COREtec Plus Vinyl Plank Flooring – 2022 Buying Guide

By Fortino Rosas / April 12, 2022 / 282 Comments

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    COREtec Plus Review

    COREtec Plus LVP flooring looks and feels more realistic than its competitors, and it is at the higher end of the market when it comes to quality. In addition, COREtec Plus has done a lot to deal with health and environmental issues often associated with LVP flooring.

    In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of COREtec Plus vinyl plank across 9 key criteria.

    Our Overall Rating of COREtec Plus Vinyl Plank Flooring

    Below are our ratings for COREtec Plus flooring across 9 criteria. Keep reading for more details.

    COREtec Plus Overall Rating
    ProsCons
    – 100% waterproof, kid-proof, and pet proof
    – Uses a high-performance patented COREtec technology
    – Absorbs sound for a quieter flooring
    – A lot of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from
    – Easy to install and maintain
    – Very safe even for sensitive people even for children and the elderly
    – More expensive than comparable products, but much cheaper than hardwood
    – The planks are a bit dull-looking and will lose their sheen over time
    – It is scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof
    – It can be hard to claim a warranty in case you encounter problems

    COREtec Plus Flooring Manufacturer Overview

    This particular line of LVP flooring is made by USFloors, which opened in 2001 and began selling domestic floors in 2008. They are the leading producer and importer of sustainable, eco-friendly floors in the United States.

    But in 2017, Shaw Industries purchased USFloors and the manufacturing trial runs of COREtec flooring were done at Shaw’s manufacturing facility in Ringgold, Georgia. COREtec products are currently being manufactured in China.

    The Complete COREtec Plus Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Buyer’s Guide

    1. Selection: Styles & Colors

    Floor Critics Rating: 5.0

    COREtec Plus is available in more than a hundred styles and colors that mimic the authentic look of hardwood through their innovative Embossed In Register technology that produces defined grain patterns and perfectly coordinated grout lines.

    There are many reasons why you might decide that wood floors are not appropriate for your home. It could be expense, or it could be durability, heating, or moisture concerns. But that doesn’t mean you cannot achieve a wood look.

    While most LVP flooring is designed to resemble hardwood flooring, COREtec does a better job of this than most. When you open the box, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were looking at engineered hardwood planks.

    COREtec Plus HD
    Sherwood Rustic Pine
    COREtec Plus HD Sherwood Rustic Pine
    COREtec Plus Premium 7
    Pinnacle Oak
    COREtec Plus Premium 7 – Pinnacle Oak
    COREtec Plus Premium 7
    Penmore Walnut
    COREtec Plus Premium 7 – Penmore Walnut
    Source: COREtec

    What Is COREtec Plus?

    COREtec Plus is a high-quality luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. This is a type of flooring made from polyvinyl chloride resins (PVC) and is manufactured by:

    • Melting down and combining the PVC with a series of other elements, such as stabilizers and fungicides, to produce durable and resilient materials
    • Pressing the mixture into multi-layer planks, designed to resemble hardwood floors

    Most COREtec Plus lines come in planks but you’ll also find tiles (they only come in two sizes). Moreover, COREtec Plus belongs to the COREtec Original collection that includes other COREtec Plus line varieties:

    LineNo. of ColorsDimensionsStyle
    COREtec Plus Design436″ x 9″72″ x 9″48″ x 5″72″ x 7″Wood
    COREtec Plus Enhanced Tile424″ x 12″24″ x 7″Tile
    COREtec Plus Tile424″ x 12″Tile
    COREtec Plus 5″ Plank1648″ x 5″Wood
    COREtec Plus Enhanced Planks1648″ x 7″Wood
    COREtec Plus 7″ Plank1448″ x 7″Wood
    COREtec Plus HD3672″ x 7″48″ x 7″48″ x 4″48″ x 5″60″ x 7″Wood
    COREtec Plus XL Enhanced1572″ x 9″Wood
    COREtec Plus XL472″ x 9″Wood
    COREtec Plus Enhanced Herringbone426″ x 4″Wood

    If you are looking for the best quality, check out the COREtec Plus HD line. It is extremely realistic-looking because it uses a registered embossing technique. The surface of each plank mimics the graining of wood. It also has thicker planks at 8.5 mm and comes with realistic-looking four-side painted micro-beveled edges.

    COREtec Plus XL and XL Enhanced are the largest luxury vinyl planks on the market at 9 inches wide by 6 feet long. Because these planks are larger, they are among the more expensive options.

    NOTE: Many people complain about darker colors making dirt more noticeable and the planks having a dull finish. So if you don’t want to clean often, choose lighter colors.

    Features of COREtec Plus

    COREtec Plus comes in a variety of beautiful wood grains including rustic looks, multi-tone planks, and even extra-wide and extra-long planks. So, there are plenty of different design styles that will work with COREtec LVP.

    • Realistic Hardwood Look

    Unlike some of the other LVP products on the market that use simulated graphics, COREtec has real texture and real graining. The Embossed In Register technology allows COREtec Plus to realistically mimic hardwood like Hickory, Walnut, Pine, and Oak.

    These planks also have a micro bevel edge for a true, hardwood flooring look. But unlike solid wood and engineered hardwood flooring, you do not have the same maintenance issues.

    • Various Plank Sizes

    COREtec comes in 4 to 12-inch wide planks that are 2 to 6-feet long. With this style, you can create a custom, authentic-looking floor design.

    Design Services

    COREtec offers a style guide and a modern visualizer tool for you to see your flooring choice in your own room instantly. The visualizer is very easy to use and includes sample rooms you can choose from.

    2. Durability & Quality

    Floor Critics Rating: 4.5

    COREtec Plus is 100% waterproof, pet-proof, and kid-proof. It can also withstand staining and wear through its strong core and thick wear-layers as well as absorbs sound for a quieter flooring.

    Three Styles of COREtec Plus Planks

    LVP is more durable than wood flooring, so it will not scuff and scratch as easily under daily use, and it is water and heat-resistant. This means that it is compatible with moist spaces and underfloor heating.

    COREtec Plus is not an exception. In fact, it is an exceptional product that has put wood composite flooring on the map when USFloors was granted a patent for its COREtec technology.

    “[COREtec] carries additional features that set it apart – water resistance, noise reduction, and minimal prep requirements.” — Billy Mahone III, Atlas Floors Carpet One Manager

    100% Waterproof

    The manufacturer claims that all COREtec Plus products are 100 percent waterproof, rather than just water-resistant. This means they are appropriate to use in wet rooms, bathrooms, and basements (unlike real wood flooring).

    They won’t warp, peel, or buckle due to moisture and even buckets of water. So, no more worries about splashes and spills at your home!

    100% PetProof

    The thick wear layers of COREtec Plus LVP can also resist scuffs and scratches from your pets. These include stains from pet vomit, feces, and urine.

    100% Kidproof

    Got playful kids in your home? COREtec Plus is always playtime-ready with its noise-reducing cork backing regardless of how “energetic” your kids are.

    NOTE: Although scratches may appear from sharp objects, they won’t be noticeable unless you look closely at your flooring.

    Proprietary Technologies

    COREtec LVP is made using a patented construction method that makes it highly durable and extremely attractive.

    The innovative COREtec technology is an extruded waterproof core that can be designed with various surface appearances. This core doesn’t contract or expand which eliminates the formations of gaps and peaks as well as hides subfloor imperfections.

    Construction

    COREtec Plus lines are made with five layers with each layer contributing to the overall durability performance and quality of the planks:

    • UV Acrylic Finish

    The top layer is coated with a durable finish that provides cleanability and superior stain resistance.

    • Wear Layer

    The maintenance-free wear layer protects your flooring against stains and excessive wear. The wear layer is probably the most important factor you need to consider when it comes to LVP flooring. The most common wear layer thicknesses you can find for LVP flooring in the market are 8, 12, and 20 mils.

    On the other hand, each style of COREtec Plus vinyl planks features a 20 mil wear layer that protects your floors even in high traffic or commercial areas. Thus, we can say that COREtec is among the best in the industry.

    As a bonus, it also helps make this product easy to clean and maintain.

    • Luxury Vinyl Design Layer

    Underneath the wear layer, COREtec vinyl planks have a luxury vinyl top layer. This layer is highly resilient and made of virgin vinyl.Also, the design layer has beveling and detailed embossing for a more authentic hardwood look.

    • COREtec Core Structure

    Below the layer of vinyl is the heart of the matter – COREtec’s core structure. This inner core is very stable and will not expand or contract in normal conditions, unlike many other products.

    The core makes the flooring 100% waterproof, soundproof, comfortable to walk on, and easy to install.

    • Attached Cork Underlayment

    This LVP also comes with underlayment made out of cork. The cork layer adds extra insulation to your floors and absorbs sounds, making it quiet to walk on.COREtec’s cork underlayment also helps to hide any subfloor imperfections. 

    Based on our research, we recommend COREtec Plus if you have pets and little kids at home and want durable flooring that is highly resistant to moisture and has soundproofing capabilities.

    “COREtec answers a void in the market and bridges the gap between the thinner LVT/LVP products that can give you issues with floor conditions and laminate flooring that can give you issues with edge curl when moisture is present.” — Nick Freadreacea, president of The Flooring Gallery

    Does COREtec Wear and Stain Easily?

    All COREtec Plus products are guaranteed to resist staining (even those caused by pets) and wear from light to moderate foot traffic in residential homes. There is also COREtec’s high-durability option, Pro Plus, that is designed for high-traffic applications but these are made for commercial settings.  

    Does COREtec Flooring Fade?

    If you are wondering if COREtec Plus problems also exist, we are going to say to you that it does have its own disadvantages.

    Just like wood floors, COREtec LVP floors will fade when exposed to sunlight. It is recommended to use curtains or blinds to limit exposure to direct sunlight. Fading is not covered by the COREtec warranty.

    3. Warranty

    Floor Critics Rating: 3.5

    It is good to know that COREtec Plus vinyl planks come with a Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty and a 10 to 15-year commercial warranty. However, this doesn’t include scratch resistance and claiming a warranty might be a problem.

    COREtec Plus Residential and Commercial Warranties

    Length of the Warranty

    While you should always check the details of the warranty with your retailers as they may vary, in general, COREtec comes with a limited lifetime warranty for residential installations and a ten-year limited warranty for commercial installations.

    What the Warranty Covers

    Considering that you followed the recommended usage of COREtec Plus flooring in residential applications with light to moderate traffic, the warranty will cover the following:

    • Manufacturing Defects – Includes delamination, dimensional stability defects, thickness variation, and core voids.
    • Residential Wear – The plank’s vinyl layer is warranted to be wear-resistant under normal residential use. Wear-through means that the inner layer is exposed and does not cover a loss of sheen.
    • Limited Lifetime Waterproof Warranty – The floor is also warranted to be 100 percent waterproof, though it does not cover damage caused by continued and excessive exposure to water. Your product won’t crack, swell, cup, or crack due to normal moisture levels, moisture from household spills, and normal cleaning methods.
    • Limited Lifetime Petproof Warranty – The flooring can resist staining due to pet (domestic dog or cat) stains including feces, urine, and vomit.
    • Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty – Covers manufacturing defects after you have installed your flooring.
    • No Acclimation – Shaw also warranties COREtec Plus to be installed without acclimation as long as your house is climate controlled and acclimated according to their guidelines. (Proceed to our Installation of COREtec Plus section for more details.)

    On the other hand, the medium commercial warranty only covers structural, waterproof, and pet-proof warranties.

    NOTE: The warranty is only for the original purchaser. It is NOT transferable.

    What’s Not Covered?

    • Outdoor installation
    • Thermal heat and U.V. light damage
    • Fading, crackling, soiling, and warping
    • Damages caused by items like golf shoes and roller skates
    • Problems due to excessive moisture
    • Crackling, popping, or squeaking for floating floor installation
    • Dents, shading changes, scratches, and gloss reduction in the finish
    • Vomit, feces, and urine stains that are not of pets
    • Damages from improper installation and maintenance

    Proration Schedule

    In addition, it’s great news that Shaw will also replace or arrange a credit according to your product’s original purchase. However, there is a limit to what they will be paying when it comes to labor costs:

    YearCovered
    Within 1 yearReasonable labor costs
    Between Year 1-250% of reasonable labor costs
    After Year 2None

    Also, if any defect was found after installation, the company will repair the affected area. In case repair isn’t practical, they will either replace the affected area or give you a refund. They will be paying labor and freight costs too.

    Full details of the warranty are available here.

    NOTE: There are many issues reported about COREtec not following their warranty policies where they have often rejected warranty claims after professional inspections and blamed it on improper installation instead.

    However, most complainants didn’t mention the product line they have installed. We did find some who mentioned what product they had, but these are not COREtec Plus. Thus, they might have bought less durable COREtec products or did not follow proper installation and care and maintenance procedures.

    4. Price

    Floor Critics Rating: 4.5

    While COREtec is more expensive than many other LVP brands, it is top of the range both in terms of look and style, and quality and durability. They also come with financing options for more payment flexibility which not many flooring brands can offer. But if you have a strict budget, COREtec might not be for you.

    COREtec Plus is a quite expensive floor costing between $.7.79 and $10.99 per square foot, which is at the higher end for LVP flooring, but this is significantly cheaper than solid wood or engineered hardwood floors.

    It also comes with integrated cork underlayment and is suitable for DIY installation, both of which offer savings. Some LVP flooring doesn’t come with underlayments and requires professional installation, so COREtec Plus is still worth your money.

    Below are the prices for the different COREtec Plus lines:

    LinePrice per Sq. Ft.
    Plus Design$10.99
    Plus Enhanced Tile$9.29
    Plus Tile$8.89
    Plus 5″ Plank$7.79
    Plus Enhanced Planks$8.89
    Plus 7″ Plank$7.79
    Plus HD$10.79
    Plus XL Enhanced$10.79
    Plus XL$10.29
    Plus Enhanced Herringbone$9.49

    Note that the prices above are for planks/tiles only. They don’t include installation costs.

    If you want a more accurate estimation of the total installation costs, check out COREtec’s product calculator. You can also read our vinyl plank installation costs and expectations blog for additional information. In case you are looking for a contractor that can meet your budget, we can provide a quote for free.

    Financing Your Floor

    Buying COREtec products is made more flexible through their special financing options. This is subject to approval, of course. This means that planning for your budget is easier, especially if you need to install your flooring at the soonest possible time.

    COREtec’s retail network offers competitive financing choices through Wells Fargo. You can also apply through their financing page and receive a credit decision faster.

    5. Availability

    Floor Critics Rating: 4.5

    Although you can’t find COREtec products in big box stores, you can get reliable expert advice and full services through their network of professional retailers. This is better, though, than buying from a big box store that can’t give you enough information for your flooring.

    Where To Buy COREtec Plus

    COREtec Plus can be bought directly from their website or from most flooring retailers around the United States.

    It is worth looking out for partners that are listed as White Glove Retailers. Some resellers have been trained as specialists in COREtec flooring, and they can give the best advice, and as a result of their relationship with USFloors and Shaw, they offer cheaper prices on all COREtec options.

    Find your closest retailer with the Find A Retailer application on COREtec’s website.

    Buying Tip:

    We recommend that you buy 10% more than you need to accommodate for installation errors and unexpected problems. COREtec’s price calculator can make the computation for the extra planks you will be needing for you. Just tick the “Add Wiggle Room” checkbox beside the approximate number of square feet you need. 

    Where to Get COREtec Flooring Samples

    COREtec can provide you with up to three samples of any collection including COREtec Plus lines. Go to their Samples page, choose your favorite style/s, and then they will ship you your sample kit within 24 hours after confirming your order.

    6. Installation

    Floor Critics Rating: 5.0

    COREtec floors are designed for easy installation over your existing floors (floating installation) through their angle-tap system. It’s a great thing that you can do it yourself, but make sure to install it according to the company’s guidelines to avoid voiding the warranty.

    COREtec Plus Installation Review and Guide

    The Angle-Tap Installation is Suitable for DIYers

    A great benefit of COREtec LVP is that although it looks like hardwood flooring, it is much easier to install. If you are somewhat handy, you can even do it yourself and save even more money on your flooring project.

    The floor “clicks” together using a handy tongue and groove system, which helps you get the spacing just right.

    Unlike many of the other types of luxury vinyl, COREtec planks do not require any acclimation. Plus, there is very little floor preparation needed before laying the planks. Also, since they come with attached cork underlayment, you don’t even need to lay one first.

    NOTE: Always fix moisture problems on your subfloor before installing COREtec over it because problems that will arise due to this will not be covered by the warranty.

    In addition, unlike standard LVP planks that need 24-36 hours of dwell time before you can move your furnishings, you can immediately use COREtec.

    Where Can You Install COREtec Plus?

    You can install this line anywhere in your home. Since COREtec is a floating floor, you can easily install them over your current hard surface flooring. and even on imperfect subfloors. The company said they even work with radiant-heated subfloors.

    How to Install COREtec Flooring

    To install COREtec vinyl planks, make sure that your subfloor is clean, dry, and clear of debris. Your subfloor must be flat and structurally sound.

    Tools Needed

    You’ll need a few simple tools (most of which you probably have already) like the following:

    • Tape measure
    • Hammer
    • Blue painter’s tape
    • Crosscut power saw
    • Tapping block

    Once you have your COREtec planks and supplies, the process is pretty simple.

    NOTE:

    Using the spacers is highly recommended because regardless of how dimensionally stable COREtec is, it can still expand or contract with temperature changes. In fact, COREtec requires you to leave a ¼-inch space between your flooring and your walls.

    Below are two installation videos you can refer to for more details:

    Full instructions from the manufacturer on how to install these floors can be found below including herringbone installation:

    Did You Know That You Can Install COREtec on Your Walls?

    Most COREtec styles are available for installation on walls if you want to create eye-catching wall accents. These include the Plus lines. If you want to use it for your walls, you can follow the steps in the link provided.

    Installation Tips

    • Since COREtec is meant for indoor installation, you should store or install it in a temperature-controlled environment and maintain a 55 to 85-degree Fahrenheit (13°C – 29°C) temperature.
    • COREtec also offers matching trim and transitioning options for their products for a more professional look.

    7. Care & Maintenance

    Floor Critics Rating: 4.0

    COREtec vinyl planks are highly durable and easy to maintain. But if you want to get the most out of your floors, there are a few general rules to follow to prevent damage. Also, make sure to follow the recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures if you don’t want to void your warranty.

    Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning and Maintaining COREtec Plus Flooring

    How to Clean COREtec Flooring

    To clean your COREtec floors, simply use a broom, dry mop, or vacuum with a hard surface attachment. For deeper cleanings, a damp mop works well.

    However, you should avoid harsh cleaning products and chemicals. Instead, use a diluted pH-neutral cleaner like Bona or Hilway. You can also use their recommended Encore Cleaner which is a good cleaner because it doesn’t need rinsing.

    Allow your floors to dry after mopping and make sure to clean up any spills quickly.

    Removing Spots and Spills

    Absorb spills by blot drying with cloth or paper towels. If the spots are hard to remove, just use rubbing alcohol and then blot dry.

    Cleaning Tips
    • Clean affected areas immediately. Or else, they will be harder to remove.
    • Perform wet cleaning periodically to maintain your floor’s appearance but always dust mop or pre-vacuum your floor before wet cleaning.
    Can You Use A Steam Mop On COREtec Flooring?

    Even though COREtec Plus floors are 100 percent waterproof, it is not recommended to use steam mops on these floors. Using one will likely void the product warranty.

    COREtec only recommends using a slightly damp mop that is well-wrung and to use a neutral pH cleaner mixed with cool water.

    How to Maintain COREtec Flooring

    First, when you move furniture on your floors, always use a hand truck or furniture dolly. It’s also a good idea to put felt pads under pieces of furniture that you frequently move. Better use non-staining protectors under your furnishings. Plus, we recommend using mats without rubber or latex backings to prevent discoloration at doorways and entrances.

    For floors in sunny areas, use drapes or blinds to shield your floors from sun damage.

    Polishing Your Floor

    Your flooring might need polishing over time as it starts to lose its sheen. The company recommends high-quality floor polishes like Hilway Direct for high-traffic areas to protect your flooring for up to one year. You can apply 2-3 coats after cleaning your floor and allow it to dry before using it.

    Things That You Should Not Do

    • Use abrasive cleaners or detergents and treated dust mops as these can dull your floor.
    • Use steam mops and mop and shine products.
    • Use a vacuum with rotating beater bars.

    You can find a more detailed care and maintenance guide for COREtec Original Collections here.

    A Few Things to Note

    You might have read reviews about COREtec products where customers complain about their flooring cupping, being easily scratched, showing marks easily, and others. However, what we can say is that COREtec has different products and not all are the same.

    For instance, most COREtec Plus reviews from people turned out to be very satisfactory. Although they did experience the same problems from other lines like dirt easily showing on darker colors, dry-looking floors, water marks, and footprints, not all are really bothered by these. Plus, our feet have oil and it is expected to show prints!

    Moreover, we have installed COREtec Plus and it is easy to maintain and scratches don’t really show that much despite the some water stain marks. Although a bit hard to remove, you can use a mop and COREtec’s Encore Cleaner to get most of the marks.

    Also, professionals recommend using a cleaner that doesn’t require rinsing because it will be hard to remove all the residue on your LVP flooring. This is applicable to ALL LVP flooring, not just COREtec.

    In summary, if you just follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation and care and maintenance tips, you’ll most likely get the flooring you want.

    8. Health & Environmental Safety

    Floor Critics Rating: 5.0

    If you are looking for green flooring but prefer more affordable vinyl flooring than wood, COREtec Plus is your best pick because it does better than the competition when it comes to eco-friendliness.

    COREtec Plus lines have achieved a GreenGuard Gold Indoor Air Quality Certification which is GreenGuard’s most stringent requirement for VOC emissions. This means that they are very safe even for children and the elderly who are more sensitive to chemicals.

    There are also lines that are FloorScore-certified. Regardless, all COREtec Plus lines are GreenGuard Gold-certified which has a higher standard than FloorScore.

    Moreover, COREtec Plus floors are better than most LVP, being made exclusively from low emitting virgin vinyl and being coated with a zero-VOC natural oil. And with its resistance to mold and mildew, your family is protected from the effects of these allergens. So, if you are worried about VOCs, you can breathe easy with COREtec.

    Also, COREtec flooring does a better job than most companies when it comes to making LVP flooring as environmentally friendly as possible. For example, they use recycled wood and bamboo in their core layer, which is also biodegradable.

    So, while it is hard to call LVP flooring green, COREtec is one of the greenest brands on the market.

    9. COREtec Plus Vinyl Plank vs. The Competition

    Floor Critics Rating: 4.0

    One of the biggest differences between COREtec Plus and the competition is that it is at the higher end of the price spectrum. But considering its performance and quality, we can say that it is still well-priced. Also, it has among the widest collections of board styles and sizes.

    COREtec Plus vs. LifeProof, Mohawk, NuCore, and SmartCore

    COREtec vs. LifeProof

    Key Differences:

    • COREtec is more expensive than LifeProof but is more innovative.
    • Since COREtec is made of more layers, it’s more resistant to scratches.
    • You’ll have beveled planks with COREtec which LifeProof doesn’t offer.
    • Both are noise-reducing, but LifeProof’s underlayment is softer.
    • LifeProof is more DIY-friendly.

    COREtec vs. Mohawk

    Key Differences:

    • When comparing Mohawk RevWood to COREtec Plus, we found the products to be very comparable in the durability and performance categories.
    • We give the slight edge to Mohawk for for their selection.
    • Mohawk is a cheaper option.

    COREtec vs. NuCore

    Key Differences:

    • COREtec offers more styles and colors, but NuCore has high-gloss options that COREtec Plus doesn’t have.
    • COREtec has thicker boards and a lot more size varieties.

    COREtec vs. SmartCore

    Key Differences:

    • COREtec Plus has more collections and is thicker compared to SmartCore.
    • SmartCore has limited board sizes, unlike COREtec’s wide range of sizes.

    COREtec Plus Pros and Cons

    While everything we have said about COREtec flooring sounds pretty good, what are the main reasons you should consider this flooring? Also, no floors are perfect, so what are the drawbacks? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

    Pros of COREtec Plus

    Price

    If you are looking for the wood floor look, but can’t afford the price tag, then COREtec LVP offers an excellent alternative. It looks and feels just like wood but for about half the price that you can expect to pay for solid wood or even engineered wood flooring.

    Durability

    Price is not the only reason many people avoid wood floors. Wood floors scratch and scar easily, and they so often end up looking ragged pretty quickly when dealing with significant foot traffic or pet paws.

    LVP flooring is significantly more durable than wood when it comes to scratches, marks, and scars. COREtec is also among the most durable with a 20 mil wear layer on their standard planks.

    Versatility

    Another issue with wood is that it is not appropriate to install everywhere. It does not work well in spaces that are wet or have a lot of moisture; wood tends to warp with moisture. Wood also isn’t generally compatible with underfloor heating, as the changes in temperature can also cause the planks to warp.

    While all LVP flooring is more water-resistant than wood, COREtec is marketed as 100 percent waterproof, so it should be suitable to use in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. There should also be no underfloor heating problems, as long as heating is kept below 140.

    Installation

    Not only is wood flooring expensive to buy, but it is also expensive to install, as it is not really something that you can do yourself. You need a professional.

    COREtec Plus was designed with the weekend warrior in mind. It’s simple tongue and groove system makes it easy to install, and the attached cork underlayment means there is no need to mess around with underlayers. If you know how to prepare the subfloor, installing COREtec Plus on top should be easy and affordable.

    Sound and Comfort

    Other issues that are often raised with wood floors are, first that they are noisy and conduct sound around the home, and second, that it can be hard on the limbs to spend a lot of time walking on hardwood.

    COREtec Plus’ cork underlayment helps deal with both of these issues. It helps muffle sound and also provides a level of bounciness that is kinder on the limbs than hardwood.

    Low VOCs

    Many people choose to steer clear of synthetic flooring such as LVP because it can emit gasses and volatile chemicals, called VOCs, into the home. While this is regulated, even the small amounts that come off some floors can be problematic for individuals with respiratory or related medical issues.

    COREtec Plus, on the other hand, emits low VOCs and is better compared to most LVPs in the market.

    Environmental Impact

    The fact of the matter is that synthetic flooring like LVP is not biodegradable, so it will sit in landfills forever. The materials are also incredibly difficult to recycle. So, when compared to wood floors, LVP floors are a major environmental issue.

    However, COREtec is better than other companies in terms of environmental friendliness. They use biodegradable core layers and are among the market’s most eco-friendly brands.

    Cons of COREtec Plus

    Resale Value

    The key issue with LVP flooring is resale value. Wood flooring is considered highly desirable, and both solid wood and engineered wood will add considerable value to your home.

    LVP flooring, and even incredibly realistic options like COREtec, will add almost no value to your home’s resale value.

    Limited Lifetime

    Solid wood floors, cared for properly, can have a lifespan of well over 100 years. Engineered wood flooring should last at least 40 years. For LVP flooring, a maximum of 15 to 20 years is realistic.

    While COREtec provides a lifetime warranty on residential installations, this is for the structural soundness of the boards. They will lose their sheen, scratch (they are scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof), and otherwise start to look dowdy at around the 10 to 15-year mark.

    Unlike wood floors, that can be sanded and refinished, there is no way to breathe new life into LVP floors. It is time for a replacement.

    FAQs

    What Is The Difference Between COREtec Plus and COREtec Pro Plus?

    While COREtec Plus is approved for home and commercial spaces with relatively light traffic, COREtec Pro Plus is the brand’s solution for heavy traffic commercial spaces.

    Pro Plus also has a lower profile, making it more versatile for installing in commercial spaces, but it maintains the high 20 mil wear layer. Also, it features extra impact and scratch resistance and a more rigid and denser core layer.


    Is COREtec Plus Scratch-Resistant?

    When compared to wood flooring, COREtec’s LVP flooring is extremely scratch-resistant. It comes with a 20 mil wear later as standard. This is the clear top layer that protects the plank underneath.

    But that is not to say that COREtec Plus is scratch-proof; there really is no such thing. Extremely heavy objects and sharp objects can leave scratches and marks on the floor. But shoes and pet’s paws should do very little damage.

    Final Thoughts

    If you are looking at luxury vinyl plank flooring, COREtec Plus is one of the best and most reliable brands on the market and should certainly be on your list of options to investigate.

    LVP looks like real wood but is almost half the price of wood flooring. It is also DIY-friendly when it comes to installation, which can save you further.

    While the limited lifespan of LVP flooring and the problem impact of resale value continue, COREtec has done a lot to deal with some of the key issues raised about LVP flooring. 

    Specifically, they use environmentally-friendly material that makes the construction and disposal of LVP flooring less environmentally damaging and limits the likelihood of LVP flooring releasing damaging gasses into the air of your home.

    If you want wood-look flooring that looks and feels authentic, you can’t really go wrong with COREtec Plus.

    If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with COREtec Plus flooring, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.

    About Fortino Rosas

    Chief Floor Critic, 32 years of experience in flooring installation and sales

    Fortino Rosas is an independent flooring contractor with 32 years of experience in residential and commercial flooring installation and sales. He joined the Floor Critics team to share his expertise with our readers. Fortino has acquired vast knowledge and skills in the areas of product selection, space planning, and installation. He has installed flooring in residential, government, and commercial office projects in the Midwest. Visit Website.

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    282 thoughts on “COREtec Plus Vinyl Plank Flooring – 2022 Buying Guide”

    1. We installed CoreTec Plus two months ago and we are struggling with keeping it clean. A mop & Bona just doesn’t seem to really clean. Has anyone used the Bissell Crosswave cordless on their CoreTec?

    2. So hard to decide whether to buy Coretec based in part on these comments…. Several professional flooring people that we know well and trust – and that are NOT the ones we will be buying from (live far away) say this is one of the best products of it’s type on the market. We are looking at the Premium Plus and even at the brand new Grande line which is the thickest core they make. Because it will be going over a cement slab, we want the most comfortable flooring we can get long term. Does anyone have experience with either of these two lines? Hope someone can reply relatively quickly. Thanks

      1. I ordered Coretec yesterday and mine retailed for over $5.50 SF. After calling 5 companies I got it for $3.38 SF with no tax or shipping. It may be too late for you but it pays to shop around. Lots of good LVP FB groups with good info too.

    3. Horrible flooring for my kitchen. It just doesn’t stand up to the rigors of everyday wear and tear and cooking. Every little thing that spills on the floor leaves marks everywhere. When I complained to CoreTec (Shaw) they told me to take up pieces of the floor and ship to them so they could analyze the stains. I would have to take up my entire kitchen floor. My other option is to hire a floor inspector to check it out?? So I should pay money to have someone inspect it so they can say it’s all my fault and then I have to pay to replace it myself. I had the entire living area, a hallway, a bedroom and the kitchen done in the 7″ Wide Core Tec Plus Ivory Coast Oak. The rest of the rooms are fine and all cleaned with the same cleaner and all at the same time. This flooring was not meant to be used in a kitchen and it should never be advertised for it. I wish I could post photos of the floor here so you could all get a look at what has happened. The floor I replaced looked better than what it looks like now.

      1. I have it in my entire condo and when I mop it and it dries I can take a white cloth and wipe an area and it comes up dirty. I would never buy it again.

      2. I agree on the water stain marks. It’s horrible. I did order their Encore cleaner and with a mop, I was able to get most of the water marks up, thankfully. I love the floor but hate the water marks that are hard to get up.

    4. We purchased a home one block from the beach in 2013. In 2014 we replaced the disgusting carpet on the ground floor with Coretec LVP. The home was a summer rental until January 2019 when we moved in full time. The ground floor was guest rooms but is now a workshop and mudroom. We are getting ready to replace the second floor laminate with LVP and it WILL be Coretec. Here’s why:
      In the 6 years since the Coretec was installed on the ground floor, we have had 3 floods. The first was a depth of 3-4 inches of water, resulting from the “1000 year rain” event. The second and third floods were from 2 hurricane storm surges, with depths of 3 feet, and 4 feet of flood waters. With each flood, we took up the floor, washed each plank with a diluted bleach wash, rinsed well and let dry thoroughly. Then my husband and I put it back down. The first time we took it up we numbered each plank and drew a “map” so we would know how to put it back down. The whole process is VERY VERY labor intensive, BUT looking at it today you would never know its been flooded and relaid 3 times. It still looks great!! No warping or degradation in any way. We have a few scratches due to moving furniture and a refrigerator improperly, but they are hardly noticeable. Flood insurance does not cover the ground floor at the beach, so we are very pleased that we have not had the expensive of replacing the flooring 3 times! After 3 floods, renters, dogs, sand, and heavy use, the floors look great and I am a Coretec customer for life.

    5. Having had Coretec flooring only four years I can only wish I had investigated more thoroughly. We remodeled a home with a concrete floor and were lead to believe that Coretec was the top of the line. Well those lines are showing now, virtually every line in the floor! Most butt joints are somewhat buckled and far too many side joints are buckled to the point that they are a trip hazard. The factory representative’s conclusion was that the dish washer flooded the entire house. OK. But the floor is also warranted to be 100 percent waterproof, though it does not cover damage caused by continued and excessive exposure to water. The floor was never flooded; however if it were? If your Coretec floor is flooded by an overflowing dishwasher, you must replace? Let me guess! With another Coretect floor?
      The contractor is picking up the tab for this, but you aren’t likely to be so lucky. My guess is he is no longer installing Cortec flooring.

      1. We had the same issue even though the installer was licensed and had some flooring for our friends. I guess he felt we did not deserve to have a good job and is blaming us for the extensive damage to the floors. we have the floors now held together with tape.

    6. I recently put down the coretec northwoods oak vinyl floor … Biggest waste of money i spent , disappointed in this floor shows every little mark …sneakers, slippers , everything …. how do you make a floor that marks up so easily ? would like an answer please on this expensive waste of money

      1. We have CORTec flooring and live at the beach, we are 2 blocks from the ocean. We have one large dog and 3 cats and lots of guests and family. We have not had any problems with marks, scuffs, prints etc I am sorry you are having problems and I hope you find a resolution because we love our floors and would definitely do it exactly the same way again!!

        1. Hi Deb. We are considering Core tec in a medium color, pine. What style and color did you select? I’m wondering if the floors people find that are difficult to keep looking clean are the really light colors. Thank you. Susan

          1. Hi I am thinking about installing COREtec Plus Enhanced plank in Manila Oak, wondering has anyone installed this color and type of Coretec flooring before? We have fallen in love with this color, and honestly it was the only color of all LVP that my husband and I agreed upon. I don’t understand the mixed reviews on this site. so many not so good reviews, and some that are just awesome. Are they bad installs, or just bad product?, We are planning on installing this product in our living rooms, bedrooms, hallway, and over cement floor, but not in a basement. We have decided on a different LVP for our Kitchen and bathrooms, so I don’t see this flooring getting soaked by a lot of water. I don’t want to invest a lot of money in this flooring if really not worth it. Any help you can provide would be great.

            1. Hi Brenda, did you decide to put the Manila Oak floor in your home? I love this floor and want to use it but the mixed reviews bring me concern. I would love to hear about your experience with this floor.
              Thanks Lisa

            2. Hi Brenda
              I agree, it is so confusing looking at all the mixed reviews. We are down to 3 choices of LVP, Manila Oak being one of them. Are you happy with it? Any advice you could give us.
              We were going to put it on the whole floor including bathroom and kitchen. I am curious what you decided to use in the bathroom and kitchen. I haven’t found anything that grabs me for those two rooms.
              ~Marie

      1. We had a very bad result with this product. If your floors are not even, do not install them. If you are installing these as floating floors, they are not strong. The manufacturer won’t help us with repairs and neither will the retailer. We have lost over 10K. Biggest mistake ever believing, as we were told and from reading the company information that these are commercial grade floors that will last 30 years. They lasted 6 months. Apparently, the commercial strength is only if they are glued down

    7. Maybe when you bought them they were made properly and now the quality standards have gone down. Ours, the most expensive type, are damaged in less than one year. So so disappointed.

    8. Krista Mousted

      I have cortec floors throughout my house. Installed about 2 years ago. I now have patches that are very slippery. Trying to figure out why. I have been using regular floor cleaners that aren’t recommended. So 2 questions. Did I ruin the finish by using cleaner or is something else going on? 2nd question, can this be fixed?
      Krista

      1. Installed our coretec pro lvp less than a year ago, patches all over. Only used warm water and a new clean mop. Almost looks like when water dripped onto service, it stained it. Cannot get it off. I researched for months looking for a good lvp. Very dissatisfied.

    9. Newly constructed home and local flooring company installed core tec.
      After moving in the homeowner noticed that their socks were dirty all the time. So they continued to clean with a ph neutral cleaner but it kept happening. So we called the company that installed it and they looked at it and felt that there is something wrong with the product. Even the piece that was never installed and cleaned was doing it. Coretec hired a inspector to come out and they said yes there is a problem with the product. Flooring company came back out and now it looks like the wear layer isn’t there and the color layer is dusting off.
      Coretec’s replay to the inspector they hired is there is nothing wrong.
      What is our next step to get this corrected?

      1. I bought it about 4/5 years ago and I’m having the same problem. I mop and can take a white cloth and it show dirty. I have to do it on my hands and knees and I am 82 soon to be 83. I have through out my 2 bedroom condo.. would you recommend it to anyone.

    10. I did a LOT of research before I decided on Coretec Plus Flooring. I purchased the 7″ wide planks and had it installed about 8 months ago when I replaced the flooring in the home I purchased. I am very happy with the purchase. It’s holding up very well, even when my five-year-old grandson comes over and plays with his toys on the floor. It’s very durable! I see no scratches, dents, or scrapes at all.

      I would very highly recommend Coretec Plus vinyl flooring and would not hesitate buying it again.

        1. Hi Jessica
          We are looking at the Calypso Oak Coretec plus enhanced 7” flooring. How do you like it?
          Was it easy to install?
          We also have stairs we will need to do.
          I’m concerned about all the negative reviews.
          ~Marie

    11. We installed COREtec Gold Coast Acacia in our entire southwest facing, with large windows, San Diego condo. We have two large dogs.
      – we like the matte finish for a shiny finish looked horrible with constant sunlight (glare).
      – very comfortable to walk on
      – yes you can tell when it needs cleaned, we then clean it. Which is very easy.
      – no it doesn’t scratch very easily even with two large dogs and sliding furniture.
      – way better than the wood we replaced (remember- two large dogs)
      – this a condo with ocean views and we never would install a poor quality product
      – very confusing are the disparity of comments

    12. I am considering either a Cortec Plus Premium or Cortec Pro Plus HD. Are any of these reviews for either of these products?

      1. Had it professionally installed 6 months ago. Now, just a few weeks after family moved in,e the floors are splitting and giving out underfoot. Very worried about the company not replacing these floors or having no choice but to keep floors that are becoming a tripping hazard. I can’t believe I was conned into thinking this was a good product

    13. Absolutely LOVE this flooring. We have the Coretec plus 7 inch wide planks. The color is Margate Oak ( now discontinued) I installed this myself on my entire first floor. I didn’t use any transition pieces between rooms and it is one continuous floor throughout. Lays great forward or backwards. We’ve had this now for 2 years and it has held up very well and still looks brand new. I’d like to address some of the concerns of other people.
      1. Cupping: I’ve installed my fair share of laminate flooring over the years. The main cause for cupping is when the installer keeps tapping the block with the hammer after the piece has been fully seated, and not leaving the proper gap at walls and door jambs. My floor has zero cupping over 1300 sq ft.
      2. Shows dirt easily: Can’t understand how this is the floorings fault, but dirt is dirt and will be there regardless of flooring type. Our floor is.very dark and yes, it shows every bit of dirt.
      I just get out the broom and dust pan and sweep. When it get too bad, I’ll use the Bona cleaner with microfiber sweeper. Flooring does show foot prints easily ( skin has oil). I just use the Bona cleaner every few days and wear socks most of the time.
      3: Scratches easily: I keep my floor clean, but also have a Great Pyrenees dog, and 3 cats.. It’s funny watching my dog slip and slide trying to get traction when the doorbell rings . The only scratches on my floor are from when she was a puppy and was chewing sideways on the floor on a couple of spots thinking it was real wood. . I also have a small dent in the kitchen area from when I dropped the mixer. I have felt pads on all of my furniture, and the kitchen table chairs are slid in and out everyday.
      Summary: Everyone who comes to our house comments on how nice the floor looks. If you do choose a dark color, be prepared to notice the dirt more.. It’s a fair trade off for the benefit of the appearance in my opinion.
      Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and don’t over seat the planks. Only use recommended cleaners. ( We use the Bona Stone, Tile and Laminate floor cleaner )
      If we ever decide to move again, I’ll definitely be installing this flooring.

      1. Thanks for such a thorough review. I’d love to get your opinion on the texture/grooving. I have the large store sample and when I place the short edge on the wall under the window, you see the very distinct regular pattern of the grooving. When I turn the board 90 degrees with the long side running under window along baseboard, and the sunlight hits it, the pattern is barely noticeable.
        Obviously light in everyone’s home is different and changes throughout the day, but my concern is that seeing a consistent distinct ridged pattern might give less of a “woodlike” look that we are trying to imitate. I have a few other samples of other brands with a more scattered ridging, but not sure the colors or quality are my top choice… so I’m on the fence.
        Thanks for any thoughts!!

      2. Hey Bob,
        Are you available to help a fellow DIYer? 🙂 I’m looking at CoreTec for a complete demo and remodel we are doing on a home that had carpet in every room. We have it narrowed down to 3 styles all in the CoreTec Plus.

        Any tips or suggestions would be great.

      3. Hi Bob,
        Your review is SPOT ON. We had Cortec Pro Plus Monterey Oak installed, Fortunately we had the budget for a flooring company start to finish. Dog✅ will scratch when runs to the door Ring. Barefoot powder marks, socks worn now ✅ Dark color shows dirt, just clean as you would any floor✅
        There is a strange “shine” spot all over the planks in the wet stage of mopping, not sure wth that is but it is not visible when dry!

      4. We installed Manilla Oak and love the look of it. However, it creaks and crackles. The retailer we purchased it from and their installers are telling us that’s normal because it’s a floating floor.
        We are wondering if there was an issue with the installation that is making the floor so noisy. We have checked the expansion joints and they are within the 1/4 inch specifications. However, have noticed the shoe mold may be too tight. Would this be causing the creakiness?

    14. Installed Conway Oak, COREtec Pro Plus Enhanced Plank ourselves on our entire second floor and in the entire den over concrete slab, to include our bathrooms. We have had it for over a year now, it’s very durable, easy to clean, water proof and we have had zero issues with it. It looks as if it’s brand new still. We have a dog who is always running around, no scratches made anywhere. We have bamboo flooring in the living room and it’s less durable for sure. Only reason we haven’t replaced it with coretec is because it’s still relatively new. We plan on using more cortec at the farm. Like the manufacturer recommended always use felt padding on furniture, otherwise it’s an amazing flooring product. Those who have issues with it may have some knock off brand, got ripped off, or just bad installation. I wouldn’t get the cheap coretec base model, then again I wouldn’t go with anything cheap for my home, stick to mid grade.

    15. We just installed almost 1300 sf of CoreTec Plus. Horrible. Sound is loud and my flooring dealer did not install it properly. Every other step makes a squishy noise. If your dealer shows you this product, don’t walk away…..run.

      1. Squishy sounds mean the installer did not check the level of your floor and should have used a leveling product before installing the floor. In other words, they were not true professionals, but just a bunch of people installing floors. The product is exemplary and cannot be held responsible for irresponsible installers.

        1. We had the same issue even though the installer was licensed and had some flooring for our friends. I guess he felt we did not deserve to have a good job and is blaming us for the extensive damage to the floors. we have the floors now held together with tape.

    16. We just moved into our custom home a month ago. Our builder recommended luxury vinyl because it is a raised house with a “floating” floor and tile would be very expensive. We bought from a reputable company. The floor didn’t look like the sample when it was put down, but I wrote that off as a small sample does often look different.
      WELL…after a month in the house…it NEVER looks clean, shows EVERYTHING, and is literally crumbling. It is a grey floor. Feels like there is sand all over it. If I walk barefoot from the bedroom to the kitchen and back, I have to wash the bottoms of my feet because they are dirty. I can washed a section of the floor SEVEN times with a ph neutral cleaner and the terry mop cover (I have a few) is filthy in the same color of grey as the floor each time. A rep from the store is coming out next week. We are going to have to completely replace the entire floor in the whole house.
      The stuff is VERY fussy. I have felt pads under every piece of furniture and chair.
      I would NEVER recommend this stuff to anyone.
      Having read the other reviews online in assorted places, I think we will try to make them pay for us to put something else in.

      Remember the Chinese drywall scandals? Well, I believe this is the Chinese vinyl flooring scandal. I don’t know what is in this stuff and what am I breathing from the out gassing? Just got my oriental and Aubusson rugs back from cleaning. My cleaner says to not put them on this floor as it will ruin them from the dust of the crumbling. So, one room now has rolled up rugs. Not what I expected for my first Christmas in my first really nice house.
      People- beware.

      1. I believe I had the cortec plus XL installed a few years ago after a house fire. After installation the floor immediately started cupping. We filed a claim through the floor company we used. After several months and a visit from the claims inspector our floor was deemed a factory defect. The floor was replaced and is doing the same thing it did the first time.
        The flooring company has stated we can only make one claim. Now I’m stuck with an ugly cupped floor. It’s so bad it looks like tiny hill in my hallway🤦🏻‍♀️

        1. Since the floor can be removed and replaced, I suggest hiring a flooring professional (a real one) who can take the floor out and make sure it is not overseated (tapped on too much when installing) and is given enough room along the edges of the room for the walls to expand and contract. Talk to and go look at three jobs minimum. Better yet just go on Angie’s List and find someone.
          I hope someone can fix this problem for you.

        2. We are having the same problem, I am worried now. It seems unfair that we paid for a premium product and get stuck with bad floors.

      2. Nancy Ann Dievendorf

        I totally agree. I installed it on my entire first floor and I have never been more frustrated with a floor in my life always showing ever step on it. Wish I never used it. I’m ready to replace it but it makes me sick to think about how much I paid for it and the installation. I vacuum it and mop it and the minute the dog walks on it or anyone else it shows everything!

        1. Hi. I am considering purchasing this product and curious as to which flooring/color you chose? Greatly appreciate your feedback!

        2. Hi Nancy,
          I am considering this product for my entire home. May I ask which product/color you chose? I appreciate your feedback!

      3. I’m having the same problem with my floor. You can clean it, and it looks good , just don’t walk on it . I am so disappointed I’m this flooring . No matter what I do I can’t keep it clean .

    17. I appreciate everyone’s comments, although it would be helpful to tell us which product you love or hate! Coretec seems to have a few different floors, and many colors! Thanks for helping!

    18. Just installed and major regret . Shows every mark and drop of water and scratches . Seams don’t go together property . . DON’T do it.

    19. Has anyone installed the COREtec Plus Enhanced Tile (12″ X 24″)? I am considering installing in the entire house, but don’t want to make a mistake with over 2K ft of flooring.

      1. Hi Barb,
        Did you end up going with Cortech for your home? And if not, which brand/product did you end up going with? Did you use in any of your bathrooms? I appreciate your feedback!

    20. CorTec flooring is the worst flooring I have ever had. I cannot believe the money I put out for a more durable floor. The installation was completed last weekend. We haven’t even moved in the furniture and there are many obvious scratches. Every little thing scratches it. I feel like we should walk around with felt on the bottom of our socks. It also always looks dirty. I am greatly regretting not sticking with cheaper laminate.

      1. I agree. I am soo disappointed. It scuffs black marks so easily and I have to scrub, scrub, scrub to get them off. The indentations in the floor that make it look more like real wood get filled with dirt so it’s discolored. A sponge mop wont take them out so I have to get down on my hands and knees with a toothbrush to scrub them out. The above article said to use Bona . I called the company who told me to use ZEP. Now, the planks that I cleaned with a toothbrush are a much lighter color than the rest. Disgusted. What a ripoff. False advertisingg and the person who is the floor critic obviously doesn’t have this flooring. Where can I write a review myself instead of just replying to yours? I want to warn people and hold this company accountable for the false advertising and inferior, expensive product.

    21. I am considering Coretec Plus Brockport Oak as part of our upcoming remodel. After reading a ton of specs on all the different Luxury Vinyl Plank floors, I ended up picking Coretec for a few reasons. First, I like the sturdy 8mm thickness. Some brands I liked the color of but we’re only 5.5 mm thick and seemed flimsy. Didn’t have the 20 mil wear layer either, only 12 mi. Also we need floating floor as it’s an old house from 1958 that has some linoleum tile that likely has asbestos glue at the least. Safe if covered, it’s inert unless disturbed by scraping it up, which means expensive removal costs for safety. Our floors are concrete slab underneath and are stable and level, so no issues there.

      Also, we have four cats in a small house and one of them can make some serious mess. So want something much easier to clean than the nasty, nasty cream shag carpet that is on there now.

      Many reviews of other brands had a lot of reports of planks coming up or arriving badly chipped. If the worst thing people are complaining about is spots or footprints, this will be a grand improvement for our house. The Brockport Oak looks pretty natural, unlikely to show dirt, and neutral enough to complement any paint changes we might make over the years. I do not mind putting pads or couch coasters under heavy furniture (we don’t have any particularly huge pieces anyways).

      What would you recommend we put under bookcases? Maybe rectangular boards underneath? Or if bottom is flat is no padding ok? Not talking floor to ceiling or anything, but we do have books.

      Will let you know how it comes out. Will be several months. Gonna buy the flooring now because my builder’s supply place is having a lovely sale in October. Flooring will be last in our remodel, so don’t expect a quick review. We did order a couple samples, and I can post what they feel like, and am gonna stress and scratch test them first. Water damage is unlikely, I live in a dryer part of Texas with a house that will never flood.

      1. We bought the CoreTec because of the the MIL wear layer but it didn’t help. Scratches everywhere and we haven’t even moved in the furniture yet. The thought of how much we spent makes me sick.

          1. Our full board sample of Rocky Mountain oak dented easily when we dropped a light wrench on it. Pro gen LVT did not dent. We are having serious doubts about buying this product. It also didn’t stay snapped together. Two sample pieces had slightly damaged edges that prevented a tight seal. So disappointed because the samples look beautiful. I’m afraid to try it. It will cost over 3k for 700 square feet

            1. Cesar De Los Reyes

              Just completed installation of this brand and type and model. On co rete slab, have dragged furniture around as and holding up well so far and no scratches. Used a reputable flooring company with Brazilian installers. Let’s see …

    22. Just curious if anyone has installed this product right over a concrete floor? I have an enclosed porch that has a concrete slab on grade which is currently carpeted with a thicker pad underneath. Which acts as a great insulator in the winter months were you don’t feel any cold through the flooring on your feet. With this product having only a cork backing does it act as a barrier against the cold coming through the slab? I don’t want to install this stuff if it doesn’t help prevent the whole room from being frigid during the cold winter months coming up through the concrete slab.

      1. I’ve had this floor for over a year and am very happy with its insulated properties during our winter months of 40 degrees. It’s on concrete and it is warmer than the previous carpet that was on the concrete slab.

      2. Theresa Gonsalves

        Hi.. By now you probably have decided on your project. I have installed Coretec Plus XL Enhanced – Appalachian Pine on top of a concrete floor. It has been over a year and it is still in great shape. As I read the comments, I was wondering if we received the same product. It is comfortable to walk on, I can easily see spills even after having been down for a minute (I spilled soda on the floor under the bed and was too lazy to clean it up until I moved the bed a month later) and it cleaned up easily. I haven’t gotten any scratches either. I do have one dent that was caused by my kid dropping a 25 lb bar-bell weight directly on it. I have extra and it can be replaced so I am not stressed.
        I do have one issue with it and that is with what most are saying… I live in Las Vegas and it does show the dirt so I am constantly cleaning it. It also looks kind of dry. I do use the suggested products. I recently took an extra piece and applied a light coat of quick shine floor finish. It made it look absolutely gorgeous. Not too shiny and it doesn’t show the dirt. We are completing an outdoor she-shed and I have enough to put down on the floor in there and I will do the complete floor with Quick Shine as a further test to make sure it doesn’t damage the flooring. So far it is holding up and truly looks amazing.

        1. Cari Frederico

          I am considering apalacian pine for my basement. Putting on concrete. Any additional tips? Do you have photos

    23. I renovated my home and had Coretec flooring installed in the basement because it is not cold to the touch and it is supposedly “waterproof”. Shortly after it was installed, my sump pump backed up. I cleaned it up with the wet vac and had a new sump pump installed. In that process a couple boards were removed. I hired a contractor to reinstall new board. What we found is that while the top of the board is “waterproof”, water can still seep into the floor between the seams…..and apparently it can spread as I have so far removed 1/3 of floor trying to figure out how far it had spread. And if water sits there for awhile, guess what you get???? MOLD! I just called the consierge service for Shaw and was told that I need to remove the floor, dry it out and reinstall it. Lets just say I am not happy. So I ask them what to do with the mold….answer…..we are not responsible for that. The rep says that if the floor ever gets wet, you need to remove it and dry it before reinstalling it. Buyer beware. I asked how is one to know if water underneath if the product is supposed to be “waterproof”? No answer…..just pull it up and dry. This product is very deceptively marketed and unless you are happy pulling your baseboards to check and see if anything seeped in every time water gets on the floor, be prepared to have a mold farm in your house.

      1. No deception on coretec’s part. It is reasonable to assume that an entire floor of any manufacture would be removed in a flood situation like a sump pump failure. The waterproof means the Coretec floor planks can be removed, cleaned, dried and reinstalled. “Waterproof” only addresses the plank and not the prevention of water below the laid floor. All of this information is in the Coretec Website.

        All other floors would need to be 100% replaced, so having to clean, dry and reinstall a $10,000 floor seems a small thing to me.

        If you want the wood look with 100% waterproof for the floor and the subfloor, then you need to install wood-look tile.

        1. In a flood situation like this your home owners insurance will cover the cost of replacement either way .

          1. Actually, flood insurance (and sewer backup) is an extra clause on home owners insurance, so they might not have been covered.

      2. Theresa Gonsalves

        Most contractors and flooring companies say if drenched in water the floor should be completely removed and dried out. That is with any of these “waterproof” floor products. Your contractor should be aware of this as well as your insurance company.

      3. The individual planks are waterproof but yes, if you have a flood I would say that it would be advisable to pull all the flooring up as water can get underneath from around the edges anyway. And mold will grow where ever there is damp.

    24. Can you please tell me. Do I need to off gas Cortec large Tiles? I plan on doing my 2 bathrooms soon. Have picked the color but cannot find the answer to my question…any where. 🙁 I have MCS so must be very careful so need this answer. I have even contacted the company without them ever getting the answer for me. The company must know since they know everything else about it. PLEASE help so I can continue with my project. Thank You…

      1. Jan, did you have the Cortec installed? How did it go? My kids are very sensitive, so I’d love to hear if it was well tolerated. Thanks!

    25. https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-plus-7-plank/blackstone-oak-vv024-00707
      having read all of the reviews, the above link is what we’ve ordered. it is very neutral, which is what i want and will go into a living room, kitchen, dining area and den.
      we have four dogs….
      and we are going through costco. this stuff is not cheap, but the local flooring is even more expensive…
      we are replacing laminate. this is not a fancy house. i’m okay with a floor that isn’t high gloss but i’ve had hard wood and am not doing that again…….i have heavy furniture but i have rugs everywhere……
      i hope i don’t hate this.

      1. I have this exact flooring, but got it cheaper than that!! I love it, but it does get scratches at times from dog bones with sharp edges, but nothing noticeable unless I’m down on my hands and knees cleaning them. Watch little stones stuck in shoes because it will cause little marks.

      2. I installed this exact same flooring 2 years ago and I can honestly say it was money well spent. It looks as good today as when it was first installed. I have 2 very busy grandkids and one english bulldog. Not even the tiniest sign of scratches or wear.The flooring has been put through its paces. Very easy to clean and maintain, and it is trully waterproof. Just a very good product.

          1. I’m with you Melissa!! I guess more people with problems are entering Cortec than those that shopped and read reviews and purchased with no problems. Are we just seeing people with problems and tons are satisfied? On a new build and so much floor, ya just wanna be happy!

            1. Theresa Gonsalves

              Lisa.. I love this product. I am very picky. I purchased the Coretec Plus XL-Enhanced in Appalachian Pine. I live in Las Vegas. I don’t have the problems many have mentioned. I did mention above that I have one dent because my son dropped a 25 lb weight directly onto it. I do clean it with the Shaw product and I just tried Quick Shine on some left over floor pieces ( I still have enough to do another two rooms…over ordered.) and the Quick Shine added the light shine that I wanted. If you want to contact me for pictures, feel free to do so.

          2. Me too!! What the heck?? Scratches easy.. not a scratch in sight,,, How is this possible with the same material?? ugh:(

      3. So how do you feel now?? We just priced out some core tech plus today for 1450 sqft…. about to pull the trigger until I started reading this forum. 3 dogs, kid on the way and full remodel underway. Curious to know. Our old Laminate seems peeled up due to the dogs’ nails, sliding around and running in every main pathway.

    26. I recently built a new home and did all Cortec Plus through out. I have been in the house only a week and already hate it. It is so dull and every drop of water leaves a spot. I love to go bare foot and it feels like walking on sand. I am sick!!!

      1. I do agree that it does feel like walking on plastic while going barefoot (because that’s what the wear-layer basically is!). However, I’m kind of used to it, but I do really miss the feel of the hardwood under-foot.

        However, I DO NOT miss the instant scratches and denting of the hardwood. Between the scratches from the dog’s nails, dents from dropping utensils, and scratches from sliding chairs, our maple floors went to crap in 2-3 years.

        As for the “dull” feature, I think of this as “matte”. We have the ivory oak (a light-colored floor), so maybe this is an advantage (the dark flooors tend to show more water spotting). Frankly, our previous hardwood showed everything, so I don’t miss it any longer.

        As with anything, there are tradeoffs…

      2. Same thing with me, feels like walking in sand, cannot keep clean, shoes everything. Shiny for a few minute when you clean it .

    27. These reviews are clearly in the love it or hate it, so it is confusing. Thinking about putting COREtec Rocca Oak in two basement bedrooms. Want waterproof flooring with the insulation that COREtec seems to provide since it can be chilly down there. I guess I would put felt pads on furniture, but my 13-year old sleeps down there and feel sure he may destroy anything.
      We figured if it worked in the bedrooms, we would put it in our large tv room downstairs as well. We’ve gotten water in there from the stairwell door just once in 7 years (we live in PNW so downpours can be frequent), so we definitely want waterproof floors. I was also thinking about for the laundry room that connects to TV room, but am worried about weight of appliances damaging floor. Of course, the salesperson gives glowing reviews but I’m wondering if anyone has used COREtec in a laundry room. Thanks.

      1. Hi Shelby,
        I too live in the PNW and considering purchasing COREtec for my entire home (bathrooms, laundry, common areas). Did you end up going with COREtec? If not, which brand did you go with? I appreciate your feedback!

    28. Worst product we have ever had. We live on a lake and only have one small dog under 10 lb and our floor is scratched everywhere. We have only had it a year and a half and are going to need to replace already. It is absolutely not durable, scratch resistant or waterproof. We got water in our basement and the planks literally crumbled when we pulled them up. We also get lots of spots showing up on the floor and dull spots here and there even though nothing was spilled. We have only used the recommended cleaners and run a Roomba daily. And despite pads under furniture it still dents the floor from the weight of couches and chairs. This product does not hold up to normal wear and tear.

      1. Heather, what type of Coretec flooring did you install? They have Coretec Plus, Coretec Enhanced, etc. I’m looking at this brand so would love to know which one you had trouble with.

        1. Hi Whitney
          I am looking at all these mixed reviews on the LVP floors., it’s making me nervous.
          We are looking at the pro plus XL flooring.
          Are you happy with your purchase. Any advice you can give us.
          Thank you, Marie

    29. Very hard to keep clean. Scratches easily. Water
      spots if you drip water. Very disappointed! Considering replacing.

      1. I agree with Sue. I don’t find it easy to clean at all. I end up on hands and knees with a Mr Clean sponge to try to get spots off. And there are so many scratches already. I put this in my whole house and with the new baseboards too, it was $9,000. I wish I had gone with engineered wood. What a huge mistake.

    30. Our vet’s office remodeled and got Coretec pro plus in a darker color and it looks great. You can order 3 samples for free, so I would recommend getting them and “testing” them out. We just got our samples in the mail and I tried scratching it with keys and it did not do anything. We have three dogs and cats and we foster, so once we get ours installed, I will post a review. I think we are going with Monterey Oak Coretec pro plus. Also, they already told us to use Hillway or Bona cleaner only because it’s ph neutral. Nothing is perfect but I have done lots of research and Coretec seems to be the leader in this type of product. Fingers crossed.

      1. Thanks for your review. Any follow up? Can I get the name/contact info of your vet? I’m trying to figure out if I should take the plunge into coretec. Thank you again

        1. Lots of complaints identical to mine. Unfortunately the rep and inspector came by and said I was using the wrong cleaning agent (bona). Would not honor warranty meanwhile my floor is getting worse every day. Shaw will not send another inspector out unless we pay for it. They don’t know what is causing spots or finish wearing off (only had floor down 5 mos when we filed first complaint) but they said warranty doesn’t cover it
          Consumer Protection Agency is going to contact them.

    31. I am looking at Coretec Plus in Rocky Mountain Oak. I have a large sample and continue to walk on it to see how I would like and compare the haze look that most have complained about. What I know is that dark colors of most type flooring will show prints. I am removing laminate I had on my floors since 2006 due to water damage. When I would clean my laminate, it was beautiful for about a week or so, and I would wear footies to keep oils from my feet from showing on the floors. So even on my light laminate floors, I could see my footprints. Hard to clean as well.

      I have a southern view and get a lot of sun. My laminate NEVER faded. My concern is will the CORETEC fade?

      Also, hardwood has its pros/cons too (as everything in life does). They are hard to clean, footprints show up on them as well. The great thing about hardwood is they can refinished 2-3 times depending on layer!

      As one commenter said, no floors are perfect. I do believe it is finding what is perfect for you. With that being said, it is a 50/50 chance.

      1. Did you install the Rocky Mountain oak. We are considering it in our basement but the negative reviews regarding dents and scratches concerns me. Our sample dented easily when we dropped things on it to test it out. Pro gen by tarkett did not easily dent, but we don’t like the look or color. The COREtec looks so nice

    32. I have some ten year old 12″ square vinyl tiles in black slate with slate texture that look a little dated but are in perfect, like new condition, despite kids and dogs. I mop it with a Murphy’s Oil Soap solution, about 1/4 C in 4 gallons of warm water. I do not rinse. The floors look great for a couple weeks, then I sweep and mop again.

      I want to buy 1,500 sf of Coretec. Will Murphy’s Oil Soap, in a water solution, hurt Coretec floor finish?

    33. I am thinking of installing COREtec plus ivory coast oak very light in my Florida home.

      Looks like wood grain but light wood grain. I have two small dogs. This is a kind of wood-look that would not show footprints. I have read so many negative reports. I cannot believe it. It would cost me quite a bit to have my living room and all bedrooms done. But I do not move furniture. Any thoughts? This is a light white look.

      1. We had the Ivory Coast oak installed in April and just finished a re-model of our house. Yes, we did things backwards. We have had paint spills, and other construction going on, and everything cleaned up well. We have 2 dogs, an 80 pound lab mix, and a 10 pound mix. I have not noticed any scratches from their nails, and clean up is easy. Yes, the finish is dull and sometimes footprints show, but I never thought of that as an issue. I can’t say enough good about this product. I would definitely do it over again!

    34. The title of the article is the ‘pros and cons of” but the author didn’t include any cons because she is attempting to be an “influencer” and gain the praises of this manufacturer and others to line her pockets. It’s an advertisement, not a genuine opinion.

      1. Hi Steve,

        Thanks for your thoughts! All of our reviews are written objectively, and without compensation or incentive from manufacturers (we don’t accept paid-for review offers).

      2. Steve I agree… glowing reports the floor cleans it’s self it’s so perfect…. makes me look to 30 other sites where real moms have mopped the floor and comment on their findings.

      3. Our floors installed less than a year ago are buckling and coming apart. And that is the highest quality, commercial purposes one.

        Absolutely garbage product. The manufacturer wanted to know if we kept the shades open, suggesting this may be what is causing the damage.
        We need floors that will last.

    35. I’m considering buying Coretec cork back flooring. After reading all the comments I’m so sure. It seems if you go with a darker color you see more marks from shoes and water spots. I want to go with a lighter color and wonder if this will be a issue. Also my biggest concern is hollow sound or clicking sound when walking on it. It would be installed on a concrete slab. I want my floor to sound solid.

      Any help here would be appreciated.

      1. HATE IT! Husband thought this was the way to go in entire house we bought/Reno’d. It looks AWFUL. Dull, dull, dull & shows every footprint! Thank goodness we are downsizing so have lots of big Oriental rugs/runners/areas. I DO NOT RECOMMEND! A garage maybe..in the home? BIG mistake!

        1. I have been considering this in my living room. Wow, I am not sure now. Are there other floorings that you feel will look better, and be scratch and water resistant?

        2. Patty Woytassek

          We also hate this flooring!! It shows every footprint! And after being on my hands and knees scrubbing this floor it looks dirty!! Never again!

          1. This was in a beach home on Hilton Head that I visited recently. It looked great! I didn’t notice any problems and want to install it in my home now, too.

      2. Hi Jacqueline, in 2016 we installed a glued down, dark Mannington floor which showed footprints, dirt and water spots immediately after mopping. We hated it. The glued boards separated so gaps could be seen and with 2 very large dogs the drool spots were noticeable even after mopping.

        Just recently, we installed a lighter color rigid core, click coretec flooring with the cork backing. My husband was also worried about a hollow sound because we have a fairly large house with cathedral ceilings. The floor is on subfloor and we hear zero hollowness or clicking. And, the coretec product is far superior in quality and looks more real.

        We haven’t had the floors very long but the footprints are not as noticeable and the feel of the floor has a more “real feel”. Feel free to email me in a few weeks. The process of picking out flooring can get overwhelming. Good luck with your floors.

        1. Mischelle, can you comment on how you like/dislike the floor after living with it a year? I am looking at Coretec Click and am most worried about the sound, too, though durability is important. We will be putting on an OSB subfloor like you did, I think. Did you add an additional underlayment to the cork-backed click product? Which specific type did you get–Pro, Pro Plus, etc? Thanks!

      3. Janine Guarriello

        We removed our hardwood flooring due to scratches from our dog. We installed Coretec Waddington Oak wide plank flooring. It is absolutely wonderful!

        We get so many compliments. Friends find it hard to believe that it is not wood flooring. It does not scratch, it’s easy to clean and always looks beautiful. I have recommended this flooring to other people and they are satisfied as well.

        1. We’re looking to install Waddington oak as well.. Beautiful color!
          I’m seeing reviews about some of the coretec products scratching easily and leaving footprints. What has been your experience with that so far?

        2. Hi Janine,
          Please let me know how your COREtec Waddington Oak floor is holding up! We’re looking at that product but seeing so many negative reviews on COREtec products has me wondering!
          Would so appreciate hearing your thoughts now – a year plus after your July 2019 review.

          So many thanks!
          Anne

      4. Hi Jacqueline, Can you tell us which product you chose and how you like it? I am concerned about the hollow sound, too. Thanks!

    36. Has anyone installed the Coretec Plus Plank HD in Sherwood Rustic Pine? I’m reading a lot of reviews where customers say their floors look dull and hard to clean. Looking for some feedback before I purchase. Also have a 90lb lab.

      1. With that big dog I wouldn’t get Coretec if I were you. I used to recommend their products to my clients but no more. Big dogs seem to tear their floors up too quickly. Now I recommend Flooret’s rigid LVP line to all of my clients. That’s what I’d recommend for you too with a large dog.

      2. The installers are laying ours as I type. I researched thoroughly before deciding on a Cortec plank. My reasons for choosing this were 1-the highest wear layer (20ml) that I could find. We have a Pitty that loves the inside much more than outside. 2-She is also a digger which resulted in muddy paws occasionally and more often, simply wet feet. (Regular laminate not an option and carpet had to go.) I chose a dark color to work well with our fireplace colors, furniture, as well as muddy feet. 3-I also wanted a quieter, softer step (dog again) and found that the cork back would provide both. They are halfway through a 15×30 living room now. They have walked in tennis shoes, handled, pounded and hand wiped all over and I have yet to see any prints. It’s too soon to tell, and I’ll update if my review changes any , but so far I love it! It really is a beautiful floor.

    37. Reading lots of comments about the floor being “dull” or “hazy.” I wonder if that varies by the finish. We were looking at Red River Hickory and Dakota Walnut, and these samples look dull. We are also looking at Carolina Pine and Gold Coast Acacia and those sample do not look dull. I would love to hear from anyone who has any of these as to what you think of them. Thank you!

      1. Hi Glen, the haze on floors comes from using the wrong cleaning product. I know this because it happened to me. Once I went with a recommended cleaning product the haze went away. You can also use warm water with cider vinegar to clean your floors.

        1. This product’s maintenance instructions specify using a *neutral* pH cleaner. Vinegar is certainly NOT neutral.

        2. Vinegar is expressly mentioned as not to be used on the Coretec Site.

          If you use a cleaner not specifically noted by the manufactured, expect bad results.

          Everyone should stop following the latest Pinterest recommendation and read up on what the product you spent money on recommends you use for best results.

    38. Very difficult to keep clean and we don’t even have pets. We were told to use Armstrong Once ‘N Done for cleaning purposes with just one of those stick push pads like E-cloth or Norwex. Junk gets stuck in the crevices and grooves and I swiff it first but that doesn’t really work, so I have to vacuum first. Had to put felt pads on every single chair and piece of furniture that is on that floor. Also was told that the floor was UV protected which it isn’t. Now I have to keep my curtains closed. Nice.

      1. CoretecFan-not-a-sales-person

        The PDF you submitted is for Shaw Flooring products not Coretec. It does have Coretec in fine print in the upper corner, but every mention throughout specifically says “Shaw” over and over again. If it is not mentioned on the Coretec site, I would be leary of following any directions for cleaning my premium priced, brand new floor.

        Go here for how to care for your Coretec floor from the people who actually made it:
        https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/faqs

        1. Shaw bought US Floors, which owned Coretec, in 2016, so maybe that’s why they were given Shaw Flooring info for Coretec products.

    39. We had a kitchen sink leak in Dec 2018 that damaged our engineered hardwood floors. Since our whole downstairs was hardwoods, our insurance paid to have our whole downstairs flooring replaced. We researched for over a month before choosing CoreTec Enhanced Manila Oak. I love the light color, how realistic it looks and the beveled edges. My only complaint after 2 months of having it, is the haze look it has.

      We have 3 big dogs and we are a family of 7 so lots of foot traffic. This haze makes paw prints constantly show! I mop, they look beautiful and then not even 5 min later when foot/paw traffic comes through, they look dirty with all the smudge prints. I can’t figure out how to clean this haze off to prevent the smudge foot/paw prints from showing up. I googled “how to get paw prints to stop showing up on LVP flooring” and discovered this is a common issue, with other brands too. I will continue to find a solution. If CoreTec Enhanced Manila Oak floors didn’t have the haze, I would say they are perfect.

      1. After cleaning floors with detergent/cleaner, rinse the floors with water only mop and will remove the haze. If there is a lot of build up on the floors from cleaning agents, it may be best to use a sponge mop (water only) to get a good clean. Side note: same as if you clean countertops with a cleaner they should also be wiped with water only (actually indicated in the directions.)

      2. I am considering buying this exact same flooring. Can you explain a little bit more about this haze look? If you got the chance, Would you buy this product again?

    40. Did anyone get the COREtec Plus Premium 9″ flooring? Wanted to see if anyone reviewed that particular one? Thanks.

    41. Purchased 300sf of Coretec tile, 18″x24″ with cork backing. Shaw’s product claims it is waterproof. Well, the product cupped on the edges which was installed over a brand new linoleum floor. There was no moisture or direct sunlight that their inspector said caused the product to cup. It was the cork that swelled from regular humidity. All cork swells and is not waterproof because it swells. The width of the cork underlayment was 18″x24″ which is a lot of cork to be covered. Had to throw it away. No help from Shaw.

    42. I agree with the comments regarding dull and “dirty”. My mistake was to choose a rustic-look floor. It is hard to clean. I should have read reviews first. We were sold on the waterproof feature. My mistake!

      1. Agree, it appears dirty and filled with smudges. I have 2 small dogs and walk around in socks or slippers 99% of the time. Shoe free house. Highly disappointed… I researched these floors but it wasn’t until I had them installed (1300 SF) and experienced the smudges, and tried to see if others experienced this and lo and behold, seems like a known issue. $12K later and waiting years to make the “right” choice, I wish I had gone with hardwood floors for the same price. So much for ease of care, wear and durability if it looks dirty all the time it negates all of that.

      2. Just got the Coretec Vinyl Floor and I am soooo disappointed ! Shows all footprints and is way too dull and worn looking! Would not recommend!!!

    43. Is coretec dent proof? Planning on having many parties. Also, if it is not dent proof how do you rearrange furniture?

      1. Stay away!!! This stuff is incredibly easy to scratch. If you’re going to rearrange furniture you’ll be sorry.

    44. Understand that no rugs with rubber or latex backing are to be used on Coretec flooring? Can you use these types of area rugs if you use a felt padding?

      If there is an area rug that is NOT rubber or latex backing, can you put that rug down without a pad and not scratch the floor? What do you recommend for an area rug on Coretec?

      1. I’ve had my Manila Oak Cortec for almost a year and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I had about 1000 sq ft put in my walkout basement. There’s a bedroom and large quilting room, bathroom, laundry room and tv area. Tons of snow just outside as well. I have felt pads on furniture that needs to be moved. I’m buying another home and installing Cortec in 2600 sq ft. It holds up so well under traffic and 2 dogs as well. Everyone comments on it when they see it saying “I love your wood floors,” then I educate them on vinyl.

        1. Hi Susan~ What style/color/quality wood plank did you get? I’m very concerned about the above comments stating it looks dull after cleaning.. I’m thinking of the lighter variety of wood colors.

          Thanks,
          Diane

        2. Susan, what do you clean your Manila Oak floors with? Our whole downstairs is Manila Oak and I love it minus how it easily shows paw prints. I can never seem to keep them looking clean with the haze it has which allows paw prints to constantly show.

        3. Hi Susan,
          Still happy with your Manila Oak Coretec floor? Did you install it in your other house with equally happy results? Hoe has that worked out?

          Attempting to sift through the many opinions on the COREtec product and figure out whether or not it’s the product for us!

          Many thanks!
          Anne

    45. Got Coretec LVP flooring through COSTCO and Shaw and had them install it August, 2017. We got the Ivory Coast oak color for our 750 sf condo. It was every bit as expensive as real hardwood would have been BUT its superiority became very evident not long after we had it installed. The day after Christmas, 2017, we awoke at 5 a.m. to the sound of dripping water and walked into the living room to find almost 1/2 inch of water covering the entire area!

      An under sink water filter had failed and had been squirting water for an unknown length of time. We immediately shut off the water main and proceeded to mop up using every towel we owned. We were afraid we would have to redo all the flooring but once it dried NONE of the planks buckled, mildewed, discolored or needed to be replaced. It has been over a year since that day and our floors still look great. They REALLY are waterproof.

      I’d hate to even imagine the issues we would have experienced had we gone with hardwood. We love them. They are easy to keep clean, look natural and worth the money.

    46. I installed Distinction IPE on my 1st floor and stairs. It has been 6 months and I only have a couple scratches. This is a dark floor, and as others mentioned it is dull and shows footprints easy. Every time I clean it wet it looks great. HD and colors. Dry it looks boring, dull, and dusty. I probably voided my lifetime warranty by top-coating the floor with Rejuvinate All Floor Restore from Home depot. This product made the colors pop out and gave a nice shine to the floor like clear-coated lumber. Looks 10x better than out of the box.

      Six months later the topcoat is showing some wear… mostly from where my boy dog has been trying to mark his territory around the furniture. I clean it up with the Rejuvinate LVT cleaner and it works great, but eventually I miss a spot for a day or few and after I clean it the top coat has been damaged. This brings back the dull finish, and I need to be careful not to overlap the top coat I applied or it will be visibly shinier. But after all I would do the same thing again, but maybe apply 2 coats to the floor. This was done by using a 12″ x 24″ microfiber flat mop (like an oversized Swiffer) and working my way out of each room one at a time. Pour a 1/4″ line of coating every 2-3 feet and swab the deck following the grain of the planks.

      My only complaint installing the product was that there were more defects and small scratches from people who packed the boxes. They were stacked randomly face to face, then cork to face, etc. They were not stacked by machine! Self install turned out better than the so-called wood floor installers that crawled around with dirty knee-pads, and kept trying to work it like a wood floor.

      You are better off installing it by yourself than using a flooring contractor… unless the installer has done a few LVP floors previously.

      BTW: Anyone who gets gaps didn’t take the time to click and tap the interlocking sides / ends first. Manufactured click and lock is not idiot proof, but take the time and look at your seams prior to running the next course or you will create your own problems… you can’t just smack it into place after it is down.

      Happy with the product for my house, but not sure about rental property installs.

    47. I bought coretec plus XL 9″ x 6′ plank and a absolutely love it. When buying this product I didn’t like the enhanced xl beveled edge in this size. It wasn’t realistic looking to me, being a floor finisher. I own a 120 lb Rottweiler who is very rough and floor is holding up very well. Also get a lot of compliments on this floor.

      1. How are you loving your floor almost 1 yr later? I’m looking at brown low variation Alexandria Oak no GREY floor let me know

    48. I absolutely HATE my Coretec and we spent a ton to get it in our entire house. The dull finish always looks dirty and it shows every single footstep. It never looks clean. I care for it as recommended and it always has streakmarks, smudges and prints. Biggest regret ever. I can’t believe it is allowed to be sold.

      1. I’m wondering what your color was as well. We are getting ready to install Duxbury Oak in coretec pro plus. Did you install a really dark color?

      2. If I can save one person from not buying these floors, please read the reviews. These floors are horrible and Cortec does not stand by their product. Mine were completely scratched after the first month.

        1. I am considering both products. In your professional opinion what about the floret flooring makes it superior? The flooring people near me say the 20 mm wear layer vs 40 in flooret doesn’t mean anything in scratch resistance or wearability. I have 3 large dogs and need flooring that I won’t want to replace in 3-5 years.

      3. Karen, I’m with you on this. My floor shows every footstep and never looks clean. I’ve been on my hands and knees too many times trying to get rid of water spots and tracks left from “socked” feet and tennis shoes. I really hate this stuff.

      4. Karen I could have written your review! Exactly my complaint. I spend way too much time cleaning! Grrrrr.

      5. This product is crap. I use the recommended cleaner, and I still have shoe tread marks, paw prints, drips, dents, everything. You have to mop it several times a day and then it only looks good when is still wet; otherwise, it is dull. And as soon as one person or pet walks on it, all of your hard work is gone.

      6. We hate ours too. We have a really dark color to match all our woodwork. Always looks dirty. Wish we never did this.

    49. I had purchased a trafficmaster water proof flooring from Home Depot in attempt to replace the cheap laminate I purchased there two years ago. I spent over $1000 to have a 300 s/f area done and a year and a half later just couldn’t take it any more. My floor started to reek from my 15 year old Jack Russel Terrier having accidents. Oh believe me, I cleaned up with neutralizers and pet defense cleaners, but that did not stop the order. As well, my laminate swelled up everywhere…

      So I went back and pretty much had to do my own research on the materials. I started to install the Traffic Master LVP and the edges where very brittle and easy to break. I had gaps that wouldn’t close all the way and the flooring felt really hard and cold. So I started to go with my gut and returned the flooring. After I continued to research I came across COREtec again. I had a friend who didn’t like COREtec because of the price, he was the one who suggested HomeDepot, lol.

      I decided to take the plunge and paid extra to get the COREtec. I have the Red River Hickory COREtec Plus. And me and ESPECIALLY my wife and Dog love the flooring. It’s been about a year now and no more nasty smell, very easy to clean but still have a couple of scratch marks only because I dragged a box across it which had a staple underneath. The same box scratched my garage slab as well, lol (my fault). Overall I absolutely love my COREtec floor and would highly recommend this product to all who are looking for a stable LVP floor. The price is worth the extra expense in my book.

      1. Has anyone installed CoreTec Plus Carolina Pine? Thinking of installing in 1300 sq ft condo, including kitchen. Any comments appreciated.

        1. That is exactly what I’m looking at. It’s not super dark so I don’t think the shoe tread would be an issue.

        2. We installed it in the kitchen and love the warm color and the rustic look of it. It does have dark areas as well, so I made black walnut thresholds into the surrounding rooms and it matches very well. One of the cats like to be frisky and runs in there and spins on the floor. We put it in an old 1890 victorian and it looks a lot like the old tongue and groove subfloor might have looked after so many years of wear. We are happy with it.

          1. We’ve been looking at various LVPs for many months from Home Depot Lifeproof to retailers Paradigm and now COREtec Plus. We live in a humid climate but have ac on most of the time. Reviewers here are lovers or haters of COREtec so I am very confused.

            We have no pets and houseguests occasionally so the wear is not heavy. I am concerned about the description of haze, the swelling of the cork strata and fading in sunny rooms. We have a modest budget for 2000sq’. Currently there is a $3.99 sale on some of their Pacifica line at American Carpet One and we are very inclined toward the Ash Koa or Rosewood they carry. Reviewers suggested Costco (which we are big fans of) but wonder if they carry a lesser level? Any comments will be much appreciated. Thank you.

    50. We had Cortec HD installed in the lower level of our home about 6 weeks ago. We live on a lake with a 40 lb lab mix and have a hot tub that is right outside our door, so lots of water exposure and pets. Replaced linoleum and carpet with this product and love it. Yes, we have to vacuum it daily as we can see the black dog hair much easier now. Yes, we have felt pads on all of the furniture legs. No scratches from the dog or shoes so far. We had Tigerwood cherry floors in our previous home with children, dogs and a pool and decided never again due to scratches, water exposure and fading. No flooring is perfect for every situation but we are happy with our decision.

    51. I have COREtec One installed, it is the best Flooring I have seen. The bad reviews I see must not be COREtec One, they have to be knock off LVP flooring. We have Labrador Retrievers and they can’t scratch it. Furniture sliding across it has not scratched it. I recommend COREtec one by US Flooring to everyone.

    52. I’m just so confused now, how can some people say the flooring is terrible & scratches easily & others who have had the flooring for years say it’s still perfect with no scratches??? It sounds like there are good & bad batches of this flooring!

    53. After reading all comments, I need help. I am wanting to install Coretec Plus Premium, in Nobel Oak. Any comments or suggestions are very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

      Debbie. Mentor Ohio

      1. Hi Debbie,
        Did you install the Noble Oak? We are considering it for our home. If so, how is it holding up?
        Thanks in advance!

      2. Noble Oak went in yesterday and got pulled up today. There is just way too much repeat in the pattern, especially for the high cost. Our professional flooring guys stopped installing because they felt like it was too obvious. They give Noble Oak an 8 out of 10 (1 being no repeat, 10 being lots of repeats) and they were really only able to identify 5 different patterns to choose between. They said they get less repeat on the cheap stuff.
        Even though the boards are cut at different lengths to limit the appearance of identical boards, since the color is so light and the pattern is dark, the repeat pictures really pop out. For example, there is a 7-inch knot we found on 10 boards out of 30. And most of the patterns are very linear, so you really see it on long runs. We stood at the end of an 8 row section (5 boards each = 40) and counted the same 5 patterns repeated 6-7 times each. This was after spending a lot of time carefully trying to avoid repeating.
        Also, it looks very yellow in our home.
        All that said, the quality and feel was amazing. It was soft underfoot (installed on a cement slab), the embossing looked great, and it seemed to be quality stuff. We will still use COREtec, but we will be avoiding the Plus Premium line (the other sample we had, Valor Oak, had the same exact repeats/pictures but with even more color variation) IF they exchange it without the restocking fee. Our first call to the rep we were told there would be a $1200 restocking fee, which we feel is unfair considering the problem is with the product and it was not apparent on their provided sample.

    54. I have Cortec Plus XL. Just installed. It is beautiful, no scratches even after furniture moved in. I clean with the Hilyer cleaner. Beautiful. Not sure why others had issues. I had it professionally installed, 1900 square feet. Love it!

    55. I installed a CoreTec PLUS Weathered Concrete VV033-01803 or 50LVT1803 18.5″x24″ planks 10 months ago in the kitchen/bay area. It has performed flawlessly! EXCELLENT stuff! Locked tight, no scratches. Look beautiful. I am going to do a workout room with it now. LOVE IT!

      1. I recently had coretec plus installed in my master shower walls and shower pan. I love it. Next week im having my pool drained and having it done with the coretec.. Also throwing around the idea of getting the neighbors to chip in and have our whole street done!

        1. We had our street done last week. It looks great! This winter even rode over with chains on and guess what, no scratches! My neighbor had his teeth removed and replaced with the white marble coretec plus HD and his smile looks fantastic and guess what, no scratches!

    56. Has anyone purchased the Coretec ONE?

      Just read a lot of reviews but not on that one. This one does not have a backing on it.

      1. We had Coretec One installed on bathroom, kitchen, family room and hallway floors. A 1/8″ cork sheeting is layed down on top of the subfloor first, with the Coretec One on top of that. The Coretec Plus has the cork integrated into the planks. Three months, no scratches from the GSD chasing our cats. We keep sand and dirt cleaned up as this is very abrasive. I applied felt pads on all furniture to help protect it. Easy to clean, beautiful grain and color.

    57. Have coretec plus premium. Installed only months ago. My main concern was sound below. This has dampened the sound as much as any flooring product could – easily 50% QUIETER OR MORE. Trom research it is the best product around for that, and for a kitchen (didn’t therefore want solid wood, pure cork…). Looks great, but then I don’t have any dogs, or kids… yet.

    58. Hi, just wondering if you have installed your Coretec floor and how satisfied are you with it? We are getting ours installed this week. I had done prior research but did not find this page until today. Now I’m having second thoughts. Scary to think I might have made an expensive mistake.

      1. Bonnie Gramllich

        Margaret.. I’m in your shoes just now. Worried sick. What did you end up doing and how did you like it? I’ve ordered Rustic Slate vinyl tiles. Thanks, Bonnie.

        1. Hi Bonnie, we are planning on the same tile as you mentioned. Did you put it down and if so, how is it working out?
          Dick

      2. I just had it installed in my living room and hall yesterday. It is beautiful but now, after reading some of these reviews, I’m worried I might have made an expensive mistake. Keeping my fingers crossed!

    59. We have an entire house of Cortec Plus Dakota Walnut. They are full of scratches and I agree are hard to keep clean. The worst problem by far is that the floor is separating and bulging in places. The separations get full of sand and gravel and even a shop vac won’t get them out. The bulging areas where it looks tight look terrible. We would remove it but it was expensive, the company should replace it. The idea is good, I have four dogs… but they need to follow through.

      1. Haha… you must have had a team of chimps install it. Either that or you’re the competition spreading FUD. Coretec doesn’t even make a Dakota Walnut silly head.

    60. Coretec is the oldest and best LVP on the market. I don’t know why people on here think they can drag appliances across ANY FLOOR and not leave damaging marks or scratches. THIS ISN’T CONCRETE FOLKS! Coretec takes the same precautions (coasters on furniture, children playing with ice picks) as any other flooring. Having said that, IT IS WATERPROOF CHEMICAL PROOF SPILL PROOF WARP PROOF as opposed to wood being none of the above.

    61. I am not writing this to bash any product. I bought and installed the COREtec Plus 7 Inch Wide Plank, Color Name/Item Alabaster Oak, Thickness 8 mm. It looked very pretty. We put it in the entire house. After much research it seemed like it was the perfect fit. Well, bringing the appliances in the house was a mission since everything seemed to scratch or scuff the floors. Like others have expressed, everything leaves a mark, even drops of water and when you used damp cloth or mop as suggested it is very hard to leave free of marks. One major con – this particular color is matte finish. I wanted shine and did not realize that.

    62. Linda M. Kitchens

      I am currently considering either CoreTec Plus HD or engineered hardwood. The 100% waterproof, pet and kid proof sounds awesome. Retail store says they are so easy to upkeep and I am almost 70. We do live in a wet area but we have a dehumidifier installed under house and have had not trouble with 100% solid hardwood floors. The house is 12 yrs old, but we have lived here only 4 years. I can touch up dings on hardwood with a pen and it is so nice. I occasionally use Bona and a swiffer, but mostly just vacuum.

      Now I am confused by some loving CoreTec Plus and others totally disappointed. I am leaning back toward engineered wood manufactured by the same company who made our solid hardwood. Our solid has been discontinued just this year. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

      1. I just had COREtec Floors installed as they were highly recommended by my builder. I am extremely disappointed! I wish I had seen them installed somewhere prior to purchasing, but only samples were available. I should have considered that a sign that there were no floors of COREtec to view, I suppose. These floors are dull and lifeless. I guess that makes sense as they are PLASTIC, which is how they look, feel and sound. Such an expensive mistake. I am angry and sick over this decision. My daughter keeps cleaning them in hopes that I like them better, but there is no washing the ugly off of these floors. Now I am rug shopping to cover them, so even more money. I am so embarrassed and ashamed of them that I do not even want anyone to come over.

        1. Hi there,

          I am sorry you were disappointed in the floors. I’m wondering if you would not mind saying what color/model you installed?

          Thanks,
          Amy

    63. Thinking about putting CoreTec Plus in our cabin in north Idaho. Cabin is not heated for most of the winter. Will this be a problem?

      1. Kevin with Abbey Carpet

        Yes, this could be a problem. Temperatures need to be maintained between 65° and 85°. Coretec’s biggest problem is sunlight, it cannot handle direct sunlight for very long. Temperatures exceed its tolerance and it will expand on you.

        1. I could not find any information on temperature requirements. This would definitely pose a big issue for our seasonal homeowner who wants to use in a unheated 3 season room. Can you direct me to that information so I can properly educate them on this? Thank you!!

    64. I’m amazed that anyone is having issues with Coretec. I believe it’s the best product on the market. I installed it in my all seasons room about 3-years ago. The room is used daily. It still looks the same as it did the day I installed it, with the exception of one small ding from dropping a hammer off of a ladder while working on the ceiling.

      When I go on vacation in the winter, I turn the heat off in room, which get to about 45-degrees. It has never separated or buckled. Very pleased. I will use it again when I remodel the master bathroom.

      Anyone considering purchasing Coretec and is worried by some of the reviews here, I did a lot of research before I bought it in 2014. There is no product that is better on the market. Compare the specs. See for yourself.

      1. Maybe when you bought them they were made properly and now the quality standards have gone down. Ours, the most expensive type, are buckling and splitting in less than one year. So so disappointed.

    65. I have Coretc in three rentals and a commercial retail store. It has held up perfectly and as expected. What a bunch of whiners on this forum. A grain of dirt scratched your floor? Several people spouting off here seem to be professional product bashers. Go get real jobs you whiners.

    66. Trying to install the COREtec plus weathered concrete lvt. The planks are 24 x 18.5 inches. I’m going over a perfectly level ceramic tile floor. (Didn’t want to chisel out old floor). I have installed many floors. This is the most difficult floor I have ever installed. The 18.5 inch side is very difficult to ‘tap’ flush. The width of the plank torques and it is not an easy fit. I have spent over 20 hours on 850 sq ft and still not happy. The narrow planks are much easier. I am now looking at glueing down this floor. It would be much easier to trim the locking part from the tile and glue down. Has anyone used glue to install these tiles?

      1. Kevin with Abbey Carpet

        Yes, you can clue coretec down with a cork adhesive. You can’t start on exterior walls or your longest walls. Typically with the tiles you need to do a 3-4-5 triangle and start in the middle of the floor and work your way out.

    67. Initially I loved the floor as I put it in a craft room. Thought it would be perfect, but little did I know that the flooring can’t stand any type of wheeled chairs. The minute layer of vinyl peeled off and the flooring seemed to separate and come up. Finally had to put masking tape on it so it wouldn’t come up anymore. We had a representative come out and inspect the flooring. They asked all kinds of questions which I answered honestly including how I cleaned the floor, how often and with what. I only used Ph neutral cleaner and a vacuum. End result–denied my claim. I see lots of advertisements on the internet with wheeled chairs, so they should fix their advertising. I am really unhappy with the manufacturer. Don’t buy any of this flooring. Fortunately my dealer took care of me at their expense. I am most grateful.

    68. Installed vinyl plank in Carolina pine. Love the look but hard to keep clean. Every drop leaves a mark and when wiping up drops of water or spills leaves a lot of streaking. Have to clean a whole area just to get rid if the streaks. Don’t think I would install again because of the maintenance.

    69. The salesman claimed that the Cortec vinyl planks were waterproof, pet proof, kid proof, and scratch resistant. Having lost just about everything to the Harvey floods, this product sounded ideal as I tried to put my house back together. Even before I moved back into my house, there were scratches throughout. Putting felt coverings on the bottom of furniture has not kept the floors from scratching. My grandkids can’t bring their toys out of the bedroom to play because they cause scratches. The floors look pretty, as long as nothing is placed on them or people/pets don’t walk on them. VERY VERY disappointed in the product.

    70. We were thinking of putting this floor in a condo where the noise factor is a problem. Wood and tile are not allowed. What is the noise factor of this floor? Will the people below be able to hear us walking in high heels?

    71. Wow! Was about to purchase COREtec plus for my home…but these reviews! My *main* thing is that the floor is durable, easy to clean, and won’t scratch with my 70lb pup!

      1. We now have three dogs, a old golden retriever and two wild golden pups. They are crazy players, all three, zooming through our house. Not a scratch on our Coretec Plus floors, and very easy to deal with training accidents with these floors.

    72. Two years ago, we decided to install Coretec Plus Nantucket Oak throughout our cottage. We have two large labs that visit regularly, and at one point had nine show dogs in the house at the same time for a weekend dog show. I also have seven grandkids (ages 2-13) who spend time at the beach house. Needless to say, there is a ton of sand that gets tracked in. After two years, there is not a scratch. I love, love, love this floor. As soon as people come in the house, they remark about how much they love our floors. I plan to install Coretec in our other house soon.

      My only word of advice is to heed the advice about maintaining heating and cooling at consistent levels. Also, we had our floor professionally installed. A local restaurant did not, and there are now gaps between the planks. Unless you really know what you are doing, spend the money to have it installed correctly.

      1. It’s good to see a comment like this. We also live at the beach, not so many dogs or grand kids but my husband is a messy chef and sometimes I think he lives in a barn. We are remodeling after Hurricane Florence in NC, trying to make the right decision for our floor, small living room, kitchen combined around 500 sq. I am confused after all the negatives. Looking at Carolina Pine.

    73. Have had the flooring for 6 months. I have a 45lb dog and have not experienced any scratching at all. Floor is easy to clean. I used a mop and light pad for cleaning. I use Bona to clean but am going to try vinegar as suggested. My problem with the floor is I don’t have the shine as I did with wood floors. However my wood floors were really damaged by my dog. That was my reasoning for getting vinyl plank floors. For this reason I am happy I went with Coretex flooring!

    74. We installed COREtec Plus in June of 2017. The color is “Distinction Ipe” which is a darker color. We chose it because it coordinated nicely with our existing oak hardwood, we have a dog, kids and a pool, plus it had great reviews. As many have said, it scratches easily. I invested in felt pads on all chairs, but if one little piece of sand gets under it, you wind up with a white scratch. I’m very disappointed. I would NOT recommend this flooring. Anyone have a product that they recommend for hiding the scratches? I have no problem with stains or footprints as others have mentioned. I use OdoBan ph neutral, no-rinse. Online ordered a gallon from home depot – shipped to store for free. It’s concentrated and I think the gallon will make a lifetime supply. It seems to work well for cleaning.

      1. Hello, sorry to hear you are unhappy with your floor. I am so excited about CoreTec but then get so scared when reading reviews like this.

        I am also on the fence about color and Distinction IPE is my front runner, do you have any pictures in your rooms you could share with me? The only one I can find is the one stock photo from Coretec. If so please send to me at (removed – posting personal phone numbers prohibited). Thanks!

        1. I came back to this website to see if anyone had posted a fix for the scratches. To clarify my scratching issues – it happened with the dining chairs. We installed felt pads on all of our furniture. But if a dining chair gets a grain of sand/tiny gravel under it and an adult drags it with their weight on it, it leaves a very noticeable white scratch. I suppose it’s scratching the clear wear layer and it shows because our color, Distinction IPE, is dark.

          Also, the scratches are perpendicular to the graining, so it shows even more. The flooring is run throughout our open-concept living/dining/kitchen areas and really is beautiful – it’s a matte finish and is easy to keep clean. The areas that we walk on are still in beautiful shape and it is 1-1/2 years later. I don’t have trouble with streaking or spots or anything like that. It gets dripped on every time I load the dishwasher. I usually just spot clean with a damp paper towel. My heart just sinks when I look under the dining table, and because of that, I would not recommend. If anyone has an easy way to buff out the scratches, please let me know.

    75. I originally wanted to install Home Depot’s Lifeproof Fresh Oak ($2.99/sq. ft.), but the guy who is going to install it told me that the wear layer isn’t very good. He steered me over to Coretec. I haven’t installed anything yet, but am reconsidering the Coretec based on the comments here that it is susceptible to scratches–I have 3 Shih Tzus, and one of them likes to scratch and “nest.” Am I better off getting the cheaper LifeProof option or Coretec? Or should I be looking at another brand altogether? I’m staying away from carpeting because the dogs are seniors and occasionally have accidents. Thanks!

      1. Mannington is the most scratch proof, they have a video where they take a quarter and scratch a competitor floor and then theirs and it does not scratch. I thought ok maybe a gimmick or trick in the video but nope, I did it myself with my two samples and I could NOT scratch the Mannington. Lower price point all same thickness etc.

      2. We had Cortec Plus LVP Quincy Oak installed in our kitchen and bathroom 6 mos ago. I used Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor cleaner as spelled out in their maintenance instructions. After 6 months, I started seeing spots, worn areas where we do walk and now the floor is dull in places. The mfr said I was using the wrong cleaner (even though it is exactly what their website said to use) and sent me a bottle of cleaner to use that was supposed to fix the problem. It didn’t fix anything. Now they are sending someone out to “look at it”. Like some of the others I spend a lot of time trying to make it look clean. Not satisfied at all. Sorry I bought it.

    76. Wow! We have just settled on COREtec Plus HD and now I’m second guessing our decision. No pets and just the two of us and a grandson before and after school. We want the beveled plank look as that is what makes it look more realistic and somewhat match the hardwood we have had for 25 years. More info from those who have this please..

      1. We have had the Cortec floor throughout our home for 11 months now. We have moved to a retirement community so there are no young children in our home. We did have a dog and now we have a cat. I took quite a long time to pick out our flooring and we are very happy that we settled with the Cortec product.

        My husband and I love, love, love it! It is easy to keep clean and we have received numerous compliments on the flooring. It looks beautiful and I’m really much happier with it than when I had hardwood floors throughout my other home. It seems much sturdier to me – if that makes any sense. Of course we did have a big dog then which probably contributed to some of the floor scratching. I hope you enjoy your flooring, I think it is the best purchase that we have made in our new home.

    77. Anyone have an issue with cupping with COREtec? I’m a contractor and we installed 675sqft of it on a basement floor (concrete) in a new home. The directions state that you DO NOT have to put a vapor barrier down, so we didn’t. It’s cupping bad. And it isn’t even being occupied yet.

      1. I am having a problem with scratches from my little dog. We have only had our COREtec floor for a week and my dog scratched the floor. I thought it was suppose to be more durable. We have the luxury COREtec.

        1. We are having the same problem with our COREtec floors. We just moved in April 12, 2018 and builder is denying the scratches which are evident to everyone else. Not happy!

      2. I installed 2000 sq ft and it cupped, was told it was a manufacturer flaw so the company replaced it. Now I think it’s doing it again, am not impressed. Did you replace?

      3. We had a professional install for over 2000 sq ft of the Coretec Plus XL planks.

        Less than 6 months later there was some cupping. The manufacturer replaced all the floors at no cost.

        Our new floors have been in 11 months and are fantastic. We have found the floors to be comfortable under our feet, easy to clean (we vacuum and light mop) and have received many, many favorable comments from friends and family.

        Our experience has been nothing less than excellent.

        1. I’m a retired general and ceramic tile contractor with 39 years of experience, and also an International Code Council building inspector. I installed several hundred square feet of COREtec Plus in a friend’s house and now within a year it has developed gaps in heavy traffic areas. The local distributor was annoyed that he didn’t get the job, and incidentally underestimated the quantity by 25%. I called the manufacturer to have them send out a rep to determine the problem and they will only deal with the distributor. How did you get the factory to inspect the cupping problem?

      4. I’m not sure if “cupping” is similar to “peaking”, which is the issue we’re having with the butt ends lifting just enough to break the flat lie of the planking. It is inconsistent throughout the floor (two levels at about 950 sq. ft.) No sunlight hits the floor and 1/4″ expansion room was left consistently around the edges. The flooring contractor has been informed and say that they are waiting to hear from the manufacturer’s rep. Not satisfied with their slow response. Has anybody else had this problem?

    78. Cortec plus was installed and when I spot cleaned the area, it left a streak area where it was spot cleaned. Used just a damp cloth and you can see where it was spot cleaned. How do you eliminate this problem? What type cleaner is best and type cloth to use?

      1. Once and Done by Armstrong is the best thing to use on it. Or vinegar and water. Don’t use anything else. A lot of cleaning products are wax-based and can ruin the floor. Hope this helps you.

      2. OdoBan is a great inexpensive product. Make sure it’s the “No Rinse
        Neutral pH Floor Cleaner”.. Home Depot carries it (less than $10/gal.)
        My local store doesn’t stock it so I bought online (no shipping) and picked it up at the store. I just use an inexpensive mop & frequently rinse it out.

    79. We purchased CORTEC XL-E about a year ago and absolutely love it. A quick damp mop and done! No left over foot prints, but we’ve been careful not to walk back through a room right after mopping it, until the floor is dry. Especially love the cork-padded backing, and the feel of the “wood” as it’s not super slick like ceramic. Surprised at the negative comments. True, if you want really “shiny” wood like you get with true hardwoods and coats of “poly” applied, then CORTEC XL-E is not for you. We’ve found CORTEC-XL-E to be a great product, especially for seniors!

    80. This stuff is terrible! Biggest mistake ever! Just installed Coretec Plus flooring and it scratches extremely easily. Any little grains of sand or dirt or even plastic pads under your furniture will scratch the floor. I have felt pads under my furniture and it still somehow scratches when moved. Water stains, footprints, etc. all show.

      Run far away from this stuff!

    81. I’ve been in my house one month. I have felt pads under all furniture because I was told to be careful when moving big items because they may scratch. I was also told this floor would not scratch from pets. This isn’t true. Not only scratches, but also is very hard to clean. Water marks stain.

      Also big claim is to mop with just water. I called manufacturer and I was told to do this while using one or 2 tablespoons of cleaner with water. Makes me wonder just how sanitary this floor really is. I want it taken out. Very unhappy.

      1. I’ve had my floor for 2 years. I can mop my floor 3 times and you can wipe it with a wet white rag and it’s black. My grandkids walk and crawl on it and they get covered with a black film-like greasy dirt. Anyone who walks on it barefoot ends up with black feet.

    82. We bought COREtec flooring in February 2017. I agree about the scratching. We were careful about moving furniture but a grain of dirt underneath left a huge scratch. Also, my husband installed the floor TWICE as it gapped so much between planks. It still gaps but I just stopped looking at it. I would definitely NOT recommend this flooring. Next time I will go with a tried and true product instead of the latest and greatest.

      1. Funny you say this, since COREtec is the company that invented LVP. More “tried and true” than other brands.

    83. I did not see these comments before I settled on Coretec. They just finished installing 24 hrs ago and you can see every foot and shoe print like a previous comment stated. Also, my dog has already scratched it up. It may be that the core of the product is good, but the surface layer is horrible from the perspective of showing EVERYTHING. Also, you have to be sure there is no dirt on the floor before you attempt to move anything even if you have the felt furniture guides underneath the item. I am now going to have to invest a lot of money to have rugs everywhere in the home. Not worth the cost of materials and installation. Should have stuck with carpet even though I have 2 cats and a large dog and bad allergies. I cannot recommend.

        1. I currently installed the Core Tec HD XL and am discovering scratches as well. This was currently installed in January. Is there any product that can be placed in the flooring to reduce this. The flooring is suppose to be somewhat scratch resistant.

    84. Had Coretek flooring installed this spring. Sales person told us it was the latest and best. I cannot say how disappointed I am. Right now i have a barefoot print that I cannot get off my floor. I see scuffs and scratches and smudges, right after I’ve cleaned it. There is NOTHING about this floor that is easy to take care of. I hate it.

    85. kathleen huntsinger

      Just had cortec vinly flooring installed on Friday. This is Sunday and am finding scratches on flooring. It is only myself and my husband living here. I bought this product as it advertised pet, child and water proof. We have many family members that visit over the summer months with pets and children. I would not recommend this product. Would rate less then a 1.

    86. Have only had my new coretec vinyl plank floors for about a month. I’m finding it hard to get them clean. It’s almost like they are porous. I’ve noticed that when I mop them, some spots shine and the rest is dull. Dog footprints, drops of dried water, etc do not come off when I use a damp mop. I got down on my hands and knees and rubbed with a terry cloth towel and plain water, the stains still did not go away.

      I chose vinyl plank because my laminate was shinier and showed dog prints more easily. So far this shows dog foot prints just as easily and then you can’t get rid of them.

      I have not used any harsh cleaners, only water and wet mop. I swear the floors are missing the top layer of protection.

      Not happy with my purchase.

        1. I am thinking about this same product but am concerned after seeing the reviews. What was your experience with it? Are you happy or do you have regrets?

          1. I would not recommend this flooring. We did a remodel ,came out looking good with color choice. Cleaning is non stop and even then some. The floor shows even the smallest speck and is a real pain to clean. My friend put Wal-Mart laminate in her mobile home twenty years ago that looks great and never had a problem. I am almost 70 and its very hard to keep the floors looking halfway good. I would never ever want anyone to waste money like I did. Sometimes reviews just cancel each other out. The bad ones sém to be more in agreement , than a year ago when I did mine.

      1. I am having the same exact thing. Recommended by a flooring specialist and installed earlier this year. I can’t imagine why it is so popular and recommended. I am so disappointed because can’t afford to replace it. The guy who sold it is coming to take a look and we’ll see what he says.

    87. The company LIFEPROOF sold at the home depot is the worst product I ever came across. It says scratch resistant, it scratches so bad. Home depot does not stand behind the product. It is garbage. The company does not stand behind it as well. Save yourself some money and don’t buy it.

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