9 Worst Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands to Avoid in 2025

Choosing the wrong vinyl plank flooring can turn your home improvement project into a costly nightmare.

Many homeowners fall for flashy marketing and low prices, only to deal with scratched surfaces, peeling layers, and failed installations within months.

Not all vinyl plank flooring brands deliver on their promises. Some use cheap materials that break down quickly.

Others offer poor customer service when problems arise. The worst brands combine multiple issues that leave you frustrated and out of money.

Smart shopping requires knowing which brands to avoid altogether. This guide reveals the worst vinyl plank flooring brands that consistently fail to meet customer expectations.

You’ll learn the red flags that signal poor quality and know how to protect yourself from these problem manufacturers.

Many homeowners are swayed by flashy ads, but before you plunge in, check our guide on installing vinyl flooring over tile for a realistic look at what proper installation should entail.

What Makes Vinyl Plank Flooring Poor Quality?

Vinyl plank flooring is a popular synthetic flooring option that mimics the look of hardwood. It consists of multiple layers, including a wear layer, design layer, and core material.

While good vinyl planks offer water resistance and easy maintenance, poor quality versions can cause major problems for homeowners.

• Material Quality: The core layer determines how well your floor withstands moisture and daily wear and tear. Cheap cores made from low-grade materials will absorb water and lose their shape over time.
• Durability: Low-quality vinyl planks are prone to damage from regular foot traffic. Thin wear layers cannot protect against scratches from pets, furniture, or everyday wear and tear.
• Installation Issues: Poor click-lock systems make planks difficult to connect properly. Weak joints create gaps that collect dirt and moisture, leading to floor failure.
• Visual Appeal: Cheap vinyl planks have flat, fake-looking surfaces that fail to impress. The printed patterns repeat obviously and lack the natural variation found in real wood.

9 Worst Vinyl Plank Flooring Brands to Avoid

Learn the 9 worst vinyl plank flooring brands to avoid in 2025, and learn how to make an informed choice for durable, high-quality flooring that lasts.

1. Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus Floorte Elite

Shaw’s premium line falls short of its promises. The surface scratches from normal use and becomes dangerously slippery when wet.

Installation problems include poor seam alignment that creates visible gaps. Customer service offers little help when problems arise.

2. MSI Rutledge Luxury Vinyl Flooring

MSI creates more problems than solutions for homeowners. The adhesive backing fails during installation, making it difficult to secure the planks.

Scratches appear quickly from everyday activities. The slippery surface poses safety risks, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

3. COREtec Floor

COREtec’s reputation doesn’t match their product quality. The flooring loses its shine quickly and becomes dull-looking.

Cleaning becomes a constant struggle as dirt sticks to the surface. The top layer peels off in high-traffic areas within months.

4. Cali Bamboo

Cali Bamboo’s designs look fake and repetitive. The same wood grain pattern repeats every few planks, destroying the natural appearance.

Customer service ignores complaints about quality issues. The flooring doesn’t hold up to the brand’s marketing claims.

5. Flooret Nakan Signature

Flooret’s locking system fails under normal use conditions. Scratches and chips appear from light foot traffic and furniture placement.

Gaps form between planks as the locking mechanism loosens over time. The flooring looks worn out within the first year of installation.

6. ROSEROSA Flooring

ROSEROSA planks break down quickly after installation. The click-lock system fails to hold planks together properly, resulting in movement and noise.

Installation becomes frustrating as pieces don’t align correctly. The flooring shows signs of wear much sooner than expected.

7. NeuType Luxury Vinyl Plank

NeuType’s “luxury” label doesn’t match the actual product quality. The flooring deteriorates rapidly under normal household conditions.

Complaints about longevity are common in online reviews from disappointed customers. The planks lose their shape and color within a short time frame.

8. Supreme Click

Supreme Click lives up to its name in all the wrong ways. The flooring lacks the durability needed for everyday use. Installation problems make the process longer and more difficult than necessary.

Planks fail to stay connected, creating an unstable walking surface.

9. CoreLuxe

CoreLuxe planks begin to fail almost immediately after installation. The surface layer peels away from the core material in strips.

Warping occurs even in climate-controlled environments with proper installation. The flooring exhibits rapid wear, making it appear old and damaged quickly.

Red Flags When Choosing Vinyl Plank Flooring

• Flimsy Construction: Wear layers with a thickness of under 12 mil, and they will show scratches and damage within months of everyday use.
• High VOC Emissions: Strong chemical smells that persist for weeks after installation indicate the presence of harmful substances that affect indoor air quality.
• Limited Warranty: Warranties of less than 10 years typically indicate that manufacturers lack confidence in the quality of their products.
• Difficulty in Installation: Planks that require excessive force to connect or won’t stay locked together create installation nightmares.
• Excessive Noise: Hollow sounds and loud footsteps indicate poor construction that will disturb household peace and neighbors below.

How to Avoid Low-Quality Vinyl Plank Flooring

Learn how to identify and avoid low-quality vinyl plank flooring by recognizing key warning signs, researching reputable brands, and selecting products with long-lasting durability and reliable warranties.

1. Research

Read reviews from multiple sources before making any purchase decision. Real customer experiences reveal problems that marketing materials won’t mention.

Check independent review sites and forums where people share honest feedback. Look for patterns in complaints to identify common issues with specific brands.

2. Check Certifications

FloorScore and Greenguard certifications prove that flooring meets strict air quality standards. These certifications test for harmful chemicals that can affect your family’s health.

Products without proper certifications may release toxic fumes into your home. Always ask for certification documentation before purchasing any vinyl flooring.

3. Request Samples

Online photos often fail to capture the true quality and texture of flooring materials. Physical samples allow you to test durability by attempting to scratch or dent the surface.

You can feel the thickness and check if the locking system works properly. Compare samples from different brands to see clear quality differences.

4. Installation Support

Professional installers know how to handle problem planks and subfloor issues. They have the right tools and experience to create proper expansion gaps.

DIY installation mistakes can void your warranty and cause expensive problems later. Professional installation often comes with additional guarantees for peace of mind.

5. Warranty Evaluation

Good warranties cover both manufacturing defects and normal wear for 15-25 years. Read the fine print to understand what actions will void your coverage.

Short warranties or those with numerous exclusions indicate a lack of product confidence. Commercial warranties are often stronger than residential ones for the same product.

Conclusion

Choosing the right vinyl plank flooring protects your investment and saves you from costly mistakes. The brands we covered consistently fail to meet basic quality standards.

They leave homeowners dealing with scratches, peeling, poor installation, and unhelpful customer service.

Remember the key warning signs: thin wear layers, chemical odors, short warranties, and difficult installation systems.

These red flags signal trouble ahead. Take time to research brands thoroughly and request samples before making any purchase decision.

Quality vinyl plank flooring exists, but it requires careful shopping. Read customer reviews from multiple sources.

Your floors should last for decades, not months. Avoid these problem brands and invest in quality products that will stand the test of time.

What questions do you have about choosing reliable vinyl plank flooring?