Flyr4fun you may have gotten a bad batch or (depending upon where you purchased) the seller may have kept the product in poor conditions. Almost a year now that we have been selling this product and the only complaint was due to a color with high variation not shown on the sample board. Have installed in over 100 homes without any major issues as you have stated. Have noticed that if the product is in direct sunlight and on an uneven surface that warping happens very fast (product was outside and it can be very humid here in central Texas).

I agree with @Cinar Interiors...it sounds like either a faulty batch or more likely shipping/storage issues from the supplier. We've been installing for around 4 years and never saw anything like this.

Re original question, Aquaguard is NOT waterproof - it's water resilient. I would expect some problems with it in a basement. But, in all honesty I haven't installed either Aquaguard nor NuCore. The fact that AquaGuard is only offered by 1 small company (prob. in range of 1-3% or less of US sales makes me suspicious as does the price. If this product is so good, how come the manufacturer can't get anyone else to buy it? Why would they have an exclusive for such a small company.

I know Coretec works and is a great product. In case it helps, feel free to read my Coretec Plus review here. It has pros and cons, where to install/where to avoid and where to get samples. No product is perfect, but among your 3 choices, I'd vote for Coretec.

I'm glad to hear that my experience was unusual for the Coretec flooring. I may consider it again for a future project and get it from a different source. I bought it from a company in Georgia and it was shipped all the way across the country to me in Calif. It's possible the warping could have happened somewhere along the journey.

Is there any type of floor heat (Thermosoft, etc.?) that can be used with Coretec?

@flyr4fun

If you don't mind me asking, what company in Georgia you used? I am about to order 7" Coretec as well and don't want to order from whoever you used. Thanks.

I purchased Aquaguard flooring from Floor and Decor and I absolutely hate it. I bought the best underlayment they offered that touted it was the best for noise. After a year and a half the floor crackles and pops when it is walked on. The bullnose for the steps does not lay smooth against the planks on the steps (actually has quite a hump) which makes it often times as a tripping factor. My neighbor went with a comparable Coretec plank flooring and hers is quiet and the bull nose on the steps butts smoothly to the steps. I tried to research the Aquaguard product before I purchased it but Floor and Decor was the only place to buy it. Unfortunately their website does not allow customers to write reviews to help other future customers at least see what people have to say about it. I am in the process of filing a claim to get my floors looked at by Floor and Decor and their people who installed it. My recommendation would be to find another product and stay away from the Aquaguard.

Love Coretec and installing it in a condo with a gas insert fireplace. Can you float it to abut the fireplace, or does it need to have a tile hearth? Would prefer not to have to glue it down.

@ryder1923 what was the result of your claim? I'm looking at Aquaguard now. Was your surface that you put it on totally level? Mine would be going on a new concrete slab.

The inspector came and said it was an installation problem, but I am sure it is a combination of BOTH the material and the improper install. I also have places on the corners where the product is puffing up where an ice cube might have been dropped... It is hardly water resistant.. I am still waiting for Floor and Decor’s Installation Made Easy company to remedy this and they are trying to say it’s not an install problem when the inspector says it is! Stay away from AquaGuard and go with a name brand such as Coretec! My flooring was placed over plywood... just FYI ....

Cortec from Lowe’s any good?