Rigid Core Flooring – Wood Look Flooring That’s Waterproof

What if you could enjoy the beauty of wood flooring with fewer concerns about scratches and water damage? Now, that would be something.

Well, it’s possible thanks to rigid core flooring. It is 100% waterproof and takes durable flooring to entirely new heights.

What is Rigid Core Flooring?

You’ve likely heard of luxury vinyl flooring. Vinyl plank flooring, for instance, has become popular with homeowners in recent years. It, too, offers a realistic wood look. Plus, the flooring is water resistant, if not completely waterproof.

Rigid core is another luxury vinyl flooring option. Unlike luxury vinyl planks, which are sometimes only water resistant, rigid core is typically waterproof and scratch—and dent-resistant.

Rigid core vinyl can handle anything you throw at it — pet claws, rambunctious kids, spills, dropped pots.

How is Rigid Core Vinyl Made?

Like its luxury vinyl cousins, rigid core comprises several layers. They include a wear layer, printed design layer, core layer, and underlayment.

The wear layer protects against scratches, scuffs, and stains. Generally, a 20-mil wear layer can handle heavy foot traffic in homes, while a 12-mil wear layer can work fine in rooms with lesser traffic.

The print layer houses an image of wood, stone, or tile, giving the flooring a realistic look. You’ll be surprised at how well it mimics natural materials.

Durability Sits at the Core

But the magic happens in the core layer, which can be wood or stone. Each offers different levels of performance.

Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) vinyl uses a wood polymer for its core. That makes the flooring more comfortable. So, you’ll enjoy it in areas where you’re on your feet more, like a kitchen or laundry room. However, the wood core doesn’t offer quite the resilience of the second core layer option.

Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) rigid core flooring uses limestone as one of its ingredients. That creates a denser core with unmatched resilience. You’ll want to use SPC flooring in high-traffic areas that demand more performance. Unlike wood flooring, you can also use it carefree in areas with moisture concerns.

Rigid Core vs. Vinyl Flooring

Even though rigid core is vinyl flooring, don’t confuse the two. Rigid core is vinyl flooring on steroids! It surpasses quality luxury vinyl tile and planks for durability and scratch resistance.

It beats traditional vinyl flooring in every area except price. So, unless you must stick to a budget, the investment in rigid core is worth the extra money. The highest-quality vinyl floors can’t match rigid core for durability, longevity, and water resistance.

Vinyl flooring is water resistant, but rigid core, especially SPC rigid core, is waterproof.

Vinyl flooring also dents and tears more readily than rigid core. It can’t match rigid-core vinyl flooring for longevity.

Hartco® Warrants Some Rigid Core Floors for a Lifetime

Most vinyl flooring lasts ten years, and the best might last 20. But are you ready for this?

Hartco® warrants its Everguard Trending™ rigid core flooring for a lifetime. Its other Everguard rigid core products, Classic and Classic Plus, have 35-year residential warranties.

Installing Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring

Some flooring types, like hardwoods, require subfloor prep. But rigid core is more forgiving.

In many cases, it comes with a pre-attached underlayment. However, adding a supplemental underlayment can make things even more comfortable underfoot and help reduce noise.

Otherwise, you can install rigid core flooring directly over most existing hard surfaces, such as tile, wood, vinyl, or concrete. Just ensure the surface is clean, level, and debris-free.

If the subfloor is slightly uneven, use a self-leveling compound, and you’re ready to go.

The Upsides of Rigid Core

You’ve probably gathered several of the rigid core’s benefits, but to reiterate:

• Unmatched Durability: Rigid core flooring can withstand heavy traffic and resist wear and tear. It offers exceptional scratch resistance. Hardwood is beautiful, but you have scratch worries.
• Moisture Resistance: It’s an excellent choice for moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike wood flooring, you can install it anywhere in your home.
• Simple Installation: Click-lock systems make installation a breeze, especially for DIY enthusiasts. No messy glue or nails are needed!
• Easy Maintenance: Cleaning is a breeze. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping will keep it looking great. You can also use a damp mop.
• Design Options: Rigid core comes in various styles and colors to suit your decor. It also mimics numerous natural materials, such as wood, stone, concrete, and slate.

Ready to Shop for Rigid Core Flooring?

Visit the Hartco website to see its rigid core flooring. It offers wood-look pine and oak flooring in 20 colors.

Using the flooring visualizer, you can see how they look before buying. Snap a picture of your room, select a rigid core floor, and view it instantly in your room. Then, use the retail locator to find a Hartco dealer nearby.