Was LIFEPROOF Flooring a waste of Money?

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Thank you so much! I'm about ready to buy a bunch of LIFEPROOF and it ain't gonna be cheap. I needed one last video to convince me that I was making the right decision and not a regretful one.

[@curtmcalister4087]

COREtec has it all over LifeProof. Ni comparison! Best of luck!

[@dave5334]

Just bought the same style for my bathroom. Glad to hear that a couple years later you are standing by it. It isn't cheap!

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Hey Dave. The store has been out of the "polish" that was recommended. Do You think any brand could suffice?

[@danb3080]

Bought lifeproof for my basement , it’s holding up great after 2 years, very pleased because like most basements floors I had some pretty uneven areas that a cheaper grade of flooring would not have handled. Lifeproof has a great floating locking system in my opinion.

[@castro6966]

Hi, did you install directly on concrete or did you install on top of a underlayment?

[@danb3080]

@@castro6966 directly on concrete and any high spots that I came across I used a grinding wheel with a shop vac attachment to take down, so the floor would lock better and last over time.

[@charlesdavis2165]

Really happy to see your original and this follow-up video. I really love how your close-up shots were able to pick up the scratches as well as how the floor looks in sunlight. We've been shopping various lux vinyl planks and have heard so many differing opinions: get this, not that; don't get LVP; go back to waterproof laminate .... your videos confirmed everything we've been leaning toward. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lfish21.]

We’re getting ready to have over half our house redone. Looking at LVP due to just ease of clenaning, longevity. We currently have thay crappiest laminate known to man installed as it came with the house and it’s soured me on ever putting laminate back down. I’m super excited to get the LVP down and reviews have told me to go to Home Depot and get lifeproof. It might not be the best but its definitely the best bang for your buck I have seen.

[@Eric0991]

I’m 90% sure those two separation points may be from straps that held the pallets together during shipping. I had some lifeproof boxes damaged in the same exact areas on the planks.

[@jeanetterodriguez4759]

Yes, the color you picked made a huge difference in seeing scratches. We installed gray oak, and you can see all the scraps and scuffs.

[@oliphauntsneverlie6227]

We have a light grey/brown and it is very hard to see scratches and scuffs.

[@audreywy1743]

There's another YT channel that did a review of the best LVP floors and overall, Lifeproof came in 2nd (1st was a brand from Canada). I've used Lifeproof in 3 homes over the past few years and will continue as long as the quality is good!.

[@bentswoodworking]

Thanks for the info! I'm pretty happy with it so far. What was the name of the Canadian brand?

[@notimportant3686]

the brand from canada that "came in 1st" is the brand that channel is SELLING... so take that with a grain of salt....oh, and by the way... they're NOT selling it anymore, saying they can't get it anymore and will replace it with something else i wonder how much he'd recommend it now

[@curtmcalister4087]

COREtec has taken the lead in the most requested luxury vinyl floor in America.

[@2cmrinhfx]

Thank you for this follow up. We are currently installing and having a few challenges , but great to see it will hold up !

[@bentswoodworking]

Best of luck!

[@timexironman1]

Only 2 years! It better have held up well!

[@hattrick-df4bo]

Great followup, just caught both your videos with this flooring today while browsing intial flooring projects for upcoming/updating our home-thanks!

[@bentswoodworking]

You’re welcome

[@Kombereloni]

A little lifehack for preventing the scratches; Get thin, felt strip pads (with adhesive on the other side) and cut pads for your chairs, stools, couches and whatnot. They will help immensely in preventing these.

[@clearday1971]

True! We do that on our our floors to prevent the nails on chalkboard sound when moving just about anything.

[@mrkkitson]

We've had LifeProof for 2.5byears, it's awesome! No scratches nothing, but we are old and easier on our floors

[@heidilipeika3883]

Good Morning! I know you said it's Fresh Oak they have different color options What color did you use? I love it. . Thank you in advance :)

[@thomasalison6188]

Karndean is another great option, they have a huge selection of colors/patterns, both commercial grades and residential grades. The commercial grades are actually cheaper than the residential grades, because they produce larger quantities of it, but the color selection is more limited.

[@christinaregan-qv1ok]

Where does one order that product?

[@CruzEazzy]

Thank You for the update!

[@barbedstar6480]

Just curious, what wear layer was that Lifeproof you were showing in this video? 6 mil, 12 or 22? Thanks for your time to make this informative video.

[@prestonthomas5399]

I’m trying to figure that out too 😂

[@waydeblank2375]

Thank you for your video on how to install it. Im getting ready to install this flooring in the offices at work.

[@stephaniepearson833]

Looks great thanks for the video and the update. You may have already answered this but what Style/Color is the flooring I really like it! Thanks!

[@bentswoodworking]

Fresh oak

[@larryclark8249]

I got the same in my house 3 year now we Love it and 1 dog 3 cats

[@toeholt]

Thank you so much! I am looking at life proof flooring today!

[@stephanierenee3925]

Thank you for sharing your honest comments about the flooring. I am looking to replace all the flooring in my home, including tile and carpet, and I want to use luxury vinyl flooring and didn’t think Home Depot‘s brand. Life proof would be considered luxury you mentioned in your video you were considering looking into another flooring can you share what that is?

[@bentswoodworking]

I installed Hewn Stoneform in our new house and it is significantly better that the Lifeproof. I have a video on that as well

[@curtmcalister4087]

COREtec is the number-selling #1 Luxury Vinyl Flooring in America.

[@tanyason1138]

I noticed that your refrigerator seems to be on top of the flooring so I am wondering I have floating cabinets as well that has gaps in between that I would have to put the flooring underneath. How has it held up underneath the weight of the heavier appliances?

[@winniallen9484]

This was super helpful. I was trying to decide what to put into a rental bathroom

[@terrypacker1192]

All this Great information & wonderful video !! But you only mentioned that it was LifeProof , got it ( what is the Color ) ??????!!!!!!!?????

[@MikeBotrosDIYHomeGarden]

Considering this for my in-law’s kitchen. Have you tried hammering down that seam that opened that was slightly raised and got chipped?

[@pyrousa]

Thanks for sharing! Thinking about going with this flooring.

[@tracytuten5116]

I'm considering Lifeproof in my new home and I love the color of your floors. What color is that?

[@ethanspurling7935]

What's the wear layer on this floor?

[@huixianghe8147]

Thanks! This helps a lot. I am hesitating to choose between Shaw and Lifeproof. Lifeproof is cheaper and I am worried whether the quality's issues will come out after a while. Your video releases my worry.

[@ryanbrichards]

What color and product did you use in the bathroom?

[@sharonrose4145]

Could you please tell me the different name of colors you used? Thank you kindly

[@tanyason1138]

Wondering if you can share the exact plank name and type that you used so that I can look and see if it’s still available at Home Depot? I have two very active large dogs and so I was thinking that I would have to stick to 22 mil for her to hold up. As well I have some uneven subflooring so wanted to see which one would work the best. How did you find the joints came together and as well, the gap areas is there any concern for water getting in there and underneath the flooring? Do the walls need to be caulked along in order to avoid any water from getting underneath the flooring around the bottom of the walls?

[@micheledietz4801]

I'm getting ready to have a contractor install life proof flooring. I'm in the process of choosing style & color. What is the color & style on this video?

[@jmoe6253]

Flooret signature series has like a 42 mil wear layer and can't hand break the fasten system

[@johnnieflyguy]

Thanks for the video. Seriously considering this in our home. What does it do for water standing on seams? Thanks

[@Abreuvargas1]

this was so helpful thank you so much for making it . I bought lifeproof for my new home and was so worried about it.

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad you found it helpful

[@EverythingByDee]

Random question, the quality and stability of your video is awesome! Which camera do you use? 😅

[@bentswoodworking]

This was actually done on my iPhone. I was using a DJI gimbal though

[@bobnjuliejohnston8327]

Just watched your video very helpful. What was the colour that you choose for your home?

[@hinsano]

Hey have you considered adding a soundproofing layer below your Lifeproof floor? We don’t have the same setup, but I’d need one and need to know what I can use. Would you happen to know what we can use?

[@adgee5401]

Would foam work for this?

[@timothykirkman7097]

I have the same flooring i have some end joint issues

[@ibarskiy]

The gap could be from the subfloor not being level / within tolerance

[@mguydon2170]

Which floor color and wear layer did you use?

[@ElectricDaruma]

Did he ever answer this?

[@mguydon2170]

@@ElectricDaruma no

[@daveevans7151]

Thanks for the video! How well does it lay down…does it feel that you are walking on vinyl (can feel movement)? Looking to lay over tile in a bathroom.

[@mikejbam]

The pattern repetition on that floor really jumps out at me. We have a large great room we want to do and my fear is that some of these cheaper floors won't have enough variety in the images to keep the repeats from catching the eye. Maybe our only option is real hardwood.

[@efthimios]

How does everyone feel about not having tile in the kitchen anymore and making it all uniform ? I’m trying to decide this too

[@jeffc9119]

Same here. Considering it for my main floor and like the idea of water proof in the kitchen.

[@williammoore5421]

What color choice of lifeproof is this? Great video!! Thanks.

[@bentswoodworking]

Fresh oak

[@happyman9612]

I am just wondering why there is a transition piece at the doorway going into the bedroom when the flooring is running in the same direction leading into that room. I am just doing some research for new flooring, and I really don't want transition pieces everywhere. Thanks.

[@bentswoodworking]

Because we used a different color in the bathrooms.

[@LuisRamirez-bs7fl]

Would you recommend installing this over tile? Or not?

[@czlatovich]

We had lifeproof flooring installed, and the person was not careful about butting planks at the ends, and in some places the corners are high. I have tried a rubber mallot using a spare piece to hit on, but the corners don’t go down. Is there a filler that can be used for gaps between panel ends? Any ideas for the corners that are popped up?

[@bentswoodworking]

They may make fillers that match their colors but I am not certain

[@czlatovich]

@@bentswoodworking what about planks with one corner not locked in? I have tried using a rubber mallet with a spare piece, but it's not helping. Is there anything to do, short of removing the planks? I'm afraid they will break if they're walked on and something catches on the corner. I enjoy watching your videos!

[@pescatoralpursuit1726]

How would you transition to the tile for a zero entry shower?

[@eileenszymkowicz300]

August 7th 2023. Had the bathroom professionally redone. The floor is lifeproof. We have been using the shower for 4 days, and there is water coming up through the seams. This is also distorting the surface of the planks (making the material look wavy). Looking for thoughts from people who have used this product.

[@feras04]

Umm you need to find out why there is water coming up through the seams....this flooring is the least of your worries if water is leaking outside of your shower area 😊

[@zanetracks6592]

Put LifeProof in a bathroom, seemed to hold up fine. So I used it again in the dining and living room area. Scratched up immediately from chairs moving. Put $3 Coretex on a large area with a crazy long nailed dog and playing children 6 yrs ago and still looks perfect .

[@carebear7595]

Was it Smartcore by Coretec that you put in that has held up?

[@zanetracks6592]

@@carebear7595 not sure the name, but it was $3 sq/ft commercial grade.

[@TheAbbot92]

What was the full cost of replacing the floor?

[@JacobKnightRiderShop]

What about the VOCs from it? Its vinyl which can off gas.

[@Edward-Norton]

Is the vinyl tile you have in the bathroom Lifeproof gulfside quartzite?

[@tonyl3461]

You used the 6 mil?? Why didn't you go with the thicker (better??) 12 mil?

[@maggsh7934]

Hello! We have LifeProof vinyl plank flooring and love it. Still trying to figure out the best and easy way to clean it. Do you use a vacuum cleaner and if so what kind? Thank you!

[@Bmwguy2011]

No buy the official cleaning kit at Home Depot it’s $34 and the only approved way to clean it

[@chosengirl7593]

What color is that I’m struggling .. decision is I want gradient and color but my cabinets are cherry stained they have some red to them .. my current floor is varied in color red oak.. I am not wanting something that is a basic no variant color but I am concerned about it being to brown ..

[@bentswoodworking]

Fresh oak

[@SW-ts6xl]

In your original installation video, the concrete slab wasn’t leveled. Are you having issues with the joints so far? I’m seeing a lot of data points online regarding the joints getting broken/flexed due to subfloor that is not perfectly level, I just want to know if I that’s caused you an issue before I rip my carpet😂 TIA!

[@mitchklann4995]

Would you recommend the Lifeproof brand over the less expensive Home Decorator brand?

[@Marcus_Addison]

Yes, I’m a contractor and trust me… you get what you pay for. What you should be looking at is the mil size of the flooring. Cheaper most likely means thinner and usually tends to separate and also tends to break easier. Lifeproof is more expensive but is substantially better than most brands. You want at least 22 mil flooring. Anything below that tends to be more brittle and scratch easier. Not to mention if your subfloor isn’t 100% level, the thinner LVP will end up buckling at the seams.

[@Dproto10]

@@Marcus_Addison hi do you have any brand that you recommend. I went to floor and decor. They were mentioning Nucore. I just wondering what you think as a contractor.

[@michaelstockdale]

Jason, what do you think of installing LVP in a shop? I currently have concrete floors, and they kill my feet/back. I have often thought about LVP as an alternative to installing wood floors, but am afraid of durability issues. Mine is a small shop, so I am constantly moving my jointer and planter in and out of position, and I fear what that kind of "heavy" traffic would do to the lvp... Your thoughts are appreciated!

[@bentswoodworking]

It's durable, but I suppose that depends on what you're working with in your shop. There are certain chemicals that can ruin Lifeproof. When it comes to moving heavy machinery, there's always the potential to scuff the floor, even when caution is being used. I'd say that if you are worried about durability, then go with some epoxy flooring - I've had it twice now in my shops and it's performed fantastic. Clean up with epoxy floors are easy as well. If I damage the epoxy, it's too easy to repair it. With any type of laminate flooring (real or LVP) and depending on the damage, the strips/planks would have to be replaced.

[@michaelstockdale]

@@bentswoodworking I'm not so much worried about aesthetically damaging the floor, as I am with actually tearing the vinyl. I have a very small shop (14 x 32) and have to move big items out from their nooks, use them, and slide them back. Everything is on rollers, some are better than others. If I put wood down, I know I will dent the crap out of it (and I'm not sure I care). I just want something that will provide some cushion under foot and extend the time I can spend vertical on my feet.

[@bryanfalat4169]

I know this is 7 months late, but I have LifeProof flooring in my basement shop. It is great. I have all the heavy equipment you talked about and it moves easily. I've dropped plenty of things and no damage. My ONLY issue is with sawdust. The floor gets slick. I don't really have anything else to compare it to besides a concrete garage, but as long as you sweep up it's a great flooring for a shop

[@antdroid8533]

Yea buddy I suggest strcthing your lower back and legs.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

LVP will kill your feet/back too unless you get the very thick stuff and go with Laminate Wood flooring.

[@davetaylor2449]

I am putting down a light oak so I guess the scratches would show much more

[@bentswoodworking]

Hard to say

[@kottyking]

How is this holding up?

[@danielarevalos643]

Is this the 6 mil and not the 22 mil?

[@bg76843]

Just installed Lifeproof for the first time. Looks great but have not been able to find matching transition pieces. Do they make them and if so where can I find them?

[@Unrealistic-o9c]

We made our own transition strips. Trial and error.

[@keepgoin1]

What color and mil was it?

[@robinmeade7573]

I have the same flooring. It's 22mil, not 6 though. I am curious if anyone that installed it if they are protecting the planks against wear under computer/office chairs with any sort of mats or there is no issue using it without any sort of additional protection?

[@peggyB7835]

This year I replaced my wheels with rubber roller blade style. It rolls so smoothly. Don't know about long term but it doesn't produce a sandy crunching sound that the original standard casters did, which added to the wear on my old floor

[@kottyking]

was this 6 mil or 22?

[@ctuagent31]

was this the Hybrid Resilient?

[@efthimios]

Hi I’m torn between the vinyl and the hybrid resilient too - which one did you go with

[@ctuagent31]

@@efthimios Now I'm looking into the Flooret Modin Signature collection. They also have a real wood plank that looks easy to install. That is called Silvan Hardwood collection.

[@efthimios]

I’m trying to figure out how Lifeproof compares to LL floors? Anyone else knows ?

[@rjmills126]

What color is that?

[@Ricom69]

I am getting ready to install the Lifeproof flooring on top of subfloor upstairs for the loft and rooms (1300 sf total) this weekend but can't decide to go seamless or transition strips at the rooms. I would like to go all seamless with proper wall/flooring spacing that the manufacture requires. Any suggestions?

[@michaelschmitz8028]

Those dark pieces are so distracting. It really kills the faux look. Other than that, looks great!

[@bentswoodworking]

Luckily Lifeproof has a large selection of colors/styles.

[@jamesmarin5055]

where can i get the transitions?

[@bentswoodworking]

From Home Depot’s website

[@fourdoormuscle]

What brand of transitions did you use? Having trouble finding decent ones after my install.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Don't use transitions, just flow from room to room without them, all connecting, all the same brand and model plank system.

[@pctatc66]

you and Mark Spagnola moving to Missouri together?

[@bentswoodworking]

Yep - we got hitched.

[@KeithCindyPanama]

Of course they hold up. I dropped a hammer on ours and it bounced. No dings or dent’s

[@Steviewonderwhy]

What your wear layer?

[@angeleyes202084]

Well this was no real help I'm trying to figure out why my LifeProof flooring is turning everyone that walks around the houses feet black!?..I know o you need to clean the floor well..which I do I fallow the flooring cleaning info and got the LifeProof floor cleaners b/c I want to keep it looking nice but still even with constant water changes of which the waters always dark gray after hours of mopping and cleaning off the mop it's always the same! I'm just SO happy I'm moving soon b/c I don't think I could take anymore bs of having to bleach my family's socks and washing the pets feet all the time just to get what ever is coming out of the flooring. Ty if you read this but i do not reply to anyone just b/c it cuts back on stupid people drama. ^_~

[@Zamboni-0805]

25 months is not long enough to know if this Home Depot wood floor is of quality. Will they last 10, 15 or even 20yrs?

[@bentswoodworking]

Subscribe to find out! See you in 18 years!

[@Zamboni-0805]

@@bentswoodworking See you then...we both will be old men...lol

[@lkw5699]

I was able to easily scratch a lifeproof plank at HD with my key. Very hesitant since I have dogs.

[@AbelLeba-tb7lg]

some of their flooring is good, others not so good, check the strength of the tab, if your able to snap it, get a different model.

[@labradorshalladore4966]

The problem I have with this product why are so many people having issues just in the first couple of years it’s very expensive and very expensive to install

[@benjaminziegler7437]

It's a very solid product but a ton of repeating patterns. For the price it should have more pattern depth

[@johnnyjames2311]

What color of flooring is that sir?

[@bentswoodworking]

Fresh oak

[@christopherdel3844]

I made the mistake to get this floor. I got the large format tile and I put it into a 3 x 6 area. It was in an entryway to my house and man a lot of waste. I’m just like literally paying like $10 for each tile and you just cut it off and you just throw it away Just to put a little piece in on the edge the perimeter it would get you just because the box says it’s 20 ft.² does not mean that when you get to the perimeter that’s when you really start start going through tons of material God for bid you make a mistake either It’s really confusing like the tiles should actually have like stickers on them or something to show you which direction they go because it’s really confusing. I actually have 10 boxes of the stuff in my house and I’m returning it to Home Depot. I put it into a small area and I had enough there’s no way I’m putting it to a large area Because it’s going to be double the price so whatever you buy if you buy it for 100 ft.² you’re gonna have to buy double the amount for the perimeter I really don’t know for sure how much extra you buy maybe it’s more maybe it’s less because I have an actually done it I did it on a small area. I just can’t imagine a large area it’s just the bigger the area the more money it cost for the perimeter and I actually bought life proof plank flooring. I couldn’t even get that stuff to connect the tile that I have actually does connect together with no tools, but I did buy a vinyl flooring tool to actually cut it easily. Before you do life proof do your homework I don’t know why I just didn’t put a tile floor in one. It looks better it’s cheaper. It’s a hassle because you have to put down a membrane and do all that stuff and mix grout but it’s way cheaper like it’s crazy That Home Depot sells that stuff I should’ve just gotten tile or some kind of natural stone like slate in the future. I’m probably just gonna rip the shit out but anyway for an area that’s 3 x 5 or 3 x 6 I really don’t know the dimensions but it’s not that big. It’s a very small entryway That was 160 bucks for vinyl flooring and it’s a pain in the ass I had to buy a tool to cut it and that was probably like 150 I think or 200 I forget I got it off Amazon. I probably could’ve put real slate in that entryway for the same price or even cheaper.

[@Ngm0123]

What color flooring did you buy?

[@bentswoodworking]

Fresh oak

[@efthimios]

If this held up well at 6 mill imagine how good the 20 mill is I wouldn’t touch anything under 12 mill

[@steveharmon9000]

The room you did doesn't have shoe moulding. Nice professional touch. Personally I would not accept a room where the baseboards were not removed then replaced after. That shoe moulding just reminds me of a shortcut that you have to look at forever.

[@kirbybruc]

What do you clean your LIFEPROOF floor with?

[@oddopops1327]

👍👍😊

[@michaelmiller5877]

The video is confusing. Did he totally clean out the house just to make this video?

[@marcvandeberg5616]

underflooring "killed" my floor after 15 year

[@adge505]

Did you just say a breakfast room?

[@Unrealistic-o9c]

It's a FLOOR, not fine furniture.

[@murphy48094]

2 years is nothing.. that's not even close to a reasonable example of whether a floor holds up or not. Even 5 years is just barely beginning to start a reasonable test. Even bare plywood coated with a gallon of polyurethane would hold up for at least 2 years.. I put Bruce 3/4 inch hardwood flooring in my home 20 years ago and with the exception of the front door where all the hard traffic happens, it looks like it was installed yesterday.

[@joelw6215]

Moving is so exciting. It looks like maybe you’re moving bc you’re having another baby? Just a guess

[@wayneg296]

👍👍😎✌️🤟

[@maryholley461]

LIFEPROOF was a waste of our money. We had the floors less than 6 months. They are scratched. We reached out to get them to fix the floors because they have a warranty. They made excuses and blamed us for their crap flooring. We will never buy LIFEPROOF floors again. They lost a customer for life.

[@timhannum4092]

That flooring is toxic even laminate is toxic why wouldn’t you tell people that

[@Billy-qm3dm]

How's it toxic?

[@psychoholiday3985]

Two year old, Did he take out the furniture for the video lol