ProCore Floors is a flooring brand that is currently available at most local Lowe’s stores; they specialize in Vinyl Plank flooring that is 100% waterproof. ProCore flooring is known for being affordable but is it also durable? In this ProCore Vinyl Flooring Review, we will examine all aspects of the brand’s flooring range, including Pricing, Durability & Online Reviews. Let’s start by having a look at the flooring range ProCore has to offer.
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Flooring Range
Looking at the Procore flooring range, we can see that the brand offers a total of 20 different products; visually, they are mostly real wood-look, grey, and tile designs. The different lines can be split into three different ProCore categories; Procore, Procore Plus, and Procore Pro. Below you can find the Key features of each category.
Procore
- Only 2 Designs in total; Heirloom Oak and Legacy Oak.
- Plank size 35.75″ x 5.75″.
- Overall Plank Thickness is 3.2mm.
- Wear Layer stands at 6Mil.
- No Attached Underlayment Pad
- This line is fully waterproof.
- Stain and Scratch Resistant.
- Mainly Oak look designs.
- Easy Click and Lock Installation. (floating)
Procore Plus
- 10 Real wood-look Designs and 2 tile-look ranges.
- Plank Size is 47.75 x 7 inches.
- An Overall Plank Thickness of 5mm.
- 12Mil Wear Layer.
- Comes with an Attached Underlayment Pad.
- Easy Click and Lock Installation (Floating Method)
- Fully Waterproof.
- Scratch and Stain Resistant.
- 5-Year Light Commercial Warranty and Lifetime Residential Warranty.
Procore Pro
ProCore Pro consists of six beautiful wood-look designs all available in 3 different Plank Types. The 3 different plank types can be separated by overall thickness and installation method.
Procore Pro (2mm Glue-Down Planks)
- Overall Thickness of 2mm.
- 48-inch by 6-inch plank sizes.
- 8 Mil Wear Layer thickness.
- Glue-Down Installation
- Do not come with attached underlayment.
(2.5mm Glue-Down) Procore Pro Planks
- Overall Thickness of 2.5mm
- 48x 6 inches Plank Size.
- Wear Layer thickness is 20Mil.
- Glue-Down Installation.
- Don’t come with an attached underlayment pad.
Procore Pro Rigid 5mm Vinyl Plank
- Overall Thickness of 5mm
- Plank Size is 47.75 inches by 5.75 inches.
- 12 Mil Protective Wear Layer Thickness.
- Easy, Click, and Lock Installation. (Floating Method).
- These Planks come with attached underlayment pads.
Durability
When examining the Durability of Vinyl Plank flooring, we mostly look at the overall thickness and wear layer thickness. 60% of the ProCore flooring lines have an overall thickness of only 2-2,5mm, which is very thin compares to other Vinyl Plank Brands. Additionally, you have to be very careful with 2mm Planks during installation as they can break very easily.
However, Procore Flooring also has thicker lines, such as the ProCore Pro (Rigid Vinyl Plank), which has an overall thickness of 5mm (Industry Average). This would probably be the best choice if you’re looking for something durable from ProCore.
The Wear Layer is a clear protective layer on the top of Vinyl Planks. It acts like a screen protector on phones and protects the floor from scuffs and scratches. The Industry Standard for very durable Vinyl Plank floors is a Wear Layer of at least 20MIL.
When looking at Wear Layer Thickness, Procore Flooring doesn’t exactly shine either; most Procore lines only have wear layers of 6-12 MIL, and only one line has a 20 MIL wear layer.
Pricing
It seems like you get what you pay for when looking at ProCore Flooring Pricing. The thickest and most durable lines are priced at $2.50-3.30 per square foot, which is quite affordable compared to other brands. Contrary to that, the prices on the thinnest lines (ProCore Pro (2mm) & Procore (3.2mm)) are super-low at $1.19 – $1.46 per square foot.
Procore Flooring is one of the cheapest Vinyl Plank options on the flooring market. Only the Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank flooring can really compete on price with Procore. However, you should know that the cheapest isn’t always the best option with Vinyl Plank flooring.
| ProCore Line | Price Per Square Foot | Overall Thickness | Wear Layer | Underlayment Pad? | Installation Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProCore Heirloom Oak & Legacy Oak | $1.46 per Sq. Ft | 3.2 mm | 6 Mil | No | Floating |
| ProCore Plus | $2.49-$2.59 per Sq. Ft | 5.0 mm | 12 Mil | Yes | Floating |
| ProCore Pro (2MM) | $1.19 per Sq. Ft | 2.0 mm | 8 Mil | No | Glue Down |
| ProCore Pro (2.5MM) | $1.99 per Sq. Ft | 2.5 mm | 20 Mil | No | Glue Down |
| ProCore Pro (Rigid Core) | $3.31 per Sq. Ft | 5.0 mm | 12 Mil | Yes | Floating |
ProCore Plus Compared to Other Vinyl Plank Brands on Pricing
| Product Name | Price per Square Foot | Overall Thickness | Wear Layer Thickness |
| Home Decorators Collection LVP | $1.79 | 4 – 4.2 mm | 8 – 12 mil |
| Mohawk SolidTech Essentials | $2.05 – $2.70 | 4.5 mm | 12 mil |
| ProCore Plus (Lowes) | $2.49 – $2.59 | 5 mm | 12 mil |
| Proximity Mills LVP | $3.49 – $6.99 | 5 – 6.5 mm | 22 mil |
| NuCore RigidCore 8mm | $3.79 | 8 mm | 22 mil |
| SmartCore Ultra XL | $3.89 | 7.5 mm | 12 mil |
| LifeProof RigidCore | $3.99 – $4.99 | 7 mm | 20 mil |
| Pergo Extreme | $4.19 – $4.79 | 5 – 6 mm | 20 mil |
| Mohawk SolidTech Plus | $4.35 | 6 mm | 20 mil |
| Armstrong Luxe Plank | $4.39 – $4.79 | 7.8 mm | 20 mil |
| Flooret Modin LVP – Signature | $4.50 | 7 mm | 40 mil |
| Mannington Adura Max | $5.49 – $5.99 | 8 mm | 20 mil |
| Coretec Plus Premium | $6.49 – $7.49 | 12 mm | 20 mil |
| Cali Bamboo Legends | $6.49 | 12 mm | 20 mil |
| Shaw Floorte Classic | $6.99 | 12 mm | 30 mil |
| Coretec Grande | $9.99 | 15 mm | 30 mil |
Availability
ProCore Flooring can be purchased at your local Lowe’s store. Alternatively, you can shop online on the Lowes website and have the flooring delivered to your home.
Procore Flooring Reviews
Most ProCore flooring reviews online are found on Lowe’s website; there, we found that the Procore Plus lines score an average of over 4 out of 5 stars from over 250 unique reviews. This is a very good rating overall. On the other hand, one of Procore’s cheapest lines, Heirloom Oak, scored an average of only 3 out of 5 stars from over 700 unique Procore flooring reviews.
One of the random Procore Plus reviewers wrote;
This flooring looks amazing and was so simple to install. I’ve never laid this type of flooring before yet I was able to cover three different rooms with no transition strips between them and they make a matching bullnose. My house went from drab to eye popping in just a few day. I couldn’t be more pleased with this product, I highly recommend it if you’re wanting a easy make over.
5/5 stars
Also, a random Procore Legacy Oak reviewer stated;
The floor is beautiful but it is cheaply made, it’s easy to put together but it is also easy to break the locking edges. It’s been a month or so since my wife and myself installed it in our kitchen, dining room, and living room and the floor is separating from the joints I guess you get what you pay for
3/5 stars
Installation
Procore Flooring can be installed using 2 different methods floating (click) and glue-down. The method varies with each Procore Line.
The floating method is when the flooring is not fixed to the subfloor but just laid over it; the planks are locked together using a Click to Lock system. This method is the most common with Vinyl Planks and is the easiest to do for a DIYer.
The Glue-Down installation method is obviously when the planks are glued down to the subfloor. There are two types of adhesive (glues) that can be used for this, pressure-sensitive and hard set. The pressure-sensitive glue is better if you want to replace individual planks in the future.
Overall the Floating method is much easier to execute than the Glue-Down method. This goes for both the DIYer and Professional Fitter; in fact, most flooring fitters will charge less for installing a floating floor.
Looking for a Professional Flooring Installer?
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The tool is powered by Networx who have been helping people find qualified flooring installers for over 20 years.
Care & Maintenance
Care and maintenance are critical for a long-lasting vinyl plank floor. Below are some tips and instructions to keep your floors looking fresh for longer.
Keep Your Floors Clean
Vacuuming and mopping your floor regularly is vital to its lifespan. Dust and dirt act as abrasive and cause scratches on the wear layer. Hence why it’s crucial to always vacuum your floor before mopping. Unfortunately, some vacuums will damage your floor, so it’s essential to only use a vacuum suitable for hard surface floors.
As for mopping, it’s important not to over-saturate your floor. For best results, we recommend using a spray mop that dispenses a fine mist of water mixed with a cleaning solution on your floor with the touch of a button. This also avoids spillages caused by having to use a water bucket. Furthermore, it would be best if you used a PH-neutral solution. Household dish soap is fine as long as you don’t use too much soap. For best results, we recommend using Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.
Furthermore, it’s important to avoid all-purpose or multi-purpose cleaners as it’s often not PH-neutral. Contrary to the fact that some brands allow it, we recommend not using a steam mop. Although they are easy to use, they will cause your floor to become dull faster due to the heat. Speaking of heat, avoid exposing your floor to direct sunlight at peak hours; use blinds or curtains if necessary.
Protect Your Floor
There are several ways to protect your floor from damage. Below are some of the best and most common protection methods to adopt.
- Attach large-diameter felt pads to furniture legs. This allows heavy furniture to glide smoothly on your floor without causing scuffs and scratches.
- Avoid wearing shoes as they can bring in dirt and damage your floor. It’s best to wear socks.
- Place rugs in high-traffic areas such as the living area.
- Be wary of office chair casters; they can destroy your floor. Either replace them with floor-friendly blade casters or place down a protective chair mat.
- Maintain a room temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents moisture problems.
- Place down walk-off doormats at house entrances to avoid bringing in dirt from outdoors which can scratch your floor.
- 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.
Please read our How to Clean Vinyl Plank Floors – Care & Maintenance Guide for a complete, step-by-step guide on cleaning vinyl floors.
Pros & Cons
ProCore Flooring Pros
- Price – By far, the biggest benefit of purchasing ProCore flooring is the cost. It is one of the most budget-friendly flooring brands.
- Decent Online Reviews – The Procore flooring reviews online average 3-4 out of 5 stars which is pretty good considering the budget price.
- Style – Some of the Procore designs are beautiful; they look very similar to real hardwood flooring.
- Available Locally – Procore is available at all Lowes stores throughout the US, which is good for customers who prefer to see and feel the product before buying.
Procore Flooring Cons
- Durability – The clear downside to Procore Vinyl Plank flooring is Durability. Some lines are only 2-3mm thick overall with slim wear layers also.
Our Rating
Style – 7 out of 10 stars
Affordability – 10 out of 10 stars
Durability – 3 out of 10 stars
Overall Score – 4 out of 10 stars
Good Alternatives to ProCore Vinyl
Proximity Mills Vinyl – If you want something affordable yet good quality, perhaps Proximity Mills Vinyl Flooring may interest you. The brand is US-based, and their vinyl planks are durable, featuring a waterproof SPC core and a thick 22-mil protective wear layer. You can choose from 11 stylish collections that include traditional and modern concepts. Many of their collections are relatively affordable, starting at $3.50 per square foot. In addition, Proximity Mills vinyl floors are rated Zero-VOC, meaning they don’t emit any harmful gasses over time which is great for your home’s air quality.
Shaw Vinyl – Shaw Industries is a huge, US-based flooring company; the brand has been producing flooring for over 40 years. They offer many highly rated and fully waterproof vinyl plank flooring lines, including both hardwood and tile look styles. Most of their lvp ranges are between 8 and 12mm thick and have a durable 20mil wear layer. You can purchase some of their lines for as low as $3 per square foot, while their thickest, premium lines can set you back $9 per square foot. Whether you want a low-cost but decent-quality vinyl floor or an ultra-thick premium one, Shaw has that to offer.
Coretec Vinyl – Coretec is one of the leading vinyl plank brands on the market. Their floors are known for their outstanding durability and style. Their LVP products are 100% waterproof and have very thick wear layers, such as their Coretec Grande line, which has a 30mil wear layer and is 15mm thick overall, or their Plus Premium line which is 12mm thick. If you want a vinyl plank floor that’s built to last, Coretec is undoubtedly a worthy contender. In addition, some Coretec lines are relatively affordable, with options starting at $4.39 per square foot.
Q and As
Q. Does ProCore Flooring need Underlayment?
A. Yes and No, some Procore Flooring lines come with attached underlayment, while some do require the additional underlayment to be laid down prior to the Vinyl planks. Concrete and uneven floors should have a plywood subfloor of at least 6mm installed prior to the vinyl planks.
Q. Is ProCore Flooring Waterproof?
A. Yes, Procore states that their flooring is waterproof but is not a fully waterproof barrier in their installation manual. We recommend not installing over-shower heads in showers where there is constant moisture.
After 6 months, our ProCore plus floor has begun separating. The pieces rub and crack against each other as we walk across the floor. Some of the pieces are lifting and can be quite “toe-catching”! I have been in contact with the installer numerous times. He claims that it’s the product’s fault. We watched him lay the floor, and he seemed to do everything correctly. He says he hasn’t been able to contact the manager at Lowes where we paid $996.00 for the flooring materials. He claims that no one at Lowe’s will return his call. We are caught in the middle of all this with a very treacherous kitchen floor. What are we supposed to do??
Hello there Marcia, first of all, thanks for sharing your experience with ProCore. ProCore is definitely one of the least durable vinyl plank options we have reviewed on our site so we are not surprised by your experience with them.
To resolve this issue you simply have to contact Lowes which isn’t usually a problem because when you buy the floor it comes with a warranty. It sounds to us like your installer is not trying hard enough to solve the issue himself. Perhaps you should ask him for the receipt of purchase as proof and contact Lowes or the Warranty provider yourself. Best of Luck.
Purchased 2400sq ft of ProCore Vinyl Luxury Plank from Lowes in June 2019. Had Lowes install product exactly the way Lowes recommended. 6 months later, filed warranty claim that the floor was separating, lifting and catching our socking feet as we walked. It is dangerous to walk on. It is now July 2022, still no warranty on this flooring, no help on amending this disaster product. ProCore has actually discontinued the flooring long ago. Lowes says it the product, ProCore says it’s the installation. Here we sit, 3 years later, no warranty received from either ProCore or Lowes. We have lost total confidence in the product and we have a dangerous situation to walk on our floor. Please help!
We are continuing our right of warranty with a class action law suite.
Hey there. I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the notorious ProCore. We actually have them listed as the Worst Quality product in our Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Ranking. About your lawsuit. Its very hard to get any money back in this case. They will just blame everything on installation.If I were you I would forget about the lawsuit, it will cost you a lot of money and you probably wont win. Thats the sad truth. In the future go for a more expensive but higher quality product such as Mohawk Revwood, Coretec or a traditional hardwood floor which you can refinish every 5-8 years.
We purchased Pro Core from Lowes in 2020 and now, 2 years later, it is cupping and buckling. Unfortunately, we did not use a Lowes installer so they won’t help us. Novalis claims it is not a flooring defect and it was installation. We used a professional installer to the exact specifications of the instructions enclosed in the boxes. Novalis tells us we should have gone to lowes.com for updated instructions. Completely absurd as we had instructions with us. They are not honoring their warranty. We are currently fighting Novalis to get reimbursement so we can buy all new flooring-1500 sq ft ruined in 2 years.
I’m having the same problem and my floor is less then a year old. I have videos to show the locking problem. There is porosity in this flooring causing the problems. Procore is not standing behind their product. Do not purchase procore flooring!!
Yes! Definetely avoid this brand at all cost.
Same problem here…cupping, buckling and separating after less than a year. I did get a partial refund credit at Lowes from the manufacturer for material only after contacting them directly. They said they could not determine the problem and so the gave me a “one time good will gesture” refund for the materials, but not the labor. I had to send them several sets of pictures and explain the installation procedures I used. Took about a month from the beginning of my complaint to receive my refund credit at Lowes.