While looking for the new flooring in our home, we were sure that we required something robust enough to bear with our busy life of little kids running in each direction, a dog running after them, and all the messes associated with family life.
At the same time, we couldn’t afford to sacrifice aesthetics. That’s when we stumbled upon NuCore vinyl plank flooring. What makes this flooring exceptional, though, is not just that it’s durable but also realistic in its wood appearance.
Having a 100% waterproof design guarantee and the elegance of hardwood without the worry of being highly maintenance is what caught our attention.
Five years since its installation, we can now confidently say that NuCore has lived up to all the promises, and we’ll be sharing our personal experience about it in this review.
Top Reasons Why We Chose NuCore Flooring
Waterproof Construction
A house with two little ones, a dog, and all the spills daily life includes means waterproof floors are a must for us. I was blown away by how much more impressive NuCore’s vinyl plank flooring was on this front. With spilled drinks, and muddy paw prints the waterproof feature kept our floors looking perfect. Such a relief that even after the occasional wet mess, we do not have to worry about warping or swelling. Just a quick wipe, and good as new on cleanup.
Hardwood-Like Beauty
We wanted a floor that captured the warmth and beauty of hardwood without the cost and high maintenance. NuCore’s vinyl plank flooring gave us the best of both worlds. The variety of finishes and colors made it easy to find a style that complemented our home’s aesthetic. Even after years of use, guests still marvel at how real it looks. They’re always surprised to hear it’s not real wood!
Underfoot Comfort
Winter mornings are no longer cold, unfriendly floors with NuCore. The built-in cork layer is an absolute game-changer; it’s warm and soft to walk on and rakes the whole house cozier. My children spend hours sprawled on the floor building Lego cities, so my mind stops being guilty of how cold it might be. It’s also great when I am in the kitchen for long hours prepping meals. My god, standing feels much easier on these floors than on our old tiles.
Noise Dampening
We did not realize until we had it installed, how much we would appreciate the noise reduction that NuCore offers. Cork underlayment is doing a great job trying to silence the sounds, and it makes all the difference for us in this home because all the foot traffic took away the loud, noisy echoey hard floors. The kids can run around, and the dog can chase fetch, but the noise is being muffled, making our home quieter.
Strength and Longevity
It’s five years down the line, and our NuCore floors still look fantastic. Heavy furniture has been shuffled about, and the kids have played many games and festivals, but the floors could not have held up better. No deep scratches, dents, or damage even in the kitchen and living room. The strength behind NuCore is truly what impressed me as the most surefire building material for flooring there is.
Easy Maintenance
The floors have to be user-friendly for parents. NuCore does deliver on that aspect, too: the vinyl plank flooring doesn’t require much effort to keep it looking fresh. A simple sweep or mop does the trick. Nowhere do we need specialized cleaners or refinishing there’s no chance we can get busy with family time and still forget these pains of owner life.
5-Year Update: Our NuCore Flooring Experience
Five years of living with NuCore have been more than the expectations I could ever have had. We decided to install vinyl plank flooring through the main areas of our home, our living room, hallway, and the kitchen where spills and messes occur daily.
We are really glad we made this decision, especially since we have two young kids and our very active dog, which is always racing around with muddy paws. So far, so good-nothing’s gotten a dent in the waterproofing.
We did have a few accidents dogs knocked over a water bowl while playing fetch indoors- but the floors looked perfect without one sign of swelling or warping. And voila-after a few swipes it’s as good as new!
This floor has seen some wild times. The kids would run around with toys, dragging furniture every which way, or have just a full-blown party with friends. There are a few tiny surface scratches where heavy furniture was dragged across; to be honest, you’d only know they were there if you got up close and looked at it.
What impressed me now was how plush the floors are with the built-in cork underlayment. I remember when we walked on them in our socks or bare feet and they warmed up right away to be soft. One winter I recall we played a board game on the floor, and it was just so cozy, we didn’t want to leave.
As with any flooring, the high-traffic areas have seen some slight dulling of the shine over time, particularly near the kitchen and entryway, but it hasn’t impacted the overall look. The floors still look fantastic, and they’ve maintained their warm, natural aesthetic. I’d say the slight wear just adds character!
How Do I Clean NuCore Vinyl Plank Flooring?
We love our NuCore vinyl plank flooring in fact, it has been a lifesaver for this busy home! The best part is how easy it is to clean, with the mischievous dog and two kids always on the move.
Dirt being tracked in by the dog and occasional knockover of the dog’s water bowl do not seem to be problems anymore since it is waterproof. We just wipe them off quickly without worrying about stains or damage.
Our cleaning routine couldn’t be more simple. We sweep every few days to stay on top of the dirt, dust, and dog hair that needs to be beaten off the floor. In vacuuming, we use the soft-brush attachment to prevent those scratches on the surface.
For deeper cleaning, we use a damp mop with mild, pH-balanced cleaner—without too much water to protect the seams. The floors take this all amazingly well, even with all of that daily chaos.
We’ve learned our share of trial and error with cleaning products, too, after a nasty chemical left a dull spot on our old flooring, so we use only vinyl-safe cleaners nowadays, and the NuCore stays shiny and new.
We deep clean it every few months to get rid of any buildup, and it always looks like just installed. NuCore has been an excellent choice for our family. It withstands muddy paw prints, spills, and everyday wear and tear without breaking a sweat. Keeps our home fresh and inviting despite how chaotic life may be!
NuCore Flooring Review: Installation Experience
The installation of NuCore in our home was smooth. We chose to have it professionally installed in our living room, dining, and kitchen areas, where we badly needed the floors tough enough to withstand spills, splashes, and even floods.
It was such an easy installation process that I hardly noticed the team there. They came exactly at the time agreed and, amazingly, got everything done within just a single day! It was such a relief to see how efficiently they moved, the fact that they managed to finish in such record-breaking time, without disturbing our daily habits, was the bonus to it. It looks truly beautiful.
What amazed me was the professionalism of the installers. Everything they undertook was undertaken with such skill and precision, even on tricky spots like corners and doorways, so there was a flawless finish for us.
Once they had done it, everything was clean and didn’t leave behind any sticky goo from the adhesive or dust on the floor-the latter of which was something I most definitely appreciated.
Costing: Affordable Yet Premium
NuCore flooring was a great choice for our home, as it had both luxury and practicality at a very affordable price. This floor’s aesthetic was beyond our expectations, especially at such a low price, much more than with traditional hardwood or tile.
It became even more accessible because it had the option to pay via EMI. We could break payments into doable installments, which made it very easy to fit within our budget without compromising on the quality. Not very often do you come across a product that checks two boxes: luxury and affordability. And NuCore delivered on that front.
Warranty was another critical feature that came with the flooring. NuCore offers a lifetime warranty on the entire flooring, either due to defects or not retaining its appearance under normal use. NuCore offers a lifetime residential warranty and a 15-year commercial warranty.
The protection against fading, staining, and wear also gives one confidence in such a long-term investment. It was also reassuring to add an insurance policy that safeguards against issues related to improper installation or extreme conditions.
Conclusion
After five years of living with NuCore vinyl plank flooring, we consider it our smartest home improvement investment. Beyond meeting all promises of durability and waterproofing, it’s elevated our home’s aesthetic while simplifying our lives. The cork underlayment’s comfort and noise reduction, combined with remarkable scratch resistance, have made our busy family home both beautiful and functional.
The minimal wear in high-traffic areas has only added character, while maintenance remains effortless. The lifetime residential warranty provides lasting peace of mind for this significant investment. For families seeking premium looks with practical performance, NuCore delivers exceptional value without compromise. We’d choose it again in a heartbeat it’s truly transformed how we live in and enjoy our home.
FAQs
Is NuCore flooring truly waterproof?
Absolutely! Five years with kids, pets, and countless spills later, our floors remain flawless. Dog water accidents and muddy paws are wiped clean without a trace. The 100% waterproof guarantee isn’t marketing hype it’s the real deal for families living life without worrying about floor damage.
How does NuCore flooring handle wear and tear?
Remarkably well! After years of furniture moving, toy dragging, and pet claws, only tiny surface marks exist where heavy pieces were dragged. High-traffic zones show minimal dulling. The durability surprised us this flooring truly stands up to family chaos while maintaining its beauty.
Does NuCore look like hardwood?
Our guests can’t tell the difference! The natural grain patterns and color variations create a premium hardwood appearance that’s fooled even our most design-savvy friends. We got exactly the warm, sophisticated aesthetic we wanted without hardwood’s drawbacks or price tag.
What makes the cork underlayment special?
It transforms the entire experience! Beyond warmth underfoot, it provides cushioning that makes standing for hours comfortable. The noise reduction is remarkable no more echoing footsteps. Winter floor games went from uncomfortable to cozy, making our whole home more livable.
What’s the cleaning routine like?
Refreshingly simple! Regular sweeping, occasional vacuuming with a soft brush attachment and monthly damp-mopping with vinyl-safe cleaners keeps everything pristine. After experimenting, we’ve found that less is more minimal water near seams and no harsh chemicals deliver the best results.
Is professional installation worth it?
Without question! Our installation team finished in one efficient day with zero disruption. Their expertise with tricky corners and transitions created a seamless look throughout our home. The clean, adhesive-free completion and precision work justified the professional installation cost.
