Luxury Vinyl Flooring is a new segment in resilient flooring. It has been in the market for about five years and in that time we’ve seen quality improve and the applications increase. Ultimately, LVF has become an important flooring category because of its versatility – it works in both residential and commercial segments such as retail, hospitality, corporate, healthcare and education.
LVF includes Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP), Wood Polymer or Polymer Composite (WPC), and Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) flooring.
Note – you’ll also hear the terms multi-layer flooring and rigid core products to describe this category.
Wood Polymer Composite Flooring (WPC)
WPC is a Polymer Core that is lighter in weight. It includes air pockets in the core which can create indentations in the product from furniture and heavy objects. It doesn’t require acclimation before installing and is not recommended for direct sunlight or sunrooms.
Stone Polymer Composite Flooring (SPC)
SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite, a limestone core combined with PVC dust and a stabilizer. As a result, it’s denser due to the core being 60-70% limestone with a 30% PVC core fused together. Often referred to as rigid core, SPC is 10X more impact resistant than WPC. It’s also more stable to sunlight, can be installed in sunrooms, and has better scratch resistance compared to WPC.
The elastic SPC core is finished with a decorative and protective UV film to create a beautiful and strong flooring.
The Benefits of Stone Polymer Composite Flooring
Let’s focus next on the benefits associated with this flooring product. Did you know that SPC flooring is:
Waterproof
Pet-proof
Kid-proof
Perfect for humid environments
Highly fire resistant
Requires no acclimation
DIY installation – can be replaced at any time, without producing dust or waste
No dye lots to consider on a job
Soundproof thanks to a pad on the back of the SPC
It includes a warranty for residential and light commercial and offers easy care and maintenance. Simply sweep or mop for easy cleanup.
What Constitutes the Layers of SPC Flooring?
The product is created in layers as follows from the bottom up:
EVA Foam Pad for better sound absorption and excellent underfoot feeling
High-Density Rigid Stone Core to prevent expansion and contraction of the flooring, cover sub-floor imperfections
High Definition Decorative Paper for the realistic design and look of the piece
Wear Resistant Transparent Layer to restore the authentic color and embossing, protecting it from abrasion
UV Ceramic Bead Top Layer to ensure superior stain-resistant and water-proof performance, saving maintenance costs.