skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz TV
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
RemodelingFlooringDesign Dilemma
webuser_103720709

What specific negative issue with Shaw vinyl plank floors?

Steve F
2 years ago

I read people say they get negative reviews, but don‘t find exactly what product line and if the concerns apply to their higher end lines? And what specific concern is it? I’m looking at the Prodigy HDR Plus line that just came out and is magnesium core so harder/thicker than SPC (or WPC). I myself got many samples of diff products from many manufactures and this seems thick/strong and really does not scratch at all in my efforts, unlike almost all others I played around with and tried to damage. But I’m new to this and cautious...so what is the exact negative issue with Shaw? And would it apply to this product? I will have it professionally installed, not DIY. THANK YOU,

Featured Answer
  • Wyatt Pate
    2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    I actually had Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus in Hygge installed via Costco last month and I'm frankly very surprised with the negative reviews? By leaps and bounds it's the most realistic wood-look hard surface floor I've seen and people are always suprised when I tell them it's LVP. I've dragged furniture all over it and there's not a single scratch. It really seems bomb-proof once it's installed.

    The installer did tell me that it's a bit of a nightmare to work with as the mineral core is brittle and hard to cut. He said they lost an entire box to breakage during install - so I'd caution anyone from a DIY install unless you're prepared to buy a few extra boxes and already have a perfectly level subfloor. If the edges aren't locked in perfectly the surface can chip. I guess I'll see how it goes but at least there's a 15 year scratch-warranty.

    I've heard people complain too about it's noise and the pre-attached pads squeaking against underlayments or the subfloor itself. Shaw's warranty is voided if you use anything except the Shaw Bravo underlayment which is a thin closed-cell foam decoupler. So far it works great! It doesn't squeak against the pre-attached pads and it's been quiet to walk on - no issues at all with socks tearing or anything like that. I've also seen people complain about large dogs having trouble walking on it, but I just have cats who slide around when they get the zoomies just as often as they've done on laminate or tile. It's definitely not as slippery as polished hardwood or tile. If you have large dogs and don't want your floors scratched while still providing them traction then any scratch-proof hard surface flooring probably isn't the way to go even if Shaw markets it as pet-friendly. Claws need to be able to dig into something for traction which by definition is scratching a surface - stick to carpet or marmoleum or something along those lines.

    As for cleaning, I've only been living on it for a month but it hasn't been terrible. We don't wear shoes inside so that helps but it definitely gets a little grubby just walking around in socks. So far I just sweep frequently and had to make a light mopping a weekly routine. The darker shades probably hide the dirt a little easier than the lighter ones.





    **EDIT**

    I wanted to know if I needed to buy new rug pads on account that rubber doesn't play nice with vinyl and was curious about the make-up of Prodigy HDR since it lists it's construction as "PMgO". I found the official Customs Ruling given to Shaw in 2019 after they inquired about what tariff should be used the classify the PMgO (aka Magnesium Oxide Fiberboard) construction for import.

    • The product is identified as "PMgO" flooring. The flooring panel sample measures approximately 7.5"(W) x 47" (L) x 10mm thick. The board is constructed a fiberboard core that consists of approximately 80% wood fiber and 20% magnesium components and filler additives. The core is faced with a melamine-impregnated, photographic paper layer, and is backed with a melamine-impregnated, balancing paper layer. The back of the panel is overlaid with a 1.5mm-thick ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam sheet (the floorboard is approximately 9mm thick). This EVA sheet functions as an underlayment. The fiberboard core is constructed of wood fiber that is bonded by a reaction that occurs when the fiber is mixed with the magnesium and additive components. The resulting panel has a density exceeding 1.0 g/cm3. The panel is tongued and grooved on all edges and ends with an interlocking profile.

      The magnesium fiberboard flooring is an innovation in fiberboard flooring products in that it is wood fiber bonded with magnesium components, as opposed to organic resins. Nonetheless, the product remains undeniably composed of bonded wood fiber as are the products of heading 4411, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The instant panel does not meet the definition of "medium density fiberboard" (MDF) as set forth in the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System (ENs). The ENs explain that MDF is manufactured from dry wood fibers bonded with thermosetting resins. As the instant panel is not bonded with resins, it is precluded from classification as MDF. The PMgO board is instead bonded with inorganic magnesium compounds. As such, it is more specifically described by the language, "fiberboard of wood...whether or not bonded with resins or other organic substances."


    There is lots of copy written calling it "Stone Plastic Core LVP" but it's actually a Wood-Magnesium core. The surface is Melamine with a "proprietary PetDefense" scratch-resistant coat of what likely Aluminum Oxide. The only "Luxury Vinyl" present is in the attached underlayment pad so Prodigy HDR Plus isn't actually LVP at all - it should be a new "Magnesium Oxide Fiberboard" category of flooring - essentially bomb-proof MDF.

    Comments (21)

    • Steve F
      Original Author
      2 years ago

      This the specific Shaw product I’m referring to FYI

      https://shawfloors.com/flooring/vinyl/details/prodigy-hdr-plus-2038v/hygge

    • Steve F
      Original Author
      2 years ago

      Ie, Shaw Prodigy HDR Plus

    • PRO
      Sadro Design Studio Inc.
      2 years ago

      Steve, That is a really nice looking floor! Curious how your research went ? Did you get that product installed?

    • lexalin
      2 years ago

      Any updates on this thread? We are considering the Prodigy in Hygge as well.

    • Steve F
      Original Author
      2 years ago

      I did not get any feedback here on that specific new Shaw product, but read so many issues with Shaw LVP in general, that i did not buy it. im still looking. if you find something in similar color and look but ftom a maufactruer with better feedback, lemme know? thank you.

    • Steve F
      Original Author
      2 years ago

      Oops, sorry for the typos above. Pressed submit by accident!

    • Rose Zielinski
      2 years ago

      Hi, I m looking into CoreTech ”GRANDE “ LVT has anyone had issues woth CoreTech?

    • Kwai Chan
      2 years ago

      We recently bought a house and installed Anvil Plus Mineral Maple Shaw Floors, click and lock, float style. It has only been 3 months and I find that it takes so much effort to clean the floors. After vacuuming using my Shark vacuum, it still looks dirty. I either wear flip flop or socks in the house and my socks gets dirty the same day after vacuuming!!


      We recently had a few planks fixed too because there were planks that were ripped and torn during installation. The floor installer replaced them with new planks. He glued and nailed them down!!! Is that the right way of doing it? Now we have some planks covered with dried glue that we could not get rid. The floor installer said she would send someone to clean it up and fix it but nothing from them.

    • PRO
      Debbi Washburn
      2 years ago

      There is a thread on here - I just can't seem to find it. A woman is looking into the luxury vinyl floors and has been testing out samples for way over a year now. There are issues with them ruining socks and clothes and even stories of putting small cuts in your feet. She has looked into tons of brands.

      I hope someone else may have seen this and can find it!

    • Connie Kempf
      2 years ago
      last modified: 2 years ago

      Do lots of research which apparently I did not. I put down Shaw Timberidge Honey Walnut in January 2021. The boxes and the displays at the store all had the ADA logo which I was told meant it was ADA complaint and I did look online at the product I was purchasing and was led to believe it was the product that would work.
      My husband did not have a powerchair at the time but I knew he was going to be getting one in the near future. Long story short after getting the chair my floor was crap in 3 months and the warranty means nothing.
      They will send a Flooring Inspector and he will say the floor was put down wrong. It should have been glued down for a powerchair. Anyone who puts this flooring down may find themselves in my same situation. Flooring sounds so easy to put down but maybe everyone needs to glue it so they will warranty it.
      Why put they ADA symbol on your product? What does it actually stand for and who trains the sales people?
      I feel I was misled by the advertisement and the warranty was too good to be true. It’s a shame as I have lots of money invested.

    • Sarah Buscaino
      2 years ago
      last modified: 2 years ago

      @Wyatt Pate Do you mind posting any more photos of the floor? I love the Hygge color but was concerned in the sample about small black dot details in the wood grain (worm holes?). Do you have any thoughts on how much those show up across the whole floor?


      We were waiting on Shaw to restock the Tannin color of this product, but Hygge might be available sooner so we may do that instead.

    • cat_ky
      2 years ago

      I saw one or two on here that complained about them always looking dirty. There is a post on gardenweb about this in the cleaning forum, you may want to read.


      https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4060775/prints-left-on-luxury-vinyl-plank-floors#n=433

    • Doug Green
      2 years ago
      last modified: 2 years ago

      We had Shaw 2038 Prodigy HDR Plus Hygge installed professionally. Several months after installation many of the butt ends lifted or buckled. Has taken many months but an inspector should be coming in the foreseeable future. Stay away from this Shaw product.

    • Sarah Buscaino
      last year

      Doug: Can you post some photos of the installation and the problem?

    • Connie Kempf
      last year
      last modified: last year

      Doug Green good luck with that. We were told flooring was installed wrong, floors weren't level, we had too much furniture on the flooring, power chair was too heavy and floor needed to be glued when installed. Is it false advertisement to advertise a floating floor then only warranty it if it's glued down? By the way the power chair came into the picture after the flooring was installed and it also was dirty looking. ZEP Neutral PH is the best for cleaning but my mop gets caught in the splinters and cracks.




    • Melissa
      last year

      @Kwai Chan I'm also interested in the Anvil Plus line but it's been hard to find reviews. Did you get 12 or 20 MIL? Have you had any luck with cleaning the floors? Any issues with the floors scratching up your feet/socks?

    • jackowskib
      last year

      Reminds me of the Pergo floor back in the early 90’s, the edges were all glued so it was still a floating floor.

    • Connie Kempf
      last year

      Has anyone who has installed Shaw LVP flooring read any instructions as to when you would glue the floor?

    • D Maxcey
      last year

      Shaw Floorte Elite Prodigy HDR MXL Plus, color Sienna.
      Lots of issues. Would not recommend this and hope to help you in your flooring decision.
      Lots of buckling, a cracked end..see photos. Thankfully Shaw is replacing flooring and covers half the labor to reinstall flooring. Nothing toward trim boards, appliances or toilet removal however. It will be messy and costly.

    • jjp7
      14 days ago

      Was your floor professionally installed?

    Sponsored
    Singapore
    Tailor my experience with cookies

    Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.