NuCore Plank Review | DIY Friendly? Kid and Pet PROOF? Find Out Here

Someone Said NuCORE is TRASH So I Had to Test it and see for Myself. Vinyl Plank Review for Floor and Decor | NuCORE, DuraLUX and Optimax. I share how durable and how DIY friendly each of these plank are.
My favorite Vinyl Plank - www.sothatshowyoudothat.com/f...
Time Stamps -
0:00 Introduction to each plank
1:20 How each plank cuts and the marker test
6:42 NuCore 6.5mm
13:42 NuCORE with Whispercore
18:48 NuCORE Performance
25:46 Duralux
32:33 Duralux Performance
39:04 Optimax
45:14 Make a Plan
Here are the links to tools I use. If you use these links I do get a commission and my family and I thank you very much for your support!
Entire Home Plank Installation Video - • SIMPLE to Use Step by ...
Tools that I use - www.sothatshowyoudothat.com/t...

[@julzm7067]

Last year I paid $10K for a roof that failed in Hurricane Ian. A few weeks before that I had a plumbing leak. There is a huge hole in my bedroom ceiling and most of the laminate in the main part of the house had been taken out pre-hurricane. Time to get flooring for almost the entire house! The roofer is MIA and the insurance deductible is sky high. I am a woman of almost 60 that has done plenty of DIY, I even have my own jigsaw and chop saw :) I will pay to get the drywall done and tackle the floors myself. Many thanks for your reviews and encouragement for the DIYers.

[@carlk2193]

Techtanium sounds like a weasel word ti me

[@mr.c6674]

Sorry to read of your experiences. I will say though, installing your own flooring is doable. Definitely with the tips and directions he's providing here on YT. It's worth the money to purchase all the tools you'll need. Don't frown at some of the costs, because overall, you can come out ahead $$$ wise, and you might be able to use some of the tools for other DIY projects. Good luck to you!

[@surpriseitsus9622]

I'm very late seeing this. You are a very strong woman and you've got this! Thinking about you from Arizona 🌵

[@nhartin]

I am so grateful that I found your channel! Choosing flooring that looks good, is durable and that I can afford has felt overwhelming. I feel much more knowledgeable after watching several of your videos, and I know better what to look for. Thank you so much for doing these - what a great service you are providing!

[@LeNimph]

I'm currently redoing my house inherited from my parents who pretty much neglected the floors so finding the right planks is crucial. Your channel has been immensely helpful. I've never done a super thanks before but I really feel like you deserve it.

[@SnootielilCutie]

THIS IS THE VIDEO I NEEDED! Been watching all of your flooring install videos, so happy I stumbled upon this one too. Getting ready to make the plunge on some nucore whisper core plank…I’m sold. Thank you so much for all the tutorials you do! You’ll get me through the project! 🤣❤️

[@ardrobi2860]

I agree with you!

[@safffff1000]

Really appreciate all the work you do on these videos

[@philduoos2961]

We installed the NuCore Performance (large dog) and installation went well - thanks to all of your videos AND encouragement. Never installed flooring before. I had trouble with cutting it with a razor blade at first - but if I used a straight edge and ran the blade twice along the cut, and then support the bottom right at the edge of the cut it would snap okay. Most of the time! I think we did start using the chop saw after a few too many messed up breaks. It has been in for a year now and still looks like new. I think some of the end joints we could have pushed them in tighter, but it is hard to tell if there is really a gap or not. Some of the gaps seem rougher than others if you run your hand over them. But visibly you can't see it.

[@jimf.625]

I installed NuCore in my rental several months ago. Installed easy. Appears to be very durable. I found F&D to be very helpful and the selection was great. They have a huge selection of matching trim and transition pieces too. I also laid LVP in my main house. I opted for the Pergo DuraCraft from Lowes because it had a very strong locking system and very few repeating patterns of any. It was also flush fit, not beveled. Went back to F&D and found a near perfect match on the a few trim pieces I needed for my Pergo that were a near perfect match. Both choices heave been great. We could not have tackled these two projects if it were not for your videos and your inspiration. We laid out our LVP in both homes without any transition strips between rooms and it looks amazing. Thank you! God bless.

[@kenhoward127]

Great video... I planned on using the Nucore for my master bath remodel and now I am certain of that choice. Thanks.

[@trrd6161]

Best honest review. Great video, great job 👏

[@lynnboyce1729]

Been watching your channel and it has guided us through trying to choose flooring for our 1,200 foot 1st floor. We checked flooring out at HD, LOWES, LLFlooring, private flooring stores and finally F&D. Using this latest video we narrowed down our decisions to Nucor. We drove 3 hours to F&D and shopped ALL the vast flooring options. We decided on Stockbridge Oak based on it looking the most realistic real looking oak floor, and it was NUCOR Rigid Core LVP, bonus was it is at this writing, only $2.99 soft. We went in expecting to hit $4.99 a sqft, so this price point for a floor we loved BONUS!! Keep up the great work and videos!!!!!!

[@markanderson4451]

Hello Lynn, how are you doing?

[@jhlewis10]

Thanks, your help saved me over 6k by installing my flooring myself!

[@bluesraincancun9217]

Thanks for the info once again. Keep up the good work.

[@sydstemtutor4395]

I learn something every episode; thank you, sir.

[@brookeshipley8295]

We have installed the nu core performance in our basement rental in butter toast, it went down great and has proven durable we are now using it in our gym and primary bedroom!

[@Joe-fh2nu]

Looking forward to the review of underlayment products, especially the Floor and Decor Sentinel Protect Plus

[@brians9072]

I hope you will do a summary video of all your best picks for each retailer when you complete your evaluations.

[@phillamoore157]

I'm literally in the process of doing our entire upstairs (hallway, 2br, and a master bedroom) with the Whisper-core, and it's been super easy to work with. The leveling is becoming a massive PITA. It's an old home, where nothing is "square", nor are the floors even....especially in the hallway. So, it's been a big learning curve to figure out how much leveling is needed, and what you can get away with. I'm using self-leveling mix, which has been hit and miss, and also going to try the stuff he uses. But, trying to get the leveling right has been a real challenge.....especially, if you have OCD, like me and want perfection. That said, the first room I finished is absolutely beautiful, and it's joined together really well.

[@charlied.6722]

Big thanks!! I've been hoping you would review their products. I installed Duralux performance, and did have some broken locks. I used Gorilla glue for those. You're the best.

[@c.davidcook3565]

Thanks for all your tips!

[@carlosgonzalezgalindo7392]

Good job man, thanks for the info!!!

[@MichaelBurko]

NuCore performance is the most rigid plank I’ve ever installed. It’s awesome if you have dogs in the house. The only con is that you’ll be going through a lot of jigsaw blades :)

[@rabbitfester]

Thank you! This is the video we needed.. they all looked the same! And the employees didn’t help! Going to search you videos for underlayment how too now

[@maddie8670]

So glad you did this video!!!! I’ve been going back and forth about NuCore. Thanks, and I love your channel!

[@COAFAMILY]

We have duralux rigid core and I do it recommend. It has major separation on the short joints after only a year. It does not stand up to wheelchair use.

[@sociopathmercenary]

Thanks for the video! I have a couple dozen boxes of this stuff waiting for me to have the time to install it in my five bathrooms. This definitely leaves me confident that we made a good choice.

[@Kuj]

Good review. To be fair nucor install video says to use 3 boxes at a time to install as I think they purposely include similar patterns in one box to make it easy to sort and/or produce. I used the most expensive version of nucore in in my bathroom and it held up and looked and felt great. I will be replacing my whole basement 800sqft with the $3.29/sqft version of nucore in the coming months. I'll probably do the more expensive version for the upstairs 1000sqft that gets more traffic in the future but I have high hopes for both versions.

[@ttgk8506]

I install alot of nucore and haven't had any complaints from customers

[@mjbull76]

Joe! Just purchased the NuCore River Port for our renovation. Thanks For the great info! I despise buying junk. Thankfully we have a F&D about 20 minutes from us. Love that place. KEEP THE VIDEOS COMING BROTHER!!!!

[@tracyann6270]

Flooret brand LVT is my favorite. It’s well made.

[@ardrobi2860]

I truly, enjoyed your presentation; it really blessed me! I purchased my flooring from Floor Decor in Tennessee and I purchased my flooring before viewing your video. However, you covered the brand I purchased "Duralux Performance Waterproof Luxury Vinyl 5mm. Great Job! I did not want to purchase the super expressive vinyl because I am selling my home...I just need a nice, neat and cleaner looking flooring. I have questions on cutting...can I start out with the plank length be the same on the wall and cut the 3rd plank shorter and continue to format? This way I would only have to cut once per row.

[@davidleist7587]

The “other” end of a hammer is the face. Great video.

[@GC83163]

Thanks great review. I recently got some samples of Cali Longboards. Looks awesome to me but I cant find any reviews on it.. Please add to a future review if possible. Would love to hear your opinion.

[@blradcl]

Nice video! Thanks man!

[@SoThatsHowYouDoThat]

Glad you liked it!

[@sucmanh]

Can you put out your top 5 video soon :)) so I can start buying

[@brianNYC546]

I just 50 boxes of NuCore so I'm glad you approve!

[@lwgrantsmom1603]

I have NuCore in my home and I love it. It’s 100% everywhere, kitchen bathrooms all the rooms.

[@harshh120]

Thank you Joe

[@darrylblosser745]

Love to see a review on Supercore

[@carlk2193]

They do have special scoring tool for extreme hard surface it is somewhat like Formica knife

[@leshsl4482]

Hi Joe are you very nice and teach everything👍🇺🇸

[@kevinmunz]

I really enjoy these reviews. They have been incredibly helpful with sorting through all of the options. How important is a micro-beveled edge? The Nucore product I'm looking at is very similar to the $3.69 floor you showed here. Difference is the one I'm looking at is $2.99 a sqft, appears to have more patern designs, but doesn't have the beveled edge. I got 2 boxes to test and the 1 thing that concerned me is if the end joints aren't perfect you can feel the sharp square edge. Will that have issues down the line with chipping of wearing prematurely? It feels like it would catch on things more than a beveled edge would, so could that cause the planks to move around more and stress the joints?

[@GreenRider21]

Amazing video. Perfect for me since I was looking at these exact brands and models of flooring! I would love to see how it does with liquid left on seams for 8 hours or so. If it goes through the seams or not.

[@SoThatsHowYouDoThat]

Great suggestion! I really appreciate that my friend!

[@utahhomesbyjess]

I’m installing mannington adura ridge right now. Looks great. First time installing. The locking system is still not as strong as I thought it would be for the price. I can only imagine how fragile the locking systems on the cheap floors are

[@helencruz2569]

Would you advise Nucore instead?

[@philiphayes7542]

Thank you for this! I just bought some NuCore Performance, and am getting ready to do the install. This video was very informative and helped me feel good about the choices I made. However, I still have a couple of questions: F&D's instructions says to use a 1/4" expansion joint with the regular NuCore product and 1/2" with the NuCore Performance. Any idea why? 1/2" seems excessive to me for a vinyl plank, especially in a relatively small room. F&D recommends the use of their underlay, but only in a residential application. In fact it says that using an underlay will void the warranty in a commercial application. This makes me think that underlay may help with noise insulation, but it actually diminishes the durability of the product. In which case, using the product without underlay in a residential application should not be detrimental to performance. Is this an accurate assumption?

[@michaeld.3779]

Can't get denatured alcohol in California ... but my wife's hairspray took the Sharpie marker off, lickity-split.

[@danasignaturesvc]

Do you have a video showing how to lay Multi width Laminate planks? I purchased Aqua Guard, thinking it was vinyl... I just noticed right now that it is Laminate. Hopefully, since it is waterproof, it will work for the bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen, since we are putting it in the whole house. Any advice would be great! Thanks.

[@MsTracey62]

Did you ever do the video on your top 5 vinyl planks after you reviewed Menards, HD, Lowes, F&D, and LL?? I can't find it

[@gghottamale]

Great video, THANK YOU. My installer recommended NuCore Longboard, does anyone know the difference from the other NuCore products? I'm looking at NuCore Longboard in West Coast, size 9x60x8mm, wear layer 20 mil, finish is aluminum oxide with ceramic bed technology. WPC With 1.5mm IXPE Underlayment.

[@xcct838]

Very nice Joe. It seems like you overrated F & D tho with all the broken locking and all being drop & lock. I'll look forward to your TOP 5 selections. I'm ready to buy for a remodel but I'm pretty sure I want to stay with tongue and groove locking after watching all your videos. I hope the TOP 5 includes T & G.

[@nathanurys7839]

I installed Lowe’s Smartcore Pro and struggled like you with the short ends and they would snap and break. A year later it’s failing even more with a 7 month old cutting knees on it. Needless to say I’m going through all of your videos. Which lvp would you recommend that will last, have a pre installed backing, and microbevel? Oh and lastly won’t snap and break on seams like the smartcore pro

[@butterflywatch4221]

Nice presentation. Tagging this.

[@John-sn4hl]

I would love to see you review the flooring at Sam's club!

[@erickenn96]

What is your opinion on Select Surfaces at Sam's Club? I'm about to do an entire 4br 2ba house and kitchen. I'm leaning towards Mannington but she is looking at SS.

[@joelf5565]

I’m torn between Nucor regular 6.5mm 20mil wear for 1.88/sq ft (clearance sale) vs LifeProof 6.5mm 12mil wear for 2.89/sq ft. I’m just hesitant on F&D cause there are not a lot of reviews on them like there is with LifeProof, which are mostly positive.

[@jnmigr]

Can you compare those nucore with the Mohawk from Costco.

[@rodolfogiles8055]

You tried out the aquaguard laminate floori ng by floor n decor? The outter part is strong BUT the locking parts are made out of a cheap cardboard and the lips break check it out whenever you can its ridiculous how much trouble i had stsrting the first 2 rows or had to remove a plan without breaking the last planks lip menards laminate lock ins are stronger sadly

[@tylerpeterson9980]

How do you do small spaces the right way more or less joints?

[@kathleenrutherford733]

I have a Travel Trailer, I want to put Laminate down, I ripped out the carpet, and started on the Linoleum WELL it's super sticky under it still? I have wood subfloor how do I get the sticky underneath the linoleum off? Or is it easier to put something on top? HELP PLEASE

[@ardrobi2860]

Also, I have viewed several videos online and found one video host and l like how professional demonstration, which are simple and detail. However, he demonstrated several planks as you have, but you cover the brand that I purchased. In addition, it is wonderful that you pray for your audience and expression in the Name of Jesus. Furthermore, you can sense the Holy Spirit in your pray closer. Praise God and keep up the great work for the Lord!

[@chizuck3322]

Joe can Nucore be installed backwards when i hit any area that is further back or i go a round a wall that jets out?

[@sharonsjv]

Hey can you help Me please! Have original hardwood floor in our home I bought a lava flooring for my kids room and I need to install the vynl sheets onto the floor what's the best way to do it?! I got it off of Etsy and they referred me to KZbin and I keep watching videos but I need the best advice please! Thank you!

[@jesselopez023]

Hi do you caulk the outside expansion gap?? Or put anything inside the gap under the base trim ?

[@xfhnhhgjbvcfg]

You don't , just install baseboard over gap

[@clangbang.4370]

Review cali vinyl you can do it!

[@MEGABoostable]

I had NuCORE Performance installed. I have several leftover boxes. How many extra planks/boxes would you recommend I keep vs return?

[@dealyah]

This is a great question

[@timgriffin2711]

I live in Sacramento California and I buy denatured alcohol at Home Depot

[@carlk2193]

I had client that did not like 2 of the particular board so she repacked those boards and sent them back. Fell sorry for the next person to purchase those boxes

[@xfhnhhgjbvcfg]

Omg lmao

[@robertoulz]

HEY MAN THIS OFF TOPIC BUT HOW DO YOU MESSURE A ROOM WITH ODD ANGLES AN DONYOU HAVE A VIDEO ON THAT?

[@Aepek]

The floor and decor stores are laid out same (or as close as can be consistent no matter where at) and displays are same as well, nice big displays so can see. As for grout samples, they do have them if ask (and must ask) but won’t let you buy or take and return, but can walk thru store and see colors up against tiles, etc….(as an fyi for ppl).

[@xcct838]

What happened to the TOP 5 Joe?

[@lufaruko3840]

Hoping it was for a good reason

[@benjaminbowles9797]

So the Optimax went together the quickest, with the least amount of tools, dented the least with a claw hammer, you couldn’t break the locking system nor scratch the plank. Why wouldn’t you give that a ten? It is easier to cut than the NuCore Performance as well.

[@SoThatsHowYouDoThat]

I really wanted to give it a 10, but I did not because it is built more like a laminate which means it is a stiff board without much flex and it will be more difficult to install in places like doors and closets. A vinyl plank had more flex and can be bent to get into tight areas. 8 was a very high score for this plank. In open areas, this plank will be super easy to install.

[@raymondsiewert2720]

Brother, Mineral Spirits will do the same thing as denatured alcohol. You can get it at all home improvement or paint stores. 😁

[@sj3366]

I installed Optimax, but found the tongue and groove are very easy to break. The bottom layer is not water proof either. It soaks with a lot of water. I would NEVER buy Optimax any more.

[@carlk2193]

I'm all table saw guy

[@christopherbrentsergakisre3725]

Optimax is defective. Banana boating planks after pulling them up to inspect a possible uneven floor because of bowing. Floor is good. Planks are all banana's. It does not withstand temperature. Is not dimensionally stable AT ALL.

[@dlo5052]

Cork absorbs moisture. Think about a wine bottle

[@aldayonthewater6680]

Please don't use Nucore or Floor & Decor. They do not honor the warranty. I have several damaged spots all throughout my house. I went through the warranty process and was denied due to the inspector finding high moisture readings on the damaged boards. So basically I was denied because the 100% waterproof boards, unaffected by moisture and humidity, ....had moisture. Floor and Decor will NOT warranty the products. I've been dealing with the process for months, spoken to attorneys, class action lawsuits in process... It's a mess. Nucore performance 100% waterproof. It is NOT waterproof. Very vulnerable to moisture -. Please be careful and research where you purchase your flooring.