Here at Stirling Carpet and flooring, we have so many vinyl plank products that some customers can become overwhelmed. So let me direct you to two products that are tried and true, so that next time you’re in, you’ll know where to start.

Rigid Core; Vantage and Essentials

Rigid core vantage and Rigid core essentials are sister products. Meaning that they are From the same manufacturer and are very similar.Both products have The same durable polymer core, the same 30 year residential warranty, and both are at a “beginner” level for DIY installers.

Let’s dive into some of the specifics.

Rigid Core Vantage

Rigid core vantage was designed with bold style in mind. The planks are 60″ long, as opposed to the average board which is 48″ long. And with board widths in both 7″, and 9″, they make spaces feel larger than they are. Rigid core vantage is also completely waterproof. It can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, without swelling and puckering. There are 20 distinct visuals in the Vantage collection in both widths. With a cork underlay attached to the planks already, you won’t have to worry about the extra hassle (and cost) of a separate underpad. Vantage has a 30 year limited residential warranty and a 15 year commercial warranty. Making it perfect for a busy household.

This is the flooring that we have been installing in almost all of the homes in the new subdivision near us, for the past five years. We have had many compliments on the floors and homeowners are very happy with the quality of Rigid core Vantage. Every time the builder comes in to pick floor for a new home, they go right to our Rigid core Vantage display.

Rigid Core Essentials

This is a product that is relatively new to us, but one that we are excited to try out more.

Rigid core essentials is very similar to Vantage in the way that it is also 100% waterproof, and that it has a 30 year limited residential warranty as stated before. With 10 unique visuals in the Essentials collection, mimicking hickory, walnut and oak, you are bound to find one that fits your individual style. Although, unlike Vantage, Essentials has an acoustic underpad instead of a cork one. The acoustic underpad is just as waterproof and great for sound absorption.

The installation of both products is made extremely simple by the manufacturers “fold and lock” system. Just angle the tongue into the next boards groove, and fold down gently. It took me about twenty minutes to figure out, and I am NOT technically coordinated in any sense of the word. Which makes Armstrong rigid core products a perfect choice for new DIY’ers.

Because these are floating floors, there are a couple of big advantages. First off, there is no adhesive needed. The lack of glue decreases cost, time and research. Why try and fiddle around with an extra variable, when you can just click it and be done? Another perk is that damaged boards are a lot easier to replace in a floating floor. Instead of fighting to peel up a board that’s been glued or nailed down, you can just cut around the edges of a damaged plank and replace it with a new one. Don’t have a perfectly smooth subfloor, or maybe you’re looking for something to go over an existing floor? Floating is the way to go. Even if there are minor issues with your subfloor, a floating click floor, like rigid core, can cover them and still hold its durability.

The manufacturer of Rigid core Vantage and Rigid core Essentials, is Armstrong. Armstrong is a huge name in the flooring industry. But does Armstrong deserve all of the hype? Absolutely! Armstrong has many high quality products, and amazing customer resources. Rigid core Vantage and Essentials are just two of the NINE Armstrong product lines that we carry in store. And we don’t even carry all of Armstrong’s products!

Along with the durability and style of Armstrong’s flooring, they also have an amazing website filled with resources and product history. They have a page for almost everything, not to mention their top notch (pardon the old timey phrase) room view feature, where you can upload a photo of your space and superimpose the floor of your choice over it. Room view has been especially helpful during these past two years with the increase in online shopping due to the pandemic. It is now easier than ever to shop flooring from the safety of your own home.

So why shop Armstrong Rigod core? Simple, because it is stylish, tough, reliable, and it comes from a company that cares about your experience as a customer.

Written by: Mya Stolte