COREtec Flooring (2026): Collections, Prices & Where to Buy

By the Flooring Market Learning Center Team · ~6 minutes · Published [To be set by publishing team] · Last updated July 1, 2026

TL;DR COREtec is a premium, 100% waterproof luxury vinyl made by Shaw — the brand that helped invent the waterproof-vinyl category. The two main lines are COREtec Originals (a softer, quieter WPC floor) and COREtec Pro (a denser SPC floor built for high traffic), with COREtec Tile for grout-free stone looks and the newer Scratchless line for extra scratch resistance. Most COREtec runs about $3–$8 per square foot for the material, which puts it at the premium end of vinyl — but buying direct online instead of through a showroom can cut that 30–70%. Here's how the collections differ, what to expect to pay, and how to order it.

What is COREtec — and who makes it?

COREtec is a line of 100% waterproof luxury vinyl plank and tile made by Shaw Industries, one of the largest flooring manufacturers in the world. COREtec was one of the original waterproof-vinyl brands — it popularized the rigid-core, click-together plank that you can install and walk on the same day — and it's still one of the most recognized names in the category.

If you've been shopping for waterproof floors, you've probably run into COREtec and then hit a wall of collection names — Originals, Pro, Plus, Plus XL, Tile, Scratchless — with no clear explanation of how they differ. That's the confusing part, and it's exactly what this guide clears up. The short version: COREtec sells a few distinct collections, each built on a slightly different core and aimed at a different mix of comfort, durability, and price. Once you know which core you want, the rest of the choice is mostly about looks. You can browse COREtec at Flooring Market to see the colors we stock while you read.

COREtec collections, compared

COREtec's lineup sorts into a few families. Originals uses a WPC (wood-plastic composite) core that's a little softer, warmer, and quieter underfoot. Pro uses a denser SPC (stone-plastic composite) core that resists dents and handles heavy traffic and light commercial use. Tile delivers grout-free stone and ceramic looks, and Scratchless is COREtec's newest line built around an especially tough, scratch-resistant surface.

Within Originals and Pro, the Classics, Enhanced, and Premium tiers step up in visual realism — deeper embossing, more natural grain, and wider or longer planks as you move up. If you've seen older names like COREtec Plus, COREtec Plus XL, or COREtec One, those are earlier collections that now live under the Originals and Pro families — Plus XL simply referred to the wider, longer planks, which you'll still find in today's Enhanced and Premium tiers.

The practical way to choose: start with the core. Pick Originals (WPC) if comfort, warmth, and quiet matter most — think bedrooms and family rooms. Pick Pro or Scratchless (SPC) if durability comes first — think a mudroom that takes muddy boots and dog nails all winter. Then pick the tier and color you love.

Is COREtec waterproof? Warranty and durability

Yes — every COREtec floor is 100% waterproof, top to bottom. Because the core doesn't absorb water, spills, pet accidents, and damp-mopping won't swell or ruin the plank the way they can with laminate or hardwood. That's why COREtec is a common pick for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements, where other wood-look floors struggle.

Most COREtec Originals planks ship with an attached underlayment — natural cork on many lines, or COREtec's newer Soft Step pad — bonded right to the back of the board. In plain terms, that means a quieter, warmer, more comfortable floor underfoot, and one less thing to buy and roll out during installation. On the surface, COREtec's tougher lines carry a wear layer up to 20 mil (the clear "armor" that resists scratches and scuffs), which is why the Pro and Scratchless families hold up so well in high-traffic rooms.

COREtec backs its floors with a limited lifetime residential warranty on most collections, plus a waterproof warranty, and lighter commercial warranties (roughly 5–15 years) depending on the line. As with any waterproof-vinyl warranty, it covers manufacturing and surface wear under normal use — not standing water left for days — so it's realistic protection, not a blank check.

How much does COREtec flooring cost?

COREtec sits at the premium end of luxury vinyl. As a rule of thumb, expect the material to run about $3–$8 per square foot: Originals tends to land in the $3–$5 range, while the denser Pro and specialty lines push $5–$8. Add professional installation at roughly $2–$5 per square foot and most projects land around $5–$13 installed — though because COREtec clicks together as a floating floor, many homeowners install it themselves and skip the labor entirely.

COREtec is sold under a minimum advertised price (MAP) set by the manufacturer, so you'll rarely see the final number printed on a product page — retailers show it once you request it. At Flooring Market, that's a quick Instant Quote or Live Chat on any COREtec plank, and we advertise up to 70% off retail store prices plus a price-match on a lower written quote. Buying direct online instead of through a showroom is where the 30–70% savings comes from.

How to order COREtec online (and get samples)

The one habit that prevents almost every flooring regret is simple: order samples before you commit. A COREtec color looks different in your own light, next to your own cabinets, than it does on a screen — and a $5 sample is cheap insurance against ordering the wrong shade for a whole room.

Ordering online is straightforward: pick your colors, order $5 samples to test at home, then pull an Instant Quote (or chat with a flooring expert) to lock in your price and quantity. Shipping is free on orders over $1,500 in the contiguous U.S., and orders ship on pallets directly to your home or job site with tracking. Measure carefully and add the standard 10% for cuts and waste before you order, since click-lock planks are easy to install but freight makes returns less convenient than a showroom exchange. If you're weighing COREtec against other brands or retailers, our guide to where to buy flooring online walks through what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

Is COREtec flooring waterproof?

Yes — every COREtec collection is 100% waterproof, all the way through the plank, not just on the surface. The rigid WPC or SPC core doesn't absorb water, so spills, pet accidents, and damp-mopping won't cause the swelling or edge-warping you can get with laminate or engineered wood. That's why COREtec is a go-to for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. One honest caveat: "waterproof" refers to the flooring itself, not the room — if water sits under a floating floor for days from a burst pipe, you can still get moisture trapped underneath. For everyday life with kids and pets, though, COREtec shrugs off the spills that would ruin most wood-look floors.

Who makes COREtec flooring?

COREtec is made by Shaw Industries, one of the world's largest flooring manufacturers (and a Berkshire Hathaway company). COREtec was among the brands that pioneered rigid-core waterproof vinyl — the click-together plank with a waterproof WPC or SPC core that you can install and live on the same day — and it's still one of the most recognized names in luxury vinyl. Because it's a Shaw brand, COREtec is widely stocked, well-supported on warranty, and consistent in quality from one collection to the next. You may occasionally see older product listings labeled "US Floors COREtec," which is the original maker Shaw acquired; it's the same COREtec line.

What's the difference between COREtec Originals and COREtec Pro?

The core material is the main difference. COREtec Originals uses a WPC (wood-plastic composite) core, which is a little softer, warmer, and quieter underfoot — a great fit for bedrooms and living areas. COREtec Pro uses a denser SPC (stone-plastic composite) core that's more resistant to dents and impacts and is rated for light commercial use, which makes it the better pick for entryways, kitchens, and homes with big dogs or heavy furniture. Both are 100% waterproof and both come in Classics, Enhanced, and Premium tiers that step up in visual realism. If comfort leads your list, choose Originals; if durability leads, choose Pro or the newer Scratchless line.

Is COREtec good for pets and kids?

Very — it's one of the reasons the brand is so popular. COREtec is 100% waterproof, so pet accidents and juice-box spills wipe up instead of soaking in, and the tougher Pro and Scratchless lines carry a wear layer up to 20 mil that resists scratches from nails and dragged toys. The attached cork or Soft Step underlayment on many Originals planks also softens sound, so you hear less clatter from claws and footsteps. For a busy household with a dog that sprints to the door, an SPC line like Pro or Scratchless is the safe call; for quieter rooms where comfort matters more, Originals is plenty durable. Either way, choose a matte finish, which hides day-to-day wear better than gloss.

How much does COREtec flooring cost?

Plan on roughly $3–$8 per square foot for the material. COREtec Originals typically runs about $3–$5, while the denser Pro and specialty lines run about $5–$8, putting COREtec at the premium end of luxury vinyl. Professional installation adds about $2–$5 per square foot, so a professionally installed COREtec floor usually lands around $5–$13 per square foot — though many homeowners install the click-lock planks themselves and pay only for material. Because COREtec is sold under a manufacturer minimum-advertised-price policy, you'll usually see the final number after requesting a quote. Buying direct online rather than through a showroom is where the real savings show up, often 30–70% off retail.

Can you install COREtec yourself?

Often, yes. COREtec is a floating floor with a click-lock (angle-tap) joint, so it installs over most existing hard floors without glue or nails, and the attached underlayment on many Originals planks means one less layer to buy and roll out. A confident DIYer can do a bedroom or living room over a weekend with a tapping block, a spacer set, and a saw for cuts. The parts that trip people up are getting a flat subfloor, leaving the right expansion gap at the walls, and cutting cleanly around doorways — so read the manufacturer's install guide first. For large, oddly shaped, or stair-heavy areas, professional installation is money well spent, and it keeps the warranty simple.

Is COREtec right for your home?

COREtec earns its reputation the honest way: it's 100% waterproof, it comes in enough collections to fit almost any room and budget, and it's backed by one of the biggest names in flooring. The decision really comes down to one question — do you want the warmer, quieter comfort of Originals (WPC), or the tougher, high-traffic durability of Pro and Scratchless (SPC)? Answer that, and picking a color is the fun part.

The surest next step is to see a few options in your own space. Browse COREtec at Flooring Market, order $5 samples of your top colors to test against your real light and cabinets, then pull a free Instant Quote — or chat with our flooring experts and we'll help you land on the right COREtec floor for your rooms and your budget.