Do you ever have that one project in your home and every time you see it you just have to take a moment and admire it?
That’s how I still feel even after living with my LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring for a year!
The post that I did initially on the flooring is my number one post for the last year. It’s also the post that gets the most comments as well as the most questions. I have answered a ton of questions in the last year but you guys just keep thinking up more of them!
Before I answer the FAQs I wanted to give my utmost, transparent review of this flooring.
This was the first lock and drop flooring that I have ever put down. I wasn’t too worried about it but I read and re-read the instructions many times before putting it down.
Let me tell you, it was really easy. After about the first 3 rows I got into a groove and got it done.
One of the main things I love about this floor is that it’s “warmer” to the touch because the subfloor is attached. It’s not a shock when we come out of our bedroom in the morning in the winter like our old laminate was.
It has held up really well with the life of two small children. I have had only one “scratch” on the floor. My son started to push a dining room chair on the floor and even though I have felt pads on all my furniture, as he was pushing I heard a a really loud scrape. I stopped him and saw a white streak on the floor where it was scratch. It must have picked up a small stone under the chair. I took a damp paper towel and went over and it was gone. You cannot see any scratch on the the floor unless you get all the way on the floor and look sideways at it.
I was scared it was going to be a big scratch but so glad you can’t see it because of the protective layer.
I can’t say enough good things about this flooring. I am also always flooded with comments from readers about how they have put it in their home and love it so much.
I have recommended it to friends and if I ever get around to gutting our bathrooms its also the flooring I would put in there.
Check out my Facebook Live Video I did to show you my floors in “Real Life”
So here is my list again of my most FAQ’s:
How do you clean your floor is there streaks?
I just use a gentle green cleaner on the flooring when I mop it. It’s actually a concentrate made by Shaklee. I have never had any streaks using it.
What can I use to make it shine?
This I don’t know. The color that I choose is Seasoned Wood. There is no shine to it. If there was it wouldn’t have the natural wood look that I was going for. So shine is not important to me.
What is the wear layer on the flooring?
As noted on the TDS, it is 6mil (0.15mm) You can see the full Technical Data Sheet here.
What pattern did you use for your flooring?
I used the second pattern that is noted in the instructions, yet I think I switched it up in places like the hallway.
Did you use an underlayment on your flooring.
No, there is already an underlayment built in to the flooring. I put it down right on the plywood sub floor.
In your kitchen did you put it under your appliances?
Yes, I pulled out our oven and refrigerator and put it under them. I did not put it under the dishwasher. I put it as close as I could.
Are there transition strips?
Yes. (affiliate) You can purchase them right from the Home Depot website here.
Did you remove your moulding/trim before you put the flooring down?
Yes I did remove it. Then put it back to cover up the gap you need from the wall.
What can I put this flooring over?
Can be installed over most existing surfaces including tile, wood, concrete, and vinyl. You can find the full specs and install guides on the Home Depot website here.
Have you put this flooring in your home? Tell me what you think about it in the comments! Have more questions that I haven’t answered ask me in the comments as well and I will try my best to answer them!
Want to purchase this flooring? Ours is Seasoned Wood and you can find it here. Remember it’s usually free shipping or you can order it online and choose pick up in store so it’s waiting for you!
Want to see all the LifeProof flooring choices? See them here.
For all my tips, FAQS, posts and videos on LifeProof Flooring:
Thanks for the review. I’m considering it for my basement floor and was looking for long term reviews. This is the first time to look it up, and I happened to find this the day you wrote it. Ha!
I love your project, how do you cut the planks sideways? Did you use a special tool?
I used a jigsaw.
I love this floor we are putting it down as we speak. Did you use the same transition strips for doorways leading to other rooms that have carpet ?
What color and sheen did you paint your wall in the living room to go with the floor color? it looks great!
It’s called Perfect Greige by Sherwin Williams in Satin
What color is your ceiling? Going to redecorate and wanting to put in these floors as well but just can’t decide on paint.
My ceiling is white, I don’t know specific color since I haven’t painted it since moving in…the walls are Perfect Greige by Sherwin Williams
I just had this put in my kitchen yesterday and I LOVE it! So happy with this flooring!!
Hello
My home is exactly like yours (also in NY), could you give me an idea how much it cost to install this flooring in the both the kitchen and living room. I’m wondering if it would be more cost effective than sanding and staining current floors.
Thanks
I believe it would be less than 2500. Installed yourself. That is the kitchen, dining room, living room and hallway.
Transition strips. Why did you use so many? It looked like you didn’t need them in certain areas. Was this a requirement?
I needed the ones from the kitchen because we did the kitchen flooring first. about 6 months before we did the rest of the upstairs. We weren’t planning on doing the other floor but we loved it so much we decided to. That’s why we needed them there. For the other one, our home is modular so there was a seam where it was put together. It was just a tad unloved in one spot and if we didn’t put the transition strip where the seam was the flooring would not have layed flat.
I really didn’t want to use the strips but it’s actually fine.
I have the same floor throughout my whole house. After a year I am still loving it. Two grandkids and a dog with no problems at all with durability. I had one scratch from me when I moved a dresser but was able to buff out . I love it . Your house is beautiful.
We just put it in our living room and kitchen and hall way. I love it. Looks so nice and great with having 2 dogs. We had laminate and I was very displeased with it.
Hi! From the video, it appears that you removed the tile in your kitchen before putting down this flooring. I have read that the Life Proof flooring can go over tile, so why did you remove it? I’m trying to decide if I’ll need to remove the tile in my kitchen–I hope not!
Hi.. thanks for your video. Your home looks great! We have purchased this flooring and waiting for the install. I noticed you have an area rug on your vinyl. Do you have a pad underneath? If so, is it 100% felt or does it have some latex?
Thanks!
I actually don’t have a pad under my rug…
You don’t have issues with rugs or runners slipping and sliding? I read you aren’t supposed to use anything with rubber or latex, which narrows the options, but this varies depending on who you ask. Even our local Home Depot was clueless on the issue.
I wondered about the rugs as well. We just had it installed after a nightmare of a relationship with Home Depot. The installer told us NO jute back rugs either. So what exactly IS an option? He had nothing to offer. We also ended up with high transition strips in EVERY doorway even though we were told it would be seamless. We have a conventional stick-built and had it down to bare subfloor when they came to install. So I’m not sure why the strips. We had the entire house done, so the strips are unsightly, to me. But the rug issue? Any ideas what to use? Thanks! Your home looks beautiful!
There is a really nice product at The Home Depot called ‘Rug Gripper’ made by Roberts. They have a few different size rolls. The rolls look like rolls of mesh tape. You simply cut it to whatever length you want (they do suggest patterns on the packaging) then place it on the rug, then place the rug in your desired space. Step on the rug in the areas where the tape is and it should seal down to the vinyl. This product also is easily removable and versatile enough for when and if you want to move the rug(s) to different areas in your home. Rug Gripper is safe for all flooring and does not leave any sticky residue.
Good Luck – Hope this helps!
How did you handle getting the planks locked together when you moved into another area and had to attach going the opposite way meaning I did a whole room with the larger attachment side facing outward. Now when going into the kitchen the larger attachment of the side plank has to go under the plank its attaching to?
Just found your website….after not loving my NH split since the day we purchased it 35 years ago…. I think I COULD love it … if I C.A.S.E your website ( Copy And Steal Everything) —Truly a compliment to you ! And my husband will really appreciate not receiving R.E. listings daily from me ?. THANKS SO MUCH for your inspiration … I am a true D.I.Yer so the costs will be do-able …even better . Can’t wait to scope out all your posts Hope there’s some of the exterior looking for inspiation
Keep em’ coming .
Thank you for your posts & video! We have been looking at this flooring for a while now and weren’t sure about it! Your posts have helped us to make our decision to put this flooring in!
I also love your rug & stair runners. Where did you get them from?
Thanks for the inspiration! ❤️
We had this installed in kitchen and dining room. We did hire a contractor to install. Within less than 2 months, we started having the tiles “lift” in various areas. Manufacturer came out and refunded the flooring stating it was defective. However, the lifting in areas is usually when the floor is installed too tight. I work in Design and Construction in our local hospital and this is what other flooring contractors have told us. However, they did not cover the labor for the contractor. We did not purchase ourselves but rather the contractor did. So now we have defective flooring and needing to seek legal advice.
I installed this floor over a plywood subfloor in two bedrooms back in June. After one month noticed considerable buckling in one bedroom then two months later in the other bedroom. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this and am not sure what is causing this. Will be getting rid of this and put down carpet.
Do you still love the floors a year and a half after this review? I really want to get them but I keep reading reviews about fading colors and wear on them since the wear layer is so thin while other vinyl planking have 12-20 mil wear layer so now I’m thrown again. ? so do you still love them? ?
Still obsessed! It’s been about 2.5 years since we put them in. I haven’t seen any fading or wear on them. And they are in very high traffic areas with 2 kids and cars constantly being zoomed across the floor!
What color are your kitchen cabinets?
We have installed seasoned wood in our kitchen and now it’s time to decide on the cabinets I was thinking cream until seeing yours.
Simply White by Benjamin Moore.
I am having this flooring installed soon and my cabinets are white as well, I am wondering what color your countertops are, I am having those redone as well and trying to decide on what color to go with. Thanks!!!
They are just a brown tile that the previous owners put in. I hate them! When we get new countertops we will go with a white with gray flecks