Why SPC Flooring
SPC flooring, also known as rigid core or engineered vinyl flooring, is a luxury vinyl plank or tile flooring with a core made of a stone-plastic composite. It is manufactured in four or five layers, depending on whether the backing is foam or cork, with the backing often added for comfort and insulation.
The SPC core, which is typically 3.2- to 7-millimeters thick, is produced by combining limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizers. The SPC flooring is thinner than typical WPC flooring because stone is denser than wood. Due to the limestone core, SPC floors are durable and typically come with warranty periods of around 25 years.
Like rigid core flooring, SPC flooring has its pros and cons. Pros include easy installation without the need for glue or nails, durability with a wear layer that protects the design layer, comfort with underlayment cushioning, and a wide range of design options. The cons include the fact that it still looks like vinyl, colors may fade over time, it is scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof, and once it loses its luster, it cannot be refinished.
Compared to WPC flooring, SPC flooring is more stable, more impact-resistant, and less expensive. However, SPC flooring has a thinner core layer, making it less comfortable to walk on and providing less thermal and sound insulation. These issues can be remedied by installing an underlayment first.
SPC flooring is less expensive than real hardwood or stone tile, with the national average for rigid core flooring, including SPC and WPC options, being around $4 per square foot. It can also be cheaper than laminate flooring, which typically costs from $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, but is not as durable, long-lasting, or comfortable. Professional installation costs for SPC flooring are similar to laminate flooring, at around $3 to $8 per square foot.
Installation of SPC flooring is easy, as the planks or tiles snap together to form a floating floor, with no glue required. SPC flooring can be installed over many other types of flooring, including hardwood, vinyl, and some types of tile, but the subfloor must be flat, and an underlayment is recommended if the product being installed does not have one. Finally, baseboards must be installed to hold the flooring down.
The SPC core, which is typically 3.2- to 7-millimeters thick, is produced by combining limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizers. The SPC flooring is thinner than typical WPC flooring because stone is denser than wood. Due to the limestone core, SPC floors are durable and typically come with warranty periods of around 25 years.
Like rigid core flooring, SPC flooring has its pros and cons. Pros include easy installation without the need for glue or nails, durability with a wear layer that protects the design layer, comfort with underlayment cushioning, and a wide range of design options. The cons include the fact that it still looks like vinyl, colors may fade over time, it is scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof, and once it loses its luster, it cannot be refinished.
Compared to WPC flooring, SPC flooring is more stable, more impact-resistant, and less expensive. However, SPC flooring has a thinner core layer, making it less comfortable to walk on and providing less thermal and sound insulation. These issues can be remedied by installing an underlayment first.
SPC flooring is less expensive than real hardwood or stone tile, with the national average for rigid core flooring, including SPC and WPC options, being around $4 per square foot. It can also be cheaper than laminate flooring, which typically costs from $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, but is not as durable, long-lasting, or comfortable. Professional installation costs for SPC flooring are similar to laminate flooring, at around $3 to $8 per square foot.
Installation of SPC flooring is easy, as the planks or tiles snap together to form a floating floor, with no glue required. SPC flooring can be installed over many other types of flooring, including hardwood, vinyl, and some types of tile, but the subfloor must be flat, and an underlayment is recommended if the product being installed does not have one. Finally, baseboards must be installed to hold the flooring down.