It wont necessarily cover general wear and tear but the policy isnt overly restrictive either. All AquaGuard laminate flooring has a GreenGuard Gold certification, which means it meets the requirements to be considered low-VOC flooring. Apply it in this small spot - as instructed. These collections are: The standard Textured collection looks and feels like natural hardwood, though close inspection might reveal that this is a composite floor. Why does an AC5 rating matter so much? Would you still recommend this floor? Our dog slides around on it every time we bring her in and there and no scratches on it. However, one key difference is that AquaGuard bamboo ranges between 7 and 9mm thick, which is a little better. Both lines of AquaGuard flooring come in 4 different collections based on finish texture. Professionally installed. I would have had to use something totally different in my new spaces which would just look too weird because the kitchen opens into them.So Im really glad we landed on something thats the right price point and works with our fancy new cabinets. AquaGuard flooring is meant to be installed in a click-lock floating style. I am switching to a wood look tile. It has been a year since I had it installed. Sure enough the whole mark of where the liquid was and the drips and trail show clearly. Not really. We didn't. We had it professionally installed to make sure the floors were level and we used a premium underlayment. The collection features several gray-toned options, including Irish Mist and Brookview Fog and reclaimed looks like Homestead Hickory and Storm Cloud. 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. 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. Kitchen, bathroom, dining room, and living room. I got frustrated and decided to stop the install and do additional research as to possible issues. 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. Vinyl and cork have a chemical reaction that causes cork to STAIN (think dark nicotine orange stains all over the cork). Yes! 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. For all its advantages, AquaGuard flooring isnt flawless. The second time installed last year was horrible. Finally, AquaGuard flooring reviews do mention that the surface is a little hard underfoot. We installed on a concrete floor with the middle grade underlayment. Make sure to let the flooring acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room for at least 24 hours prior to installation and check all planks for defects or blemishes. my / our experience has been awful, just 2-years in and still fighting with Floor & Decor, they simply don't care. First off, the floor sat in the home for a week before installing to help it acclimate. AquaGuard has a decent web presence, with most reviews saying the floor lives up to its claims. Purchased laminate to install in 3 bedrooms, living, dining and powder. Reviews are fairly scarce, though, and there are only about 15 looks available. Found out in 2016 they were sued because of misrepresentation of this and being made in China. AquaGuard flooring costs between $2 and $4 on average, which is comparable to well-known brands like RevWood (and cheaper than Shaw laminate flooring). Finally, there are even a couple of herringbone-patterned and tile-look options. Were going to circle back to this, but its weird that Floor & Decor doesnt allow customers to post reviews on their website. For simplicity, anytime we refer to AquaGuard flooring, you can assume were talking about the laminate line (unless otherwise stated). Its fair to say that both versions of AquaGuard have good warranties. On the other hand, laminate generally costs only a fraction of what wood flooring costs. Nothing we can do to fix it. Disgusting business practices. Laminate is not. Sophie is probably right. Heres How. Does that apply here, though? Didn't swell up or warp - you can just see it the print of it. I also have purchased aquaguard flooring. 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. Just look at TrafficMaster flooring (a Home Depot exclusive laminate) to see what we mean. Can AquaGuard Flooring Be Installed In High-Traffic Areas? I am sorry to hear others are having problems with their AquaGuard floors. It comes out great and no streaks. I am going to put it everywhere downstairs. 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. The warranty only mentions that installers need to make sure the floor is installed correctly for the waterproofing to work. Make sure that the plank is level with the surrounding planks before continuing. It is a beautiful floor and so far no issues with scratches or stains from water. Tarkett Laminate Flooring Review: Worth Buying? Probably Not. Worst case, Ill have some left over if I decide to add a sun room someday. I'm seeing mixed reviews on this flooring, does it matter what color you choose? 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. If comfort is really important to you, though, maybe compare carpet vs. laminate for specific rooms where its absolutely key. Our goal is to deliver high-quality information to help homeowners decide which type of flooring to install in their homes. The board itself is great but the short side lock system is HORRIBLE BE WARNED!!!! This means laminates longevity is entirely tied to its wear layer. As a result, AquaGuard is one of the more environmentally-friendly flooring choices out there. That test exerts even less force because it's limited by the body's ability to squeeze two objects together between your two hands. Bonus. @mjt889 How has the Parkside Birch held up since you put it down last year? This reduces the chances that a chemical reaction would occur. I compared the stc rating to others at floor and decor, hd, and lowes And this seems to be the highest one(and of course the most expensive). It states that acclimation wasn't required but I did acclimate for 12 hours. As luck would have it, the older floor pieces are no longer available. I agree that i would glue the short end for the FEW pieces that rip off. 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. Most water-resistant wood flooring or waterproof hardwood flooring products you see on the market tend to be engineered hardwood. I think going through a full cycle of Michigan weather with very dry and cold winters to hot and humid summers is a good test to see how the flooring will hold up with regards to shifting, gapping and creaking, and so far it has been very stable. Christian is a freelance everything-writer, editor, & SEO guy. I had my own installers when I had trouble with my Aquaguard flooring. 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. the closest store is 3 hours away and they charge shipping for ship to store! It is as if there is a thin top layer being rubbed off. @Kay D Cannot recommend Parkside Birch enough!! So: is AquaGuard flooring right for you? Caring for AquaGuard laminate floor is extremely easy. 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. Using a sealant around islands, doorways, and other area where the planks have been cut to fit is always a good idea. Detailed installation instructions can be found on Floor & Dcors website. I finished my daughters room Saturday and today I still feel symptoms I described, I searched the EPA TSCA on Google and found the below link: EPA TSCA Title VI, Also this one CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant. I find it odd that there are no reviews any where. Finally, there are 7 total options in the High Gloss collection, mostly in warm, dark brown tones. Is it the best laminate flooring out there, though? Why did you feel the need to apply a GLOSSY polish to your new floors? What Makes AquaGuard Laminate Waterproof? Required fields are marked *. Floor & Dcor recommends Eco Ultra. What is engineered hardwood? Any of the bad reviews on here I have not noticed any of them. I used their eco quiet underlayment. While its a little annoying that you cant just take a sample home for free, they only cost $3 and Floor & Decor will credit you up to $30 for a purchase of $150 or more. Pet nails are pretty soft when compared to pebbles, metal, or even sand. I have steamed it (even though I said I wouldn't) as well and it's been fine. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Has anyone installed this in this in their house? Of course, this is a common complaint about laminate in general, and its easily rectified by a good underlayment (which is required anyway). But it kept happening--4 boards!!!!!! AquaGuard also includes a 15-year limited lifetime commercial warranty. I'd say go with it! This was a top pick since it seemed durable enough for our 3 bedrooms on the 2nd floor. However, you can buy samples in-store (or online)or, you can simply view the samples in the store. I tend to believe it was the specific finish we chose. Your subfloor needs to be flat. How much force can you create squeezing your hands together? So why do you have scratches in your floor, because the surface is not that durable and over time it's going to build up microscratches anyway that will at some point make the surface look dull and marked. I was a bit dismayed just now to discover this is water resistant flooring and not waterproof. Is AquaGuard Laminate Waterproof or Water-Resistant? 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. Translation: waterproofing (or very good water resistance) offers peace of mind. It is a brand-new home that we installed it in and every part of the home makes the aweful sound. cost to install engineered hardwood floors, A Guide to Peel-and-Stick Carpet Tiles (& 9 Reasons Theyre Amazing), 9 Reasons The Carpet vs. Hardwood Debate is Silly. 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. All AquaGuard laminate is 12mm thick, while plank widths vary from 3 to 8 and beyond. Dogs usually have at least 2 feet on the ground when running and jumping, (for simplcity we will say the weight is evenly distributed on the two load points, even though that's not totally accurate based on the animals movement and there is also additional force generated by the type of action the dog is doing, and blah, blah, blah), so that means each point of contact is only about 50lbs of force and the nail is much softer than the key the salesperson used in the store. If you want to buy AquaGuard flooring, you have to purchase it online. Either way, its a good bet that AquaGuard flooring is not made in the USA. 2years later and it is still beautiful and I have 3 children under 7, a pit bull and a husband. I agree, Ive shared my experience on here as well. I have 2 teenagers and always a house full of kids in and out. ft. In fact, Tarkett is a rather obscure brand, at least in terms of residential flooring. AquaGuard laminate isnt the only in-house product Floor & Decor makes: they also sell NuCore flooring, a type of vinyl plank. When you are ready to install, lay the first row against the wall using spacers. 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. If we move anything, it leaves a scuff mark that cannot be rubbed out. I went with the longer plank Napa grande and its been nothing but issues. The durability has been great as well! It is prettier but less durable at first look. Ahh! Full warranty information can be found on Floor & Dcors website. And of course, AquaGuard Performance is actually marketed as completely waterproof. 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). At this point, the warranty is voidbut that's not something to worry about now. Is it actually []. Your email address will not be published. Decided to attempt install the next day, and I was EXTRA careful and it went down easier, no breakage. Most flooring is pretty durable when it comes to the nails of pets. If needed, a damp mop can be used to clean spills and pet messes. I can tell that the stiff board isn't forgiving compared to luxury vinyl plank(I installed in basement). We had to order it. 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. 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. Here are two more photos of the rosewood laminate. Would NOT RECOMMEND!!! We had Aqua Guard installed in our new home and it looks nice, but the pattern repeats often. We are now filing in small claims court to recoup anything we can. Used miter saw to cut with wood framing blade and angle grinder. Floor & Decor says its standard AquaGuard flooring is water-resistant, yet it offers a 30-hour standing water warranty. So who actually makes AquaGuard laminate? The color you purchased may be made in Germany, but the stuff i got states China on the box. If you are OK with a regular laminate and don't mind it deteriorating in 3-7 years, you can always use a regular laminate that is lain straight over top of the cork. The cork floor itself can be the "underpad" for regular laminate. We dont think so. The majority of the flooring options come with planks that are approximately 48 long and between 6 and 8 wide. They will try to push you off. Also, i'm not sure if the fact that it is made in China makes a difference? However, if the product has a high failure rate, i wouldn't say you need to "roll with the punches"--that indicates that the product isn't stable for install and/or readjustments. That looks great! 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. The lock in system was so fragile it split by touching it. The floor creeks everywhere, and, it scratches very easily. The only caveat is that AquaGuard flooring reviews are adamant about making sure its installed properly for the warranty to take hold. Find out below! Think how soft the bottoms of our shoes are. It looks terrible. 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. We don't have any squawking issues, our only problem is now we want to do the stairs and there aren't any coordinating pieces. I left it in the garage for 2 weeks in the winter and it was 20-30 degrees(extreme low temp according to manufacture). ft. area before transition pieces are needed. Both layers are shielded by a protective wear layer, and the finished product is designed to be indistinguishable from prefinished hardwood flooring. These products tend to be sold alongside top brands like Pergo (read our Pergo reviews if youre curious) at discounted prices, but their quality tends to be lacking. If there's a leak anywhere it could eventually affect the product. AquaGuard Performance laminate, on the other hand, adds a sound reducing anti-microbial pre-attached underlayment.. Has anyone purchased Calico? Improper installation is liable to void your warranty. We were going to pickup a large amount of the Aquaguard Amberly Cherry flooring today. AquaGuard flooring reviews from most third parties are pretty solid. With nearly 90 total options, you have a lot of AquaGuard to choose from. I used my keys to dig into the display at floor and decor and it seemed to hold up. 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. This is after trying out nearly 30 other samples of pergo, traffic master, Mannington, and home decorator options.Why did we have to try so many out? The main reason that we chose this over other brands was the increased water resistance. Hi Carolyn: What are some of the issues you are having? Are you still happy with your decision and are the floors still holding up well? An AC1 rating is just about useless, while the best laminate flooring usually has an AC4 or AC5 rating. Of course, this has more to do with Floor & Decor than AquaGuard itself. Surprisingly, AquaGuard engineered hardwood costs about the same as its laminate. I flooded our utility room and the water went into the hallway and 2 bedrooms with AquaGuard laminate. Youll probably have to use adhesive or nails, and its important to note that the AquaGuard flooring isnt really designed for this. Youll find a huge range of wood floor colors and styles in AquaGuards catalogs, from light wood floor looks to dark shades that mimic ebony flooring. The company referred us to their lawyers because we would not accept $300 compensation. This stuff can be slick/slippery, I mean REALLY slick. Who makes it? 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. And remember: Friends don't let friends mix cork and vinyl:-). The installation can be tricky, but its manageable for DIYers. It has the natural wood texture that we love. Thats exactly what were here to find out! We recently purchased Aquaguard French Oak Grey 12mm laminate. I will see about ordering a good bit more than we need to prepare for some of the installation and quality concerns people have mentioned here. Improper care can void the products warranty. I tested water resistance on two samples and put a small puddle of water over the seam and it held for 3-5 hours before seeping into the seam. The result: a super high-performance version of wood thats even more dimensionally stable and warp-resistant than solid hardwood. That veneer we mentioned above is coated with special sealants, while the core is protected through additional chemical treatments that repel water. Floor & Decor notes that residential steam mops can be used on AquaGuard laminate. Is the Cork Flooring Lowes Sells Actually Worth Buying? My advise is to really put the sample piece to the test at home before you buy it, and make sure your subfloor is 100% completely level. Now, that doesnt mean you can use AquaGuard flooring to line a shower, but it should definitely hold up against casual spills or rooms where you can expect a bit of wet here and there (e.g. We work closely with qualified flooring contractors throughout the USA to provide installation and repair services for home flooring products. Though were focusing on AquaGuard laminate, we should at least mention their engineered wood and bamboo products. Most options hover somewhere in the middle, of course. There are 72 total options, mostly spanning popular wood looks. AquaGuard flooring costs between $2.49 and $3.99 per sq/ft for materials, you will need to budget more for underlayment and installation. I would like to change my vote and say DO NOT BUY THIS FLOOR. @Tyler Warner do you have pacifier of cerise flooring? 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. Janet, PI, We installed AquaGuard laminate in our new home. Plus, NuCore and AquaGuard arent even the same type of floor (vinyl plank vs. laminate). 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. Drop the plank and gently press downwards with a rubber mallet so the plank so it firmly locks into place. Either I was seduced by the color or Floor & Decor changed the labels out since I purchased it in April. Wait a little while. AquaGuard Performance, on the other hand, is said to be completely waterproof. I am considering Parkside Birch for about 2800 sqft including kitchen and really nervous about the investment. There are darker, traditional looks such as Rosewood and Coco, and lighter, more contemporary styles like Jasmine Maple and Lambent Blonde Oak. I actually am a flooring specialist at Home Depot so I am aware of the downsides of laminate and water versus the luxury plank vinyl. DO NOT BUY THIS FLOOR. There are a few disadvantages worth noting as well. i am thinking of installing the Aquaguard in Amstel throughoit our downstairs. My first house with it worked out great no issues. 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. Naturally, either option can be used as mudroom flooring. Or did you feel that you wanted to "add protection" to the floor? 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. And where? Never flood the flooring with water or cleaning products. Wish me luck, internet! Or, if you want to skip right to our final is AquaGuard worth buying verdict, click here! Within 3~60 days, the seams, ends and long edges, began to let loose and come apart, popping-up and coming disconnected. 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. 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. Im interested in this color, @Shelli Nelson Could you please post more pictures in different lighting of rosewood laminate? Letting it wear off is an optionwhich looks REALLY BAD (imagine a flaky look like a sunburn after about 3 months)but it is an option. If a company makes a polish (yesthis is a polymer polish) they ALSO make "strippers". Installed it ourselves, simply snap together with the correct tools. They want me to pay a guy $1100 to come to my house and inspect the floors and the entire house and then write a report for them. A real pro will be able to make it work.apparently there are a lot of unimaginative laborers who pose as professionals. How to Install Carpet Tiles in 7 Easy Steps. 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. This completes AquaGuard floorings water resistance or waterproofing by sealing out moisture that can rise up from subflooring (and what is subflooring?). We actually added 1700 more sq feet of it to our first floor around 6m ago and recently just put on a new master bedroom addition - I'll be putting it in there as well. Lets just cover a few more things before we wrap up. Both options should be fine to install if you want a wood floor bathroom or kitchen look. Standard AquaGuard laminate features a melamine coating on the sides and bottom of every plank. The cork would be treated like a hardwood you don't like but can't afford to change out. But unless youre planning on dumping gallons of water on your floor (why? Has anyone used vinyl peel and stick on a cork floor? They have held up well living out in the country on a dirt road with pets. We are able to mop this flooring, which was a major plus for us. The average human can only exert between 30-50lbs of downward force with their arm and hand on a flat surface, this number excludes using your body weight for additional force. This places AquaGuard in the higher price range of comparable water-resistant laminate floor brands. Hoping it looks as good in my house as on display. It's currently in my kitchen and the freezer has been leaking on it for weeks and I can't speak for the subfloor/underlayment, but there's no visible damage to the floor from what I can see at all. The Aquaguard is a floor that is PLASTIC basednot vinyl based. Sadly laminate isn't engineered for kitchensbut if you only need 3-7 years out of the floor, then this will do just fine. So my wife and I installed 1100 sq.ft. I imagine, and this is just pure speculation, the higher gloss floor will be even more slick. @Bet Nance, we have granite in the kitchen and on the bar, which is what you are seeing in pic #3. Despite being a big box store brand, AquaGuard flooring actually seems to be pretty solid (literally and figuratively). Which is the GOAL. If nothing "bad" happens, you might as well expand your experiment to include the rest of that bedroom - for instance. Does AquaGuard Laminate Require an Underlayment? But we still generally recommend checking out your local flooring stores for the best flooring products. Whether its China or somewhere else, or if this even matters, is another matter entirely. How Much Does it Cost to Replace Carpet With Hardwood? 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. A casual Google search for AquaGuard flooring is dominated by the laminate line. Should You Consider NuCore Floorings Mixed Reviews Here? Even the best wood flooring for dogs cant really compete. Whats really impressive about AquaGuard flooring is that the shortest commercial warranty it offers (15 years) is actually longer than the industry average. On that note, if youre looking for dent and scratch-resistant flooring: this is it. How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Flooring? Since my last post, F&D has agreed to take 100% of the flooring back as defective. 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. As the name sounds, these floors look like they have been finished by hand. It is really brittle and will most likely rip off if you remove the short edge to realign. 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.