Worst Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands To Avoid In 2024

For durability, natural-looking, and making sense of money, vinyl plank flooring is always a good idea. And there are tons of brands to offer such vinyl flooring to millions of customers each year.

Sadly, there are some brands to be aware of to avoid any dissatisfaction in the future. So, I have made a list of such avoidable brands to make your decision even better.

Let’s dig in!

Top 8 Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands To Avoid

This is my carefully curated list for you!

• Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus Floorte Elite Vinyl Flooring
• MSI Rutledge Luxury Vinyl Flooring
• NeuType Luxury Vinyl Flooring Plank
• MIRUO SPC Vinyl Plank Flooring
• Coretec floor
• Nakan Signature From Flooret
• Armstrong Rigid Core Flooring
• ROSEROSA Peel and Stick Vinyl Flooring

Now that you know their name, let’s see what problems people are facing right now with these brands. Why not talk about these brands in detail, shall we?

• Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus Floorte Elite Vinyl Flooring

Quality control nightmare is the first thing that pops into my mind whenever I heard about this brand. Before putting it into any use, people notice scratched boards, discoloration, and whatnot just opening the box after the arrival of the delivery!

Let’s say you don’t see any visible defects, there is a higher chance you will find the plank boards to be either too wide or too thin. In fact, some installers refused to install the planks because they were so brittle and had alignment problems.

Because of the brittle nature of the plank boards, lots of these boards will arrive already damaged. Of course, it does not happen to everyone, but I would avoid this brand just to be on the safe side.

Here are some common complaints and issues that have been reported about Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus Floorte Elite vinyl flooring:

• Difficulty clicking the planks together properly during installation. The locking system can be tricky and some report planks separating later.
• Gapping between planks, especially in dry weather when the vinyl contracts. This can lead to dirt and debris getting stuck between planks.
• Hollow or plastic-sounding areas in some planks that should sound more solid when walked on. Indicates low density areas.
• Chipping, scratching and denting of the vinyl surface, despite the wear layer. Shows it may not be as durable as expected.
• Joints between planks becoming visible over time as planks expand/contract at different rates. This damages the continuous look.
• Color fading or discoloration from sunlight exposure, especially for the lighter vinyl colors.
• Occasional issues with planks not staying fully adhered to the subfloor, resulting in loose areas or bubbling.
• Chemical smells being emitted from the vinyl initially after installation and lingering for some time in the home.
• Overall sense that the product may not stand up to heavy residential use long-term as advertised. Durability issues.
• Concerns about off-gassing and VOCs from the vinyl and if it’s safe/healthy for indoor air quality.

• MSI Rutledge Luxury Vinyl Flooring

One common allegation against this brand is that these plank boards just won’t stick together no matter many times you hammer them back down.

They just pop out!

Of course, an experienced installer can install them but it’s a little tough to keep them together.

Another problem is that the manufacturer does not deliver them to their customer carefully packaged. A lot of customers received them with their corners chipped off!

Here are some common complaints and issues that have been reported with MSI Rutledge Luxury Vinyl Flooring:

• The click-lock system for connecting the planks can be flimsy and prone to separating. Gaps form between planks over time.
• Hollow or plastic-like sounds when walking on the floor in certain areas, indicating less dense vinyl that dents easily.
• Problems with planks chipping, scratching or showing excessive wear despite the 20 mil wear layer. Durability concerns.
• MSI Rutledge shows staining more easily than expected for a vinyl floor with a protective wear layer.
• Color fading, especially in areas with direct sunlight. The vinyl loses its vibrancy over time.
• Occasional planks arriving with manufacturing defects like improper cuts or sub-standard print quality.
• Rutledge vinyl can show indentations from heavy furniture, appliance feet, heels, etc. more than other luxury vinyls.
• Some users find it has poor noise dampening properties and amplifies sound in a room.
• Loose or uneven areas develop in the floor over time as planks fail to adhere properly or subfloor issues appear.
• Off-gassing chemical smells linger longer than expected during and after installation. Concerns about VOCs.
• Overall sense that it may not stand up to residential use as long as other options in this price range.
• Not as realistic looking as higher-end luxury vinyls, with an artificial appearance.

If you still need to order this vinyl plank flooring, make sure to order a lot extra of them.

• NeuType Luxury Vinyl Flooring Planks

It got some mixed reviews from several e-commerce giants. I would say 50/50. But let’s talk about why I would avoid this brand if I were you.

As always, lots of people received their boards already chipped and scratched. So, negligence on the part of the manufacturer is really high.

Not a very common scenario, but other reviews from several forum sites revealed that they are very brittle as well. Even for some pro installers, it can get damn difficult to install them because of the brittle nature of the boards.

• MIRUO SPC Vinyl Plank Flooring

It’s a relatively new brand in the market and not doing well.

Imagine all the things that can go wrong with such boards and all of them are a reality for this brand!

Split, cracked, or chipped boards are a common problem for this brand. And these boards are so brittle as well.

And they are not very responsive when you email them about this problem too.

So, I can see why many people who have installed these boards don’t recommend this brand.

Here are some common complaints and issues that have been reported for MIRUO SPC vinyl plank flooring:

• The click-lock system for installing the planks can be flimsy and prone to unlocking or separating over time. This leads to gaps between planks.
• Chipping, scratching, and denting of the vinyl surface occur more easily than expected for an SPC floor. Durability is lacking.
• Hollow, plastic-sounding areas develop as planks get walked on, indicating less dense vinyl in parts.
• Noticeable seams form between planks as the floor is used, interrupting the look of a continuous surface.
• Problems with planks becoming stained despite the protective wear layer. Certain colors seem to show stains more.
• Colors tend to fade, especially lighter planks with sunlight exposure over time. The fade is more pronounced than other SPC brands.
• Occasionally planks arrive warped or bowed. This makes proper installation more difficult.
• Lacking sound absorption qualities resulting in an amplified, echo effect in rooms.
• Chemical off-gassing smell lingers longer than expected after installation.
• Planks can lift or bubble in areas if subfloor prep was not done thoroughly before install.
• Ability to resist scratches, dents, and indentation from furniture legs or appliance feet is less than advertised.
• Overall sense that the durability and longevity is not on par with competing SPC rigid core vinyl plank brands.

• Coretec Floor

When installed fresh, it becomes more abrasive for the first few days. You won’t notice any baby-butt-like smoothness for sure initially. However, it will smoothen over time.

Another problem is that you would have to wipe it clean more frequently. In fact, lots of people expressed their frustration saying that they have to wipe down their floors almost every day!

• Nakan Signature From Flooret

Many installers don’t recommend this brand because they think it’s one of the worst brands out there. The abrasiveness issue is so terrible that your feet will condemn you!

They have a Facebook group and many people are complaining about the abrasiveness problem there. You are welcome to read them to avoid any unpleasant experiences in the future!

But I can see a lot of people have a positive experience with this brand as well. So, if you plan to get it, make sure to test out the samples first.

• Armstrong Rigid Core Flooring

It’s never the same with the sample. In fact, lots of people have confirmed that these boards look a lot hazier than the samples.

No, it’s not dust or anything. No matter how many times you clean it up, it won’t become any sharp!

So, that’s a big bummer for many people.

These boards are abrasive too.

So, this vinyl plank flooring can damage the socks and pants of your kids as well.

Here are some of the common complaints and issues that have been reported with Armstrong Rigid Core vinyl flooring:

• The click-lock system can be tricky to properly engage during installation. Gaps and unlocked joints between planks are a common issue.
• Planks can chip or dent more easily than expected for a rigid core product. The vinyl wear layer may be thinner than advertised.
• Discoloration or fading of the vinyl over time after exposure to sunlight. This affects lighter colors the most.
• Hollow, plastic-sounding areas develop as the floor is used, indicating voids or less dense sections in the vinyl.
• Problems with staining and scratching despite Armstrong’s claims of durable and scratch-resistant vinyl layers.
• Floor has inadequate noise dampening properties, especially for a product with an attached underlayment. Sounds echo and amplify.
• Rigid core planks don’t always stay completely flush with subfloor, sometimes resulting in uneven surfaces or bubbles forming.
• Off-gassing chemical odors linger longer than expected after installation. Concerns about indoor air quality.
• Seams between planks are more visible than they should be, interrupting the look of a continuous floor.
• Ability to resist indentation from furniture legs, appliance feet and other heavy objects is less than advertised.
• Overall sense that Armstrong Rigid Core is not as durable or scratch-resistant as higher-priced rigid core vinyl competitors.

• ROSEROSA Peel and Stick Vinyl Flooring

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

You will definitely fall into trouble buying those worst vinyl plank flooring brands I have just mentioned above. People are already suffering and you can read about their struggle with those brands yourself from lots of forum sites.

If I were you, I would avoid these brands at all costs.