Optimax Eco Resilient Flooring Review 2023 – Is It Worth It?

Optimax Eco Resilient flooring is a waterproof vinyl plank product that is exclusively sold at Floor & Decor. The brand’s floors have a wood look and feel, but Floor & Decor claims that Optimax offers supreme protection with extreme scratch resistance. We’re here to find out if that’s true by reviewing Optimax flooring in detail based on Style, Durability, Pricing, Water Resistance, Warranty, and Online Reviews.

Long-Lasting Optimax Alternatives
The quality of Optimax products is often in question, and they have some concerning negative reviews, so unfortunately we can’t recommend them. Here are some brands we can!

Proximity Mills	Visit Their Site	Find a Retailer
Liberty Home	Visit Their Site	Find a Retailer
TRUCOR	Visit Their Site	Find a Retailer

In this post, we will go into detail about Optimax vinyl plank flooring, including its pros & cons and our overall rating. Furthermore, we will walk through how Optimax compares to other leading vinyl plank brands such as Proximity Mills, Coretec, Mohawk, and Shaw on Pricing, Thickness, and Warranty.

Disclaimer: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you click at no extra cost to you. All recommendations and opinions remain our own.

Flooring Range

The Optimax flooring range consists of around 20 unique vinyl plank products. Most of these are hardwood-look planks in dark, light, and gray shades. These hardwood-look luxury vinyl planks are typically 6 inches wide, a standard size; however, Optimax also offers extra-wide planks over 8 inches wide. Apart from that, Optimax stocks tile-look planks that resemble ceramic or stone tiles such as marble. These tile-look planks are more of a rectangular shape, just like ceramic tiles.

All Optimax vinyl planks have a 5-layer structure which consists of; a transparent wear layer, a wood texture design layer, a 50% wood-based rigid core, a balance layer, and a wood fiber-based acoustic underlayment pad. The tongue and groove system allows you to install Optimax flooring using the floating (locking) method, which doesn’t require gluing or nailing down.

Most Optimax planks have an overall thickness o 7mm or 8mm and are fully waterproof, meaning you can install them in bathrooms. Besides that, Optimax claims their planks have excellent scratch resistance, are pet-proof, and dent-proof. Furthermore, all Optimax products are covered by a lifetime residential and 20-year commercial manufacturer’s warranty.

Key Features:

• Over 20 Unique Designs
• Hardwood-Look & Tile-Look Styles
• 5-Layer Structure
• Pre-Attached Underlayment
• No Acclimation Required
• Steam Mop & Wet Mop Approved
• Fully Waterproof
• 100% PVC Free
• Long Commercial Warranty
• GreenGuard Gold Certified

Specifications:

• Flooring Name: Optimax Vinyl Plank Flooring
• Thickness: 8 mm
• Wear Layer: Techtanium Plus
• Warranty: Lifetime Residential / 20-Year Commercial
• Commercial or Residential Use: Both
• Installation Type: Floating (Locking)
• Underlayment Required: Only When Installed Over Concrete
• Material: Vinyl Plank (50% Wood Core)
• Brand: Optimax

Pricing

Optimax Eco Resilient flooring is priced between $3.99 and $4.99 per square foot. That’s a mid-range price tag compared to other vinyl plank products on the market, but for the quality of this product, this price is expensive. Please take a look at our comparison table below to see how Optimax compares to other leading brands such as Proximity Mills, Coretec, Mohawk, Cali Bamboo, or Shaw on pricing, overall thickness, and wear layer thickness. Optimax flooring can be bought at all Floor & Decor stores nationwide and on their website.

Durability

When examining the durability of a vinyl plank floor, it’s essential to look at the overall thickness, wear layer thickness, type of core, and manufacturer’s warranty. Optimax performs reasonably well when examining its specifications; however, there is one major issue.

Optimax has an overall thickness between 7 and 8 mm. The major issue is the floor’s wear layer. Optimax doesn’t state the wear layer thickness of their floors. Instead, their wear layer thickness is listed as Techtanium Plus. They purposely keep it vague, and after testing their product internally, it turns out the wear layer is of lowest quality.

As for the core, Optimax has a composite score consisting of a 50/50 ratio of polymer and wood. Most leading brands that offer the most durable rigid core floors use an SPC (stone-polymer core). Optimax uses wood and it is less moisture-resistant and less dense than stone; therefore, an SPC core is more favorable for durability. This is why most consumers complain about Optimax.

Optimax Flooring Reviews

Here at HomeFloorExpert, we always dig in deep when searching for online reviews of a specific brand. When it comes to Optimax Reviews, the best place to go is houzz.com, specifically this discussion, which has over 85 unique comments from people who bought the flooring. 

By examining the mentioned houzz.com post, we found that people have mixed reviews about Optimax. Some people like it; but most have complained about the floor easily separating in the joints, and how easily it scratches.

Here’s a comment made by a person who was unhappy with the floor:

We installed Optimax 8 months ago and the product is lifting every where. It continues to pop up and separate. Do not recommend at all. Installation was terribly difficult with the locking mechanism breaking off. We used 2 additional boxes because of the breakage. The color was inconsistent and the product scratched within 2 weeks of us installing it. Don’t buy it! Donna

Installation

You can install Optimax flooring in the same method as most other rigid core vinyl products, the floating (locking) method. This installation method requires no glue or nails and is the easiest installation method for installers to perform. To install the floor, you lock the planks together using the 5G tongue and groove system, cutting to size at the edges. 

It’s crucial to leave an expansion gap of at least 8mm at the edges of the floor. Furthermore, it’s best to install the floor before the kickboards to hide this gap. If the kickboards are already there, most installers recommend gently removing them and installing them back on once the flooring is in place. Alternatively, you can use molding and trimmings to hide the 8mm gap.

Optimax Eco Resilient flooring is one of the few vinyl plank products that doesn’t require an acclimation period. In addition, underlayment is not required as the planks come with pre-attached underlayment. That’s unless you’re installing over concrete floors. In that case, a vapor barrier underlayment of no more than 1mm thick is required. For best results, it’s best to extensively read the Optimax installation instructions before laying the floor.

Maintainance

Proper care & maintenance is essential for a long-lasting hard-surface floor. Regular cleaning combined with the right protection methods helps your floor keep its shine for longer. Below are some key instructions to follow for a proper care and maintenance routine.

Rules of Cleaning

• Vacuum your floor regularly, perhaps even every day. Dirt and dust are abrasive to hard-surface flooring and can cause scratches and scuffs.
• Use a hard-surface-approved vacuum. Most vacuums are not suited for hard floors and can potentially do more bad than good. We recommend the Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum.
• Mop your floors at least once a week to remove dust. When mopping, it’s crucial not to over-saturate your floor, hence why you should use a damp mop not dripping with water.
• Alternatively, you can use a spray mop. Spray mops release a fine mist of cleaning solution with the touch of a button, which prevents over-saturation.
• Speaking of cleaning solutions, make sure you use a PH-neutral one. Dish soap and vinegar are acceptable as long as you don’t use too much of them. You can add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant room odor.
• If you want to take a professional approach, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for flooring. We recommend Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid vacuuming too fast. Take it slowly. If you go too fast, you may end up scratching your floor and even damaging furniture corners.
• Don’t use scouring pads or steel wool for cleaning. These two will certainly scratch your floor.
• Do not use a steam mop. Although some brands allow it, we found that using a steam mop causes your floor to lose its shine faster than usual due to the high steam temperature.
• Don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
• Don’t use all-purpose or multi-purpose cleaning solutions.

Protection

• It’s well known that furniture legs can damage flooring. Attach large-diameter felt pads to them so they can glide smoothly when moved around and don’t cause dents.
• Place walk-off doormats at house entrances to prevent bringing in dirt from the outdoors.
• Avoid wearing shoes indoors as these can bring in a lot of dirt and debris. Wear socks instead.
• Office chair casters are notorious for scratching floors. Invest in a protective chair mat or rubber blade casters to prevent this problem.
• Maintain a room temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents moisture problems.
• If you have a dog, nail trimming will prevent them from scratching the floor. Plus, most dogs like their nails to be trimmed now and then.
• Place rugs in high-traffic areas such as the living room couch area.

Pros & Cons

Like all vinyl plank products, Optimax Eco Resilient flooring has its pros and cons. See the most significant below, starting with the pros.

Optimax Flooring Pros

• Acclimation Period – Optimax flooring is one of a few vinyl plank products that doesn’t require an acclimation period meaning you can install the floor as soon as it arrives at your doorstep.

• Underlayment – The brand’s planks come with a pre-attached underlayment pad, saving money on installation materials. That’s if you’re not installing over concrete.

Optimax Flooring Cons

• Mostly Negative Reviews – If you search for Optimax flooring reviews, you will find mostly negative reviews on the product

• Unknown Wear Layer Thickness – Although Optimax claims their floors have supreme scratch resistance, they don’t state their wear layer thickness and from our testing, the wear layer is extremely low quality.
• Durability – The products are known to scratch easily and dent frequently. One user online explained it as “paper thin” top layer.
• Installation – Our expert installers put the product to the test and all of them complained about the joints breaking easily and the wear layer film chipping.

Alternatives to Optimax Flooring

Proximity Mills
Proximity Mills is one of the leading vinyl plank flooring brands in 2023, earning high ratings and consumer reviews. Its exceptional quality and wide range of styles make it a top choice for those seeking an alternative to Optimax.

Liberty Home
Liberty Home is a brand we have recently discovered and are big fans of. You can get beautiful flooring at around the same price as Optimax, but it is built to last, ships quickly, and is easy to install for the DIY-expert.

TRUCOR
TRUCOR is a trusted brand with a long-standing presence in the industry. They have a reputation for reliability and quality, making it a compelling alternative to Optimax for those seeking tried-and-true options.

Our Verdict

Style – 5 out of 10 points

Optimax offers many trendy styles, including the recently trending wide-plank style. The main issue with their styles is that the wood look planks look very printed and fake. It does not pass even the most basic eye test.

Durability – 3 out of 10 points

The wear layer of these products leaves a lot left to be desired. There is a reason they do not disclose the full specs. The film is known to chip and scratch.

Affordability – 5 out of 10 points

Priced between $3.99 and $4.99 per square foot, Optimax sits in the mid-range compared to other vinyl plank products on the market.

Online Reviews -4 out of 10 points

Optimax flooring has mixed online reviews. Some people love their floors, but most others complain about them.

Overall Score – 4 out of 10 points

In our in-depth Optimax Eco Resilient flooring review, the brand scored an overall 4 out of 10 points, leaving a lot of room for improvement. You’re better off going for a more well-known brand or choosing one of the top vinyl plank brands we reviewed recently.

What do you think of Optimax Flooring? Have you had any experiences with the brand? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

FAQs

Is Optimax flooring affordable?

With lines starting at $3.99 per square foot, Optimax is relatively affordable, but it’s certainly not one of the cheapest flooring options on the market. The price is similar to Pergo and Mohawk vinyl flooring.

Can Optimax flooring be steam mopped?

Optimax Eco Resilient flooring is approved for steam mopping, meaning you can clean it using your steam mop without damaging the floor.

Does Optimax flooring require underlayment?

Optimax flooring comes with a pre-attached underlayment pad to each plank, meaning it doesn’t require underlayment. However, that changes if you’re installing over concrete. In that case, the floor requires a vapor barrier underlayment no thicker than 1mm.