Armstrong Luxe Plank | Flooring Reviews

Following our review of LifeProof Vinyl flooring from Home Depot, we are now taking a closer look at similar luxury vinyl options from other flooring companies. Here is our Armstrong Luxe Plank review where we share tips and customer experiences of this vinyl plank flooring collection.

OPTIONS

The first thing to note about Armstrong Luxe flooring is that there are in fact six different types, or grades, of Luxe Vinyl Plank:

• Four standard luxury vinyl tile collections that all have the same “peel and stick” Lynx installation process and which are differentiated in terms of their affordability and the quality of the finish (Luxe Value, Luxe Good, Luxe Better and Luxe Best).
• One standard luxury vinyl tile collection that comes with Armstrong’s re-positioning adhesive installation (Luxe FasTak); note that in terms of finish all Luxe FasTak plank are also graded as Luxe Better.
• One rigid core luxury vinyl tile which has a rigid, non-flexible construction, an angle-locking installation system (Luxe Rigid Core) and a commercial grade UV acrylic finish.

Click here to see a range of the Luxe plank floors available and to check prices.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARMSTRONG LUXE PLANK EXPLAINED

Before we go into greater detail about the aesthetic aspects, pros and cons of the different collections, let’s look first at the main differences, so that you get a clear idea of which collection to go for in the first place.

Luxe Value, Luxe Good, Luxe Better and Luxe Best

All these Luxe collections come with the Lynx installation process which is designed primarily to be installed as a floating floor over an underlayment.

Each plank has an overlapping adhesive edge. When you’re ready to install your floor, you simply peel off the covering from the edge of the plank and butt it up to the next plank so that the planks stick together at the edges.

The advantage of this system is that, because the planks are not stuck directly to the subfloor, you can theoretically hide minor subfloor irregularities.

However, note that if this type of Luxe Plank will be situated in direct sunlight, it is recommended that you nevertheless use an adhesive to stick the plank down to the subfloor as the Lynx adhesion might fail and result in movement or buckling.

Luxe FasTak

The Luxe FasTak collection has an adhesive baking already integrated onto each plank. When you install it, you are able to fully stick the whole plank down onto the subfloor, creating a fully bonded flooring.

The FasTak system is also designed to withstand a certain amount of re-positioning – so you don’t need to freak out about getting the placement exactly right on the first go; and this system is better suited to rooms that will get direct sunlight.

However, remember that with this fully bonded system, you’ll get best results if you have a perfectly flat, regular subfloor.

Luxe Rigid Core

Finally, the Luxe Rigid Core collection has a different construction than the other types; unlike the more flexible standard luxury vinyl tile, the rigid core plank has an added rigid layer in the middle plus an integrated cork underlayment layer on the bottom.

This makes it better than the Lynx system in dealing with irregularities in the subfloor and more resilient for areas of high traffic; it is also designed to be a floating floor, with an angle to angle locking system for installation which forms a somewhat stronger bond compared to the Lynx edge adhesive system.

However, like the floors that use the Lynx system, the Rigid Core planks may also need to be glued down in places with direct sunlight.

LUXE PLANK REVIEWS

Now, let us look in more detail at what you actually get with the different collections of the Armstrong Luxe range.

LUXE PLANK VALUE

This is the most affordable range of Luxe planks.

• retailing at around $3-$4 per square foot.
• includes 10 nicely-detailed designs, seven wood look and three stone look. dimensions for the wood designs are 6 x 36 x 0.11 inches and the stone ones are 12 x 36 x 0.11 inches (note that the stone planks are made to look like 3 square tiles in a row).
• finished with a standard urethane wear layer, these planks offer decent scratch and water resistance and are suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed as floating floors with the Lynx installation process.
• standard warranty option – 10 years residential.

Our verdict: a decent budget-friendly option; we particularly like the wood-look detail of the Hickory plank and the relatively realistic detail of the Rock Hill plank that resembles a tumbled travertine stone.

LUXE PLANK GOOD

• This range is pretty similar to the Value range.
• retailing at around $3-$4 per square foot.
• includes 7 domestic hardwood designs with good aesthetic detailing; four oaks, 2 maples and one pine. longer planks than the Value range; dimensions are 6 x 48 x 0.11 inches.
• finished with a standard urethane wear layer, these planks offer decent scratch and water resistance and are suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed as floating floors with the Lynx installation process.
• slightly better warranty option – 15 years residential.

Our verdict: a quality low-budget option; the imagery of the Jefferson Oak planks look quite authentic with lovely grain and knot detail.

LUXE PLANK BETTER

This range is of a slightly higher quality.

• retailing at around $3.50-$4.50 per square foot.
• includes 11 domestic and exotic hardwood designs with very good aesthetic detailing and beveled edges that are closer to authentic wood planks.
• longer and slightly thicker planks dimensions, 6 x 48 x 0.135 inches.
• finished with a standard urethane wear layer, these planks offer decent scratch and water resistance and are suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed as floating floors with the Lynx installation process.
• very good warranty option – 30 years residential.

Our verdict: a good mid-range option; especially good for exotic hardwood designs such as the modern Empire Bamboo planks or the slick, golden-tone Peruvian Walnut.

LUXE PLANK BEST

This is the more expensive of the standard flexible LVT ranges.

• retailing at around $4.50 – $5.00 per square foot.
• includes 15 designs, all wood with a mix of domestic and exotic hardwood styles; all with very good authentic detailing. longer and thicker planks dimensions, 6 x 48 x 0.16 inches.
• finished with Armstrong’s Urethane Plus wear layer, for superior scratch and water resistance; suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed as floating floors with the Lynx installation process.
• best warranty option – lifetime limited residential.

Our verdict: a good mid-range option; the added thickness of the planks gives this LVT a more real feel, and some of the designs look extremely authentic; we particularly like the rustic looking Timber Bay, available in four colors including an on-trend gray.

LUXE FASTAK

This is the Luxe range that has the full adhesive bond backing but priced the same as the Luxe Better products.

• retailing at around $3.50-$4.50 per square foot.
• biggest range of designs, 24 in total, including several domestic and exotic hardwood looks, travertine and slate stone looks and a concrete design.
• thicker planks dimensions at 0.16 inches; the stone/ concrete designs come in planks 12 x 24; the wood-look planks vary in dimensions from standard 6 x 48 inches to wider sizes at 7 x 48 inches or 7.2 x 48 inches.
• finish is the same as the Luxe Better with a standard urethane wear layer, for decent scratch and water resistance; suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed with the FasTak stick-down system – a releasable pressure sensitive adhesive on the back of each plank.
• very good warranty option – 30 years residential.

Our verdict: This range lies between the Luxe Better and Luxe Best in terms of quality, and is the best option for rooms that have uneven subfloors or that will get bright sunlight as the bond is better; some of the designs are quite attractive and both the Acacia planks and the Piazza Travertine planks impressed us.

LUXE RIGID CORE

The best option for high traffic and extra high moisture areas.

• retailing at around $3.00-$5.00 per square foot.
• large range of designs, 23 in total in a mix of wood and stone looks; in fact, all the same designs as for Luxe FasTak (bar the Painted Pine one for some reason).
• thickest plank dimensions at 0.31 inches; the stone/ concrete designs come in planks 12 x 24 inches; the wood-look planks vary in dimensions from standard 6 x 48 inches to wider sizes at 7 x 48 inches or 7.2 x 48 inches.
• the aesthetic finish is the same as the Luxe Better, but there is a UV acrylic wear layer which is a much tougher commercial grade scratch and water resistant finish; suitable for installation in any room of the house, including areas of high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
• installed as a floating floor with an angle-locking system. very good warranty option – 30 years residential.

Our verdict: This range looks exactly like the FasTak, but with its rigid core and top quality finish it is ideal for high traffic areas – perfect for busy family homes; the thicker, rigid core plus the good-quality images gives these planks the most authentic feel.

Be aware that our research showed a wide range of price points for the Luxe Rigid Core planks, so if you’re set on these it will pay to shop around for the best price.

Click here to see a range of the Luxe plank floors available and to check prices.

PROS & CONS

Overall, Armstrong have a good reputation for providing good quality products and the majority of consumer reviews have been positive.

It’s always difficult to determine full pros and cons for any flooring product, since the environment where your home is and the quality of the installation of the product plays a big factor as to its overall performance.

Where we have seen poor reviews of Armstrong Luxe, it appears to be down to poor installation or a bad batch in which case the customers have resolved the situation via the warranty.

One of the biggest claims that Armstrong makes regarding the Luxe product range is that the collections are easy to install; if you go on their website you’ll even see in the detail of each product the Luxe products are rated as beginner level DIY.

However, Armstrong also add a disclaimer saying that they nevertheless recommend using a professional. It’s good advice because even a casual reading of the installation notes shows that there are a ton of things to consider before installation (if you’re a confident DIYer, scroll down for tips regarding installation below).

Click here for free estimates for professional installation in your area.

The pros for using Armstrong Luxe Planks are:

• Armstrong Luxe products are generally cheaper compared to many real solid hardwood and natural stone tiles, retailing from $3-$5 per square foot.
• For the majority of non flooring professionals, luxury vinyl plank looks very close to the real thing.
• The Luxe products that are higher end in quality – Luxe Best and Luxe Rigid Core give the best visual and tactile results.
• Armstrong Luxe products can be installed in all rooms of your home, even in the bathroom and the basement.
• Luxury vinyl tends to stand up well to spills and stains, particularly if you opt for the Luxe Rigid Core which has the superior UV Acrylic finish.
• There is a very good range of designs to suit any home décor.
• Like most luxury vinyl tiles, Armstrong Luxe products are easy to install for most competent DIYers, provided you follow all the advice and instructions.
• Luxe Value and Luxe Good are not bad as budget options, but bear in mind the low warranty level; if you can afford to spend more, then opt for one of the other collections that offer better warranties and better wear finishes.

The cons of using Armstrong Luxe Planks are:

• Luxury vinyl is not a natural product and you are therefore not using the real thing; for some people this will always jar.
• If you have a sub-optimal, irregular subfloor, it can show up in the surface of luxury vinyl; this can be mitigated by correct subfloor preparation and installation.
• Most Luxe products and the space that you’re laying it in, must be properly conditioned before installation and this acclimation time has to be taken into consideration – you can’t just install it the day you buy it. (Note that Luxe Rigid Core does not need so much acclimation time).
• Apart from Luxe FasTak which has an integrated adhesive backing, the other Luxe products do not hold up well to having direct sunlight on them! They are prone to buckling under direct sunlight; to mitigate against this it is essential to use an extra adhesive on the back of the plank during installation.
• Some consumers have found that the coloring of their planks have differed widely; before installation, be sure to check that all the boxes of vinyl plank you’ve ordered are from the same batch (via the serial number) to ensure evenly toned flooring.
• Some consumers have complained that their Luxe flooring is slippery, particularly for their pets. But this is very anecdotal and, arguably, not entirely reliable.

INSTALLATION TIPS

Whilst Armstrong recommends using a trained professional to install your flooring (advice we at Home Flooring Pros generally agree with), if you are a reasonably experienced DIYer you can install Armstrong Luxe products yourself.

Of course be sure to read through the installation instructions thoroughly to avoid any mistakes, and have a look through these top tips to help get the job done:

1. Both the installation site and the product must be properly conditioned for a minimum of 48 hours before installation; do read the installation instructions for details.
2. As mentioned above, check that all the boxes you’ve ordered are from the same batch so that the color is consistent.
3. You need to maintain an expansion space of 1/8 inch (1/4 inch for Luxe Rigid Core) from all vertical surfaces; when installed in a bathroom these gaps should be filled with caulk afterwards.
4. Don’t install base cabinets on top of your Luxe flooring – they should be installed directly onto the subfloor with the Luxe flooring butting up to the cabinet.
5. Ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, dust-free and as even as possible.
6. Check the installation instruction to be sure that you can install the product over your subfloor – certain subfloors such as single-layer wood are not recommended.
7. Use the correct underlayment when specified.
8. After installing Luxe Value, Luxe Good, Luxe Better and Luxe Best you should roll the entire floor with a 100-pound roller and avoid washing the floor for at least 5 days.
9. Remember that if the room you are laying your plank in receives a lot of direct sunlight, then you would be advised to add an adhesive bond under the planks – contact Armstrong direct or your retail specialist for advice about which adhesive to use. (This is true for all Luxe products expect Luxe FasTak which already has an adhesive layer.)

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Like most resilient flooring, Armstrong’s Luxe vinyl flooring is fairly easy to look after; here are some top tips:

1. Regular vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner that is best adapted to hardwood or tile flooring will help keep debris from building that can cause scratches.
2. Do not use a vacuum cleaner with an integrated beater bar or one that has no padding or brush around the suction area!
3. Be sure to wipe up spills quickly with a soft cloth or paper towel; and be aware that vinyl flooring can be slippery when wet!
4. Use a good quality liquid detergent that is specifically for vinyl flooring – Armstrong obviously recommend their in-house Once ‘n’ Done resilient cleaner.
5. Do not use wax or solvent based products to restore shine – Armstrong recommend their own SatinKeeper resilient low gloss product.
6. Add felt backing to chair and table legs, and avoid dragging heavy items of furniture across your floor.
7. Use doormats, area rugs and runners in high traffic areas to keep dirt and grit from tracking through your home and scratching your floors.
8. Keep pet claws trimmed, and consider implementing a no-shoes or slippers only policy for humans! Click here for more vinyl flooring cleaning tips.

PRICES

Armstrong Luxe flooring costs as little as $3 per sq/ft for their value range and as much as $5 per sq/ft for their rigid core vinyl. This places them squarely in the mid price bracket against other similar products.

Here is a table of other rigid core lvp to give you a price comparison with other popular brands:

Brand	Price per square foot
MSI	$1.60 – $3.50
Islander	$1.70 – $3.85
Smartcore	$2.00 – $3.70
NuCore	$2.35 – $3.80
Congoleum Triversa	$2.50 – $3.50
LifeProof	$2.79 – $4.39
Armstrong Luxe Rigid Core	$2.79 – $4.39
Adura Flex	$3.00 – $3.50
Adura MaxAPEX	$3.00 – $6.00
Mohawk SolidTech	$3.50 – $6.25
Pergo Extreme	$3.99 – $5.99
Mannington Adura Rigid	$3.60 – $4.60
COREtec Plus	$3.80 – $7.99
Karndean Korlok	$4.50 – $7.00
Armstrong Pryzm	$4.90 – $8.00

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Armstrong floor Luxe vinyl flooring collection offers both a large range of designs and types of vinyl plank to suit most home environments.

Their products generally retail between $3 to $5 per square foot, making it a mid-range, good value resilient flooring product. With correct installation and good maintenance, Armstrong Luxe offers a good and relatively durable alternative to authentic hardwood and natural stone flooring.

Consumers who are interested in researching Armstrong resilient flooring further may also be interested in exploring the Armstrong’s Vivero luxury vinyl plank which is enhanced with Armstrong’s Diamond 10® technology.