It's no wonder that you've decided on luxury vinyl flooring like so many other homeowners, designers, and business owners. That's because this durable, low-maintenance material is an affordable alternative to natural stone and porcelain tile, real wood floors, and most carpets. But, picking out the perfect vinyl flooring can be a bit overwhelming, especially finding one that suits your budget.

To help you decide how to give your space the warmth of wood without the high expenses, we’re breaking down the differences between the two series from MSI’s Everlife^®: Rigid Core and Dryback. In this guide, we’ll compare the product features and costs of MSI’s diverse collections within those series so that you can select the luxury vinyl tile that’s right for your next project.

Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) from MSI features on-trend wood looks, natural stone looks, and patterns in a wide range of stunning styles and patterns. These 100% waterproof, kid-proof, pet-proof, and low-maintenance planks and tiles are perfect for busy households to light commercial use. The H20-friendly floors are extremely durable and tough, so they can be installed in any room, from kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms and playrooms to lobbies to hallways.

Choose from one of the collections from Everlife’s Rigid Core and Dryback series for a range of products in 50 colorways that feature bold knots to fine graining to stone veining. No matter what style you’re going for, you can pick from weathered and reclaimed to traditional and refined to modern and streamlined. MSI offers industry-leading warranties and exclusive CrystaLux technology, a proprietary wearlayer that protects all Everlife^® LVT products against everyday messes like spills, pet accidents, scratches, and sun damage. Plus, these eco-friendly products are held to some of the highest standards for quality and safety, and their FloorScore and GreenGuard Gold certifications are a bonus for eco-conscious consumers.

LVT flooring is considerably less expensive than many other flooring options available, and that includes the upkeep, too. Unlike real hardwood, you won’t ever need to seal, polish, or wax your dreamy wood-look luxury vinyl floors, and that saves time and money. No fancy cleaners are required, as daily care only includes a quick sweep with a broom or vacuum, and a damp cloth with a neutral PH cleaner will help clean up any messes. Also, remember that products with a thicker wearlayer may cost more but will help protect your floors even longer. To get a better look at how these products compare in price to each other, utilize the included tables to check the product dollar ratings.

EVERLIFE^® RIGID CORE COLLECTIONS

Touted as the next-generation, 100% waterproof luxury vinyl, MSI’s Rigid Core Series from the Everlife^® Collection features an easy-install locking system for a simple installation process. With six collections within the series, you’ll find luxury vinyl planks (LVP) in all price points and a mixture of wood looks luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in natural stone, and patterned styles to suit your specific style. Take a deeper look at Ashton, Cyrus, XL Cyrus, Andover, Prescott, and Trecento^® to discover which one works best for your space.

CYRUS LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION - RIGID CORE

A mid-priced product from the Rigid Core Series, Cyrus luxury vinyl plank is available in more than 20 wood-look colors that range from light beiges and light grays to dark browns and dark grays as well as various realistic patterns that range from weathered to modern. The patented locking system makes installing the floating luxury vinyl planks easy. The 7”x48” planks also feature a 5 mm thickness and attached pad, and it includes MSI’s proprietary CrystaLux technology with a 12 mil wearlayer.

XL CYRUS LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION - RIGID CORE

Also running in the mid-price point range is XL Cyrus luxury vinyl tile from MSI’s Rigid Core Series. This collection features the same 20-plus wood looks as the Cyrus collection, but these floating-click planks come in larger sizes at 9”x60”, which may be better suited for larger installations. While they can work for classic, farmhouse, or bungalow interiors, the oversized planks create a cleaner, more streamlined style that’s a perfect fit for modern and industrial looks. They still feature the same 5 mm thickness, attached pad, and 12 mil CrystaLux wearlayer, but their enhanced beveled edges are the high-style details that create an authentic wood look and feel.

ANDOVER LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION - RIGID CORE

Another mid-range priced LVP Rigid Core flooring is Andover. This luxury vinyl plank flooring comes in several color choices in styles like transitional to contemporary coastal, plus it features a thicker 20 mil commercial-grade CrystaLux wearlayer for better protection against everyday spills and scratches. The 7”x48” planks with a 5 mm thickness and enhanced beveled edges for a realistic look and feel also lock into place with the easy-click system and come with a pre-attached backing for quiet comfort underfoot.

PRESCOTT LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION - RIGID CORE

The flagship LVP product from MSI, Prescott from the Rigid Core Series Collection is also the thickest product at 6.5 mm. The 7”x48” planks feature an attached pad and is available in more than 20 colorways, including creamy hues to dove grays to handsome browns. For the cost, you get a thicker 20 mil commercial-grade wearlayer and one of the highest LVP warranties, such as a lifetime limited residential with dent-proof warranty, a 20-year limited light commercial warranty, and a 15-year limited commercial warranty.

EVERLIFE^® DRYBACK SERIES

With even more affordable options, the Dryback Series from MSI’s Everlife^® Collection features flexible glue-down luxury vinyl plank flooring that’s protected against everyday dents, scratches, and stains thanks to MSI’s proprietary CrystaLux wearlayer. These luxurious, cost-effective styles come in a wide range of desirable wood looks and colors and are approved for all grade levels for both residential and commercial installations, so you can add these to different floors like basement levels. However, because they are glue-down products, they are thinner and don’t include an attached backing. Let’s take a look at Katavia, Glenridge, and Wilmont to see which collection could transform your space for less.

KATAVIA LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION – DRYBACK

One of the most affordable glue-down products is Katavia from the Dry Back Series. With several colors in beige to gray to brown, this collection of LVT features wood looks that vary from weathered to refined. The 6”x48” planks with a 2 mm thickness come with a 6 mil CrystaLux wearlayer for added protection.

WILMONT LUXURY VINYL PLANK COLLECTION – DRYBACK

As a medium-priced luxury vinyl tile, Wilmont from the Dry Back Series features thicker and wider planks at 2.5 mm thick 7”x48”, and it comes in several realistic-looking wood styles. For the extra cost, you get the thickest wearlayer of all the Dry Back Series, with a 20 mil commercial-grade CrystaLux wearlayer, and the longest offered warranty of the line, including a lifetime limited residential, 10-year limited light commercial, and 5-year limited commercial.