What is SPC Flooring?

SPC flooring has become a popular choice for both domestic and commercial settings. This advanced type of flooring is exceptionally durable and backed by a range of impressive features.

So, what exactly is SPC Flooring and is it right for your home or office?

Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) flooring contains a resilient core layer. It is considered an upgrade of engineered wood flooring, offering a stylish and stable flooring solution. The core is typically made from a mixture of polyvinyl chloride, stabilisers, and natural limestone powder.

You will find that once installed, SPC flooring looks just like engineered wood or solid wood flooring. It is made up of four different layers including a wear layer, vinyl layer, SPC layer, and a pre-attached underlay.

How is SPC Flooring Manufactured?

The layers used to make up SPC vinyl plank flooring contribute towards its durable, realistic design. Let’s take a look at the different layers in a little more detail…

Underlayer – Starting from the bottom up, SPC floors contain a pre-attached underlayer. This consists of either foam or cork, and it helps to add comfort to the floor, as well as reduce noise.

SPC core – Arguably the most important layer of SPC flooring is its solid core. This is made from a mixture of stabilisers and limestone, giving the floor a sturdy and durable core.

Vinyl topcoat – To ensure the floor is waterproof, a vinyl topcoat layer is applied. This is a thin layer of vinyl that includes a photographic layer to produce the floor’s realistic looks.

Wear layer – Above the vinyl layer, a transparent wear layer is included. This helps to make the floors suitable for high-traffic areas.

UV coating – A UV coating is applied at the very top of the planks and tiles to prevent the floor from fading over time.

Combined together, the layers of SPC flooring make it one of the most durable and practical flooring types on the market.

What are the Benefits of SPC Flooring?

There are a lot of benefits you can expect to experience when you invest in SPC flooring. Known for its 100% waterproof design, these floors are some of the most durable on the market.

You can install SPC flooring in any room, including high-moisture areas. They are also really easy to install, particularly the ones that come with snap installation. They can be placed over a wide range of subfloors and the addition of the pre-attached underlay speeds up the process.

Although more expensive than luxury vinyl flooring, SPC floors are generally cheaper than engineered wood. They also require less maintenance and offer a generous lifespan. This ensures you get excellent value for money.

There are hundreds of designs to choose from. This ensures there is an SPC floor to suit all interiors. Some are made to look like real wood, while others feature a stone or tile effect. No matter what design you are looking for, you will find a complementary SPC floor to match your preferences.

Finally, SPC flooring offers exceptional comfort. Its thicker design makes it more comfortable and stable underfoot than some other types of flooring. You will also find them quieter to walk over thanks to their dense layers.

What are the Features of SPC?

Consider SPC to be a cross between LVT and laminate flooring, with the same ease of installation, diversity of options, and durability as WPC. SPC is a cost-effective way to update your home, whether you choose traditional, rustic, eclectic, or a blend of styles.

Core SPC Vinyl Flooring Material

Generally, SPC flooring consists of 4 layers which are the backing layer, core, printed design layer, and top with a wear layer. SPC floor has an abrasion layer, decor paper layer, and SPC core board layer. As the name goes, SPC flooring uses solid SPC as the material for the core layer. Solid SPC has high density which makes it tough enough to sustain heavy foot traffic, durable, and of course water-resistant.

SPC is Water Resistant

Water resistance is strong in luxury SPC flooring. This is why SPC flooring is suitable for use in wet spaces such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Some low-quality or improperly built SPC flooring, on the other hand, may not be able to tolerate moisture as well as luxury SPC flooring. Moisture collects between the cracks, in this case, causing odour and mould growth.

So, first and foremost, determine the goal of your flooring installation. If at all feasible, choose a type of SPC flooring that is water resistant.

Easy Installation

When it comes to installation, SPC floors are generally one of the easiest types to install yourself. They tend to come with a click system, though there are other SPC installation methods you can follow. Check out our guide on how to install SPC flooring to learn everything there is to know.

Even if you need to install SPC designer strips, we have a useful guide you can follow that makes it easy to do it yourself.

The Thickness of SPC Planks

SPC flooring comes in various thicknesses, ranging from 1.5mm to 5mm. SPC flooring for heavy-duty applications typically has a thickness of up to 5 mm and a thicker wear layer.

Durability

SPC flooring is often more durable, hence it comes with a longer warranty. So don't be shocked if some high-quality SPC flooring comes with a 10-to-20-year or even longer warranty!

Termite Resistance Properties

SPC flooring is 100% termite resistant since it is made without the use of any wood. As a result, you do not need to be concerned about termite infestations such as woodworm.

Noise Reduction Properties

The core of an SPC plants/tile is made of solid material. This thick, durable core helps to reduce noise and makes walking more pleasant. However, you should always remember that SPC flooring comes in a wide range of qualities. A strong core may not always be present in low-quality SPC flooring. Of course, this means that a less durable SPC core will have less soundproofing.

Cleaning & Maitaining SPC

Sweeping and wet mopping can be used to clean SPC flooring. Even though it's water resistant, you don't want any moisture or water to get through the seam. As a result, you should avoid wetting the floor or steam cleaning it. Stains, UV radiation, and direct heat contact should all be avoided if you want to maintain it in good form for a long period.

Temperature-Resistant Stability

SPC vinyl tiles will stay stable in contexts where temperatures are susceptible to fluctuate, such as spaces with air conditioning or heating systems, owing to the ultra-durable SPC core.

Affordability

SPC vinyl flooring is typically a cost-effective flooring alternative that is often very budget-friendly. While the price of your SPC vinyl floor tiles will vary depending on whether you opt for optional under layers, SPC vinyl flooring is typically a cost-effective flooring alternative that is often very budget-friendly.

What are the Disadvantages of SPC Flooring?

Now you know more about SPC flooring and its benefits, the question is are there any downsides to be aware of? Like all types of flooring, there are some disadvantages to installing SPC flooring. However, the pros outweigh the cons.

One of the disadvantages is that they won’t add significant value to the home. Buyers still prefer real hardwood flooring. So, if you are adding new flooring before you sell, you might want to consider hardwood flooring to add value to the property.

The other disadvantage is that it isn’t as eco-friendly as some other flooring types. However, with that being said, modern SPC floors are being constructed with an eco-friendlier design. These are the only two disadvantages of the flooring to be aware of.

Where can SPC Flooring be Installed?

As SPC floors are fully waterproof, they can be installed in any place in the home. This includes bathrooms, conservatories, kitchens, and utility rooms, where real wood flooring wouldn’t be suitable.

Thanks to their excellent durability, SPC floors can also be installed in commercial environments.

SPC Feature Design Strips

Feature strips are designed to look like grout or to add a nice plank separation effect to vinyl planks. However, design feature strips are only optional for LVT flooring, typically glue-down luxury vinyl tiles. There are no imitation grout strips currently available to install with SPC

Stories Flooring has an outstanding range of SPC flooring. Browse the full range available today to see which design best matches your chosen space.