Updated On

December 31, 2023

Why You Can Trust Us

Today’s Homeowner exists to help you maintain or improve your home safely and effectively. We uphold strict editorial standards and carefully vet the advice and resources referenced in our articles. Click below to learn more about our review process and how we earn money.

Learn More

    NuCore, also known as Floor & Decor’s in-house brand of luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP), is a type of rigid core flooring engineered to give the planks added stability and durability. Their planks offer an authentic look and texture of real wood or stone at a fraction of the cost.

    With a wide range of vinyl floor options available, you might be wondering whether NuCore Vinyl flooring would be a good choice compared to other LVP brands. 

    In this article, we’ll provide you with an in-depth review of NuCore Vinyl Plank flooring to help you have an informed buying decision.

    Top Pick
    fci logo

    4.7

    Complimentary post-installation follow-ups

    Provides convenient in-home consultations

    Hundreds of flooring showrooms nationwide

    GET QUOTE
    Limited Time:
    10% off all floors during the Twenty-Twenty-FLOOR-Event
    Best Shop-At-Home Experience

    4.8

    Offers next-day installations on certain flooring options

    Multiple financing options

    Mobile showroom option for convenient at-home shopping

    GET QUOTE
    Limited Time:
    Currently offering a 1/2 price sale
    Best Flooring Options

    3.8

    Natural and engineered hardwood options

    Offers augmented reality visualizer tool

    Provides free samples online and in-store

    GET QUOTE
    Limited Time:
    20% Off Select Flooring
    Highlights
    • It is a multi-channel specialty retailer owned by private equity firms Ares International LLC and Freeman Spogli & Co.
    • NuCore Vinyl Flooring features durable low-VOC vinyl planks with a thick rigid core, an ideal new flooring option for areas with high-traffic activities.
    • NuCore ® planks’ cost ranges from $2.49 /sqft (lowest) to $3.99 /sqft (highest) with varied coverage options available:
    • NuCore Vinyl Flooring is a good choice for buyers who want durable waterproof vinyl planks that also provide easy installation and require low maintenance.

    What’s Our Overview of NuCore Vinyl Flooring?

    Floor & Decor, formerly known as FDO Holdings, Inc, was founded in 2000 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a multi-channel specialty retailer owned by private equity firms Ares International LLC and Freeman Spogli & Co.

    Floor & Decor offers hard surface flooring, including wood, tile, vinyl, vinyl tile, laminate, and natural stone flooring products. They also provide other accessories for flooring projects for do-it-yourself customers, professional installers, and commercial businesses. 

    NuCore® features two brand lines, namely NuCore ® and NuCore Performance ®. These brands are rigid core luxury vinyl planks that look and feel like authentic tile and wood flooring. 

    NuCore ® high-quality planks have a 20 mil wear layer that comes in nine color options: Brown, Gray, Beige, Red, Blonde, White, Rust/ Orange, Black, and Tan with Medium, Light, Dark, and High Variation as their shade types. They also offer Wood Look and Stone Look as their two available styles.

    NuCore ® offers five finish variations: Authentic Texture (EIR), Handscraped, High Gloss, Smooth, and Textured and comes in 5.5mm, 6.5mm, and 8mm for approximate thickness.

    Moreover, customers can choose from the planks’ available width options: 12×24 in, 16×32 in, 24×48 in, Extra Wide (8in and over), Multi-Width, Plank (3 to 5.99 in), and Wide Plank (6 to 7.99 in). It can also be installed in the Floating/Locking method.

    Today’s Homeowner Tips

    NuCore Performance® wood-style planks come in colors Gray, Brown, Beige, Rust/ Orange, Tan, and White with High Variation, Light, Dark, and Medium as the available shade types.

    They also have two thickness options: 6.5mm and 8mm with four width variations: Extra Wide (8in and over), Multi-Width, Plank (3 to 5.99in), and Wide Plank (6 to 7.99in). Moreover, NuCore ® Performance planks have two available wear layer choices: 20 mil layer and Techtanium Plus. 

    For their edges, they come in Beveled and Microbeleved with Floating/Locking as their installation method. 


    What Are The Pros And Cons of NuCore Vinyl Flooring?

    NuCore Vinyl Flooring features durable low-VOC vinyl planks with a thick rigid core, an ideal flooring option for areas with high-traffic activities. Their planks also come with an affordable price list and an extensive range of styles, colors, and sizes. 

    NuCore products are also waterproof and have an anti-microbial coating on top that helps resist staining and odor-causing mold and mildew. For their NuCore Performance® planks, they use a technology called Techtanium Plus that provides an added level of protection that makes them scratch resistant and prevents fading.

    Moreover, NuCore waterproof Flooring products have pre-attached hypoallergenic natural cork underlayment that provides noise resistance. Their vinyl planks are also easy to install even on existing hard-surface flooring, which makes them suitable flooring for areas, including kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms, as well as basements, and even sunrooms.

    NuCore also comes with a lifetime limited residential warranty and a 15-year commercial warranty. For NuCore Performance, it offers a 20-year warranty, which is great for any type of flooring.

    NuCore Vinyl Flooring didn’t specifically include what their wear layers are made of. Their planks are also likely susceptible to fading and damage, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight or spaces with very high humidity. 

    Unlike other kinds of flooring, Floor and Decor’s website doesn’t have any customer reviews. Reviews are important as they can strengthen a company’s credibility and customers’ confidence in buying products.  

    Moreover, NuCore vinyl flooring products’ warranty is prorated, meaning the warranty coverage is reduced by 2% every year and covers less, depending on the time you used them. Additionally, the warranty doesn’t include labor costs and only applies to the original buyer. 


    What Is The Price And Hidden Costs of NuCore Vinyl Flooring?

    NuCore ® planks’ cost ranges from $2.49 /sqft (lowest) to $3.99 /sqft (highest) with varied coverage options available: 14.84 sqft, 15.31 sqft, 19.14 sqft, 22.95 sqft, 23.21 sqft, 23.34 sqft, 27.73 sqft, 28.71 sqft, and 30.42 sqft. The overall purchase price ranges from $56.24 to $91.57. 

    NuCore Performance® planks’ cost ranges from $3.49 /sqft (lowest) to $4.29 /sqft (highest) with available coverage options, including 14.84 sqft, 15.06 sqft, 16.88 sqft, 17.19 sqft, and 17.87 sqft. The overall purchase price ranges from $59.21 to $76.66.

    All Nucore vinyl planks are sold in boxes. 


    What’s The NuCore Flooring Installation Process?

    NuCore Vinyl Planks are installed with a floating/locking method or a tongue-in-groove system, which provides easy installation, especially for DIY homeowners. Their NuCore Performance® planks already have a pre-attached underlayment.

    Today’s Homeowner Tips

    NuCore Performance® wood-style planks come in colors Gray, Brown, Beige, Rust/ Orange, Tan, and White with High Variation, Light, Dark, and Medium as the available shade types.

    During installation, make sure to prepare the subfloor by inspecting and leveling it to 3/16” within a 10 ft span. The temperature in the room should also be between 50°F – 100°F (10°C – 38°C). If the flooring is in direct sunlight, it’s best to glue down the planks in those areas to stick properly.

    After installation, the room temperature must range from -25˚F (- 31°C) to 155˚F (68°C). Temperatures outside of this range may cause the planks to expand or contract and lead to defects and damage.

    Hardwood Flooring
    In general, the cost of hardwood flooring tends to range between $3 and $10 per square foot before labor costs.
    GET ESTIMATES
    Carpeted Flooring
    In general, the cost of carpet tends to range between $2 and $10 per square foot depending on the material and style.
    GET ESTIMATES
    Laminate Flooring
    Laminate floors will cost anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot depending on the thickness of the fiberboard base layer.
    GET ESTIMATES

    How To Care And Maintain NuCore Vinyl Flooring

    NuCore Vinyl Flooring is easy to clean and maintain. It only requires using a regular vacuum or broom with soft bristle attachments. After installation, the room temperature has to be within the 60°F to 80° to keep the planks in good condition and prevent warping or expanding.

    Today’s Homeowner Tips

    Following the specified guidelines about pre-installation and after installation is important because damages to the products due to unprofessional installation will not be covered in the warranty.


    So, Is NuCore Vinyl Flooring Right For Your Home?

    NuCore Vinyl Flooring is a good choice for buyers who want durable waterproof vinyl planks that also provide easy installation and require low maintenance. Their vinyl planks also come in a wide range of colors and styles and at a reasonable price.

    Their vinyl planks are only available on Floor & Decor’s website but you can opt to visit their company’s stores as well for other flooring products available. 

    Get a Flooring Installation Estimate From Local Experts
    Typical Cost: $6 – $24 per sq foot
    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Alora Bopray

    Alora Bopray

    Staff Writer

    Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today's Homeowner. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master's degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today's Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she's not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.

    Learn More

    photo of Roxanne Downer

    Roxanne Downer

    Editor

    Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.

    Learn More