SPC flooring, also known as Stone Plastic Composite flooring, is the most in popular type of vinyl plank in 2024. At Proximity Mills, we know a lot about SPC products. This type of flooring put us on the map, and we have won multiple awards for our low VOC construction.
In this article we will dive into the pros and cons of SPC flooring, and help you understand everything you need to know before making a purchase decision.
What is SPC Flooring?
Simply put, SPC is a type of vinyl flooring. What makes it unique is it's construction type.The stone composite is more durable compared to other types of vinyl plank flooring such as WPC, which has a wood core composite. The stone composite is generally made of limestone which gives the product extra durability and water resistance. These products can look like wood or tile, but due to the core construction, it much more durable than both.
Pros of SPC Flooring
SPC is exploding in popularity for many reasons, but the two biggest reasons are price and durability. For a fraction of the price of tile or hardwood, you can buy SPC flooring that can be up to 80% cheaper, and much more durable. To the naked eye, it can also look almost identical to those products. The other benefits are:
- DIY friendly: Most of these products can be be click locked together in order to install it. This takes someone that is handy, but not necessarily someone that is an expert in installing flooring. With that said, you should always read the installation guides for each brand as they may recommend different ways of installing to comply with warranties.
- Water Resistant: Because the product has a plastic top wear layer and stone core, it is relatively water resistant. Most SPC products can withstand water being on it for 24-48 hours, but after that the water can soak into the joints and get into the subfloor.
- Comparatively easy to install: As mentioned above, the product is easy to install and for some even DIY friendly. What makes it also easy to install is that you can lay it right on your floor above the old floor. This eliminates the entire process of tearing your previous flooring out, the mess, the time and the cost that goes with it.
- Wide range of prices: It is generally 50-80% cheaper than natural products like tile and hardwood. You can find prices that range anywhere from $.99/sqft to $12/sqft. There is truly a price point for everyone in this category.
- Range of applications: It can be installed in everything from bathrooms to kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms. Many of the products can also be used in residential and commercial settings and some can even be glued down for installation.
- Large variety of designs and colors: Because this floor is a vinyl plank, the top wear layer is digitally printed onto the board. This means that SPC vinyl can be made into almost any color, design and pattern. You can find products that look like wood, tile or even marble. You will find no shortage of designs that can match your room's decor.
Cons of SPC Flooring
- VOCs: Some low quality brands manufacture products that can have VOCs or toxic chemicals. To avoid this make sure you are only buying this product from reputable manufacturers and brands.
- Hard to walk on: Because the product is made with a durable stone core, it is generally harder on your underfoot to walk on. It is definitely not like walking on plush carpet, natural hardwood or even WPC products.
SPC vs WPC
Just like SPC, WPC is a type of vinyl flooring. WPC is different however because it has a Wood Composite Core rather than stone core. Generally speaking, SPC floors are more durable whereas WPC floors are softer and more comfortable to walk on. WPC was extremely popular but now in 2024, SPC is the more popular construction type of vinyl flooring.
Maintenance and Care
Maintaining these floors can be easy, especially compared to other products. We recommend using Bona Pro Luxury vinyl for maintaining and cleaning your floors. You can also use a damp Swiffer to clean the floors for a bit of a deeper clean.
In Summary
In summary, SPC flooring provides homeowners a ton of flexibility. From color to price and durability, this flooring can work for many different applications and households. if you are looking for a hardwood or tile alternative that is more durable and easier to maintain, than SPC flooring is for you.
If you ever have any questions, please reach out to our team of experts. We would love to help you turn your home into a dream home.
