I looked at ALL of the flooring from the big box stores and found the quality was poor compared to what I ended up with (I have the 40 wear layer brand that you think looks fake).

If the color is not what you want, then there is no need to consider Lifeproof and you can move on to another brand. Be thankful that it is one more you can put into the “no” column because there are SO many choices!

I like your attitude -- it makes me feel less frustrated that I am not finding what I want.

The product that looks fake -- but not all of the different variations -- is Invincible. They have 3 different levels. Even in the same level/line some of them look like a picture and others look and feel incredibly real. There was one in particular that looked amazingly real. It was too yellow but omg -- it really was the best vinyl I have seen in terms of looking real and feeling real. They have a good wear layer and the beautiful 120 warranty. I was really hoping to find something there after I learned more about their line and warranty.

Yours is moden, right? I have some samples of that. They feel more real than coretec. The light color I got has a clear graining that doesn't look real. The other samples look good but they just don't go well with the trim and cabinets.

I do have Modin in Arbor. No kidding it took me about one year to pick out my flooring! I ended up with the one that checked all of my boxes.

THE most difficult aspect had to have been coordinating with my honey oak cabinets. In the end, I decided to take down one cabinet door, cleaned it really well and got some of the shiny finish off. Under the awful orange color was a really nice light brown with no orange! The color looks perfect with my floors!

I don’t think you will find any floor with grey that will look good with your cabinets and trim. Something very pale, without much variation, may be your only option since your son wants light floors.

OH! Do a search on this site for “Supercore”! They have new colors - really nice new colors!!

Here is a link - scroll way down.

https://www.weshipfloors.com/flooring-type/supercore-0

The owner posts a lot in this forum (you can search for weshipfloors or supercore).

Sorry for multiple posts but here is the thread I was thinking of on this forum. Scroll down to the bottom and then start scrolling up to see pics people have posted.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4249579/adura-max-vs-coretec

Cindy, I don't know why I didn't look into supercore more. I am looking now. I think I got overwhelmed and from the beginning I was really biased toward coretec. Thank you for the reminder..

Edited: I just ordered some samples. I'm really disappointed that I didn't spend more time on the thread when you gave me the link. I started at the top and got overwhelmed. Starting from the bottom is much better!!

I ordered oak natural, honeycomb, sandal, gunstock (might be too red). I am hopeful!! Thank you for suggesting it again.

Good luck in your search! Flooring was the most difficult decision for me, too! Can’t wait to hear if you like the samples.

WOW @Patricia Colwell Consulting that is quite the testimony for vinyl plank!! That is exactly what I am hoping for and the reason i am being so mindful in making a choice (and coming here begging for a second set of eyes to confirm). I love walnut -- it just looks so rich!!

I don't want it to be dated and need to keep reminding myself to choose classic and not trendy. The grey-gold coretec I almost chose was really just a hail Mary. I was giving up. I don't want grey. I know that. I don't want painted bevels. I don't want busy or overly rustic. It needs to be oak. The last time I went to the showroom I took home all of those things knowing it wasn't what I really wanted. The only oak sample I had was the grey one. I need to work on my patience with this darn floor! The is no giving up in remodeling, right?!

There is one more color from HD that I want to look at--especially after hearing your experience.

Thank you for your advice and also to @CindyR who has been willing to talk me through all of these decisions. My samples should be here by Tuesday.

Good luck

We used Allure planks from Home Depot in my basement/rec room. They have held up really well for 6 years. 85lb dog, kids, wet feet straight from the pool- this flooring is tough and still looks great.

My neighbor is installing the Lifeproof product next door in what will be a rental. He said as long as the subfloor (concrete slab in this case) is flat it is easy to install. Looks very nice. I like it much better than the wood-look tile; it looks much better.

Allure I was trying to remember our floor brand thanksjohnsoro.

following and bumping as I hear such recommendations for Lifeproof from HD but then I see some other negatives and my head is spinning. We too have a dog who drips and drools all day long.

How do ou clean your floor---- and is it "nice enough" to put on first floor of house ( entry, living room, dining room? I would use area rugs as well, but I mean is it more a basement thing or nice enough?) thank you

Salonva, we have Coretec for a year now in our Florida home. You clean it with water and vinegar. For the most part I spray with just water.

We have a dog. No scratches from him, pulling chairs on, dropping something hard etc. It never looks dirty because of the grading, knots etc.

I think I look at things a bit differently. Does mine look the same as hard wood that I have up north? No. But it looks nice! Yes there are some fake looking products, but I don’t believe Coretec falls into that category.

We chose a beachy/ driftwood look. We were lucky to see this is someone’s home. We were going in a whole other direction!

Looks nice Eld. The reason I was asking about the cleaning is there were all these posts I have seen about white marks on the flooring. There was a lot of talk about the oil from bare feet and such and I just thought that was going to be a deal breaker for me. I am not looking for a super dark floor but darker than yours, so it's feeding into my worrying nature.

@eld6161 what color is that?

Salonva, we walk barefoot, but you are right I can’t speak for darker. My neighbor liked mine and bought a medium toned one. More farmhouse look. I don’t think she has complaints.

Darker floors in any material show dust.

How about starting a thread here to address that issue or is here that you heard it?

ivie, mine is Hayes Oak. Others that look nice are Noble and Calypso.

The darker shading appears darker in photos. Hard to get an accurate photo.

I also have Coretec Hayes Oak! Love it I've dropped heavy kettlebells on it, no damage!