansion strips in large rooms.”
 
#13 ·
Big Johnson said:
The home depot brand has a pretty thin wear layer.
Click to expand...
That's what I was talking about with the different grades. Lifeproof comes in wear layer thicknesses from 6 mil to 20 mil. I believe some other brands can go as high as 40 mil, but you're going to pay a premium for that. IMO, not worth it. Dings are going to make those look shabby long before general wear goes through them.
 
#14 ·
Big Johnson said:
The home depot brand has a pretty thin wear layer.


The most common failure I hear about/see is seam separation but I don’t know if it’s the product or the install. I’ve never seen a “failure“ from a thin wear layer but I guess it happens.



Coretec claims you don’t need expansion joints in large rooms. I think I read that life proof required them for rooms over a certain size.


“COREtec is also dimensionally stable, so it will not expand or contract under normal conditions, and never needs expansion strips in large rooms.”
Click to expand...
Did the LifeProof on my entire first floor. 800 SQ feet, 6 years later, and looks like new. Have installed maybe 15 or 20 lvp floors in the last several years, and am always impressed by LifeProof.

Sent from my moto g stylus (2021) using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Seems like the 20 mil wear later is common in the premium grades. Im lookin more for the tile or stone look rather than wood plank. The selection is a little more limited in this type. I checked the Coretec specs and the wear layer is 20 mils with overall thickness of 8mm . It is an SPC core which gives it more rigidity and stability over a WPC core. LifeProof has a 20 mil wear layer too in their high traffic premium line, not sure if it's WPC or SPC core
. Probably going to look at LifeProof and Coretec to start.
 
Discussion starter · #18 · (Edited)
Finally made a choice, and decided to get Coretec stone 12" x 24" tiles. Very nice quality, heavy and rigid. I havent installed them yet, I have alot of other work in the kitchen to do first, the floor will be last. I just have one question for anyone here that has installed Coretec stone tiles. This is my own house, and I have a Dachshund that is potty trained with a litter box(with training pads in it). Lately he has been peeing on the kitchen floor for some reason and sometimes we dont see it until the morning. Is there a chance that the urine is going to seep down through the joints onto the subfloor or is this product waterproof in the joints also? I am concerned about the urine seeping onto the wood underneath and causing odors. He only pees in one location usually, so is there anything i can use in that specific area to seal the joints as I install the floor for added protection against seepage?
 
#19 ·
I would not use the terms luxury and vinyl flooring in the same sentence.
In these situations I use whatever is on sale and I can get a deal on.
I don't stress too much about it because it's made clear with the client this genre of flooring has a 5 to 8 year life before most likely the wear and tear will start showing.
I make it clear they are buying a cost effective alternative and set the expectations properly.
So just find something you like from a reputable manufacturer and don't stress out over the rest of it.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
About this Discussion
18 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
Joe Fairplay
Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
posts
3.6M
members
169K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Tools & Equipment Business Painting & Finish Work Decks & Fencing