Its base layer is made of high-density fiberboard, while a photo-realistic design layer allows it to mimic virtually any hardwood species (or other material, for that matter). Youll probably have to use adhesive or nails, and its important to note that the AquaGuard flooring isnt really designed for this. I agree that initial floor prep is 99% of the job--but installation of the floor isn't always straightforward with floating floors, particularly the first 1-2 rows, which is where a lot of readjustments and breakage happens. What Makes AquaGuard Laminate Waterproof? I have had Aquaguard laminate for 5 years now. Floor & Decor keeps this information tightly under wraps. Simply put, AquaGuard is strong stuff and it definitely belongs up there with the other best laminate flooring brands. We are installing the AquaGuard Estate Oak Tawny Hand Scraped Water-Resistant Laminate in four bedrooms after removing carpet and love the product but I am a little troubled. Thats a great question with no clear answer. Christian is a freelance everything-writer, editor, & SEO guy. This is a little meh on Floor & Decors part because AquaGuard laminate is largely marketed as do-it-yourself flooring, which should be some of the easiest flooring to install. Which is the GOAL. AquaGuard also warrants that the laminate flooring will resist damage due to wet mopping and spills for up to 30 hours. A spot of wood glue on the short side will make a bond stronger than the MDF. Sure enough the whole mark of where the liquid was and the drips and trail show clearly. So who actually makes AquaGuard laminate? There are MILLIONS of people who have done this to themselves) and ask what is the "remover" or the the "stripper" for this product. @cbculpepper -- apologies for the long delay in responding. If you are installing this floor yourself - any of the dust left on the floor from cutting or scoring and snapping can create a serious hazard. My backup choice is the Home Depot Home Legend Click Lock Hardwood Flooring. Don't give up. If you havent picked up on this yet, theres a lot to like about AquaGuard laminate. I am aware that they do offer real protection against water but aesthetically I just couldn't use vinyl. We also used the high-quality underlayment, which made no difference. Sounded like you were taking a very sensible approach to clean and maintain the floors, so I thought Id check with you. When we moved in there were 3 places of a about 5 drips each that I guess the builders left behind and I cannot get them out. Now let's go back to 100lb dogs. Surprisingly, yes. We installed the Aqua Guard water resistant GOYA flooring a year ago over a concrete slab. Just look at TrafficMaster flooring (a Home Depot exclusive laminate) to see what we mean. Whats really impressive about AquaGuard flooring is that the shortest commercial warranty it offers (15 years) is actually longer than the industry average. Brands like CoreLuxe flooring and SmartCore flooring are great examples of mediocre big-box-store-exclusive products that seem great at first glance, but dont live up to the hype. I am having second thoughts on this flooring. Floor & Decor seems to hide this information on its website. I haven't moved in yet, so i can't speak about the durability and if the lock system will break off or not when the floating floor moves (shrink / expand). Im interested in this color, @Shelli Nelson Could you please post more pictures in different lighting of rosewood laminate? There are also plenty of mixed and wide-plank wood flooring looks available, and even a few styles that mimic popular wood floor patterns like herringbone. However, AquaGuard seems to be made with this in mind and should handle high traffic environments well. I have steamed it (even though I said I wouldn't) as well and it's been fine. Warranty - Don't bother trying to go the waranty replacement route. Just make sure to dry any spills within a reasonable amount of time if you opt for the standard line. Also when we first moved in, you could see the installers fingerprints on the edges of the floor, but I was able to use a steam mop and get those to go away. Can AquaGuard Flooring Be Installed In High-Traffic Areas? Any feed back with this product in this color is appreciated. I sell flooring at Home Depot -- I do think this AquaGuard laminate looks much closer to real than the LVP flooring that is so popular right now. Well, its durability allows it to compete with the most durable wood flooring and even the best vinyl flooring (were thinking high-quality rigid core luxury vinyl flooring here) in terms of resilience. Do I Need Transitions for AquaGuard Laminate? Its still a good idea to take care of your AquaGuard flooring (if only to extend its lifespan), but it should handle plenty of abuse. What Are The Problems With Luxury Vinyl Tile? AquaGuard laminate isnt the only in-house product Floor & Decor makes: they also sell NuCore flooring, a type of vinyl plank. Though were focusing on AquaGuard laminate, we should at least mention their engineered wood and bamboo products. And on that note, AquaGuard bamboo is pretty similar to its engineered hardwood counterpart. We had Aqua Guard installed in our new home and it looks nice, but the pattern repeats often. Good luck. All AquaGuard laminate is 12mm thick, while plank widths vary from 3 to 8 and beyond. Its fair to say that both versions of AquaGuard have good warranties. DO NOT BUY THIS FLOOR. Laminate is not. I have two dogs (One 95lb Chesapeake bay retriever and a 30 lb mix) and a 2 and 3 year old that ride scooters on it daily. We are looking to have it installed by a professional, but want to make sure the floor itself is good quality and will hold up to normal wear and tear with kids & pets. Bonus: you can get super-cool, high-tech magnetic underlayments that turn your floors into magnetic flooring (that also seal out moisture) if your heart so desires. Because AquaGuard laminate is water-resistant, it can be installed in any room of your home, including bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. The companys horribly named easy no-glue angle tap tight lock installation system works like this: you position one plank at an upward angle so that it falls into the groove of an adjacent plank, let it rest above the subfloor, and then tap it into place. For subsequent rows, click the long side of the plank into the previous row. It has the natural wood texture that we love. But unless youre planning on dumping gallons of water on your floor (why? While directly working with the product and mostly cutting my eyes, nose, and throat get irritated and next few days I have blood when I blow my nose and what seems to be allergy like symptoms. We bought this only to find out ours was discontinued and makes me wonder if the Formaldehyde is why. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, mud room, living & dining room. Now most salespeople hold the sample in one hand and then scrape using a key with their other hand to show how durable the flooring surface is. Its a great way to experience the look of expensive woods like teak (the pros and cons of teak flooring include a hefty price tag but a beautiful grain and hue) without the cost. Even the old key scrape trick that the salespeople use on flooring to show how durable it is is misleading. Can You Bleach Wooden Floors? Who makes it? No creaks or squeaks. Ahh! The installation can be tricky, but its manageable for DIYers. AquaGuard laminate comes in high-gloss, matte, and hand-scraped finishes. These collections are: The standard Textured collection looks and feels like natural hardwood, though close inspection might reveal that this is a composite floor. Mine is a delight. I have 2 teenagers and always a house full of kids in and out. Finally, AquaGuard flooring reviews do mention that the surface is a little hard underfoot. Normally, wed be a little worried about this, but everything weve seen in AquaGuard flooring reviews suggests the claims hold up. Valerie, WI, Weve had this product since 2018. After scouring AquaGuard flooring reviews and warranty policies, weve determined that these are the floors best features: Seriously. of the Aquaguard laminate flooring in our home back in October. But I haven't had even a scratch or any kind of issue at all whatsoever. This places AquaGuard in the higher price range of comparable water-resistant laminate floor brands. ft. @Melanie Hill _What type of underlayment did you use on your Aquaguard flooring and have you had any issues with it? I got frustrated and decided to stop the install and do additional research as to possible issues. We dont think so. You may know this already, but we need to cover the basics first (since AquaGuard laminate isnt exactly your run-of-the-mill laminate floor). Again, Floor & Decor isnt trying to be flashy with these collection names (well, maybe they are with this collection) so theyre pretty much self-explanatory. Any experience with Camarillo natural oak, Cassatta, or Calgary? It comes out great and no streaks. Why did you feel the need to apply a GLOSSY polish to your new floors? Do not use detergents, abrasive cleaners, or polishes. The only caveat is that AquaGuard flooring reviews are adamant about making sure its installed properly for the warranty to take hold. Or did you feel that you wanted to "add protection" to the floor? I know some of my friend's house the floors do buckle and pop up so i'm desperately hoping this doesn't happen. Aside from the occasional reseller, AquaGuard flooring is exclusively sold by Floor & Decor. Please help with furniture placement in sons Heritage Home apartment! However, you can use it for sunroom flooring provided that the room is temperature- and humidity-controlled. Were going to circle back to this, but its weird that Floor & Decor doesnt allow customers to post reviews on their website. Whats the Cost to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring? To that end, the differences between laminate vs. hardwood floors mostly come down to this: laminate is harder (thanks to its synthetic wear layer), but its not actual woodwhich means it cant be refinished or repaired like real wood can. Our goal is to deliver high-quality information to help homeowners decide which type of flooring to install in their homes. Plus, special types of tile (were thinking snap-together tile flooring) can be almost as easy to install. Okay, were nearing the light at the end of the tunnel! Their employees do not seem to know anything about what they sell, I am currently installing so I have the product as shown below and clearly shows made in China. You have to really fight with Floor and Decor. So: they must use something else to guarantee the 20-year commercial warranty (5 years longer than standard) but they dont exactly spell it out. @Kay D Cannot recommend Parkside Birch enough!! We are now filing in small claims court to recoup anything we can. Lets just cover a few more things before we wrap up. The main reason that we chose this over other brands was the increased water resistance. Floor & Dcor recommends Eco Ultra. Thank you for posting these! The best bamboo flooring is a great substitute for real hardwood. I completed my master bedroom after initial hiccups. With nearly 90 total options, you have a lot of AquaGuard to choose from. The question becomes will the chemical do more damage than the Rejuvenate itself? Haven't used it but had it in a submerged half way in a water container with another product called Coretec to test for a customer. Below youll find a comprehensive guide based on thorough research and the input of hundreds of Tarkett laminate flooring reviews. Too bad your installer didn't notice this as he was installing. I did pick up a trick from YouTube that suggests cutting off a little bit of the end so it seats easier. Additionally, the grooves in AquaGuards snap-together flooring planks are such that certain buyers may find the wood floor designs theyre able to mimic (like parquet flooring, for instance) somewhat limiting. The reason why I would separate the original cork with more cork is: it keeps the two surfaces from touching. Think how soft the bottoms of our shoes are. by virtually anyone with the ability to attach planks together, the risk of a voided warranty may be enough to scare buyers into hiring contractors. For simplicity, anytime we refer to AquaGuard flooring, you can assume were talking about the laminate line (unless otherwise stated). Thanks! If a company makes a polish (yesthis is a polymer polish) they ALSO make "strippers". The key difference: engineered hardwood is real wood. Houzz anvnder cookies och liknande teknik fr att anpassa min upplevelse med relevant innehll och det bsta Houzz produkter och tjnster kan erbjuda mig. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Home Flooring Pros is a consumer website that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of home flooring. I would not reccomend this product. Both options should be fine to install if you want a wood floor bathroom or kitchen look. For the most part, AquaGuards offerings are affordable, durable, and well-reviewed. When looking at Aquaguards test rating of AC5 it really is just a test (Taber Test) based on "general" foot traffic wear for a particular period of time. Standard AquaGuard laminate features a melamine coating on the sides and bottom of every plank. AquaGuard has a decent web presence, with most reviews saying the floor lives up to its claims. But: the Performance line also has an AC5 rating, plus an extra five years attached to its commercial warranty (for a total of 20 years). Ours is manufactured in Vietnam and is NOT holding up. The collection features several gray-toned options, including Irish Mist and Brookview Fog and reclaimed looks like Homestead Hickory and Storm Cloud. If we move anything, it leaves a scuff mark that cannot be rubbed out. That test exerts even less force because it's limited by the body's ability to squeeze two objects together between your two hands. Thats fantastic news! The second time installed last year was horrible. Thats exactly what were here to find out! In the photo the Home Legend flooring are the top smaller boards and the two longer ones are Aquaguard. And if you just absolutely need the best in waterproof flooring with a wood look, consider wood-look tile or waterproof vinyl flooring like Proximity Mills instead. We recently purchased Aquaguard French Oak Grey 12mm laminate. I note that it is just me (and most recently a small dog) in my home -- no kids or other adults who might stress it out more. I am not at all attracted to the vinyl finishes -- they look (to me) dull and, well, faux. You can also refinish bamboo flooring if the veneer is thick enough. Ive only had the one experience with Aqua Guard. Don't do this is you do not feel comfortable as it probably will void warranty (but as others mentioned, warranty will probably never be honored).. Genom att klicka 'Acceptera' accepterar jag detta, s som det vidare beskrivs i Houzz Cookie Policy. Do I expect you to keep your flooring submerged? Drop the plank and gently press downwards with a rubber mallet so the plank so it firmly locks into place. Read our Terms of Use and Disclosures page for more information. That looks great! yes, have heard this, similar experience myself, did you have occasion to "look on the Aquarguard box/packaging" there is/was no name or phone#, calling 411, or 911, google, siri or Alexa, whichever works, the only number I have got me to FLoor Decor national claims office, which suggests to me that FLoor Decor owns Aquaguard. AquaGuard Performance, on the other hand, is said to be completely waterproof. My contractor loves the stuff and convinced us but I cant wait until we replace it in 15 years with something else.This stuff isnt even cheap stuff but its going to look like crap in a few years and thats super frustrating. I would look at a floating, water proof laminate like Aquaguard that is rated for wet areas such as kitchens and entranceways. There are 72 total options, mostly spanning popular wood looks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This post may contain references or links to products from one or more partners of our parent company and/or subsidiaries of our parent company. When installing AquaGuard in rooms where the flooring is exposed to moisture, a silicone-based sealant is required around the perimeter to properly protect the floor. If youre looking for info on nylon carpet pros and cons, allow us to paraphrase Lady Gaga at the Oscars: We got you. There are so many types of carpet to choose from that it can be incredibly overwhelming to know whats what. AquaGuard laminate does not come with an attached underlayment. And remember: Friends don't let friends mix cork and vinyl:-). Thank you, The instant the vinyl touches the cork (which is an EXPENSIVE floor) the instant it ruins the cork. For example, you can find thousands of LifeProof vinyl flooring reviews on Home Depots website, even though some of them are probably a little more honest than Home Depot might like. How much force can you create squeezing your hands together? Apply it in this small spot - as instructed. The Taber test does not in any way test for things outside regular shoe traffic. About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Website T&C's and Privacy Policy. asking for advise for a mid century staircase, Help , Im overwhelmed by bathroom tile choices, Your help with this Kitchen Layout, please : ). I will let you. 2022 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. I agree, Ive shared my experience on here as well. My biggest complaint is that it wet spots leave a mark that never goes away. It should also be noted that AquaGuard flooring does not come with underlayment pre-attached so you will have to buy underlayment separately. AquaGuard laminate flooring comes with a lifetime limited warranty, which protects against manufacturing defects, staining, fading, and wearing through of the surface layer of the floor. Best Laminate Floor Cleaner | 2022 Floor Cleaner Reviews, Best Mops for Hardwood Floors | 2022 Mop Reviews, Best Laminate Floor Cutter Reviews and Lowest Prices, How to Clean Laminate Flooring | 2022 Cleaning Tips, Kitchen Hardwood Flooring | What You Need to Know, Laminate generally does not add to home value. Standard AquaGuard laminate is also fit for light commercial use and is backed by a limited 15-year commercial warranty, which is above average for laminate. I'm seeing mixed reviews on this flooring, does it matter what color you choose? You can pull the cheap laminate and underneath you have a preserved cork floor. After the floor is installed, for about a year or maybe more depending on foot traffic, if there is any light dust or hair on the floor it can be pretty scary if you wear socks or leather soled shoes. What is engineered hardwood? Floor and Decor let us take home 2 long planks to really feel it, and it looked amazing. Absolutely: waterproof flooring is highly coveted because its so practical. Yes. Once thats worn through, the floor is done. Is it actually []. I'm a bit concerned with the comments that said it scratches. All AquaGuard laminate flooring has a GreenGuard Gold certification, which means it meets the requirements to be considered low-VOC flooring. I flooded our utility room and the water went into the hallway and 2 bedrooms with AquaGuard laminate. Most big box stores deal in mediocre flooring options (something well be revisiting later on) but Floor & Decor seems to have nailed AquaGuard flooring. Coretec is still holding strong 17 months later, still submerged in the water container and no warping. Pay for leveling if you have to. AquaGuard Has an AC5 Rating (Which Is Pretty Rare), It Has a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty, And Either a 15 or 20-Year Commercial Warranty, The Advantages of AquaGuard Laminate Flooring, All AquaGuard Laminate Has an AC5 Rating, And AquaGuard Flooring Reviews Say the Scratch and Dent-Resistance Is Great, AquaGuard Flooring Has a Solid Warranty (Residential and Commercial), The Disadvantages of AquaGuard Laminate Flooring, Floor & Decor Doesnt Post Customer Reviews, AquaGuard Flooring Is (Basically) Only Available Online, AquaGuard Flooring Reviews Say Its a Little Stiff. The cork would be treated like a hardwood you don't like but can't afford to change out. (i paid $3.19 sq ft). To be honest I found this post searching for info on this flooring because with the symptoms I was feeling I first thought of Asbestos and when I started hearing formaldehyde I was relieved but then searching and reading I was just as concerned with formaldehyde. See if you find any problems with the Aquaguard. I just saw it on Floor and Decor's website and thought it was worth looking into. The lock in system was so fragile it split by touching it. The top layer of standard AquaGuard laminate also features an AC5-rated aluminum oxide coating to protect it from water and scratcheswhich again, is rated to prevent damage from standing water for up to 30 hours. As far as engineered wood disadvantages are concerned, the best engineered hardwood floor brands tend to be a little on the pricey side (the average cost to install engineered hardwood floors is also a bit higher than laminate) and the floor can only be repaired so many times before the veneer is sanded through. Nothing we can do to fix it. Given what we just mentioned, the most important thing to look for in laminate flooring is its AC rating. Despite being a big box store brand, AquaGuard flooring actually seems to be pretty solid (literally and figuratively). AquaGuard also includes a 15-year limited lifetime commercial warranty. There are two different lines of AquaGuard laminate: AquaGuard flooring reviews are largely positive for both lines and both have a limited lifetime residential warranty. The company referred us to their lawyers because we would not accept $300 compensation. Anyone else know or experienced this. Sophie is probably right. I removed a plank to readjust but the tongue broke off!!! It is a quality water-resistant laminate and features an extensive collection designed to look and feel like real hardwood. Hickory Flooring Pros and Cons: The Guide, Advantages & Disadvantages of Hickory vs. Oak Flooring, Linoleum vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl: Differences, Pros, & Cons, Heating Wood Floors 101: Everything You Need to Know, Why Concrete Flooring That Looks Like Wood is So Darn Cool. Floor & Decor says its standard AquaGuard flooring is water-resistant, yet it offers a 30-hour standing water warranty. It is really brittle and will most likely rip off if you remove the short edge to realign. I absolutely hate my floors and Floor & Decor. They have held up well living out in the country on a dirt road with pets. If no one is willing to sue them, you might as well voice your displeasure some other way. It took twice the time and 50% more boxes v home depot pergo. @Ngozi Diogu I will be installing exactly that in 2 to 3 weeks. Then a few weeks ago my 60 pound dog got excited and peed on the floor when my son's friends came over late aT night and we didn't notice it until the next morning. Can I Install AquaGuard Flooring on Walls? My condo does not have a lot of natural light -- so this is the best I can do. I didn't go with the Pergo laminate that HD sells -- I just wasn't sold on the colors or finishes Pergo offers. Improper care can void the products warranty. Finally, there are even a couple of herringbone-patterned and tile-look options. For more information,visit this page. AND you know what - it will be outside the warranty terms because if you read the actual warranty it really only covers a VERY narrow scope of issues under VERY specific circumstances. I just had the AquaGuard Rosewood Hand Scraped Water Resistant floor professionally installed in my condo. As it turns out, this brand actually makes a few different flooring productsbut its laminate is one of the more popular options on the market for a reason.