CoreLuxe Vs. Lifeproof Flooring: Choice Wisely For Your Home

If you’re in the market for new floors, you’re likely considering vinyl plank flooring options like CoreLuxe and Lifeproof. Both offer the look of luxury vinyl plank flooring at more affordable prices than real wood or stone.

But how do you choose between these two popular brands?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the pros, cons, costs, and features of CoreLuxe and Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring. You’ll learn how they differ in quality, durability, warranties, and more.

Read on for the key factors to weigh when deciding between CoreLuxe and Lifeproof for your next flooring project.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	CoreLuxe	Lifeproof
Cost	$2-5 per sq. ft. installed	$1-3 per sq. ft. installed
Construction	Limestone composite core	Polymer core
Durability	Very durable, resists dents and scratches	Prone to some denting and scratching
Warranty	Limited lifetime residential, 7 years light commercial	15 years residential, 10 years light commercial
Installation	Uniclic® click-lock planks	Angle TapTM click-lock planks
Styles	30+ colors and wood species available	20+ colors and wood species
Waterproof	100% waterproof	100% waterproof
DIY Install	Easy click-lock system	Easy click-lock system
Maintenance	Dry mop and occasional damp mop	Dry mop and occasional damp mop

CoreLuxe Flooring Overview

CoreLuxe vinyl plank flooring is manufactured by USFloors, a leading brand in the flooring industry for over a decade.

Their COREtec line of floors are constructed using a limestone composite core layered between vinyl planks.

This unique construction makes CoreLuxe denser, more dent-resistant, and able to better handle temperature changes than other luxury vinyl plank floors.

Some key advantages of CoreLuxe vinyl plank flooring include:

• Realistic looks – CoreLuxe planks mimic natural wood and stone with subtle textures and grains. Color variation between planks looks authentic.
• Durability – The limestone composite core makes CoreLuxe very dent, scratch, and stain resistant. It also reduces sound transfer.
• Affordability – CoreLuxe costs $2-5 per square foot installed, making it budget-friendly option compared to real hardwood or natural stone.
• Easy installation – CoreLuxe clicks together easily thanks to its Uniclic locking system. No glue is required.
• Variety – CoreLuxe offers a wide range of plank sizes, thicknesses, and color/style options.

Overall, CoreLuxe is a great option if you want floors that can handle active homes and lots of traffic but still look high-end. The density of the floor prevents dents while the vinyl surface resists scratches, stains, and fading.

Lifeproof Flooring Overview

Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring is a brand offered exclusively at Home Depot stores. It’s manufactured by Home Legend using a rigid polymer core layered between vinyl planks. Lifeproof costs a bit less than CoreLuxe but still provides a quality flooring solution.

Some benefits of Lifeproof luxury vinyl flooring include:

• Affordability – Lifeproof starts around just $1 per square foot. Making it very budget-friendly.
• Easy maintenance – The vinyl surface resists scratches and stains and is easy to sweep and damp mop.
• Moisture resistance – Lifeproof can be installed in basements and bathrooms due to its waterproof properties.
• Quick installation – Lifeproof locks together quickly thanks to its Angle Tap installation system.
• Good warranties – Lifeproof offers a limited lifetime residential warranty and a 10 year light commercial warranty.
• Realistic aesthetics – Prints replicate natural stone and wood looks. Beveled edges add dimension.

Lifeproof is ideal for homeowners wanting an affordable flooring solution with easy upkeep. It performs well in wet areas but may dent and sound hollow in high traffic zones.

Key Differences Between CoreLuxe And Lifeproof Flooring

Durability

A key difference between CoreLuxe and Lifeproof is durability. For long-lasting floors under heavy use, CoreLuxe is the winner. Here’s why:

• Construction – CoreLuxe’s limestone composite core gives it more density and rigidity. Lifeproof’s polymer core is thinner and more flexible.
• Dent resistance – Dense CoreLuxe resists dents from pet claws, active kids, and heavy furniture. Lifeproof is prone to some denting.
• Scratch resistance – Both have a scratch-resistant vinyl wear layer. But CoreLuxe’s is thicker, protecting better over time.
• Warranties – CoreLuxe offers limited lifetime residential and 7 year light commercial warranties. Lifeproof warranties are shorter.

While Lifeproof performs decently, those with large pets, kids, or heavy foot traffic should choose the more durable CoreLuxe for long-term performance.

Appearance: Style & Realism

When it comes to appearance, both CoreLuxe and Lifeproof offer extensive design options. Let’s compare their realism and style choices:

• Wood looks – CoreLuxe and Lifeproof mimic oak, hickory, birch, and exotic woods in different plank sizes and colors. CoreLuxe wood grains look a bit more realistic on close inspection.
• Tile/stone looks – From slate and travertine to marble and granite, tile patterns by both brands convince well. Lifeproof offers tile décors not found with CoreLuxe.
• Color choices – Both offer floors in natural, gray, and brown tones from light to dark hues. CoreLuxe has over 30 color options compared to Lifeproof’s 20+.
• Finishes – Expect subtle gloss variations and texture for authenticity. Beveled edges on Lifeproof planks add dimension.

While aesthetics are somewhat subjective, CoreLuxe wins slightly for more color and style choices. But both recreate popular wood and tile looks successfully.

Cost Comparison

Another major consideration is cost. Let’s break down pricing between the two brands:

• CoreLuxe pricing – Ranges from $2-5 per square foot, including installation. More specialized collections like CoreLuxe Reserve cost up to $8 per square foot.
• Lifeproof pricing – Starts around just $1 per square foot and goes up to $3 per square foot for thicker wear layers and added design elements.

So while Lifeproof is the budget winner, the difference is minor if you opt for lower-tier CoreLuxe products. Premium CoreLuxe floors do cost noticeably more than Lifeproof equivalents.

Keep in mind you can often find sales on both brands too. Home Depot frequently discounts Lifeproof floors. And some CoreLuxe products are sold at Costco for lower prices.

Ease of Installation

Installing vinyl plank flooring yourself can save on labor costs. Here’s how CoreLuxe and Lifeproof compare for DIYer-friendly installation:

• Click-lock design – Both floors utilize an innovative click locking system to connect planks without glue. This “floating floor” design makes installation straightforward.
• Angle TapTM (Lifeproof) – Lifeproof’s Angle Tap locking method clicks planks together by tapping the long side into the short side. Easy.
• Uniclic® (CoreLuxe) – CoreLuxe uses the reliable Uniclic system. Planks tap together on the short side, then the long side folds down.
• Cutting – Lifeproof and CoreLuxe planks can be cut with a utility knife. No special saws required.

Overall, both floors go down relatively easy thanks to their click-lock systems. CoreLuxe requires a few more steps, but either floor can be installed by DIYers in just a weekend.

Maintenance Tips: Keeping Floors Looking Like New

Let’s compare how easy CoreLuxe and Lifeproof are to care for once installed:

• Cleaning – Dry mopping plus occasional damp mopping is all that’s needed. Both resist scuffs and stains.
• Durability – As discussed earlier, CoreLuxe better resists scratches and dents over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
• Waterproof – Both floors are 100% waterproof, making them suitable for kitchens, baths, basements and more.
• Repairs – Minor scratches or dents can be touched up with vinyl filler on either floor. Severely damaged planks must be replaced.
• Warranties – CoreLuxe warranties are longer than Lifeproof’s. Both cover defects, not normal wear and tear.

Easy sweeping and mopping is all that is required to keep both floors looking pristine day-to-day. But for long-term durability with less repairs, CoreLuxe is the lower maintenance option.

Which Is Best For You?

Now that we’ve compared the pros, cons, costs, and features, which comes out on top – CoreLuxe or Lifeproof?

Here are some final recommendations based on your needs:

• On a tight budget – Lifeproof provides the best value starting around just $1 per square foot.
• Need extreme durability – Opt for CoreLuxe. Its dense construction better withstands heavy activity.
• Want best style selection – CoreLuxe offers more wood species, tile looks, and color options.
• Need to install in wet areas – Both are 100% waterproof, so either works well in kitchens and bathrooms.
• DIY installing – Both have easy click-lock systems. CoreLuxe just requires a few more steps.
• Have kids/pets – CoreLuxe resists scratches, dents, stains from messy homes better than Lifeproof.

While your budget and style preferences will help steer your decision, for most homeowners, CoreLuxe is the best overall choice if it fits your flooring budget. The unbeatable durability provides peace of mind that floors will look great for decades rather than years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

So in summary, while Lifeproof is a budget-friendly vinyl plank option, CoreLuxe provides better durability and performance for just a little more investment upfront.

Use this comparison to weigh the pros and cons of each flooring line based on your own needs.