Vinyl plank flooring has become an increasingly popular flooring option for homes in recent years. Two of the biggest brands for vinyl plank flooring are Lifeproof and STAINMASTER. But how do you decide which is better for your home?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Lifeproof and STAINMASTER vinyl plank flooring to help you determine the right choice for your needs. We’ll look at the key factors like durability, appearance, cost, warranties, and more.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Lifeproof | STAINMASTER |
| Construction | SPC core | Solid vinyl core |
| Durability | Scratch resistant | Extremely durable and scratch resistant |
| Water protection | Waterproof construction | SpillShieldTM moisture resistance |
| Styles | Wood, tile, and stone looks | Wood and stone looks |
| Warranty | 25 years | Lifetime limited |
Both options are highly durable, water-resistant floors perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and high-traffic areas. Lifeproof offers a rigid stone polymer composite core while STAINMASTER uses a solid vinyl core. STAINMASTER touts extreme scratch resistance and durability.
When it comes to warranties, STAINMASTER provides a lifetime limited residential warranty compared to Lifeproof’s 25 years.
Overview and Key Features
Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER offer high-quality luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring perfect for any room in your home. Here’s a quick overview of each brand:
Lifeproof
- Manufactured by Home Depot
- Features rigid stone polymer composite core
- Scratch and stain resistant
- Waterproof construction
- Wide range of wood look and stone look options
- 25 year limited residential warranty
STAINMASTER
- Manufactured by Invista/Mohawk
- Features a solid vinyl core
- Extremely durable and scratch resistant surface
- SpillShieldTM advanced water repellency system
- Variety of natural wood looks and stone looks
- Lifetime limited residential warranty
Key Differences Between Lifeproof And STAINMASTER Vinyl Plank Flooring
Now let’s take a deeper look at how these two popular LVP flooring brands compare across the key factors.
- Durability
Durability is a top priority when choosing new floors. You want something that will hold up for years to come. Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER offer excellent durability that’s superior to that of laminate flooring, but STAINMASTER is tougher.
Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring features a stone polymer composite core layered between vinyl top and bottom layers. This rigid core provides structure and stability. The vinyl surface has a ceramic bead coating to resist scratches, dents, stains, and water damage. Lifeproof can handle active households with kids and pets.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring is highly durable and scratch resistant thanks to its thicker wear layer and proprietary technologies. The solid vinyl core adds to the floor’s longevity and strength.
STAINMASTER is one of the most durable and indestructible vinyl plank options you can get. It is over 50% more scratch resistant than other vinyl floors. Even high heels, pet claws, dropped pots and pans, and other impacts won’t damage a STAINMASTER floor.
Both floors are suitable for any room in your home. But for maximum lifetime durability, STAINMASTER is the winner.
- Appearance
Visual appeal is another significant factor when choosing new floors. You want something that aligns with your home’s style.
Lifeproof offers a wide selection of realistic wood and stone looks.
Popular options include Weathered Gray Oak, Silver Ash Oak, English Cottage Oak, and Brazilian Koa.
The planks have subtle graining and texture for an authentic appearance.
The ceramic bead finish enhances the realism. Lifeproof planks come in sizes ranging from 4 to 9 inches wide and 36 to 72 inches long.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring also comes in a range of on-trend wood and stone visuals. Their lineup includes options like Rustic Red Oak, Weathered Barnwood, Mountain Lodge Oak, and Coastal Stone.
Graining patterns and textures capture the natural beauty of real materials. Plank sizes range from 4 to 7 inches wide and 36 to 48 inches long.
Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER offer stylish and realistic vinyl floors suitable for any decor. With plenty of color and pattern options available, you can find the perfect look for your space. It’s a matter of personal preference when it comes to appearance.
- Cost
Cost is always a consideration when choosing new flooring. Let’s see how Lifeproof and STAINMASTER compare.
On average, Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring ranges from $2-$6 per square foot installed. This makes it a very budget-friendly flooring option. Lifeproof is exclusively sold at Home Depot at reasonable price points.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring typically ranges from $3-$8 per square foot installed.
It’s a bit more expensive than Lifeproof on average but still very affordable.
You can purchase STAINMASTER floors from various retailers.
Keep in mind that prices vary depending on the specific product line and color you choose as well as your location.
Get quotes from several flooring contractors before deciding.
Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER offer quality floors at reasonable prices, making them great options if you’re on a budget. STAINMASTER is higher end and comes with a lifetime warranty, so the extra cost could be worthwhile.
- Ease of Installation
Installing new floors yourself or hiring a professional? Either way, you’ll want to consider the ease of installation. Let’s see how easy it is to install Lifeproof and STAINMASTER.
Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring is designed with a click-together floating installation. This means no nails, glue, or mess—the planks simply interlock together. Most homeowners can readily install Lifeproof themselves, right over existing floors.
The product has a built-in underlayment so no additional underlay is required. Lifeproof also offers a QuickLock installation option allowing you to tap planks into place with a rubber mallet for a super tight, gap-resistant fit.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring offers a similar easy floating installation. The planks click or tap together without glue or nails. STAINMASTER also has a pre-attached underlayment to make the process smoother.
The planks have angle-tap ends allowing smoother drop-down installation. Like Lifeproof, STAINMASTER can be installed over most existing floor materials.
Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER vinyl plank floors feature user-friendly floating click-together systems ideal for DIY installation. If hiring a pro, labor costs will be lower for these vinyl floors compared to products that require glue-down methods. Either option can be installed in just a day or two.
- Warranties
When investing in new floors, you want the peace of mind that comes with a strong warranty. Let’s compare what’s offered.
Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring comes with a 25 year limited residential warranty. This protects against wear through the printed image, manufacturing defects, and excessive swelling, delamination, or contraction.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring offers a lifetime limited residential warranty—one of the strongest you can get.
It warranties against wear, manufacturing defects, swelling, delamination, and contraction issues.
Both warranties cover replacement or repair of defective planks but STAINMASTER offers longer, lifetime coverage.
STAINMASTER’s warranty is also transferable whereas Lifeproof’s warranty only covers the original purchaser.
Ultimately, STAINMASTER provides superior warranty coverage to safeguard your investment. But Lifeproof’s 25 year warranty is still respectable for the very affordable price point.
Also Read: How COREtec Cairo Oak And Calypso Oak Flooring Compare?
- Water Resistance
Spills happen, especially in busy kitchens and bathrooms. Let’s see how waterproof these vinyl plank floors are.
Lifeproof vinyl flooring features a completely waterproof construction to prevent water damage. The stone polymer core stops moisture from penetrating the planks. Lifeproof can withstand water sitting on the surface for over 24 hours with no issue.
This waterproof design makes it ideal for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and basements.
STAINMASTER vinyl flooring has a water-resistant design rather than being 100% waterproof. It uses SpillShieldTM technology to provide advanced moisture resistance and repel spills.
Liquids don’t permeate the solid vinyl core. STAINMASTER planks withstand water exposure for over 5 hours with no damage, making them suitable for wet areas.
While Lifeproof offers superior water protection with its fully waterproof build, STAINMASTER still performs well in terms of repelling moisture. Either option is a good choice for high-moisture areas prone to spills.
- Environmental Friendliness
Eco-friendly flooring is a priority for many homeowners today. Here’s how “green” these floors are:
Lifeproof vinyl planks are phthalate-free and have low VOC emissions once installed. The recycled content varies by color but averages around 20%. So it offers some eco-friendly benefits although it’s not the most environmentally friendly option out there.
STAINMASTER also produces its vinyl floors without ortho-phthalates. The planks feature 35% recycled content on average. STAINMASTER is Green Label Plus certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute for meeting strict indoor air quality standards. This makes it a great environmentally friendly choice.
While both perform reasonably well, STAINMASTER vinyl flooring is the winner for sustainability. The higher recycled content and air quality certification give it excellent green credentials.
- Noise Reduction
No one wants to hear loud footsteps and other noises echoing through the house. Here’s how Lifeproof and STAINMASTER rate for sound dampening.
Lifeproof vinyl planks feature an integrated EVA foam underlayment layer. This built-in padding absorbs sound well for reduced noise. It offers moderate noise reduction sufficient for most homes. You can add a secondary underlayment if desired for enhanced sound absorption.
STAINMASTER also has a pre-attached foam underlay for noise reduction. Test ratings show it performs better than Lifeproof in footstep noise dampening. This superior sound absorption makes STAINMASTER the quieter choice. The solid vinyl core also provides better noise blocking compared to Lifeproof’s SPC core.
If sound reduction is a key priority, STAINMASTER is your best bet. But Lifeproof also muffles noise reasonably well for vinyl flooring.
Also Read: Comparison of Shaw And COREtec Vinyl Plank Flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, STAINMASTER is widely considered one of the best, most durable vinyl flooring brands on the market. STAINMASTER vinyl is famous for its extreme durability, scratch resistance, and stain resistance. It offers a lifetime limited warranty, high recycled content, and excellent indentation resistance. STAINMASTER is a top quality flooring brand made by Invista/Mohawk.
Some of the best luxury vinyl plank flooring brands include STAINMASTER, Shaw Floorte, COREtec, Lifeproof, and Karndean. STAINMASTER tops reviews for extreme durability, scratch resistance, and longevity. COREtec is another great ultra-durable option. Shaw Floorte offers gorgeous visuals. Lifeproof by Home Depot provides quality floors at great value. Karndean provides high-end luxury vinyl planks.
Lifeproof vinyl flooring is manufactured exclusively for Home Depot under a partnership with I4F. I4F licenses the Lifeproof brand and handles product development and testing. Then the flooring is manufactured at an I4F partner plant in Asia. So you get great quality at affordable prices.
Yes, STAINMASTER flooring offers luxury vinyl plank (LVP) as one of their product lines. STAINMASTER manufactures a range of flooring options including nylon carpeting, laminate, hardwood, and vinyl. Their vinyl flooring line includes rigid core luxury vinyl plank as well as flexible vinyl tiles and sheets. STAINMASTER LVP is 100% waterproof vinyl plank flooring well-known for its durability.
Wrapping Up
So which is better—Lifeproof or STAINMASTER vinyl plank flooring?
Overall, STAINMASTER comes out ahead as the winner if we consider all factors. STAINMASTER vinyl flooring is simply unbeatable when it comes to lifetime durability and scratch resistance.
It also provides excellent noise reduction, higher recycled content, and a lifetime warranty. The only advantages of Lifeproof are the lower cost and fully waterproof design.
But Lifeproof remains an excellent affordable option. For budget vinyl plank flooring with good looks and performance, Lifeproof is hard to beat. It provides the convenience of easy installation and an included underlayment.
With suitable durability for most homes, Lifeproof makes an attractive vinyl floor choice.
In summary:
- For best durability and quality, choose STAINMASTER
- For affordable value, Lifeproof is unbeatable
Carefully consider your needs in terms of budget, layout, and lifestyle. Both Lifeproof and STAINMASTER offer quality vinyl plank floors with realistic wood and stone looks.
With proper care, either option can provide decades of beauty and enjoyment underfoot. Weigh all the factors and quotes to decide which is right for your home.