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Luxury Vinyl Flooring Solutions in Denver, CO

Whether you’ve recently purchased flooring or worked in the flooring business, you’ve noticed the tremendous rush of vinyl flooring alternatives that have inundated the market in recent years. While vinyl flooring is not a new product category, many of its most recent iterations are. You may be acquainted with acronyms such as VCT (vinyl composite tile) or LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Still, every manufacturer appears to love to develop new words and acronyms with each product introduction. There has traditionally been no consensus on what those acronyms truly signify. The acronyms WPC and SPC are two instances of this.

At A+ Hardwood Floors, we’ll go over in-depth the difference between WPC and SPC flooring and which you should choose for your Denver home. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our expert team, give us a call.

vinyl flooring

Different Assembly Processes

The main distinction between WPC and SPC assembly is the LVT top and expanded polymer core. A luxury vinyl veneer is laid on top of the Expandable polymer core board, and a core underlayment is bonded at the base for sound absorption and greater comfort underfoot.

SPC, which stands for Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite, has a core made up of 60% calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride, and plasticizers.

On the other hand, WPC is an acronym that stands for Wood Plastic (or Polymer) Composite. Polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, foaming agent, and wood-like or wood products such as wood flour are common components. Producers of WPC, which was initially termed after the wood materials it was made of, are progressively substituting wood-like plasticizers for the different wood ingredients.

WPC and SPC have a similar composition, except SPC has significantly more calcium carbonate (limestone) than WPC, which is where the “S” in SPC comes from; it has a stone composition.

Aesthetics

In terms of designs, there isn’t much of a distinction between SPC and WPC. SPC and WPC tiles and planks that imitate wood, stone, ceramic, marble, and distinctive finishes are easy to make aesthetically and texturally with today’s digital printing technology.

Besides style possibilities, new developments in formatting options have been introduced. SPC and WPC flooring may be manufactured in a number of configurations, including as larger or longer planks and broader tiles. Multi-length and width combinations packaged in the same carton are increasingly becoming common.

Durability

SPC and WPC flooring are made up of many layers of backing that are fused together, similar to dryback luxury vinyl flooring (the classic sort of luxury vinyl that requires an adhesive to install). Yet, unlike dryback flooring, both flooring alternatives have a stiff core and are a more durable product overall.

Because SPC’s core layer is made of limestone, it has a greater density than WPC while being thinner overall. This makes it more durable than WPC. Its high density provides superior resistance to scratches or dents caused by heavy things or furniture put on top of it, and it is less prone to expansion in extreme temperature changes.

One thing to keep in mind is that while SPC and WPC are sometimes marketed as waterproof, they are really water resistant. Since neither product is completely waterproof if submerged underwater, minor spills or moisture should not be a problem if cleaned promptly.

Common Applications

Because of their endurance, rigid core solutions like WPC and SPC were initially developed for commercial applications. Yet, due to its durability, flexibility in design, and convenience of installation, the rigid core is now being used by homeowners. Because certain SPC and WPC products have different warranties for commercial and light commercial usage, it is important to remember that you should always check with the manufacturer to find out which guarantee is applicable.

In addition to having a simple click locking mechanism that is straightforward to install, SPC and WPC also have the benefit of requiring minimal subfloor preparation before installation. Although it is usually a good idea to install on a flat surface, floor flaws like cracks or divots are more readily concealed with SPC or WPC flooring because of their rigid core composition.

Comfort

Because of the foaming agent that it often contains, WPC is less thick than SPC and generally more pleasant underfoot. This makes WPC particularly suitable for settings where workers or clients are frequently on the move.

Although many manufacturers offer acoustic backing that may be applied to SPC flooring, WPC flooring offers better walking comfort and sound absorption than SPC flooring does. For environments where noise reduction is crucial, such as schools or offices, WPC or SPC with acoustic backing is perfect.

Price Differences

SPC and WPC flooring are comparable in cost, while SPC is frequently a little less expensive. As none requires the use of an adhesive and both are simple to install thanks to their click locking systems, both have comparable installation costs overall. Finally, this contributes to a reduction in installation time and expense.

There isn’t a single product that stands out as being superior in every way. There are numerous parallels and important distinctions between WPC and SPC. Although WPC may feel cozier and quieter underfoot, SPC has a higher density. The best product to choose will mostly rely on the project’s or space’s specific flooring requirements.

Other Differences

The main difference between SPC and WPC is their cores. The main attraction for both WPC flooring and rigid core flooring is the waterproof core. Wood plastic composite is used to provide a core for a WPC. To boost comfort and resilience, a foaming agent has been added to the core. Stone plastic composite is used to create an SPC core in the meantime. The stone is less flexible and more rigid. The SPC’s core is stronger and more robust since no foaming agent has been added to it.

SPC is frequently utilized for high-traffic commercial locations because it is so strong, unyielding, and practically unbreakable. Because of its stiff core, it is also less likely to dent, which is advantageous in places with a lot of heavy furniture or traffic.

WPC flooring is similar to a plush, opulent residential carpet, whereas SPC rigid core is more comparable to a commercial carpet if you were to compare these various possibilities to other types of carpet. Both are excellent at what they do, but one is more comfortable, and the other is sturdier.

Let’s Get Started

Locally owned and managed for more than 25 years, A+ Hardwood Flooring offers high-quality hardwood floor installation and services across the Denver metro region. We have a large showroom with pre-finished flooring, eco-friendly flooring, and bespoke stains for repairs. We also sell LVT and cleaning and maintenance supplies for all of our dark hardwood flooring. Call 303-477-9110 to speak with one of our helpful professionals about your upcoming remodel.