This Is The CORE Difference in Waterproof Floors
WATERPROOF FLOORING IS BECOMING A LARGE PART OF THE FLOORING WORLD TODAY.
Consumers want waterproof floors to incorporate the beautiful look of hardwood floors in areas that are splash prone without the consequence of a ruined floor. Waterproof floors can also resemble stone and tile without grout lines or the fear of cracking or chipping. But not all waterproof floors are created equal.
If you’ve read about waterproof flooring, you’ve probably come across the acronyms SPC and WPC. What’s the difference? Does it matter?
First, both products are 100% waterproof luxury vinyl products waterproof, meaning you can install these floors in your kitchen, basement, or bathroom without worry. They also install well over uneven subfloors and maintain superb durability and underfoot sturdiness. The difference between the two is the composition of the core.
WPC & SPC
WPC stands for wood plastic composite. The core is made from very fine wood dust, a foaming agent that expands with air, and plasticizers to hold it all together. WPC is softer underfoot because of the foaming agent in the core, making it much thicker than SPC vinyl. The thickness of this product also helps with sound absorption and retaining warmth. WPC vinyl has found popularity in the residential sector of flooring more so than the commercial but can be used in either application. However, even though it is a resilient floor type, moderate to heavy traffic in a commercial setting can wear this floor down faster than a SPC vinyl option.
SPC stands for stone plastic composite. Its core is made from a mixture of powdered limestone, polyvinyl chloride, and plasticizers. Since there is no foaming agent, SPC is thinner than WPC with a typical thickness range of 3.2 – 7 millimetres, whereas WPC planks range from 5.5-8 millimetres. With such a compact core, SPC planks are incredibly resistant to indentation from moderate to heavy traffic and heavy furniture. In terms of resistance to heavy use, SPC planks are the preferred choice over WPC in the commercial sector of flooring. This includes places like grocery stores, bathrooms, and commercial kitchens.
CONCLUSION
Both luxury vinyl products are a great choice if you are looking for durability and protection from spills and splashes. Be sure to look for a thicker product for a sturdier feeling underfoot. Something thicker will also be more forgiving if your subfloor is subpar. Selecting the right wear layer thickness is essential as well. For residential purposes, a 12mil wear layer is going to be the number to look for. Unless you have a busy home with a need for extra protection, 20mil would be our suggestion. For commercial purposes, 20mil works for light commercial use like a temporary office space you may only be in for five years. Anything more than that, a wear layer greater than 20mil is going to be the best entry point.
