Shaw Industries is one of the largest flooring companies in the US; the brand has been producing flooring for over 40 years. Shaw started in 1946 as the Star Dye Company that produced rugs; in 1967, Shaw started selling carpets. Nowadays, Shaw offers a variety of flooring types, including Carpet, Hardwood, Vinyl, Tile & Stone, Laminate, and Commercial flooring. Today, we will focus on Shaws Vinyl Plank and Vinyl Tile products specifically. In this Shaw Vinyl Plank Review, we’re going to be examining all aspects of Shaw’s Vinyl options, including Pricing, Durability & Shaw Vinyl Plank Reviews we found online. Let’s start by discussing Shaws Vinyl Plank options.
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Shaw Vinyl Plank Range
Shaw offers 3 different types of Vinyl flooring. These are Shaw Floorte Luxury Vinyl, Shaw Floorte Hardwood, and Shaw Floorte tile. Additionally, the Shaw Luxury Vinyl collection can be split into 3 collections: the Classic Series, Pro Series, and Elite series. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Floorte Classic Series
Shaw’s luxury vinyl classic series includes a total of around 14 unique hardwood-look designs; a lot of these are extra-wide planks with varying lengths. Shaw’s classic collection is constructed by molding together 3 layers;
- Design Layer – The layer responsible for the realistic wood-look visuals combined with a scuff-resistant Shaw finish.
- Foamed Waterproof Core – a 100% waterproof core with added foam for a warmer, quieter floor.
- Acoustical Pad – Another layer that acts as a noise reducer.
The designs offered in this collection come in a variety of wear layers from 12mil to even an industry-high 30mil which is very impressive.
Floorte Pro Series
Shaw’s Pro Luxury Vinyl Series also consists of 14 designs in total with varying wood and tile-look styles and different size planks. Shaw claims that their Pro Series is built for Strenght and Durability; it is made up of 3 layers, just like the classic series but stronger;
- Design Layer – The layer responsible for the overall look of the floor; Shaw claims that this layer is Scuf resistant.
- Compact Waterproof Core – This is a 100% waterproof core that is denser and stronger than the Shaws Classic series.
- Acoustical Pad – a Pad attached to the bottom of the planks for noise reduction.
Most of the designs offered in the Pro series have a 20mil layer, which is pretty good for Luxury Vinyl standards. Additionally, Shaw states they have commercial-grade durability and are resistant to denting.
Floorte Elite Series
The Shaw Elite series is the brand’s answer to flooring for active households with pets. This collection consists of 2 wood-look lines, Prodigy HDR PLUS and Prodigy HDR MXL PLUS. Both of these come in 10 colors and come in varied sizes of 7×48″ and 9×86″.
The Elite series is highly resistant to scratches hence the suitability for pets. This is backed by an excellent 15-year Scratch Warranty. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the Wear layer specs of these 2 lines on Shaw’s website, but we know The Elite lines have a 100% strong mineral core. Shaw also adds that the Elite series is suitable for commercial situations.
Floorte Vinyl Tile
As the name suggests, Shaws Vinyl Tile line is constructed to look like stone tiles but also has the performance of vinyl flooring. Best of all, the Vinyl Tile range cuts out messy grouting that is needed for traditional tiles; Floorte Vinyl Tile can be installed using the easy floating method.
Shaw only offers one line of vinyl tile, which is Paragon TILE PLUS, the line is available in 21 different colors (designs), and the tile size is 12″ x 24″.
The tiles have a strong SPC Core, a quite thick 20mil layer, and an acoustical pad for noise reduction. Shaw also states that these Vinyl Tiles are 100% Waterproof and built to endure scuffs, dents, and stains.
Durability
It’s time to discuss one of the most important aspects of Shaw Vinyl, which is Durability. Firstly let’s look at the wear layer of Shaw Vinyl ranges.
Most of the Shaw lines have an average wear layer of 20mil which is the industry standard for good Vinyl floors. Most impressively, we found that some lines from Shaws Classic Series, such as the TITAN HD PLUS 2002V have a 30 mil wear layer and an overall plank thickness of 12mm. The 30mil wear layer is the highest we have seen so far from all the Vinyl Plank brands we reviewed.
In addition to the great wear layer, Shaw offers an excellent 15-Scratch Warranty on their Floorte Elite Series. This suggests the brand is confident in its product’s scratch resistance.
All of Shaw’s vinyl options are 100% waterproof, meaning that they won’t warp or buckle in normal residential conditions. In Summary, Shaws Vinyl Planks and LVT are on the high end of our Durability scale overall.
Shaw Vinyl Plank Pricing
When looking at Shaw LVP pricing, we can say that you get what you pay for. Lines with a thinner wear layer, such as Shaw Matrix Flex (6mil), can cost as little as $1.99 per Squared foot. On the other hand, if you want a thicker wear layer, you can choose TITAN HD PLUS (30mil) starting from $6.99 per square foot. Overall there are affordable options for every consumer budget in Shaw’s catalog.
| Shaw Line | Price per Sq.Ft. | Type of Vinyl | Wear Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| TITAN HD PLUS – Classic Series | from $6.99 per Sq.Ft. | Vinyl Plank | 30mil |
| PRODIGY HDR MXL – Elite Series | from $5.99 per Sq.Ft. | Vinyl Plank | Not listed. |
| PARALLAX HD PLUS | from $4.55 per Sq.Ft. | Vinyl Plank | 20mil |
| Floorte Vinyl Tile | from $4.82 per Sq.Ft. | Luxury Vinyl Tile | 20mil |
| Shaw Matrix Advanced Flex | from $1.99 per Sq.Ft. | Flexible Vinyl Plank | 6mil |
| PARAMOUNT 512C PLUS | from $3.70 per Sq.Ft. | Vinyl Plank | 12mil |
Shaw Vinyl Compared to other 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 |
| Shaw Floorte Pro | $4.19 – $4.39 | 5.5 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 |
Where to Buy Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring?
You can buy Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring online in many stores, such as FlooringInc. Alternatively, you can find Shaw Vinyl Planks stocked locally in stores such as Lowes or Home Depot.
Shaw Vinyl Plank Reviews
At HomeFloorExpert, we try to do a good job researching and analyzing the different flooring brands’ reviews we find online. When searching for Shaw Vinyl Plank Reviews online, we discovered that the brand has an average score of around 4 out of 5 stars on numerous websites.
While browsing the Lowes.com website, we found that Shaw Vinyl Products has a good overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This score is based on over 200 unique consumer reviews. As with any brand, you did find a small percentage of negative reviews.
One of the reviewers commenting on the PARALLAX HD PLUS range said;
Love this flooring, bought in online had it installed, it is so quiet and such a good quality and it looks amazing completely changed the look and feel of the entire area.
5/5 stars
Also, some reviewers of the Shaw Matrix Advanced Flex line stated;
We had redone our bathroom with similar flooring in Stainmaster’s brand and it went together way easier and was much less brittle than these pieces seemed. We used Matrix brand to redo our basement flooring and many pieces were broken out of the boxes, the ends chipped off. When we would cut them to size many would chip and break, some ends were bent or dented out of the boxes.
2/5 Stars
We bought this to make our concrete basement floor look better for an eventual sale and for practice. This flooring was super easy to install if you know what you’re doing. I will be buying a lot more of this product to finish the whole house! I took one star off because it does seem to chip easy before it’s installed. It was just the corners so I used those pieces on the ends and it was not a big deal.
4/5 Stars
Installation
The installation process with Shaws Vinyl Planks is the same as other Vinyl Plank brands; most of the Shaw Vinyl Floors can be installed using the floating (click) method. This method is pretty is to accomplish for most skilled handymen. You can find more information on installation instructions on the Shaw Floors website.
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Does Shaw Vinyl Plank need Underlayment?
The simple answer is yes, Shaw Vinyl Planks do need underlayment. Shaw doesn’t come with attached underlayment and doesn’t class its acoustical pad as underlayment either.
Maintenance
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 that is 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 your 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.
Read our review of The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands of 2023 and what our readers had to say after buying them
Pros & Cons
Shaw Vinyl Plank Pros
- Affordability – Some of Shaw’s Vinyl lines, such as Shaw Matrix (flexible lvp), can be bought for as low as $1.99 per square foot.
- Wear Layer – The average wear layer stands at 20mil; some Shaw Vinyl Planks have a very thick 30mil wear layer.
- Warranty – The Elite series Luxury Vinyl comes with an excellent 15-Year scratch warranty.
- Waterproof – Shaw Luxury Vinyl planks are 100% waterproof and suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Large Range – Shaw offers over 80 different styles of Vinyl Flooring.
Shaw Vinyl Plank Cons
- Shaw LVP doesn’t come with an attached underlayment. Some other flooring brands do offer that with their Vinyl Planks.
Our Verdict
Affordability – 9 out of 10
Shaw offers vinyl plank flooring prices suitable for all budgets; the less durable options are some of the cheapest on the market, whilst the 20mil (wear layer) starts at $3-4 per square foot.
Style / Flooring Range – 8.5 out of 10
Shaw has a vast Vinyl Flooring range with some great trendy, authentic, and unique designs, over 80 in total. There is something nice for every consumer.
Durability – 9 out of 10
Shaw Titan HD Plus line has a 30mil wear layer and 12mm overall thickness, which is the best that we have reviewed so far for Vinyl Planks.
Overall Score – 8.83 out of 10
In this review, Shaw Luxury Vinyl scored 8.83 out of 10 points which put it level with Mohawk Vinyl Plank flooring. Overall we feel like Shaw has something for every client. Shaw has cheap lvp flooring for buyers who want to spend less but also has durable options for those who can pay more. Simply put, you get what you pay for.
What do you think about Shaw’s Luxury Vinyl? Share your opinion and experiences with the brand in the comment section below.
Good Alternatives to Shaw Luxury Vinyl Plank
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.
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 30-mil wear layer and is 15mm thick overall. If you want a vinyl plank floor that’s built to last, Coretec is undoubtedly a worthy contender. In addition, Coretec is relatively affordable, with options starting at $4.39 per square foot.
Had Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus 2038V professionally installed. Several months later many of the butt ends lifted or buckled. Stay away from this Shaw product.
Shaw flooring is not as advertised. Had Shaw Timberidge Honey Walnut installed in February 2021. Floor looked smudged and unclean all the time and I was told not to use a wet mop on it to use the Shaw cleaner in the spray bottle. That looked awful. I called Shaw and was told to use vinegar and water and a damp mop. Looked some better but still not clean. Then I talked to someone else at Shaw and they said I could void my warranty if I did that to never use water on the flooring. Waterproof?
Then after my husband who is a disabled veteran got a power chair the floor is total crap and they are saying floor should have been glued. That’s not how it is advertised and not how it was sold to us. Boxes said it was ADA compliant and the salesperson said that meant it was for people in wheelchairs. All I know is the warranty is not worth much more than the ink it used to print it. You can’t walk on the floor barefoot, you will cut your feet. Walking on it you risk the chance of tripping on a raised edge. Our great grandson can’t get down because he will get cut if he crawls. My husband is diabetic so if he should cut his feet it will be a bad situation. We have lost a lot of money and to think of what replacing this flooring will amount to in time and money makes me feel ill.
Thanks for your review. Vinyl plank flooring can look a bit dull in general. For best results, we would recommend you add a few drops of essential oils to your water + vinegar mixture to give the floor some shine. When looking at the particular line you invested in, it only has a 12mil wear layer which is pretty thin. We always recommend LVP with a wear layer thickness of 20mil. However, we’re still disappointed and surprised to hear your review. Maybe try ceramic/stone tile flooring, epoxy, or polished concrete for better durability.
We have Matrix by Shaw Ashville Pine. We bought our home and completely gutted the house. Once new subfloors we’re in place and we were close to move in time we bought the flooring from our local Lowes. Brought it to the house and let the boxes sit for 6 days to acclimate to the temperature in the house. Did everything we were told to do to install the underlayment and flooring through my entire house. We moved it about a week after the floor was installed in August of 2019. So almost 3 years and there isn’t one spot in any room of the house that the floor doesn’t look absolutely horrible. They’ve split and broke apart and look awful and it started doing this within the first year . Buying this flooring was the absolute worst thing I have ever done.
Hey there. Thanks for sharing your insight. The line of Shaw lvp you bought is actually one of their lowest quality products. It only has a 6mil wear layer which is very poor. Did you allow for an acclimation period before installation?
Wow I am utterly terrified I just had Shaw Matrix LVP installed through out my whole house with underpayment. After reading these reviews I am sick to my stomach. I have not read any good reviews at all. I sure hope I get better results.