COREtec Advanced+

[foster18]

Has anyone installed COREtec Advanced+ luxury vinyl planks? How did the install go and are you pleased with the performance of the product? Our retailer was telling us about the product and we understand that there is no wear layer, but the product has a 15 yr scratch warranty. Any info would be much appreciated!

 

[highup]

I just looked up the product and it says it has a 12 mil wear layer. I don't think that there is a product of this type that doesn't have a wear layer.
I haven't seen any issues with any of the cortec products.
There is a random person here and there that claims the materials are so strong and abrasive that they wear out shoes and socks and makes their feet all red when they walking barefoot in the house. I've talked to my retailer and she had no idea what I was talking about. They have been selling cortec vinyl flooring since it was created.
Regardless of the brand, the one thing I would not do is purchase a 'thin' click together vinyl plank or tile.
9 mm is approaching 3/8 of an inch, and that's a good thing.
I've installed a number of cortec floors over the years and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase the material. It's at the high end of these click products and it definitely costs more than the bargain basement $1.99 stuff that you do not want to get remotely close to purchasing.

 

[foster18]

Thank you for the response! Here is the link to the Coretec product, Ludlow Oak(VV675-04016) EVP Vinyl Wood Flooring | COREtec we visited a retailer last week and he said this product and a Shaw equivalent, Prodigy HDR MXL Plus, the Floorte Elite line, both have the 15 year scratch warranty, no wear layer and a mineral core. introduced at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. Both products look good to us (our knowledge is totally a result of reading and talking to retailers - no experience at all!). We have around 1200 square feet to do and will hire a professional to do the install. That is, if we can just make a decision! Again, thank you!

 

[highup]

I'm still surprised about "no wear layer" all printed products have a wear layer.
I wouldn't hesitate with the cortec product. Shaw owns Cortec, so I don't think they'd have any trouble rebranding the material to be their own. Most likely same quality.
Stay away from super thin products. They may have good durability but the locking mechanisms are much smaller and much weaker meaning the floor will need a tremendous amount of prep work to your floor is truly flat.

 

[highup]

I just reread your post and you mentioned floorte elite. I did a small repair in that material and I believe it was one of the thinner click together products.
Had it been a thicker product like most of the cortec floors I don't think I would have had to do this repair.
This material was installed without the heating system being on in the house and a couple months later when I came to put in the carpet, I turned up the heat. The product grew and the floor buckled in one area. Cortec is considered dimensionally stable. I have not seen this same thing happen with Cortec flooring.
I would pick Cortec over the floorte.

 

[highup]

This might help.
https://www.reallycheapfloors.com/blog/shaw-luxury-vinyl-plank-gallery-floorte-pro-series/

 

[foster18]

Thanks again for your input. Just an FYI today we were told by our retailer that the "order desk" at Shaw would give us an estimate on when the CoreTec product may be available, but they expect it to be the end of this year or the beginning of next year. They advise to place an order to get on the list for delivery. And so it goes.

 

[MikeAntonetti]

So the printed layer is what is walked on direct contact and is resistant to wear I assume.

 

[Tom Picciani]

I installed Coretec plus 9x72 planks in the upstairs area 2 years ago. My beagle has not put a scratch in it

 

[Tom Picciani]

So the printed layer is what is walked on direct contact and is resistant to wear I assume.

The printed layer is coated with melamine, which is the wear layer. Get a sample and try scratching it with your keys. I couldn’t make a mark!

 

[Tarkus]

A little late, but for those researching- I installed over 2k sf of the Advanced +, 9"w x 3 diff sizes. I've installed plenty of flooring but I don't do it every day. This flooring may possibly be the best available but it's not perfect. It is very brittle so the thin corners and edges are prone to breakage, and worse, fracturing. For best results use the type of tapping block that has a bevel and fit's into the edge. Do not use a normal square block. Use a dead blow hammer, not a rubber mallet. You'll thank me later. Try installing from L>R and vice versa for your personal preference. R>L seems easier to me. Less tapping required. Carefully handle the material and inspect every piece. I worked from 3-6 boxes to get a better pattern spread and size mix. A carbide jigsaw blade is handy for notches, etc. A guillotine cutter works better for chops as this stuff eats blades and creates a ton of dust. It installs in both directions but definitely requires technique. The 7' board is the toughest. I had a few that were 'warped' and would not work. Once it's down it's almost industructable. A cordless saw fell off a table and chipped the flooring. So, that's a thing. I repaired small chips with a matching enamel paint.
Take your time and fit pieces carefully, especially checking for fractures that WILL show themselves later. Ask me how I know.
One more thing, if your floor isn't perfectly flat you will get some hollow sound spots when walking on the floor barefoot. You can hear the difference between when it has solid contact to the floor and not. Doesn't affect performance, just a thing with these floating floors. I expect some of that to settle down over time. Oh, and it is very much scratch resistant, but its not impact/chip proof. Cleans super easy and has a perfect sheen. Nice touch is the physical grain texture actually matches the visual grain. Slick. Overall, a very good floor.