COREtec is one of the best vinyl flooring companies in the industry. With an enormous selection of styles to choose from, COREtec has an option to match any flooring replacement needs.
Waterproof and scratch resistant, COREtec is designed to last, maintaining its fresh appearance for years with minimal upkeep.
COREtec is one of the more expensive luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) companies on the market, but the quality makes up for the price.
If you are looking for a vinyl flooring option that looks like beautiful hardwood or natural stone, but requires none of the work, COREtec’s LVP is an excellent choice.
If you are ready to replace your old floors, contact your local flooring pros for a FREE ESTIMATE!
How Much Does COREtec Flooring Cost?
Homeowners across US, report spending $6 to 8.5 per square foot to install COREtect vinyl plank flooring, including all materials and professional installation. For a 250 sq.ft. room you can expect to spend a total of $1,500 – 2,125 to install COREtec LVP floors.
While COREtec floors are considered expensive among vinyl plank flooring brands, these floors are significantly cheaper compared to the cost of real hardwood or natural stone tile (granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, etc). The price difference can be as much as 50-60%
The cost of your COREtec vinyl flooring will depend on which series you choose. COREtec offers a diverse range of styles and designs, broken down into six main lines of flooring, with additional subseries for some of the lines.
You can use our Flooring Estimator to get a more accurate estimate for your floor replacement cost.
Here are some additional factors that will impact your total flooring installation cost:
– Size of the project. Small size jobs will actually cost more per square foot, than larger spaces
– Configuration and complexity of the space. If there are many corners or the room is not a square or a rectangle, there will be an upcharge in the installation cost.
– Cost to remove old flooring. Depending on the size of the space and the type of floor you have this can cost an extra $1 – 2.5 per square foot.
– Cost to repair and level the subfloor. If this work is necesarry, expect to spend $350-625 in a single room.
– Local labor rates. How much professional flooring pros charge largely depends on your location. From high to low income areas the difference in the cost of installation can be as much as 30-40%
COREtec Vinyl Plank Flooring Prices Per Square Foot
The cost per square foot of COREtec luxury vinyl plank flooring ranges between $2.90 and $6.30 per square foot On average, homeowners spend between $4 and 5.5 per square foot on COREtec flooring (excluding professional installation)
If you are looking for a cheaper flooring alternative that is water resistant and low maintenance, consider laminate flooring
The table below outlines COREtec flooring prices per square foot based on the series.
| COREtec Flooring Line | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| One | $2.90 – $3.50 |
| Plus Plank and Tile | $4.25 – $4.70 |
| Plus XL Plank | $5.15 – $5.50 |
| Plus Enhanced | $4.75 – $5.50 |
| Plus HD and Design | $5.20 – $6.15 |
| Plus Premium | $5.50 – $6.30 |
| Pro Galaxy | $2.80 – $3.45 |
| Pro Plus | $2.90 – $3.80 |
| Pro Plus Enhanced | $4.00 – $4.85 |
COREtec Vinyl Flooring Series
With one of the most diverse sets of flooring choices on the market, it may be difficult to choose the type of flooring you are interested in.
COREtec breaks down their products into five main collections: Original, Pro, Stone, Wood, and Advanced+.
Within the Original and Pro collections are other distinctions, such as Plus, One, and Enhanced. These distinctions will give you the clearest sense of which style of COREtec to choose.
Below, some of the most popular COREtec styles are outlined in detail. For more information on all of the options available, visit the COREtec website.
COREtec One
COREtec One is the most affordable flooring option offered, as it does not contain an attached pad. The One style costs between $2.90 and $3.50 per square foot
COREtec One comes in twelve styles with a broad range of colors available, although the One style is only offered in wood designs. Planks are 6 inches wide, 48 inches long, and 8 mm thick.
COREtec One is a good choice for new LVP flooring when cost is a major factor and you are willing to sacrifice some quality for the price.
COREtec Plus Plank And Tile
COREtec plus is one of the most popular COREtec styles available, and for good reason: with a selection of around fifty colors and styles, the Plus series can meet almost any aesthetic need.
The Plus series is offered in both wood plank and stone tile types. Planks are 5 or 7 inches wide and 48 inches long, whereas tiles are 12 inches by 24 inches. Both are 8 mm thick.
COREtec Plus is priced in the mid-range, between $4.25 and $4.70 per square foot on average. For affordable and reliable options, the Plus line is an excellent choice.
COREtec Plus XL Plank
The COREtec Plus XL line is the same as the Plus series, but offered in large sizes. The Plus XL line comes in planks that are 9 inches wide, 72 inches tall, and 8 mm thick.
The Plus XL line is well-suited for large, open spaces that need covering. Because the planks are larger, there are fewer seams and butts which gives the flooring a more seamless appearance.
Plus XL is offered around twenty different colors and styles all resembling natural hardwood.
The Plus line is slightly more expensive per square foot, costing between $5.15 and $5.50 per square foot.
COREtec Plus Premium
The Plus Premium line is COREtec’s most high-end, luxuries style. The Plus Premium line is distinct for its 12 mm thickness, the thickest of all options offered, making the Plus Premium planks feel most like real hardwood underfoot.
Therefore, Plus Premium is particularly comfortable to stand on, making it well suited for rooms with long standing periods such as kitchens residentially or waiting rooms or retail spaces in commercial contexts.
For a seamless look, the Plus Premium line comes with four sided beveling. Plus Premium is offered in wood styles, with especially diverse selections for oak, walnut, and pine. Plus Premium planks are 72 inches long and either 9 or 7 inches wide.
Per square foot, planks cost between $5.50 and $6.30.
Which COREtec Flooring Is Most Durable?
The table below shows the thickness and wear layer of different COREtec styles to give you a sense of which style will best suit your needs. The thickness and wear layer largely corresponds to the durability of the flooring.
| COREtec Line | Plank Thickness | Wear Layer |
|---|---|---|
| One Original | 8 mm | 12 mils |
| Plus Plank and Tile | 8 mm | 20 mils |
| Plus XL Plank | 8 mm | 20 mils |
| Plus Enhanced | 8 mm | 20 mils |
| Plus HD and Design | 8 mm | 20 mils |
| Plus Premium | 12 mm | 20 mils |
| Pro Galaxy | 4.4 mm | 12 mils |
| Pro Plus | 5 mm | 20 mils |
| Pro Plus Enhanced | 5 mm | 20 mils |
Pros & Cons Of COREtec Flooring
Here is a summary of the top advantages and disadvantages of installing COREtec vinyl floors.
Pros
● Cost: While COREtec has the appearance of real hardwood, it comes at a much cheaper price. Purchasing COREtec flooring will cost around half as much as installing true hardwood flooring or even engineered hardwood flooring. However, COREtec is on the pricier end of LVP flooring, but the high quality makes up for the price tag.
● Durability: COREtec designed to resist scratches and stains, and can withstand heavy foot traffic. COREtec will blemish less easily than hardwood floors or other lower-quality vinyl flooring brands.
● Waterproof: COREtec is marketed as 100% waterproof, and damage from water is covered under the COREtec warranty. Unlike hardwood or other LVP brands, COREtec is suitable for installation when doing a kitchen, bathroom, or basement remodel.
●Authentic Wood Look: Compared to other LVP flooring brands, which use simulated graphics to replicate the look of natural hardwoods, COREtec has real texture and real graining. Moreover, their planks have a micro bevel edge for a true hardwood look.
● Style Selection: COREtec offers a diverse range of styles, series, and colors to fit your every design need.
● Size Variety: COREtec offers the biggest selection of plank and tile sizes in the industry, including very large sizes that can greatly enhance the look and feel of any space.
● Easy Installation: COREtec is designed for seamless, simple installation, making it an excellent DIY project.
Cons:
● Low Resale Value: While hardwood is known to increase the resale value of your home, vinyl flooring will not do anything for you when you go to sell your home. If you are dead set on buying vinyl flooring, though, COREtec is probably one of the best options in terms of resale value because of its luxury look.
● Short Lifespan: COREtec vinyl flooring will last, with proper care and maintenance, only around twenty years. In contrast, hardwood flooring can last a century if cared for properly.
● No Refinishing: While hardwood floors can be refinished to cover scratches, marks, and look as good as new, COREtec flooring will need to be fully replaced in order to get it looking good as new again.
● Environmental Impact: LVP flooring is not biodegradable or recyclable, so when its life in your home is finished it will remain in a landfill forever.
COREtec does make efforts towards environmental friendliness, such as using biodegradable material for their cores. While COREtec is not as green of a choice as hardwood, it is better for the environment than some other LVP options.
Is COREtec Flooring Scratch Resistant?
Among luxury vinyl flooring options, COREtec is considered to have top notch perfromance when it comes to scratch resistant.
Another huge advantage is that COREtec floors are highly waterproof and moisture resistant. This is why, more and more homeowners who have kids and/or pets are choosing this brand of floors to install in high traffic areas such as:
-kitchen
– bathroom
– mudroom
– basement
– playroom
– laundry room
– hallway/entryway
How Long Does COREtec Flooring Last?
Compared to hardwood floors, engineered wood or tile, the lifespan of COREtec flooring is shorter. You can expect your new vinyl plank floors to last 10-15 years with minimal maintenance.
If you are looking for a budget friendly flooring option that is water-proof but will last longer than LVP flooring, consider installing high quality porcelain or ceramic tile floors.
COREtec Vinyl Flooring Cleaning And Maintenance
To care for your COREtec vinyl flooring, you should clean it regularly to avoid buildup of dust, dirt, and bacteria. A regular cleaning regimen will go a long way to prevent damage down the line.
Cleaning your COREtec flooring is simple: any PH-neutral floor cleaner with detergent and floor polish will do. COREtec recommends avoiding treated dust mops as they can leave a residue.
Using a vacuum with rotating beater bars can cause damage. COREtec also suggests avoiding mops, shine products, and steam products.
To avoid scratches and dents, use a non-stain floor protector under any heavy furniture such as chairs, couches, desks, and tables.
To avoid fading from sunlight, be sure to cover sunny windows with blinds and shades. Even positioning tall furniture, such as a bookshelf or cabinet, to block some sunlight can make a big difference in preventing fading.
Can I Install COREtec Vinyl Flooring DIY?
Vinyl flooring is an easy DIY remodeling project for anyone with basic home improvement skills. Installing your COREtec vinyl flooring independently will significantly reduce costs, as you will not need to hire an outside contractor to do the labor for you.
Before installing COREtec DIY, be sure to look into the warranty stipulations for the specific flooring you choose as DIY installation may make you ineligible for the warranty. COREtec can be installed over almost any subfloor type, and even over most existing flooring without adhesives.
To install COREtec vinyl flooring, you will need several tools, which you can purchase at a home improvement store such as Home Depot or even rent from a local hardware store.
You will need a rummer hammer to press down the panels, a measuring tape to ensure all of your pieces are the right size, and safety goggles to prevent any particles from damaging your eyes.
You will also need a pull bar, a tapping block, spacers, and a carbide tipped blade for cutting the material.
To begin installation, you should first clean the subflooring or existing flooring and ensure it is flat.
Position panels around the outer edge of the wall, using the spacers to leave a quarter inch gap between the wall and the vinyl flooring to account for building movement or settling.
Attach panels together by inserting the new plank into the existing plank’s groove at an angle, and then lowering the new panel into place.
Use your rubber hammer and tapping block to lock the planks into place. To ensure that the edge pieces are fully integrated within the rest of the flooring, you can use a pull bar. The pull bar should also be used for installing the last row of planks.
To cut pieces around doors or other impediments, use the carbide tipped blade. Insert your trim pieces around the outer edge of the flooring, tap into place, and then your flooring is complete.
COREtec vinyl flooring does not require any settling time, and furniture can immediately be moved in to the newly floored room.
For more detailed installation guides, visit COREtec’s website, which has specific installation pamphlets for each type of COREtec flooring, as well as video tutorials.
Where Can I Buy COREtec Vinyl Flooring?
COREtec is available nation-wide from specialty flooring retailers. On their website, COREtec has a search feature by location so you can easily find a contractor close to your home.
COREtec is NOT offered in large home retailers such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.
COREtec Flooring Warranties
Most COREtec products come with a limited lifetime warranty for residential projects, and a ten year limited warranty for commercial projects.
Some stone tile vinyl flooring comes with a ten year warranty for both residential and commercial applications, so be sure to closely examine your warranty to be sure of which coverage you are receiving.
The warranty includes water-proofing, so if you experience damage from water exposure you are eligible under the warranty. However, prolonged exposure to spills or other water exposure is not eligible under this warranty clause.
If you choose to install your COREtec vinyl flooring DIY, it may void your eligibility for the product warranty, so be sure to check for the specific product you want to install DIY.
The table below contains the commercial and residential warranty information for COREtec series.
| COREtec Line | Residential Warranty | Commercial Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| One Original | 25 years | 5 years |
| Plus Plank and Tile | Lifetime | 15 years |
| Plus XL Plank | Lifetime | 15 years |
| Plus Enhanced | Lifetime | 10 years |
| Plus HD and Design | Lifetime | 10 years |
| Plus Premium | Lifetime | 10 years |
| Pro Galaxy | 30 years | 7 years |
| Pro Plus | Lifetime | 15 years |
| Pro Plus Enhanced | Lifetime | 15 years. |
COREtec Flooring vs. Shaw Flooring
Shaw is one of the only LVP companies that outshines COREtec in terms of quality and luxury. Accordingly, Shaw vinyl flooring is even more expensive than COREtec.
While overall Shaw is slightly more impressive than COREtec, the companies are largely similar. They have similar construction of their floor panels, including strong core layers and tough exterior layers.
The one area in which COREtec out-preforms Shaw is in terms of products and styles available. COREtec has an unparalleled amount of style options in almost any imaginable color and size. If you are looking for a specific type of flooring, you are more likely to find it with COREtec than with Shaw.
Additionally, if you want high quality LVP but don’t want to pay the highest price on the market, COREtec might be a better choice than Shaw.
COREtec vs. Mohawk Flooring
Mohawk vinyl plank flooring is the more affordable sister company to Shaw. They provide high quality LVP flooring, although not as high quality as COREtec. Price-wise, COREtec and Mohawk cost around the same.
In terms of durability, COREtec has a stronger core layer than Mohawk and their exterior layer is better at resisting wear and tear for areas with high foot traffic.
Mohawk does offer more options than Shaw, but compared to COREtec their options fall short. COREtec’s range of design options is incomparable.
For these reasons, COREtec is generally considered a better vinyl flooring choice than Mohawk.
COREtec Flooring vs. Lifeproof
Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring is made by and supplied through Home Depot. While Lifeproof is more affordable than COREtec, COREtec is much more durable and high quality.
Like COREtec, Lifeproof is advertised as one hundred percent waterproof and comes with a lifetime residential warranty.
However, while for some COREtec products the warranty only applies for professional installation, all Lifeproof products, even those installed DIY, are eligible under the warranty.
The biggest difference between COREtec and Lifeproof is the cost and the quality. For those with a limited budget, Lifeproof might be the more feasible option, but for those with the money to invest in higher quality flooring, COREtec will last longer and resist damage better.
COREtec Vinyl Flooring Reviews
Among top luxury vinyl plank flooring brands, COREtec is favored by customers for its durability, quality, and the selection of choices available.
Many customers report that the flooring performed as expected or even better. Homeowners with children and pets appreciate the scratch resistance and waterproofing of COREtec LVP flooring.
Other customers, however, have some concerns. Some complain that the CORetec flooring runs through their socks and clothing incredibly quickly, and feels grating to the touch.
Others say that the flooring keeps marks easily and that footprints can be difficult to remove. Some also complain of manufacturing defects, particularly on beveled edges.
While some customers do have issues with COREtec, the vast majority are satisfied with the quality of the product.
All in all, COREtec is a reliable LVP flooring brand that provides high quality, luxury vinyl plank flooring that should last for years.
Thank you for publishing all of this information. I found it VERY helpful. I’m in the process of making a decision on choice of vinyl plank flooring for my home.