You know that hardwood flooring would give your home the much-needed makeover it deserves, but you’re hesitant to take the plunge. The cost of labor and materials, the days (or weeks) of chaos in your home as you have contractors coming and going, and concerns over how your new flooring will stand up against your busy household is enough to cause even the most level-headed homeowner to panic. Luckily, HSC Woodland Creek vinyl plank flooring offers the look of hardwoods without the hassle.
Vinyl plank flooring is growing in popularity among homeowners because it provides the beautiful look of hardwoods at a more cost-effective price. In addition to being low-cost, it’s also an easy DIY project for most homeowners. People can finish most jobs in just hours. So there are no expensive contractors coming in and out of your home.
But with so many brands on the market, how does the HSC Woodland Creek Series stack up against the competition?
In this article, we’re going to take a take an in-depth look at this collection of vinyl plank to help you make the best purchasing decision for your new flooring. We’ll explore costs, color selection, benefits and drawbacks, and other factors to help you determine if this is the right flooring for your space.
- Colors & Styles
- Easy To Clean & Maintain?
- How Much Will I Pay?
- Can I Install This Flooring Myself?
- Where Can I Install HSC Woodland Creek Vinyl Plank Flooring?
- Will My Planks Emit Odors Or Chemicals Into My Home?
- Is This Flooring Built To Last?
- Final Verdict
What Colors & Styles Are Available?
One of the most important features for many homeowners when selecting new flooring is how it will coordinate with the rest of their home. After all, most people don’t want to have to change their paint colors, furnishings, and home décor just to match their new flooring. Does HSC Woodland Creek series vinyl planks come in a wide assortment of colors and styles?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. There aren’t many variations of HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks. In fact, there are just two colors available.
You can purchase this vinyl plank in Sable, which has a dark brown wood-like finish. This flooring is also available in Gray Wolf, which – as the name suggests – is a beautiful dark gray. Both flooring types have a low-gloss finish and each plank is 6 inches by 36 inches.
On the positive side, both colors are very neutral and look very realistic when compared to real hardwoods or laminate. However, the lack of color and style selection is a definite drawback, especially when compared to other flooring brands that have more variations. Both of the colors are also fairly dark, so this wouldn’t be a good product for anyone that wants a lighter flooring.
Are HSC Woodland Creek Vinyl Planks Easy To Clean & Maintain?
Like other vinyl planks, the HSC Woodland Creek collection is extremely easy to clean and maintain. There’s virtually no maintenance to keep your flooring looking its best. If a plank becomes damaged, you can simply remove it and replace it yourself.
After installation, make sure to use furniture leg protectors to prevent damage. You also want to avoid sliding heavy furniture or appliances across the flooring. Also avoid exposing your floor to direct sunlight as this can cause fading.
For daily vinyl plank cleaning, you can sweep the floor with a broom, use a dust mop, or even run over it with a vacuum cleaner. If you opt for the latter, make sure that you select a vacuum designed for bare floor use. Using just any old vacuum may result in dents or tears on your flooring.
The best part of this vinyl plank flooring is how easy it is to clean. With hardwoods and laminates, you have to purchase special products and can’t get your floor wet. With HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks, floors are waterproof, and the manufacturer recommends cleaning the toughest messes with a cost-effective solution of white vinegar and water.
How Much Will I Pay For My New Flooring?
Sure, solid hardwood flooring looks great, but if you’re on a budget, the cost can be a factor that prevents you from moving forward with your purchase. Even laminate flooring can get extremely expensive when calculating the costs of underlayment, trim, and of course the flooring itself. However, you can get a similar flooring look in your home at a fraction of the cost with HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks.
Though vinyl plank pricing varies based on where you purchase your flooring, expect to pay around $30 per package. Each package covers a total of 27 square feet. Breaking this down by square foot, you’ll pay about $1.11 per square foot.
Expect to pay around $3 to $5 per square foot for low-grade hardwood flooring. For laminate, expect to pay around $2 to $4. This is just the costs of the flooring and does not calculate labor costs or additional materials, so you can see that HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks offers a very affordable alternative.
Can I Install This Flooring Myself?
More homeowners are going the DIY route when it comes to home renovations, including the installation of new flooring. Installing flooring gives homeowners a sense of accomplishment while also saving hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. Many flooring types such as hardwoods, laminate, and wood-look tile require special skills and tools to get the job done, so how does HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks compare?
The great news is that most homeowners with a little bit of time on their hands can easily install their new flooring. You do not need any special tools. The manufacturer provides step-by-step instructions on exactly how to install the planks from start to finish.
You can install HSC Woodland Creek planks on any floor that is dry, level, flat, and structurally sound. In some cases, you may have to patch, clean, and prep the floor before starting your installation.
After you prep the subfloor, you simply allow the planks to acclimate to the room where you will be installing them. If this sounds difficult, it isn’t. This simply means allowing the planks to lie flat for at least 48 hours prior to installation.
Next, you simply remove the release paper from the back of each plank and adhere it to the subfloor beginning from the center of the room. Line up the planks along a straight line, then stagger the planks when you start on the next row. If you need to cut the planks to size, you can do so with a sharp utility knife.
Installing your HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks is easy enough for anyone provided you follow the steps and take your time. The process is extremely easy, however, and most projects can be finished in the same day.
Where Can I Install HSC Woodland Creek Vinyl Plank Flooring?
A big drawback of hardwoods and laminate flooring is that there are only certain places where you can install this flooring. After all, hardwoods and laminate aren’t waterproof, so installation in bathrooms of below-grade rooms is simply out of the question. However, HSC Woodland Creek vinyl plank flooring has the advantage because you can install it just about anywhere.
Recommended uses by the manufacturer include kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, entryways, and rec rooms. Per the manufacturer, you can also install this vinyl flooring in basements. Vinyl planks can be installed on almost any indoor surface.
However, you should never install HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks over particleboard, chipboard, hardboard. Also, never install them over underfloor heating systems. People also should not install them on concrete floors that have moisture issues.
You should only install this flooring indoors. It is important to do so in temperature-controlled environments where temperatures are maintained at 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
You can install planks over old flooring. However, you can’t install it over surfaces with cushioning. If installing over previous floor coverings, the old floor must be smooth, well-bonded and free of wax or coatings.
Will My Planks Emit Odors Or Chemicals Into My Home?
More homeowners these days lean toward more natural, “green” flooring options for their homes. These homeowners want to keep chemicals out of their homes and have the safest, most natural materials around their families and guests. With HSC Woodland Creek vinyl planks, are chemicals and odors a problem?
Like other types of vinyl flooring, HSC Woodland Creek series is man-made and is made with plastics and other materials. However, it is free of ortho-phthalates (a type of industrial chemical) and does not contain heavy metals.
This flooring is also FloorScore Certified. FloorScore is an indoor air quality certification standard for hard flooring. Because it is FloorScore Certified, HSC Woodland Creek flooring products have a low number of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are released into the air. In addition to giving your home a whole new look, this flooring can also be used in classrooms and office buildings without worrying about odors or harmful chemical emissions.
However, there are still chemicals used in the manufacturing process, and you may notice a slight odor upon installing the flooring. However, this should fade over a short amount of time. If, however, you’re looking for a natural, “green” flooring, you might want to look at other products.
Is This Flooring Built To Last?
This affordable flooring allows you to save money in the short-term, but what about for the long haul? After all, are you really saving money if you have to replace your flooring in just a few months or years? Is HSC Woodland Creek vinyl plank flooring designed to withstand your lifestyle?
Despite its relatively low price point, this flooring is actually extremely durable. It is resistant to scratches and stains, it is completely waterproof, and it’s easy to maintain. With proper care, you should be able to enjoy your plank flooring for at least five to 10 years.
This flooring is great for homes with kids and pets. However, you should trim pet nails to prevent tears in the vinyl. To back up the quality, the manufacturer also provides a lifetime residential warranty against defects. Please note, though, this does not cover damages that you may incur due to daily use.
When you compare it to other hard flooring types, HSC Woodland Creek vinyl plank falls a little short. Hard flooring types like ceramic tile, natural stone, or hardwoods can easily last for centuries. Vinyl plank has a much shorter lifespan.
However, one good thing to note is that even if you need to replace the floor, it is easy and inexpensive to do it yourself. That is not the case with refinishing or replacing hardwoods or tile.
Final Verdict
The HSC Woodland Creek Series is a high-quality vinyl plank that holds its own against other brands of vinyl flooring. It is an ideal choice for busy households with kids or pets that want a low-maintenance, easy-to-clean, affordable flooring option that they can install themselves.
However, the lack of color choices, the man-made material, and the short lifespan of this product may be deal-breakers for many consumers. It’s important for you to weigh the factors that are most important to you to determine if this is the right flooring for your next remodeling project.
Have you tried HSC Woodland Creek vinyl plank flooring? Have you recently installed another brand that you recommend? Let us know in the comments below.
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