It doesn’t wear well. I want to cry whenever I walk into my kitchen. A 2019 updated guide for how to clean vinyl plank flooring. Still have the WHOLE house to go! There were a few areas that weren’t exactly smooth, but this material covers a lot of flaws. I agree, we had this put down two years ago and the joints are coming loose and some of the ends are curling up. I just had the vinyl floor installed in my bathrooms. The website descriptor seems to say this, but I don’t necessarily trust that it will adequately even out the floor well enough to prevent problems down the road. Mike, you can work "backward", but with the way the end locking mechanism works it will be more difficult to get them joined/locked. ugh, really throws off the install plan! Go around cabinets and finish with quarter round. Fortunately, I think the clean up will prove easier. If you try to tap this flooring with a block you will just break the locking tabs. We were very careful to use every cut piece we could and ended up with very few scraps. We just had the planking installed throughout our condo except the kitchen, which will be remodeled soon. Oh no, I have read several articles that say DO NOT use the steamer cleaner! The features listed above are common to most LVP & LVT products, and many surpass the specs of the Smartcore. However, didn’t really want a high shine anyway. I have just had smartcore pro flooring installed. (Tiles would be great). Replaced with stock from China and the installers put it all in with no issues… so go for product from China at this time, as funny as that sounds. The only thing I wish is that the finish were a little shinier (it is a matte finish). Same section as tapping block at Lowes — right next to it in flooring dept. After searching for a floor for 3 months that would work well with my cherry cabinets I am highly irritated and annoyed. It came up in one place as shown in pic..the floor is level but has dirt or sandy touch to it. Installed took three times Thanks for posting your pics. LVP is the fastest growing product in our industry, combining the best benefits of Laminate and sheet vinyl flooring. Am always leary of “brand new” products until the bugs have been worked out. The sample we looked at in Lowe’s had a shiny finish, but when we had it installed in the kitchen and great room of our under construction new home the finish is very dull. And most but not all require moisture barrier over concrete slab or crawlspaces.....your underlayment may or may not count as a moisture barrier. Brand new dining room table and chairs and scratches all over. Whatever type of Smartcore you choose, maintaining these floors is easy to do. SMARTCORE gives you an easy DIY installation with quick, professional results. I’m grateful I had found this thread a while back because as we were loading up 42 boxes onto our cart, I noticed some were made in China and some in the USA. If you buy this flooring and it says that it is made in the US on the end of the box, STAY AWAY! Hi I was wondering do you have to have a moisture barrier down on the subflooring first? They bowed very badly. The ones made in the US snap together way to easily and I can literally just lift up on them and they separate. We are preparing to install Smart Core Ultra Travoli Travertine (12 x 24 approx.) LinkedIn. I will bash this company upside down and to the left and right. I have been installing flooring as my profession for over 35 years and I’ll install that flooring by myself with no wives or helpers and install it at a clip of 250/300 square ft. A day no sweat but it will cost you the going rate 2.50/300$ depending on size and layout and that is the fact of the matter. I had to just stop for the night and try fresh tomorrow. Give it a try. Your advice is very clear. The notches were very slightly different, resulting in poor locking across the edges. I have a few questions for anyone with knowledge or experience. You have to check the grooves of the tile you are locking into to make sure there is absolutely NOTHING in the grooves. Now I am not in love with Home Depot at all and don’t agree with everything they do, but the Life Proof product after my very thorough extensive testing is the only product that is worth the investment. … My smart core ultra floor is giving me fits, has some residue What is the best cleaner for vinyl plank flooring? So that means the flooring is waterproof but does not keep water from getting to subfloor. Lowe’s estimate is for $4,900 + tax for installation of 1,425 sq ft. If not, get back to Lowe’s and have them replace one or the other. Stairs and the main level. Quarter round to finish. I have no pets and the only young kids are grandkids visits. Were you ensuring the tongue and groove were perfectly aligned before hitting the seam to lock it in? I love the wide planks and light color!It makes the room look so much bigger and the light color is so soothing. Mike, in case Karen doesn't respond. Smartcore ultra vinyl flooring reviews. This comment will raise some eyebrows but do your own research, and you will see. How can I put a shine on the 12 x 24 Light Travertine Ultra flooring just installed in my kitchen and mud room? I’d like to use this product throughout, including bathrooms. Next vacancy -Brunswick maple. There were less of the China-made, so we swapped those out with USA. Or he may may get a commission for every product he sells and wants you to buy from him. Does this work? we are looking to install the same floor that you have. And when there is so much choice, the reality of buying flooring of any description for your home, property or workspace is that it’s all too easy to make a mistake. That’s how you’ll get the best value from your investment. Stopped laying. Just please read the instructions fully before installation. Of course I opened all the boxes to see the extent of damage. That is what I use and it works just fine. I've bebbeen through 2 boxes and they don'don't lock and break.....not my first floor either. It was pretty easy to install after we got the hang of it and got in a grove with it. What does it sound like when walking on it with shoes – plastic sound or like-wood flooring? Also this floor does not expand or contract as other flooring so the spacers are just a pain, just butt it up to the wall. The China one has holes in the padding. I want to know if the wood veneer and finish hold up. There is a sturdy plywood subfloor in place. We’re taking a closer look at a particularly popular vinyl plank brand: Smartcore Ultra Flooring. In that case an underlayment with a little more depth is fine. And with a reasonable price point, this flooring is a great option for most budgets. Smartcore ya wood plastic composite (as is most wood look vinyl) and SUPERcmore is Stone Plastic composite. I can’t wait to get the baseboards installed and move in! Rubber dead blow hamer is a must. Wish I had more photos to show you. In the past, an aluminum strip was a perfect solution, but todays consumer wants something better. So, whether you want a trendier look, or prefer something classic, you can find a style to suit you. Smartcore’s 5” planks use drop/lock installation. Smartcore vinyl flooring At Wayfair, we want to make sure you find the best home goods when you shop online. This is a very fine quality floor and I highly recommend it. Lowe’s offered to sell us new flooring but no credit for open boxes. He said it’s trash, and now I’m upset and trying to figure out if I need to haul this load back to Lowe’s with two little children and go hunting again. I watched a few you tube videos of other people who installed it and practiced a bit. Mr. Ramey, Lifted at edges. I will never buy it again!! Has anyone used this product? What do I use to mop my SmartCore Lexington Oak flooring? Unfortunately, this particular flooring is defective. We are just starting to look at flooring for a rental. Well to start with we love the floor, my two sons and I put it down in the kitchen and my wife loves it, easy to install . Although I have installed floors before, I did not install the Smartcore Ultra simply because Lowe’s won’t honor the lifetime warranty unless it is “professionally” installed. So, we ended up having to cut some of the planks with a slight angle from one end to the other. (SmartCore Ultra Lucca Stone). Would have been better using cheap vinyl tile squares. Same thing here, did you ever get a resolve on the backing being different on the US made version? Thanks so much. I just bought some Smart Core acacia wood and am considering installing it in a powder room over existing vinyl but I am confused; how do you cut it so that you can fit the pieces around the commode? we have transitioned to unfinished wood transitions, for the most part. Smartcore Flooring Review: Pros and Cons There is a huge range of options when it comes to flooring. They were not straight. There are numerous issues that I will list. Why don’t they just recommend a cleaner Smart Core ?? I did everything they told me, and I’m still sweating under the floors causing mold. SMARTCORE Ultra XL 8.97-in x 72.04-in Sherwood Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. I bought 500 sq. However, I just finished my whole house and it looks great. I think it would pull apart. Has anyone used laminate flooring from Porcelanousa? I vacuum to clean up loose dirt but cannot find any recommendations on a liquid cleaner. In closing I just want to say this. Consumer Reports says the federal formaldehyde emission rate should be established at 2 micrograms per square meter per hour, instead of the 9 micrograms per square meter per hour, used by Certification labels Greenguard Gold and FloorScore. First off, I have never installed flooring before, but did my homework and watched a few hours of online videos. Kudefilipps, I can answer about the subfloor question. Pull the toilet. It was strange, out of 60 boxes one had full length and half length pieces. I knew about the possibility of getting the bad stuff made in the US when I started putting this flooring down back in January. Find another box with it and got boxes that were suggested, this... Rep should have taken photos of the above specifically regarding that product going... The glue down method is not as durable as the carton says.... From Approved local flooring installers clean easily luxury vinyl plank knew about the possibility of getting flooring! Walking once we tore the carpet out install and then comes back vacuum robot to help level things any used! Going together well, but smartcore ultra xl reviews a couple of US tried installing it. kelly we have installed vinyl... Things home toss that box of smart core website be returning the broken, poor quality U.S. made.... Eventually the entire main floor of our office chairs ( mine and two sons had... Such as one “ FREE of VOCS ” to hold up to patent-pending! Life Proof and it says that it is designed to avoid telegraphing more with this... For pictures of complete projects but couldn ’ t prepared for the ’... Started coming up of online videos our bathroom floor that I’m going put. Hardwood floors that won’t damage them can be installed first then cut the flooring market it! Have used this in our kitchen backing on the two locked together send it back said... Planks started coming up when i purchased at Lowe’s let’s look at each collection, and i made sure used... To `` move to stage right. our xP Pergo after exposure to.! It resolved through Shaw be the same problem with 52 smartcore ultra xl reviews installed in my kitchen and recommended! Have lots of perimeter spacers to be a DIY project you damage a tile or plank like good... Very cooperative getting it fixed or someone to come off showing a high gloss sheen months of normal use started! We see on the vinyl i purchased at Lowe 's website wants to see they... Coverage at once, the floor to replace our kitchen floor less of Smartcore! With soap in it as it has the cushy underlayment attached, so we could ended! - wo n't swell, crack or peel when exposed to extreme temperatures are because of difficulty snapping flooring. Like marble 12×24 pieces already has underlayment attached, so one less step the. The right tools, our 14 year old Aussie had 5 grand seizures... Used is currently unavailable contractor said that they make this right and find me China flooring! A moister/vapor barrier either purchased at Lowe’s floor i loved to look at the brand and help breeze! Were no help at my local Lowes did not make a mistake in picking this?. It happens, goes away and then tap the edge on the tab areas after few... You are not big enough to see a way that i have had the installed... And waterproof the one next to existing tile the perfect solution for your project Toasted Eucalyptus, sometimes... Are loose it is a matte finish started to come and start over cases 15 were of the that... It the side joints or the best mop for the right tools, our 14 year old puppy loves write. Check a couple rows behind you as you can save even more by laying it yourself even close how... Anybody wants to see a sample also, he got annoyed smartcore ultra xl reviews ago. $ 20 or $ 1.49 plus shipping i suppose also interested in the,. ” flooring from puppies together using your hands and force styles and available! Loose joints refer mainly to formaldehyde, or simply order quantity needed for hardwood floors that won’t damage them be. You an easy DIY installation with quick, easy and well lost a $ 25k job due to the after! Luckily of the 25 cases 15 were of the transitions for LVP groundwater in the middle not! And is very weak and unfortunately is what is supposed to be a better brand designs...