TrafficMaster Flooring – In Brief
TrafficMaster provides hard-wearing flooring for all rooms of the home, including carpets, laminate flooring, vinyl and underlay. As a representative cost, customers can expect to pay between $3 and $8 for TrafficMaster laminate. Their products are tied to Home Depot, though you can buy them elsewhere (without warranty attached).
TrafficMaster is a budget flooring solution designed to help homeowners get reliable, durable flooring for a fraction of the cost of other brands.
TrafficMaster is an exclusive flooring brand sold only through the Home Depot. This article will examine all of the flooring types, what to expect from the brand and how it compares to other flooring companies.
TrafficMaster Flooring Types
TrafficMaster makes a lot of flooring options and each one has distinct advantages. Their best line ups include the following.
- Vinyl. Arguably their most diverse line, TrafficMaster vinyl comes in a variety of colors and styles.
- Laminate. TrafficMaster laminate has a diverse line up in both tiles and planks.
- Carpet. Without a lot of different types, the TrafficMaster carpet does offer a lot of colors.
- Garage and Gym. You can find flooring for your home gym and garage with TrafficMaster, too.
- Underlayment. Carpet and laminate need underlayments, which TrafficMaster also provides.
- Floor Mat. If you just need a rubber mat in front of the sink or in the laundry room, TrafficMaster has your answer.
Who is TrafficMaster?
TrafficMaster is a subsidiary of Shaw Flooring. TrafficMaster is the budget model of the Shaw ideals, and is basically a highly affordable flooring without all the Shaw features or options.
This doesn’t make TrafficMaster a bad flooring solution, just not the highest quality one. TrafficMaster is an attempt to get new flooring to homeowners that are on tighter budgets, or need a modern solution in areas that don’t see a lot of use.
The company sells exclusively through Home Depot, just like LifeProof. While it is possible to find TrafficMaster floors through other outlets, only purchases made through Home Depot are valid for the warranty.
TrafficMaster Buyer’s Guide: What to Look For
Flooring Type
The biggest choice you need to make is what type of flooring you want. More important than brand in the early stages, your flooring choice starts right here.
Pro Tip: When it comes to making a choice about which TrafficMaster flooring type to opt for, always consider the amount of traffic the area experiences daily. For instance, their laminate and vinyl options might be better suited for rooms with medium foot traffic hinting to their durability. Moreover, while the TrafficMaster carpets can add a cozy touch to your spaces, remember they might not stand heavy footfall as efficiently.
TrafficMaster offers laminate, vinyl and carpeting as well as other forms for specialty purposes. However, the “big 3” each have their own advantages and differences. You need to decide what type of flooring to install, based on several other factors below.
Coverage Area
The size of the space you are installing the floor in will also play a part in your decision factor. With smaller spaces, such as single rooms, you can viably use any of the major floor types. However, larger spaces may not be so accommodating.
Area Conditions/Location
You should also consider where the flooring is to be installed. Wet areas may need to stick to vinyl, as laminate and carpet don’t handle water very well.
High traffic areas may be better suited for carpeting, while living areas and bedrooms can benefit from any of the major styles.
Installation
How you plan to have the floor installed is also worth a bit of extra thought. If you plan to hire a professional, you need to get a few quotes (which we can help with, for free), and ensure the contractor has the experience to do the job well.
A word of advice: Installation is one key element to pay attention to when it comes to flooring. If you’re all about DIY, TrafficMaster’s Peels n’ stick laminate might be a boon for you. It’s easier to install and doesn’t necessarily require professional assistance, potentially saving costs. Never underestimate the importance of proper installation – it can determine the longevity of your flooring.
For DIY installs, you will want to avoid carpeting. Unless you have the knowledge and experience, carpet should be left to the pros. Laminate and vinyl, though, are fairly easy to install for anyone that can use a saw and swing a hammer.
Additional Materials
Many flooring options require more materials. Underlayments, padding, transition molding, and more. Each floor type has its own list of requirements.
Make sure you understand what all is needed and plan your budget for the additional materials, plus extra of each (including the flooring) to cover mistakes, or to have handy for repairs or replacement.
Cost
Finally, the cost will be a deciding factor, too. TrafficMaster is one of the least expensive laminate and vinyl companies around. Their carpet is at or below industry average, too. However you still need to account for the proper materials and amounts, based on the square foot measurements.
Where to Buy TrafficMaster Flooring
TrafficMaster has always been (and will most likely always be) a Home Depot exclusive. This doesn’t mean it is made by Home Depot. In fact, none of their exclusives are.
TrafficMaster, as stated earlier, is manufactured under the Shaw Flooring umbrella. However, there are basically none of the Shaw features, qualities or advancements included. This makes TrafficMaster a budget-friendly, lower-tiered solution.
Obviously, you can purchase the flooring through any Home Depot store, or online through their website.
Older models, surplus materials and discontinued models can be found in other places, too, though. You can see some TrafficMaster laminate, vinyl or carpeting in liquidation showrooms or online in retail sites such as WayFair and Amazon.
Check that up carefully before you buy.
TrafficMaster Pros and Cons
TrafficMaster, like any other brand, product or item, has advantages and disadvantages. Some of them may be a deal breaker, so make sure you read through the lists thoroughly.
Advantages
TrafficMaster has a few advantages over the other brands, which is quite important.
- The flooring options, especially laminate, are far cheaper than almost everyone else.
- Multiple thickness options are available for various durability.
- Matching thresholds, trims and moldings.
- Laminate and vinyl are simple DIY installs.
Disadvantages
With budget flooring, there are also downsides. Some of the most important disadvantages are listed here.
- Cheaper quality flooring may not last as long.
- Less color and style options than other premium brands.
- Limited availability. If you don’t have a Home Depot store nearby, online options may not be complete.
- No FloorScore models available.
TrafficMaster Vs. Other Brands
How does TrafficMaster compare to other known brands? Some of the best and most popular brands are put to the comparison test right here. See for yourself.
TrafficMaster Vs. LifeProof
Like TrafficMaster, LifeProof is only sold new through Home Depot. LifeProof is more popular than TrafficMaster as it has slightly more color and style options. However, it also has slightly higher pricing.
LifeProof also sells laminate, vinyl and carpet. However, their selections of padding, underlayments and extras are more limited. The good news, though, is that most of their laminates and vinyls come with underlayments attached. TrafficMaster doesn’t have as many planks that offer that.
TrafficMaster Vs. Shaw
Shaw is the parent company of TrafficMaster. However, the similarities end there. Shaw is a premium flooring company that takes every step possible to be the absolute best. In fact, it is near impossible to look up any “best of” list without seeing Shaw at or near the top.
Shaw flooring is one of the most expensive flooring solutions available, but you do get what you pay for. Unlike TrafficMaster, Shaw flooring has underlayments on all planks and tiles, extremely durable wear, scratch and dent resistance, and more. You will find Shaw also lasts twice or three times as long, with up to lifetime warranties.
TrafficMaster Vs. Armstrong
Armstrong is a mid-tier flooring company that specializes in laminates, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and other hard flooring options. They have a wide variety of colors, options and styles to choose from and as a high-quality mid-range, their prices are reasonable.
With waterproof vinyl, water resistant laminate and superior wear protection, Armstrong is a popular choice for many homeowners. However, unlike TrafficMaster, Armstrong also caters to the commercial industry. With carpet tile, high-grade commercial laminate and easy installation, you will find Armstrong floors in many retail environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we will answer some of the common questions about TrafficMaster flooring. If you have other concerns, please feel free to use the comment section below the article.
Q. Is TrafficMaster laminate waterproof?
A. No laminate is truly waterproof. While there are recent technologies that are making some brands get closer, the truth is a wood-based product will not be 100% waterproof. TrafficMaster has the Allure line which has some protections, including a moisture barrier underlayment. Beyond this line, though, TrafficMaster doesn’t offer much of this newer technology for water resistance.
Q. Does TrafficMaster require underlayment?
A. For the laminate and vinyl flooring options, there are some lines that include the underlayment. If you take all of the lines together, though, the underlayment is mainly not included with the planks or tiles. For the models without underlayments attached, you will need to purchase them separately.
Q. Is TrafficMaster worth it?
A. TrafficMaster is a budget-friendly flooring solution. It is best for homes or rooms with lighter foot traffic, no pets or for those not expecting their new floors to last longer than about 10 years. While there are higher quality options, and some have more advanced features, there isn’t anyone out there that can beat TrafficMaster on price and all-inclusive components.
Q. How do I clean TrafficMaster flooring?
A. The cleaning method for TrafficMaster floors will depend on the type of flooring you purchase. Carpet is best cleaned with a great vacuum. You can also use carpet cleaners, also known as shampooers.
Pro Tip: As an additional piece of advice that hasn’t been mentioned here: Maintenance is as important as a good installation. While TrafficMaster floors are pretty low-maintenance, regular cleaning with a damp mop would work great for the laminate and vinyl, while a vacuum cleaner might be best for the carpets. Remember, the cleaner your floor, the longer it will look as good as new!
For laminate you want to avoid wet and steam mopping. However, a dry mop or damp mop can work wonders. You will still only require a broom or a vacuum for laminate or vinyl.
Q. What is TrafficMaster Allure?
A. TrafficMaster Allure is one of the most affordable TrafficMaster LVP and LVT. The thicker wear layers and more durable construction make it one of TrafficMaster’s most popular and sought after flooring options.
The vinyl has more color and style options than most other TrafficMaster vinyl lines and even more than the laminates. If you are looking for an affordable luxury vinyl, Allure and Allure Ultra in particular, are great options to consider.
Conclusion
TrafficMaster may not be the highest quality flooring on the market. However, it is one of the most affordable laminates and vinyls in the industry. Their carpeting is great for pets, low and medium traffic areas and low maintenance solutions.
For those on a tighter budget, with smaller areas to cover or for floors will light traffic, TrafficMaster is easily one of the top solutions. Hopefully you have a better idea of the brand and what to expect when choosing TrafficMaster for your next floor.
