07/10/2023
SPC Vs. WPC Vinyl Flooring: What’s The Difference?
by What Is Vinyl
Are you having trouble choosing between SPC and WPC vinyl flooring? You are not alone. Many homeowners often experience the same difficulty, particularly because, on the surface, both floors look typically the same. But once they dig a little deeper into the core structure of each flooring, they get to learn some key disparities between the floors that help them choose more wisely.
Eager to find out what these differences are? This article compares SPC vs WPC vinyl flooring and highlights some of the aspects that make each floor type a better option than the other. Read on.
Table of Contents [hide]
What Do SPC and WPC Stand for?
SPC Vinyl Flooring
WPC Vinyl Flooring
Differences Between SPC and WPC Vinyl Flooring
SPC vs. WPC Vinyl Flooring: Which Flooring Is Better?
When to Select SPC or WPC Vinyl Flooring
Tips for Buying SPC and WPC Flooring
The Takeaway
What Do SPC And WPC Stand For?
SPC vs. WPC Vinyl Flooring
Before we discuss how these two floor types differ from each other, it is important that we understand what the initials stand for and, importantly, how each floor is constructed.
SPC Vinyl Flooring
SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite or Stone Polymer Composite. The flooring has a rigid core made of limestone (calcium carbonate), plasticizers, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
SPC vinyl floors consist of five layers – UV coating that prevents them from discoloration from the sun, wear layer that makes them stain– and scratch-resistant, vinyl layer usually printed with different colors and patterns, SPC core made of limestone, PVC, and stabilizers, and a base layer. These floors are dense, sturdy, quiet, and dimensionally stable.
WPC Vinyl Flooring
WPC is short for Wood Plastic Composite and its core comprises of recycled wood or wood-like materials, PVC, plasticizers, calcium carbonate, and a foaming agent.
Like SPC, the WPC flooring is made of five layers, namely; UV protection, wear and tear layer, printed vinyl layer, WPC core, and the backing padded layer. These layers enhance comfort and style while offering protection against dents and ultraviolet rays.
Differences Between SPC And WPC Vinyl Flooring
As stated, SPC and WPC vinyl floors are very similar. Both are waterproof, easy to install, and are built to stand the test of time. But there are some things that make one flooring option more superior to the other as discussed below and shown in this video. For example:
Comfort
When it comes to comfort and how the floors feel underfoot, WPC seems to hold all the cards. Sure, the limestone composite core in SPCs makes these floors strong and stable, but it also does make them feel cool underfoot, and because of this, some people may find them a little uncomfortable.
Also, SPC flooring is usually thinner, with most planks ranging between 3 mm and 7 mm thick, and this plays a huge role in determining their level of comfort. WPC planks are usually between 5 mm and 8 mm thick, which makes them feel more cushioned when walked on.
In addition, because WPC floors have a wooden core, they don’t get as cold as SPCs. They retain heat much better, making them feel more comfortable underneath your feet.
Resilience And Durability
Both SPC and WPC vinyl floors can withstand daily abuse and last for many years. The thick wood-like core in WPCs will usually keep the planks quieter when stepped on, but will not be as dense as the stone core in SPCs. As such, SPC floors will be far much durable than their WPC counterparts.