- Both tie warranty length to wear layer: 20 mil gets lifetime, and 12 mil gets 25–30 years.
- Mohawk's lifetime warranties are pro-rated: full coverage early on, then shrinking over time.
- Shaw covers water only if it doesn't flow over the edge of the floor.
- Mohawk wants visible defects reported within 15 days, before install. Once it's installed, it's considered accepted.
Side by side
| Mohawk (SolidTech, RevWood) | Shaw (Floorte, Repel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl warranty by wear layer | 12 mil: 25 yrs · 20 mil: lifetime (SolidTech Select) | 12 mil: 30 yrs · 20 mil: lifetime (Floorte) |
| Pro-rated? | Yes. E.g. 100% in years 1–7, then stepping down | Not stated in the parts we read |
| Water | Topical only. RevWood Plus waterproof only with the required sealant | Topical only, if water doesn't flow over the edge |
| Laminate | RevWood (laminate wood-look) | Repel: "water resistant, not waterproof" |
| Transferable? | No | No |
| Report defects | In writing within 15 days, before install | Material only if a defective product is installed anyway |
What to do with this
- Open a few boxes and inspect before installing, for any brand. Installing is often treated as accepting the product.
- Pick 20 mil if you want the longest coverage.
- For RevWood, make sure the sealant step is done, or the waterproof coverage doesn't apply.
Several of these documents are US versions. Check the Canadian warranty for your exact product. Sources: Mohawk · Shaw.
Common questions
Is Mohawk's lifetime warranty pro-rated?
Yes. The SolidTech warranty we read pays 100% in the first years and steps down over time, to 10% after year 20.
Does Shaw Floorte cover water damage?
It covers topical water as long as the water doesn't flow over the edge of the floor surface. Subfloor moisture and hydrostatic pressure aren't covered.
Is Shaw Repel laminate waterproof?
Shaw's Repel warranty describes it as water resistant, not waterproof.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.