COREtec tiles and vinyl flooring planks are made to last, with a wide range of lovely finishes. Vinyl flooring planks and tiles, on the other hand, have previously received negative feedback from previous customers.
COREtec flooring products are a great investment for your home. COREtec flooring products are not only budget-friendly, but they also offer great value for money. Their waterproof nature makes them durable and comfortable under your feet with the perfect feel. That said, if you previously installed vinyl planks/boards in your home or workplace, you’ll easily tell they come with a few problems.
The most common problems with most vinyl flooring are that vinyl floors can scratch, though not so easily. Then, the planks move or bounce when you walk on if not properly installed or the subfloor isn’t perfectly leveled. Some homeowners complained they’ve peeling and curling issues, cushioning problems, and gaps between the planks, which can happen if the click-lock mechanism fails during installation.
7 Common COREtec Flooring Problems
1. COREtec flooring are susceptible to scratches
Although COREtec flooring claims that its products are scratch-resistant, this does not imply they’re scratch-proof. The thick wear layer will resist scratches to some extent but won’t prevent them entirely— so avoid dragging hefty things such as furniture across your vinyl floors if you want the best protection.
2. Installation over radiant heat problems
If you’re going to install COREtec vinyl over radiant heat, be sure to avoid it since vinyl flooring is prone to damage when there’s radiant heat beneath the surface. The reason is COREtec flooring comes with a cork underlayment for soundproofing and cushioning. However, if installed over radiant heat, this cork underlayment will prevent heat transfer to some extent. We still don’t recommend it.
3. Bouncing/separating planks
Floating floors are a great way to get the look and feel of hardwood without all of its drawbacks. The biggest issue with floating floor systems like COREtec vinyl floors is that the boards or planks bounce when you walk on them. This generally happens because the flooring was put on a non-level surface. An uneven subfloor may cause the COREtec floorboards to separate, allowing water to seep into your underlying plank, which can cause damages such as peeling and curling. Therefore, you should level your subfloor before installing COREtec flooring.
4. Floor cushioning problems
COREtec products under the ‘COREtec One’ line are relatively budget-friendly. But, there’s a caveat. This particular line of COREtec vinyl planks doesn’t have the cork underlayment at the bottom. It is found on every other COREtec collection, except this one. Therefore, the COREtec One flooring doesn’t offer the required cushioning. Consequently, it’s not comfortable when walking on them as the floor feels hard. Moreover, the absence of cork padding contributes to COREtec flooring’s limited sound-damping and heat insulation properties.
5. Peeling and curling issues
This is a common issue across many vinyl flooring. When compared to other flooring types, COREtec vinyl floors are the least durable. COREtec vinyl planks begin peeling and curving at around 10-15 years of usage. The peeling is usually caused by the failure of the glue along the planks’ edges and corners. The peeling and curling leave the floor looking unappealing, and it should be addressed as soon as possible. Furthermore, particles of dust and debris will accumulate under the peeled layer. Fortunately, you may fix this issue by reapplying the adhesive and pushing down the edges of the COREtec planks.
6. Gaps between the planks
Adjoining COREtec flooring may occasionally display indications of separation/gaps between two adjacent boards. This is because the planks shrink and expand over time. The gaps can also be caused by the disengagement of the click-lock mechanism while installation. You may use a commercial wax filler to repair this problem and close any gaps. However, if there are many gaps, you’ll have to replace the whole floor.
7. Not eco-friendly
Vinyl floors aren’t exactly eco-friendly. Many vinyl planks have high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can emit toxic gases and reduce indoor air quality. However, COREtec floors have lower amounts of VOCs, but that doesn’t necessarily make COREtec floors safe. Even tiny traces of VOCs might be harmful to user health, despite COREtec’s GreenGuard certification. Natural hardwood, for example, lacks VOCs and is thus a more environmentally friendly option than COREtec vinyl floors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does COREtec flooring offer any warranties?
Yes, there is a 25-year warranty for COREtec One flooring products which covers wear and manufacturing defects. The company offers limited lifetime structural and pet-proof warranties as well.
Do COREtec vinyl planks come with an underlayment?
Yes, most COREtec vinyl planks come with a pre-installed cork underlayment.
Are COREtec vinyl planks waterproof?
Yes, All COREtec LVP flooring products are 100% water and moisture-proof.
How durable are COREtec vinyl planks?
COREtec vinyl planks have greater wear layers (between 20-30 millimeters) than other Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring brands. With such a thick wear layer, your COREtec LVP floor should last for years despite scratches and dents.