Trafficmaster Allure Ultra Wood Vinyl Planks
Investor · Dallas, TX · Member since 2009 · 718 posts · 913 votes
Trafficmaster Allure Ultra Wood Vinyl Planks
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I just got a rental with Allure back after a two year tenant. My wife commented that the floor looks good. Her standards are higher than mine, so it passed a pretty good test.
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I am installing TrafficMaster Allure in a bathroom at my uncles dental office. While replacing the toilet, part of the old vct tile came out. I had to add some flooring leveler around the toilet.What should I do about the gaps around the trim. I left 1/8th of an inch but it shows a little in some places. Could add a caulk around the edges?
Why did you put the toilet back before you put the floor in?
Are you going to pull it again? ( I figure maybe you needed it for the day) Is the trim a odd profile that won't take a quarter round or shoe?
if not I would just shoe it or quarter round. I believe you could just caulk it without issue to the floor but I think it might look weird and in a bit it would get very dirty looking and the caulk would catch stuff and hold in any moisture.
Not an expert with allure. I just used it for the first time in a kitchen this week.I've used that same floor that you're installing. I like the wood look ones better, since there is less waste. You don't need to line up the fake grout lines.
I think caulking the edges would be fine. That's what I've done.
I also agree that you should pull the toilet so the floor goes under.
I needed to replace the toilet ASAP that is why. I later decided to change the floor to make it look better and now everyone loves it and are asking me to install in lunchroom and X-ray room. I agree I wish it would've gone under the toilet but the decision came later :(. I read excellent reviews on this and will be using it on my rental. It's a bit pricey so I will look into the woodlooking planks.
I've installed Trafficmaster Allure Ultra myself inside my studio apartment, with the thought of renting it out in the future. I wanted to get rid of a disgusting carpet that the previous owner had left behind, covering a meh parquet floor beneath. I don't trust tenants to care about preserving wood flooring, so that's why I went for vinyl.
I picked this one over the sticky Allure due mostly to complaints about the sticky Allure's smell. I actually went to Home Depot to smell it myself, and I did catch a nasty whiff of burnt plastic from even their sample squares of the sticky Allure. I have allergies (the main reasoning for removing the old carpeting) and didn't want to deal with potential chemical fumes. The Allure Ultra didn't smell at all when I sniffed it in the store (a faint rubber smell that went away in a day or two after installation). I must've looked a little odd in the store...
The Allure Ultra does have a little give (after so many months of living on it, you can kind of see the outlines of the parquet flooring through the vinyl now, but none of the pieces have come apart), but it would depend on how uneven your subflooring is to know if the Ultra will work. Since I installed over existing wood floor, it was already pretty even and flat. So far I still love it!
If anyone would like more info, I have more detailed postings about my entire experience here if you wish to know more about Allure Ultra: http://bit.ly/Ha3gS0
- Rental Property Investor · Glendale, CA · Member since 2013 · 685 posts · 334 votes13y
I am reviving this old post, as I am in the market to redo floors on a rental.
The unit currently has carpet in the rooms, obviously with tack strips, along with vinyl in the kitchen. So, I am debating whether I should redo the carpet/vinyl (as it needs it), or purchase the Trafficmaster Allure Ultra instead. Of course, this is assuming that the subfloors are fairly leveled as it does have crawlspace underneath the unit since its on the first floor. So for the sake of this topic, we will assume the sub flooring condition will warrant either.
Whether I go with the Trafficmaster Allure Ultra, or a competitors brand would not make a difference to me. So I welcome suggestions on other brands, as long as they have the same installation procedure.
Financially, it wouldn't make a differences as far as price is concerned between the carpet or the Trafficmaster, given I have a friend who would help me install, and the cost runs me just about the same. So thats not a large concern.
The issue I'm concerned about is the quality, durability, and everything else that a landlord is usually worried about.
I'm not asking them to last a lifetime, but I would like one install to stretch between 3 - 5 years without any problems. I would hate for any seams to open, or subfloors to become exposed where I regret pulling out the carpet. Grant it, carpet is not the best way to go, but the possibilities of problems is limited.
I look forward to hearing for opinions, thoughts, and possible suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
- OR · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 845 votes13y
I'm having good luck with the Allure in rentals.
I just redid a kitchen floor that had a huge hole in the subfloor and could not match the thickness of the subfloor exactly. So the floor was coated with leveling compound and it came out beautiful.
Maybe the leveling compound would be the answer to an uneven floor, before installing the Allure?
I just did a smallish bathroom in tile and yikes! It was almost $500. Leveling compound, backer board, mortar, tiles, sealer, grout, and on and on.
The Allure, I can install myself.
I've got to tell you, I am done with carpet. I swear I am not buying any more carpet for the tenants to destroy.
- OR · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 845 votes13y
The local Safeway and the Walmart have flooring that looks just like Allure, but feels thicker. (Yes, that was me down on my hands and knees in the produce section of Safeway, feeling the flooring)
Whatever they are using, I want some of it, but haven't had any luck with finding out what it is or how to get it.
- 13yRoy N.Pro MemberRental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
Originally posted by P NW:
The local Safeway and the Walmart have flooring that looks just like Allure, but feels thicker. (Yes, that was me down on my hands and knees in the produce section of Safeway, feeling the flooring)Whatever they are using, I want some of it, but haven't had any luck with finding out what it is or how to get it.
P NW,
Go to your local flooring shop and ask to look at their commercial grade vinyl flooring (plank, tile, sheet).
I have used commercial grade vinyl in several instances. Many times at a lower price than the residential equivalent ... this is because the "ends" from a commercial installation are often large enough to cover a room in an apartment.
- Real Estate Broker · San Diego, CA · Member since 2012 · 104 posts · 20 votes13y
Do you need to put a moisture barrier down when you install the Allure Ultra or any of the snap-together vinyl plank over concrete?
i am updating this thread.
i hate allure flooring. as i said before, i installed it in my finished basement. cost me a ton of money (around 800 sq. ft), and spent lots of hours.
the edges (long edges) are lifting and it looks the ripples in the lake/river when you look at it. dirt goes underneat and the glue would not even hold anymore.
just terrible. i hate it. i am mad i went with it but dont want to spend the additional money to replace it. it's a POS.
Hi @George P. what do you use instead of vinyl plank flooring?
Anyone recommend brands besides Allure? I notice that Lumber Liquidators has one called Tranquility at only $1.20 per square foot but its not a floating vinyl plank, instead its stick down so I have a feeling it will peal.
I installed regular Allure in a small 2 bedroom rental and it went pretty well. This was just 5 months ago so I don't know how it will hold up in the long runI was thinking of installing Allure ultra in a condo I'm fixing up. The foundation is a raised foundation and just has wood (pressed wood chip boards) underneath stinky carpets.
I plan on living there for 1-2 years then possibly renting it out or reselling it. I feel that if I put laminate the tenants after me would probably ruing it.
Any suggestions for flooring besides Vinyl Plank Flooring? Any other recent or past experiences with Allure or other types of durable flooring would be appreciated.
- Roseburg, OR · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote12y
Originally posted by Theresa K.:
Do you need to put a moisture barrier down when you install the Allure Ultra or any of the snap-together vinyl plank over concrete?Hi Theresa!
Yes, all subfloors must be carefully checked for moisture, as Allure ULTRA is waterproof but not a waterproofer. So any moisture problems need to be adressed prior to installation. We recommend 6 mil poly moisture vapor barrier, TrafficMaster Basement Proofer (available by special order only) or RedGard®.
When installing Allure flooring in a basement, you must use a basement proofer or a 6 mil poly moisture barrier. If you are using a Tramex Moisture Meter and the level is 0%-2%, no moisture barrier is required. But if it is 2%-5%, a moisture barrier is required. Anything over 5% and we do not recommend installing Allure flooring. Also, new concrete floors need to cure for a minimum of 60 days.
Hope that helps!
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
- Roseburg, OR · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote12y
Originally posted by David A.:
I am installing TrafficMaster Allure in a bathroom at my uncles dental office. While replacing the toilet, part of the old vct tile came out. I had to add some flooring leveler around the toilet.What should I do about the gaps around the trim. I left 1/8th of an inch but it shows a little in some places. Could add a caulk around the edges? [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/davidacuna05/IMG_1292_zps4e2aa348.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/davidacuna05/IMG_1293_zpsae7499d4.jpg[/IMG]Hey David!
Nice bathroom! Sorry I didn't find this post sooner, as you have likely already finished your Allure flooring install. However, there may be others in the future who stumble upon your post and are wondering the same thing, so this answer is more to help them from making any costly mistakes.
For Allure flooring, we do recommend using a silicone caulk around the base of the toilet and in front of the tub/shower to seal the expansion area.
To cut around an existing toilet, use the slip sheet that comes in between the planks inside the carton to use as a template for the cut on each plank. Trace onto the desired plank and cut with a pair of sharp shears or snips instead of a utility knife.
Hope that helps!
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
- Roseburg, OR · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote12yOriginally posted by Shanequa J.:
I use sheet vinyl in wet areas (kitchen and bathrooms) instead of seamed flooring because of water that could soak through the seams and rot the subfloor. Does anyone know if the water leaks through the seams? I would like to use a same flooring throughout the house.
Hi Shanequa!
Allure ULTRA is waterproof, so it can be installe in moisture prone areas (like basements and bathrooms) that traditionally have been "off limits" for other wood flooring and laminate products.
Hope that helps!
~AaronAllure Customer Outreach Team
- Roseburg, OR · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote12y
Originally posted by George P.:
i am updating this thread.
i hate allure flooring. as i said before, i installed it in my finished basement. cost me a ton of money (around 800 sq. ft), and spent lots of hours.
the edges (long edges) are lifting and it looks the ripples in the lake/river when you look at it. dirt goes underneat and the glue would not even hold anymore.
just terrible. i hate it. i am mad i went with it but dont want to spend the additional money to replace it. it's a POS.
Hi George,
Sorry to hear that things didn't go so well with your install. We are curious to know what went wrong and to see if there is anything we can do to help. You mentioned "the glue would not even hold anymore". Which product did you use? Allure ULTRA is "click and lock", so there is no adhesive with that product. Also, did you use a moisture barrier in your basement? Give us a call, we'd like to help if at all possible: 1-866-843-8453 (Allure customer service line)
Best regards,
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
Originally posted by Aaron Larsen:
Originally posted by George P.:
i am updating this thread.
i hate allure flooring. as i said before, i installed it in my finished basement. cost me a ton of money (around 800 sq. ft), and spent lots of hours.
the edges (long edges) are lifting and it looks the ripples in the lake/river when you look at it. dirt goes underneat and the glue would not even hold anymore.
just terrible. i hate it. i am mad i went with it but dont want to spend the additional money to replace it. it's a POS.
Hi George,
Sorry to hear that things didn't go so well with your install. We are curious to know what went wrong and to see if there is anything we can do to help. You mentioned "the glue would not even hold anymore". Which product did you use? Allure ULTRA is "click and lock", so there is no adhesive with that product. Also, did you use a moisture barrier in your basement? Give us a call, we'd like to help if at all possible: 1-866-843-8453 (Allure customer service line)
Best regards,
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
hi aaron,
maybe we are talking about two different products, but here's what i have. see the pictures and tell me what caused this.
so, please tell me what caused this. it's happening on the ENTIRE basement floor, which is around 900 sq. feet. i used ~40 boxes of that stuff. cost me around $1200 at HD. it's actually a tripping hazard for the baby, so we dont let him go in the basement because of it.
to answer your question, no, i did not use an underlayment. this is the first time i hear "underlayment" and "allure vinyl planks" being used together in a sentence.
- Roseburg, OR · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote12y
Thanks for the pictures, George. There are many things that could have caused this. We're going to need some more details. Would save a lot a time to do this over the phone from this point forward. Please give us a call at : 1-866-843-8453 or you can fill out your contact info at our Resolution Center: http://allurehalstead.weebly.com/resolution-center.html If you enter your info at the Resolution Center, we will call you.
Thanks again for reaching out to us, George. We're going to do our best to help you out.
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
Originally posted by @Aaron Larsen:
Thanks for the pictures, George. There are many things that could have caused this. We're going to need some more details. Would save a lot a time to do this over the phone from this point forward. Please give us a call at : 1-866-843-8453 or you can fill out your contact info at our Resolution Center: http://allurehalstead.weebly.com/resolution-center.html If you enter your info at the Resolution Center, we will call you.
Thanks again for reaching out to us, George. We're going to do our best to help you out.
~Aaron
Allure Customer Outreach Team
aaron, thanks for the reply. i just called the number above (was out of town until now) and they said i have to file a claim with the home depot first. so i will be doing that hopefully this weekend and i hope they know what to do at that point..
- Investor · Wylie, TX · Member since 2013 · 102 posts · 4 votes12y
Another product some might have access to is called EVOKE flooring. I paid 1.89/ sq ft at a retain flooring shop. I shopped around as it varied from 1.89 to 3.99/ sq ft. It turned out great in a condo I did. It is a 5mm product that I used pressure adhesive glue on the concrete in 8 inch rows about 2 feet apart to give me space to work without sticking. Here is a link. http://evokeflooring.com/vinyl I used the 'quick lay'.
i contacted HD, they gave me the correct number, i filed a claim with Allure. just 3 days after i filed the claim, the independent rep came, looked at all the areas and said he would write up the report and send it to Allure.
I have not heard back. that was over 3 weeks ago. I need to follow up with them.
- Investor · Oak Park, MI · Member since 2014 · 299 posts · 47 votes12y
I just did 2 houses, one with the regular allure (planks stick to each other) and the second to the allure ultra, my impressions:
Regular Allure - looks decent, doesn't look high end but very, very good for a lower/mid range rental. We will see how it holds up. Installed on the entire first floor on the first floor of a house on a crawspace.
Allure Ultra - Installed on the second floor of a higher end home, looks much more high end than the regular allure, the plank is thicker than the regular allure, the floor looks awesome! (bought the cheapest available, I think 2.49)
Originally posted by @George P.:
i contacted HD, they gave me the correct number, i filed a claim with Allure. just 3 days after i filed the claim, the independent rep came, looked at all the areas and said he would write up the report and send it to Allure.
I have not heard back. that was over 3 weeks ago. I need to follow up with them.@George P. thanks for sharing this George. I also used Allure and lately I am starting to see certain areas not holding up as well as they should have, although not nearly as bad as your pictures.
Sorry if this has been answered already, but how long have you had the floors before they started popping up?
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