If this sounds familiar, its probably because Home Depot does the very same thing with another in-house flooring product: LifeProof vinyl flooring, which is made by Halstead New England Industries. As for floating TrafficMaster laminate, the process is even easier (though perhaps not as easy as loose lay vinyl plank flooring): simply attach planks together using the provided locking system and then place them down over the underlayment. Why is this the case? Required fields are marked *. Regardless of the type of floor, TrafficMaster flooring usually occupies the lower end of the price spectrum. The inability to repair floors in-place is one of the reasons many buyers still prefer engineered hardwood vs. laminate, or even bamboo flooring vs. laminate. Despite its low price, TrafficMaster flooring reviews are actually pretty decent. ALL WE GOT WAS WHERE TO EMAIL RECEIPTS ANDPICTURES TO MANFACTURERS. If youre really on a tight budget, note that sheet vinyl is the most economical option. While TrafficMaster flooring reviews are mostly positive, there are a few concerns buyers should definitely be aware of before they make a purchase. If asbestos is found, you must have a professional remove the toxic flooring; do not under any circumstances tear it up yourself. LifeProof also offers laminate flooring, but its mostly known for its LVP. In a surprising departure from Home Depots usually DIY-friendly intentions, TrafficMaster doesnt offer snap-together tile flooringor any other types of tile, for that matter (like natural stone). After waxing, take a clean cloth and rub it gently over the area, ensuring a smooth and consistent finish. The higher the number, the more durable the product. One of the most common complaints in TrafficMaster flooring reviews is that the scratch resistance isnt very good, regardless of its AC rating or plank thickness. Other: Garage, Gym Flooring, and Floor Mats, Bonus: TrafficMaster Also Makes a Popular Underlayment. Of course, carpet is also an entirely different flooring experience. Plus, local stores install floors too, so you dont have to go through some sketchy 3rd-party installer the box store recommends (but takes no responsibility for). If you need to trim any planks to fit your space, do so with a utility knife. But vinyl flooring does have its downsides. A GreenGuard certification is a good indicator of eco-friendly flooring practices, but these products still arent entirely VOC-free. However, dont expect it to look pristine years after installation. If you need a seriously durable, stain-resistant carpet, TrafficMaster probably isnt going to be it. This stuff is pure crap. Manually pull up the flooring strip by strip. Most of the catalog mimics wide plank wood flooring, and there are relatively few gloss options offered. But their most popular options by far are their fake wood flooring products: laminate and vinyl plank. Home Depot isnt targeting the commercial market with most of its TrafficMaster flooring. gluing and nailing). To understand this review, youre going to have to understand a few things about laminate flooring first. To fix a scratch in vinyl plank flooring, a few basic supplies are needed. While TrafficMaster laminate is not water-resistant, Home Depot says you can use a water-based laminate cleaner for more thorough cleaning so long as you immediately dry any wet spots. And before you ask, searching by Price doesnt really match up with the thickness options. ft. That is, Home Depot is sourcing its products from a lot of different manufacturers, including its other in-house brands. This probably wont be a problem for most buyers but it may make it hard to determine if a particular product is made in the USA or elsewhere. Even 100% synthetic PVC flooring can earn a GreenGuard certification if the manufacturer can demonstrate that the chemical contents are within EPA standards. Or, if youre still undecided, check out the articles below for more excellent flooring ideas. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), How to Stop Your Vinyl Plank Flooring from Buckling, How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Tile Flooring, Vinyl Flooring Installation Tools and Accessories, By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the use of cookies for the collection of traffic statistics and to improve the quality of our website. Regardless of what laminate you end up going with, dont shop at a box storeyour local flooring store is going to be such a better bet. But what actually is TrafficMaster? There Are Superior Laminate Products at the Same Price. So, any versions should be safe to use for sunroom flooring. Pinning down who makes which version of TrafficMaster laminate flooring is surprisingly difficult. Were not saying you cant walk on it, but high-traffic use will wear the floor down much faster. Most TrafficMaster laminate flooring products score a 3 on the AC rating scale. Any surface dirt needs lifted from the floors. Ok! How Long Does Trafficmaster Laminate Flooring Last? These cookies do not store any personal information. Some third-party sites suggest that the bulk of TrafficMaster laminate flooring is made by Shaw, one of the best hardwood floor brands, but theres not much to substantiate these claims. Use a sponge to get a deep-down clean. According to the warranty policies, TrafficMaster laminate flooring wont fade in direct sunlight or harsh lighting over the course of its lifespan. Ultimately, TrafficMaster flooring does exactly what its supposed to: perform as a super-budget flooring option. However, TrafficMaster does make a waterproof vinyl flooring option. Local retailers are the real experts, and they actually know flooringnot like the box-store clerks that work in a zillion different departments. TrafficMaster also has its own line of peel-and-stick carpet tiles (heres how to install carpet tiles, if youre curious). You may be surprised by the striking, unusual patterns and textures you can get with vinyl flooring today. Any liquid spills need to be cleaned up off TrafficMaster laminate immediately. The AC rating system spans from 1 to 5. Its a multilayer hardwood floor alternative thats (generally) composed of: If you compare laminate vs. hardwood floors, youll find that laminate is generally more scratch-resistant, less maintenance-intensive, and (usually) cheaper. Developments in the vinyl flooring industry have made the product more DIY friendly. If you need a small amount of flooring to line a walk-in closet or replace some aging floors in a low-use summer property, TrafficMaster can get the job done at a steep discount. That said, TrafficMaster peel-and-stick vinyl is well-reviewed and often costs less than $1 per square foot. Youll find a variety of stone and marble effects (slate and travertine are hot trends for 2019), as well as groutable vinyl tiles that are laid and grouted like their ceramic counterparts. Of course, one of the disadvantages of cork flooring is that its not the best hardwood substitute in terms of authentic looks. Vinyl is the most popular form of resilient flooring (a category that also includes linoleum and cork) because its low-maintenance, water-resistant, cost-effective, and long-lasting. Email: customerservice@builddirect.com. Use a hand roller to strengthen the adhesive bond once each plank is laid. The laminate can be floated, which eliminates the need for a lot of the labor that normally comes with installing floors (e.g. ft. Pricing generally breaks down by plank thicknessbut there are more than a few exceptions, so this isnt a concrete rule. No version of TrafficMaster laminate is water-resistant. Fortunately, removing vinyl floors doesnt require professional tools or techniques; its all about elbow grease. A snap-together floating floor. However, it is super inexpensive at $2.50 or less per square foot. And either way, thanks for readinggood luck on your flooring search! While vinyl was once only available in large, unwieldy sheets, todays tiles and planks are much easier to install with no sawing or hammering. ft. For more information,visit this page. Loved my floor that was vplank abd over 8 yrs old. Its not very durable compared to high-end brands; its reviews are mediocre; there are few low-VOC vinyl flooring options offered. At all. Focus on thickness and construction to determine quality. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. May 19, 2022 SPC flooring is marketed as an upgrade to ordinary luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring, but what is SPC flooring? If using a commercial cleaner, be sure its designed for vinyl floors. For more information,visit this page. What Are The Problems With Luxury Vinyl Tile? To reiterate the point weve been making throughout this piece: its not one of the best laminate flooring brands in the world, but it works and its fairly inexpensive. Just remember: do not use a vacuum with a beater bar. If youre looking for something that sets TrafficMaster flooring apart from other laminate brands, you wont find much. Its probably safe to say that TrafficMasters lifespan is shorter. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But TrafficMaster flooring reviews seem to highlight this as a particular issue. Other examples of this include Floor & Decors NuCore flooring and Lowes SmartCore flooring. Home Depot also says you can use water-based laminate cleaners if you dry any wet spots right away. If youve researched any kind of flooring, youve probably seen ads for Home Depots TrafficMaster flooring. The Use and Care Manual for TrafficMaster flooring recommends using dust mops or vacuumsand thats about all there is to it. 15 Household Mainstays from Your Childhood That You Won't Find in Level and smooth the underlayment (the layer the vinyl will adhere to). What Other Types of Flooring Does TrafficMaster Make? Before we wrap up, we should mention the other TrafficMaster flooring options on the market. In other words, Home Depot basically makes floors that are good enough for some uses, but not intended to compete with high-end brands or products. This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. There are hundreds of TrafficMaster carpet styles available, many of which enjoy surprisingly solid reviews. A simple mixture of dish soap and warm water will cut through any dirt and grease. Despite the popularity of TrafficMaster laminate flooring, Home Depot only offers a handful of styles. HE SAID THI S PRODUCT IS NOT GOOD AND HE EVEN WENT WITH ME TO HOME DEPOT. Andrana Lefton, Bob Vila, 2015 report from the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, removing and replacing an old vinyl floor, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, 8 Easy and Affordable Garage Floor Options, Just Floored! We mention this brand because its priced similarly to TrafficMaster, but offers way more bang for your buck. Many other laminate brands separate their products into different collections or quality tiers. And thanks to recent technological advances, todays vinyl comes in a wide range of high-quality, beautiful finishes. Any dirt left behind in the scratch will prevent a proper repair. That said, these products are absolutely more eco-friendly. Many laminate floors have acclimation periods, but 1 day is closer to the norm. Weve laid outkey vinyl flooring pros and consfrom installation and removalso you can make the right decision for your home. If you have a larger sitting area, such as a living room, using a large area rug to ground the space and provide a layer of protection for furniture feet is helpful. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. BROUGHT IN EXPERT WHO CHECKED FOR MOISTURE AND INSTALLATION. Laminate cant be repairedit has to be entirely replaced. And while the cost to refinish hardwood flooring can be expensive, its better than having to replace an entire floor. How Much Does TrafficMaster Laminate Flooring Cost? Be sure to ask how the settings work, and test the device on a small patch of flooring first. If thats your bag, TrafficMaster flooring is a fine choice. Who actually makes it? These floors are only intended for light to medium use and are backed by a 15-year residential warranty (lower than the industry standard). Overall, its just a better idea. If you want environmentally friendly flooring, wed suggest choosing one of the few certified products TrafficMaster offers or an entirely different brand instead. Basically, this means the floor has to adjust to the environment of the room itll live in before it can be installedotherwise, it might warp or crack once the humidity or temperature changes. Some TrafficMaster laminate flooring can be installed over the same type of systems that might be used for heating a wood floor. However, theres no easy way to sort through Home Depots online store to find these products. Fortunately, repairing simple scratches in vinyl plank flooring is fast, easy, and inexpensive. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You can purchase all of these inexpensively at a local home improvement center. The wood floor colors are also limited, so you wont find looks that mimic dark options like ebony flooring or even common looks that imitate products like ash flooring. In both cases, this is below the industry standard (in fact, lifetime limited warranties are typical) but there arent any crazy stipulations here. TrafficMaster is Home Depots flagship laminate line, but it also competes with Home Depots other in-house brands: LifeProof and Home Decorators Collection. Fill the entire scratch with the wax, carefully wiping away any excess wax from the vinyl surrounding the area. Below, well dive into everything you need to know about TrafficMaster flooring. TrafficMaster offers a 15-year residential warranty for most of its 7mm-plank options, while its few 8mm and 12mm floors carry a 30-year warranty. If scratch-resistant flooring is important to you, we recommend looking at premium brands of laminate or LVP instead (many of the best vinyl plank flooring brands are built with this in mind). This also applies to replacement costs. TrafficMaster flooring ranges between $0.59/sq. Your email address will not be published. Newtons laminate is all low-VOC, and certified as such by FloorScore, GreenGuard Gold, and in some cases, both. When moving furniture, employ sliders or a sheet of plywood. Most are hardwood floor alternatives, so if youre looking for actual types of wood flooring, youll have to look elsewhere. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Well be upfront. If youre not sure what a floating floor is, dont worryit basically comes down to snapping planks together over your subflooring. Can You Install TrafficMaster Laminate Flooring Over a Radiant Heating System? Aside from a handful of 12mm options, most of its lineup doesnt have any kind of commercial warranty at all. TrafficMaster Reviews areMixed. Often referred to as luxury vinyl, vinyl plank flooring is a cost-effective and fashionable choice for the home or office but over time, it can get scratched from daily wear and tear. A few TrafficMaster products have an AC Rating of 4 (and a much better 30-year warranty), so these are the products to target if you want something that can handle a bit more daily wear. Just something to be aware of as you shop for floors! Conclusion: Is TrafficMaster Laminate Flooring Worth It? And most importantly, is it worth buying? If you are considering installing vinyl plank flooring in the home, it is a good idea to keep a handful of extra planks on-hand as replacement pieces in case patching the vinyl plank flooring is necessary. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Some 12mm TrafficMaster laminate flooring products offer a 7-year commercial warranty. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Where TrafficMaster laminate flooring really excels is low-traffic areas. How Do You Clean TrafficMaster Laminate Flooring? NOPE STARTED DOING SAME IN ANOTHER 6 WKS. ft. But given TrafficMasters flimsy locking system, this can be pretty dauntingbecause its possible that you might break several more planks while trying to replace the original broken plank. Which, to be fair, we would not recommend purchasing either. When it comes to budget flooring, its fair to expect some flaws. You can buy 7mm TrafficMaster Laminate for about $0.60/sq. Its basically everywhere. Yes, complaints are commonbut most are relatively trivial. Our advice: go by the products warranty. Call: 1-877-631-2845
The simple process of fixing vinyl plank scratches in your floor should take a matter of minutes from start to finish and uses just a couple of supplies. There Are 3 Plank Thickness Options and 2 Warranty Options, The Best Way Is to Sort By Color Family and Species. So, if youre thinking about the cost to replace carpet with hardwood, for example, TrafficMaster flooring could be a more value-conscious choice. Prevent dining chairs from scratching floors as they are pushed in and out by adding felt or silicone floor protectors beneath each of the feet. Or, if you want to skip right to our final verdict on whether this Home Depot exclusive is worth buying, click here! While TrafficMaster is a Home Depot in-house brand, its floors are actually made by other big-name brands like Armstrong. Again, this goes back to the many different manufacturers that Home Depot contracts to build it. Tip: Apply direct heat from a hairdryer to stubborn spots, just long enough to soften it. CALLED MY CONTRACTR AND HE REINSTALLED IN KITCHEN THINKING TOO TIGHT. Tarkett laminate flooring probably isnt the first choice that pops up when you look for the best laminate flooring brands. Unfortunately, this product succumbs to most of the common disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring. Clear the room of furniture and remove baseboards and trim if possible. Find licensed flooring experts in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Again: all 3 of Home Depots in-house brands (TrafficMaster, LifeProof, and Home Decorators Collection) offer both laminate and vinyl plank. In the case of TrafficMaster laminate flooring, its a classic example of you get what you pay for. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Heres a general idea of how to install vinyl plank flooring: Once vinyls adhesive backing hardens to the floorboards, the glue is difficult to remove. Not Exactly. How Does TrafficMaster Laminate Floorings Warranty Compare to Other Brands? After scrubbing the affected area, allow the floor to dry thoroughly. Most of the best laminate flooring products dont last more than 25 years. Basically, these certifications ensure that a floor doesnt emit unsafe levels of VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds. 2022 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. This wouldnt be a thorough briefing on TrafficMaster laminate flooring if we didnt round up the few remaining stray points! Oh, but unlike other types of TrafficMaster flooring, the tile doesnt suffer from an identity crisis. It will absolutely destroy the surface of your laminate. To prevent damage, use rugs or mats in heavily trafficked areas, and put coasters or protective felt tips on the base of furniture legs. Its not the best vinyl flooring, nor does it try to be. If you search through several products on Home Depots site, youll note that the warranty policies largely say the same thing (depending on plank thickness), but the format and branding tend to change. The complete TrafficMaster flooring catalog also includes garage flooring, gym flooring, and even a few outdoor flooring options. The thicker (and better) 8mm and 12mm options top out at about $2.20/sq. There are even a few high-tech options available, like underlayments that turn your laminate (or LVP) into magnetic flooring thats super easy to install. Find the answers to your home improvement questions. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Below youll find a comprehensive guide based on thorough research and the input of hundreds of Tarkett laminate flooring reviews. Like we mentioned, there are a lot of variations between individual TrafficMaster laminate products. CoreLuxe Flooring Reviews: Is It Worth It? Let it sit for 30 minutes to soften it, then go at it with a scraper. When hes not writing about flooring and remodeling, hes either writing news for the California American Legion or writing fresh content for his camping & EDC blog (or, you know, actually camping). This problem isnt strictly limited to TrafficMaster flooring; its a disadvantage of floating floors in general. HE LOOKED AT 2 BOXES I HAVE LEFT. So: dont use it as kitchen flooring, bathroom flooring, laundry room flooring, or mudroom flooring. TrafficMaster is largely seen as Home Depots flagship in-house laminate brand, while LifeProof is largely seen as the stores flagship in-house vinyl brand. HOME DEPIT IT STARTED WARPING, CRACKING AND ROLLING. All ceramic tiles sold under the TrafficMaster banner are made by Armstrong Flooring. How much wall space should there be between cabinet and sink window. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. But: TrafficMaster flooring reviews suggest that it does have some redeeming qualities, and that it can be an excellent floor for certain applications. While new TrafficMaster flooring is only available from Home Depot, a casual search may turn up older products on second-hand sites. Photo: homedepot.com via Home Decorators Collection. If the flooring resists, use a scraper tool or hammer and chisel to chip away at hardened glue. Trying to figure out which manufacturer makes which version of TrafficMaster laminate flooring is like trying to untangle headphone wires after youve shoved them into your pocket (impossible!). If youre looking for info on nylon carpet pros and cons, allow us to paraphrase Lady Gaga at the Oscars: We got you. There are so many types of carpet to choose from that it can be incredibly overwhelming to know whats what. Just remember: the difference between the best carpet brands and the lower-end carpet brands can be massiveso make sure to do your research on different types of carpet before you shop! TrafficMaster flooring is intended to be DIY-friendly. NO PROBLEM BUT HE DD ASK IF I GOT UT AT HOME DEPOT. The different products that are sold under the TrafficMaster name, their advantages and disadvantages (which weve compiled by looking through hundreds of TrafficMaster flooring reviews), and everything else youd ever want to know about TrafficMaster laminate flooring. No problems but couldnt match it. , Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-6-in-x-36-in-Stony-Oak-Grey-Luxury-Vinyl-Plank-20-34-sq-ft-case-60198/207047495, 10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Homes Original Floors, Sneak a Peek at 7 Homes From Denvers Modern Home Tour, Decorating 101: How to Plan Your Homes Lighting, Homes Away From Home: 10 Charming U.S. Bed-and-Breakfasts, My Houzz: From Train Depot to Family Home in Texas, 9 Tricks to Boost Your Homes Appeal for Less Than $400, Etsy Designers at Home: Nina van der Goor's Fun, Crafty Netherlands Home, Etsy Designers at Home: Interview with Sue Teso of Solstice Home, 'The Collected Home' Offers a Wealth of Design Tips, 9 Ways to Boost Your Homes Appeal for Less Than $75, HELP with fireplace mantle 30s Tudor cottage. No. Take a quality car wax and a clean rag, working the wax into the scratch in circles. Laminate with an AC rating of 1 is basically the flooring equivalent of a paper plate. If you want a waterproof hardwood alternative for that wood-floor bathroom look, we would recommend high-end LVP or concrete flooring that looks like wood instead. Most TrafficMaster products are geared towards budget buyers, particularly those interested in do-it-yourself flooring. cost to install engineered hardwood floors, 9 Reasons The Carpet vs. Hardwood Debate is Silly, The Best Engineered Wood Flooring: A Guide, Advantages & Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Floors. TrafficMaster also has a line of ceramic tiles, including the wood-look tile thats so popular in todays kitchens and bathrooms. TrafficMaster offers 3 plank thickness options and 2 warranty options (well talk more about the warranty in a moment) for its laminate products: Unfortunately, Home Depot doesnt let you directly search with this filter. Whatever You Choose, Dont Shop at a Box Store! However, dont use any harsh chemicals (like those you might use to bleach wooden floors) because they will eat away the floors wear layer. When complete, the scratch should no longer be visible, the finish should still be intact, and the area should be smooth to the touch. The problem here is that most TrafficMaster flooring doesnt have any kind of health or environmental certification.