Smartcore does not have an attached underlayment, unlike most vinyl plank flooring brands. That’s not a problem in itself, and Lowes pairs a recommended underlayment with its SmartPillow, but it’s a bit of a bummer when you’re trying to save a few bucks. Pillow is available in three colors: black, white, or gray.
The black version is the least expensive of the three, at $59.99, while the white and gray versions are the most expensive (at $79.98 and $99.97, respectively). The gray version comes with a white underlayer, which is a nice touch for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a mattress.
It’s also a great option for people who like to sleep on their side, as the gray underlayers are more comfortable than the black ones.
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How do you glue down SMARTCORE flooring?
The floating or glue down method can be used for installing smartcore. If you want to glue the floor, use only recommended flooring glue. When installing over heated subfloors, the floor must be at least 70F (21C) for the duration of the installation.
Rated 5 out of 5 by HomeDepotCustomer from This product is very easy to install. I used it to replace a tile floor in my kitchen. It was easy and quick to put in place. The floor was very smooth and the tiles looked great.
Does SMARTCORE ultra flooring need to acclimate?
Acclimation of material prior to installation is not required however the floor covering should be installed in a climate controlled environment with a temperature between 55° – 85°F (13 – 22°C) and a relative humidity between 75% and 85%. The floor covers should also be removed when the area is no longer being used for the purpose for which it was installed.
Is it better to glue or float vinyl plank flooring?
If you are laying floors in a large area, a glue down flooring application can be used. Glue-down applications are appropriate for smaller rooms as well.
Is glue down vinyl better than click?
The extra thickness and underlay will make Click flooring more comfortable. Gluedown is less likely to move and feel the effects of increased foot traffic if it’s firmly attached to the subfloor. In areas that don’t need to be glue down, we recommend using gluedown LVT.
What happens if you glue down a floating floor?
Floating laminate floors can move with temperature, and gluing down the planks can damage them. If you install in a bathroom, you should glue the plank to the floor to seal the tongue and grooves.
What happens if you don’t acclimate vinyl plank flooring?
If vinyl isn’t given the chance to acclimate, it will expand or contract. If the vinyl comes from a very hot environment and is placed into a cooler environment contraction will take place. Gaps between the layers of vinyl will be created when the floor starts to pull apart.
This is why it is so important to keep your vinyl in a cool, dry, and dark area. It is also why you need to make sure that you have a good ventilation system in your home. You can read more about this in our article on How to Ventilate Your Home.
How long do you have to acclimate vinyl plank flooring?
You don’t have to put transition strips at the doorway or breaks in open spaces because of this. If you are installing a vinyl flooring system, you will need to make sure that all of your vinyl is installed in the correct location.
Can you use a circular saw to cut vinyl plank flooring?
You can use a circular saw if you’d like, but the base plate is probably too big for a standard vinyl plank. When working with thinner materials, circular saws have problems with kickback. It’s a problem for woodworking that wood-cutting circular saws can’t use metal-cutting blades. If you don’t have access to a saw, you can cut the plywood with a hand saw.
You’ll need to make sure that the saw blade is sharp enough to cut through the wood, and that you’re not cutting too close to the edge of the board. Also, be sure to keep the blade in a safe place, such as a cabinet or cabinet drawer, so that it doesn’t get knocked over.
