Lifeproof Flooring Vinyl Plank Review Tools In Action 2023

Lifeproof Flooring Vinyl Plank Review Tools In Action 2023

Lifeproof is a trendy brand of vinyl flooring, primarily because it’s on the lower end of the price spectrum and sold by Home Depot. Since vinyl is already an affordable option, it can be tempting to save even more money by going with something like Lifeproof, but it may not be your best bet. Sold exclusively by Home Depot, Lifeproof vinyl is a cheap alternative to hardwood. They are pictured in restored wood.

When you’re thinking about flooring price, there’s more to keep in mind than just the raw upfront cost.

• How long will it last?
• How good will it look at first, and how well will it hold up over time?
• How much will it cost to replace?

What is LifeProof Vinyl Flooring?

LifeProof is Home Depot’s in-house brand for vinyl plank flooring (also known as LVP), one of the most robust and popular flooring types on the market today.

One of LVP’s most significant selling points is a fantastic faux wood flooring choice. LifeProof vinyl flooring certainly leans towards that, and if you check it out on the Home Depot website, you’ll find it in endless patterns that mimic dozens of types of hardwood flooring.

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There is a massive gap between high-end vinyl planks and inexpensive vinyl planks, and below we’ll show you where LifeProof flooring fits in on that scale.

Lifeproof Flooring Vinyl Plank Review Tools In Action 2023

These are all essential questions when installing a new floor in your home. Lifeproof flooring has a lot of the same benefits as other vinyl plank brands. However, some downsides explain why it costs less. These may not be deal-breakers for you, in which case this is an excellent way to save a few bucks, but in most cases, we would steer you towards a different option.

Related: 10 Reasons Vinyl Is Great For Bathroom Floors

THE BENEFITS OF VINYL PLANK FLOORS

Here are some of the benefits that apply to all planks, including those offered by Lifeproof.

Lifeproof Flooring

Affordability

Compared to hardwood, stone tiles, and other popular options, you can get a new floor for less money. Wood can get damaged easily and needs to be sanded and polished occasionally, something you can only do a finite amount of times. Stone can crack. Both require significant renovations to install, whereas vinyl plank can usually sit right on top of an existing floor, further bringing down installation labor costs.

REXBETI 43-Piece Laminate Wood Flooring Installation Kit with 40 Spacers, Tapping Block, Heavy Duty Pull Bar, and Diameter 1 3/8

Selection

There are only so many different styles available with certain types of flooring, but with vinyl, you’ve got many to choose from. Along with different looks and patterns of vinyl, you’ve also got different tiers of quality, which we’ll discuss more in-depth.

Durability

Generally speaking, vinyl floors are pretty durable. They’re resistant to most spills, don’t stain easily, and even scratches from a pet’s claws are rare. They should last many years, and they’re pretty easy to maintain.

That’s in general, which brings us into some of the issues we have with Lifeproof…

Lifeproof Flooring

THE PROBLEM WITH LIFEPROOF

Lifeproof is a brand that’s sold exclusively at Home Depot. It’s safe to assume that Home Depot has a strong relationship with them and is possibly incentivized into steering people towards their products when they visit the store to look at flooring. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this; the real problem is quality and the time-honored saying

you get what you pay for.

Yes, Lifeproof is very affordable, and you’ll see them recommended a lot, especially in-store. The problem with this is the fact that they’re not super durable.

Essential Oak

The product is thinner and lower-quality than some other options out there, so if you’re already saving some money by going vinyl, you should look at higher-quality options.

Lifeproof Flooring

There is a time and place where something lower-end might be okay. If you have an addition to your home, like a spare room or a sunroom or what you have, this can be an affordable option for lower-traffic areas. You don’t always need the best; sometimes, cheap and good enough is, quite frankly, good enough.

REXBETI 43-Piece Laminate Wood Flooring Installation Kit with 40 Spacers, Tapping Block, Heavy Duty Pull Bar, and Diameter 1 3/8

As long as you realize that Lifeproof isn’t a high-end, top-quality option and use it accordingly, you should be all set. The problem is when people use it for their kitchens, bathrooms, entrances, and other high-traffic areas in their homes and then notice it starting to wear out too quickly, or the colors fade, or that it’s scratching too fast, or other issues of durability.

Lifeproof Flooring

LIFEPROOF ALTERNATIVES

For alternatives to Lifeproof, we’re going to be sticking to other vinyl brands. Of course, there are many other non-vinyl alternatives out there, but we’ll assume you’ve already made up your mind on vinyl and you’re just looking for a higher quality option.

A good indicator is a price. More expensive doesn’t always mean it’s better, but it’s a start. With many options in the $1-$2 per square foot range, you’re missing essential features like scratch resistance and waterproofing.

Another thing to look at is the thickness of the tile. Lifeproof isn’t the worst when it comes to this; there are cheaper brands that can be insanely thin. The thickness of the planks can vary depending on the style you choose, and thicker is generally a better option in terms of quality and durability. Also, the thicker ones can have additional protective layers, which help them last longer.

Lifeproof planks are pretty thin and thicker, which demonstrates that it’s essential to look beyond just the brand name. Having said that, if you’re looking for some alternatives, here are some other brands that are worth checking out:

Lifeproof Flooring

Armstrong Vivero

Kingston Walnut

The Vivero line of products comes in 3 different durability options according to your needs and where you’re putting it. It’s 100% waterproof, super durable, and has several styles.

You can install these yourself if you have even a bit of DIY experience. Armstrong’s Vivero products come with a lifetime limited warranty for the home and a 15-year warranty for commercial installations. They can cost upwards of twice as much as Lifeproof, depending on the style of each.

REXBETI 43-Piece Laminate Wood Flooring Installation Kit with 40 Spacers, Tapping Block, Heavy Duty Pull Bar, and Diameter 1 3/8 

Congoleum’s DuraCeramic

DuraCeramic is like a mixture between vinyl and ceramic tiles. It has the benefits of both, with more minor downsides. The price of DuraCeramic is slightly higher than the pricier versions of Lifeproof but put them side-by-side, and you can tell the difference right away. Congoleum also offers tile and sheet flooring options.

Karndean Designflooring

This brand has been around for decades, and offers high-quality vinyl flooring options at somewhat higher prices, in the $4-$8 per square foot range, give or take. They have a 20-year warranty and a lot of unique designs and accent pieces that you can use to bring the look together.

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Lifeproof Flooring

FINAL CONCLUSION

When it’s all said and done, there are much better options than Lifeproof, but it isn’t the worst option out there, either. There are a lot of complaints about it scratching too quickly or not being as durable as advertised, but if you want something cheap, it fits the bill.

Do you ever have that one project in your home, and every time you see it, you have to take a moment and admire it?

I still feel even after living with my LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring for a year!

The post I did initially on the flooring is my number one post for the last year. It’s also the post that gets the most comments and the most questions. I have answered many questions in the previous year, but you guys keep thinking up more of them!

Before answering the FAQs, I wanted to give my utmost, transparent review of this flooring. Real-Life Look at LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

REXBETI 43-Piece Laminate Wood Flooring Installation Kit with 40 Spacers, Tapping Block, Heavy Duty Pull Bar, and Diameter 1 3/8

Lifeproof Flooring Vinyl Plank Review Tools In Action 2023

It was the first lock and drop flooring that I have ever put down. I wasn’t too worried about it, but I read and re-read the instructions many times before putting them down.

Let me tell you; it was straightforward. After the first three rows, I got into a groove and did it.

One of the main things I love about this floor is that it’s “warmer” to the touch because the subfloor is attached. It’s not a shock when we come out of our bedroom in the morning in the winter like our old laminate was.

It has held up well with the life of two small children. I have had only one “scratch” on the floor. My son started to push a dining room chair on the floor, and even though I had felt pads on all my furniture, I heard a loud scrape as he was going. I stopped him and saw a white streak on the floor where it was scratched. It must have picked up a small stone under the chair. I took a damp paper towel and went over, and it was gone. You cannot see any scratch on the floor unless you get on the floor and look sideways at

I was scared it would be a big scratch, but so glad you can’t see it because of the protective layer.

I can’t say enough good things about this flooring. Friends, I am also constantly flooded with comments from readers about how they have put it in their home and love it so much.

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have recommended it to friends, and if I ever get around to gutting our bathrooms, it’s also the flooring I would put in there.

CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEO I DID TO SHOW YOU MY FLOORS IN “REAL LIFE”

So here is my list again of my most FAQs:

How do you clean your floor? Are there streaks?

I use a gentle green cleaner on the flooring when I mop it. It’s a concentrate made by Shaklee. I have never had any streaks using it.

What can I use to make it shine?

I don’t know. The color that I chose is Seasoned Wood. There is no shine to it. It wouldn’t have the natural wood look that I was going for if there was. So shine is not essential to me.

What is the wear layer on the flooring?

As noted on the TDS, it is 6mil (0.15mm). You can see the full Technical Data Sheet here. 

What pattern did you use for your flooring?

I used the second pattern noted in the instructions, yet I think I switched it up in places like the hallway.

REXBETI 43-Piece Laminate Wood Flooring Installation Kit with 40 Spacers, Tapping Block, Heavy Duty Pull Bar, and Diameter 1 3/8 

Did you use an underlayment on your flooring?

No, there is already an underlayment built into the flooring. I put it down right on the plywood subfloor.

In your kitchen, did you put it under your appliances?

Yes, I pulled out our oven and refrigerator and put them under. I did not put it under the dishwasher. I put it as close as I could.

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Are there transition strips?

Yes. (affiliate) You can purchase them right from the Home Depot website here.

Did you remove your molding/trim before you put the flooring down?

Yes, I did remove it. Then put it back to cover up the gap you need from the wall.

What can I put this flooring over?

It can be installed over most surfaces, including tile, wood, concrete, and vinyl. Here, you can find the full specs and install guides on the Home Depot website.

Have you put this flooring in your home? Please tell me what you think about it in the comments! Have more questions that I haven’t answered, ask me in the comments, and I will try my best to answer them!

Want to purchase this flooring? Ours is Seasoned Wood, and you can find it here. Remember, it’s usually free shipping, or you can order it online and choose to pick it up in-store, so it’s waiting for you!

Want to see all the LifeProof flooring choices?

 See them here.

Does Home Depot own LifeProof?LifeProof Flooring Is Exclusive to Home Depot

Again, LifeProof flooring can only be bought at Home Depot. The entire product line is Home Depot’s in-house brand.

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Does Shaw make LifeProof flooring? LIFEPROOF HARD SURFACE

Floorté vinyl by Shaw Floors offers the best of both – an utterly waterproof floor with the look of hardwood. Shaw Floors knows how to LifeProof flooring so that you can be CONFIDENT and WORRY-FREE!

Is LifeProof flooring waterproof or water-resistant?

Lifeproof laminate flooring is water-resistant for up to 24 hours. Your floor is protected with a Limited Lifetime Warranty for home applications or a Limited 7 Year Warranty for light commercial settings. Lifeproof laminate flooring can be installed above grade, on grade, or below grade.

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Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API