Smartcore Flooring has made a name for itself in the flooring industry, thanks to its innovative and user-friendly techniques.
However, just like any other brand, Smartcore vinyl flooring has its own sets of flaws too. There are some problems with satcore vinyl flooring that people has faced commonly, such as color fading, scratches, plank lock system, peeling, and cracking.
Hey every, I am peter, and in this post I am going to talk about some most common issues with smartcore flooring. We will also look into some real-life customer reviews and complaints, various pros and cons of smartcore, if it’s really worth it or not.
Is SmartCore a Good Brand?
Not every brand is perfect, they all have their own downsides, same goes for the SmartCore vinyl flooring brand as well.
SmartCore has been here for quite some time now, but has recently got popularity due to their budget friend flooring options that doesn’t compromise with style. Due to its unique designs and user-friendly installation process, it started gaining more recognition as time went by.
However, even though it’s a well known brand, people have faced issues after buying the Smartcore vinyl flooring. You need to be extra caring with their products and have to regularly maintain.
Overall speaking, yes, smartcore is a good brand, however, their are other brands in comparison that offers far better featires, pricing, and support that you can choose from.
10 Common Problems with Smartcore Vinyl Flooring
Smartcore vinyl flooring has amazing features and comes in various styles, colors, and designs, all at an affordable price. However, people have reported various problems with smartcore flooring, such as peeling, cracking, color fading, etc.
In this section, we are going to look at 10 common problems with smartcore vinyl flooring that you should know before getting them installed in your home:
1. Installation Challenges
Although SmartCore vinyl flooring was designed for user-friendly installation, still, many people faced some challenges during the installation process.
The most common issues were, planks not fitting together, some complaining that the planks were uneven or unstable, improper finish, or planks were not staying in place.
How to fix or avoid?
To avoid any installation or plank problem, make sure you prepare the subfloor and ensure that it is perfectly labeled for the installation process. If you have doubt, hire an expert who has expertise in working with such vinyl flooring.
2. Durability Concerns
Despite SmartCore vinyl flooring saying that its planks are durable and long-lasting, people in reviews say otherwise. SmartCore vinyl flooring is prone to scratches, in high-foot traffic areas, or if there are pets, these planks will end up having scratches and dents within a few months after installation.
As time goes by, these scratches and dents will make your vinyl floor dull and lose its charm.
How to avoid and fix?
To avoid having such problem, it’s best to not walk while wearing shoes or pointed heels as it could easily scratch the surface. Color fading or discoloration is something that happens with time or when the planks are exposed to sunlight. Hence, install the vinyl planks inside the house that doesn’t have direct contact with the sunlight.
3. Moisture Resistance
SmartCore vinyl flooring does advertise that their flooring is water resistant and even has a waterproof warranty. But some people have complained of mold or mildew growing from beneath the planks.
The vinyl flooring is waterproof but doesn’t have a moisture barrier. Most vinyl flooring brands use underlayment(a moisture barrier) in their vinyl planks but, SmartCore vinyl floor doesn’t seem to have any moisture barrier.
How to avoid this problem?
In areas like the kitchen and bathroom, make sure that your subflooring is ready for the installation of planks. To prevent moisture from seeping in, use underlayment to fill all kinds of cracks, and also create a leveled subfloor. This moisture barrier can help prevent mold and mildew from growing and ensures your floor remains beautiful and shiny.
4. Discoloration and Stain
Another common problem with SmartCore vinyl flooring is the discoloration and staining of the planks. This can happen if you have rubbed-backed furniture, floor rugs, furniture with heating vents, or furniture with wheels.
Staining is another problem that happens with the SmartCore vinyl flooring. It’s hard to get rid of oil and grease stains from the their vinyl floor, making things more complex. Either you act quickly and remove the stain as soon as it falls on the floor or use cleaning agents or baking soda, to remove the stain.
How to avoid?
To prevent this from happening, either you move the furniture around frequently or don’t place it on vinyl flooring. Discoloration can also happen after being exposed to direct sunlight, so make sure you have window coverings.
5. Peeling and Cracking
Peeling and cracking is another biggest problem people have to deal with their smartcore vinyl floor planks. Despite SmartCore vinyl having protective layers, they still end up bending, chipping, or peeling after some time.
The protective layer can also weaken after getting scratched, which makes the flooring vulnerable to damage. This can happen due to adhesive coating wearing out, dragging heavy items, or high moisture levels in the room or subfloor.
How to avoid?
This kind of problem can happen with any vinyl flooring brand over time. To fix this, you can use heat to soften the adhesive layer, peel the old layer, and then apply a new layer of adhesive underneath the planks.
6. Temperature Tolerance
The temperature tolerance plays an important role before, during, and, after the installation process of vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is vulnerable to temperature tolerance and can withstand heat between 65°F and 80°F. And when the flooring is exposed to extreme temperatures outside this range, it can expand, peel, curl, or even crack.
Such problems has been seen with SmartCore flooring.
How to avoid?
To maintain the appearance and durability of the vinyl flooring, it’s important to avoid drastic temperature changes, so try to maintain the temperature inside the home, to keep them safe from getting damaged.
7. Dents
Dents in vinyl flooring are quite common since they are much softer than hardwood so they end up getting dented easily. This pretty much happens due to sudden changes in temperature, or when exposed to heavy pressure.
SmartCore vinyl flooring is not any different when flooring gets exposed to excessive weight or impact, it can get dented with heavy furniture, high foot traffic, or sharp objects.
How to avoid?
To prevent this from happening, use flooring pads or protective feet, to distribute the weight of heavy items evenly and also to make it easier to drag them across the floor.
8. Warranty Issue
SmartCore vinyl flooring does offer a Lifetime Limited Residential Wear Warranty and the terms and conditions include a lifetime warranty for residential use and a short-term warranty for commercial use.
This warranty typically covers defects in manufacturing and materials, such as discoloration, wear and tear.
However, warranty issues can arise if you are claiming after the warranty period is over, the flooring got damaged with improper care and maintenance, or if installation is done without following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
If you are having problems with the warranty issues then contact the retailer to file a claim. Make sure you have all the documents ready along with the proof of purchase.
9. Off-Gassing
SmartCore vinyl flooring tends to emit harmful chemicals even though they have low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Off-gassing occurs when the flooring emits these VOCs after the installation is being done. This is mostly strong in the first two weeks but sometimes it can last for months. Exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, and other respiratory problems.
Some vinyl flooring contains chemicals like phthalates which can cause skin irritation and other serious respiratory issues. Most flooring companies don’t use this chemical in their flooring items to make them safe.
10. Bad Locking
Bad locking is another common problem faced by people with SmartCore Vinyl Flooring. SmartCore flooring uses a Drop-and-lock system for their vinyl planks which gives users ease of installation. However, as easy as this sounds, it create an issue of bad locking system.
This happens mostly when the installation is not done properly or has a faulty locking system, which then makes the planks not click together, leading to gaps or uneven flooring.
How to fix?
To avoid facing this problem, first make sure the subfloor is leveled and smooth, and also make sure to read the instructions carefully before installation. You might need to use a bit of strength and pressure to fit them all together.
SmartCore Vinyl Flooring Customer Reviews and Feedback
SmartCore Vinyl Flooring has mixed reviews and feedback from its customers.
Some customers are having a great experience with SmartCore floorings, appreciating its smoothness, durability, ease of installation and maintenance.
However, on the other side, few customers has complained saying that they were dissatisfied with the SmartCore vinyl flooring, easy dents, not durable, not scratch-resistant, and has a faulty locking mechanism, which makes the installation process really difficult.
Although SmartCore did claim their vinyl flooring to be water-resistant, durable, cracks, and scratch-resistant, they don’t live up to it. It’s quite normal for vinyl flooring to have discoloration and scratches over time but people in reviews has started having these problems within a few months after the installation.
SmartCore Vinyl Flooring Pros and Cons
Pros
SmartCore vinyl flooring has several benefits that make it a popular choice for people. So, here are the pros to help you get an idea of what you can expect:
- It is waterproof as it has multiple protective layers which makes it ideal for areas prone to moisture.
- Comes in various styles, patterns, and colors.
- They are affordable as they cost $4 per square foot.
- Easy to maintain.
- Great for low-traffic areas.
Cons
Just like any other vinyl flooring, SmartCore has its own disadvantages. Here are the cons of SmartCore Vinyl flooring that you should consider before buying:
- Many people have needed help with the installation process which then leads to gaps or cracks because of improper fitting.
- While it’s durable, the vinyl flooring dents easily under heavy pressure or impact from sharp objects.
- It’s not scratch-resistant for a long time which then leads to discoloration.
- You need to prepare the subfloor and place a protective underlayment before the installation.
Is SmartCore Vinyl Worth Buying?
SmartCore vinyl flooring can be worth buying but it depends on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a durable, stylish, and affordable option, then you can give it a try. SmartCore vinyl flooring comes in various styles, colors, and patterns, giving you lots of options to choose from.
Moreover, if you are tight on budget and need something stylish, SmartCore vinyl flooring could be a great option. With proper care and maintenance, this flooring can last for years. Additionally, SmartCore flooring has low-maintenance, is durable, and waterproof.
However, if you can spend some extra bucks, and looking for something durable, you can go for other brands.
Alternatives To SmartCore Vinyl Flooring
If you are looking for some alternatives to SmartCore flooring, then we have several options available that offer similar benefits along with some unique features. These alternatives solve most of the concerns that people have regarding SmardCore Vinyl Flooring.
You can go through them one by one and see if they are suitable according to your needs and requirements. Here are the alternatives that you can try:
- COREtec
- LifeProof
- Mohawk
- Style Selections
- Canopy
Conclusion
SmartCore is a good investment if you are tight on budget as you get waterproof, durable, and stylish vinyl flooring. There are some common probelsm with smartcore vinyl flooring that you should know before making a purchase from them.
Just like any other brand, smartcore has its own flaws too. People shared their experience with the SmartCore vinyl flooring, some had great experience while others didn’t.
Although it’s supposed to be water-resistant, scratch-proof, and durable, many people complained their flooring didn’t last long.
