SPC Flooring: What Exactly Is It?

Since its debut in the 1970s, vinyl plank flooring has continued to soar in popularity amongst all major commercial market segments. In fact, since 2012 alone, Spectra Contract Flooring has installed over 95 million square feet of vinyl flooring coast to coast. From hotels and restaurants to schools, hospitals and more, there is no limit as to where you might find these planks installed. Moreover, with the introduction of rigid core technology, vinyl plank flooring looks to become more dynamic and versatile than ever thanks to products such as SPC. Here, we will discuss what SPC flooring is, how SPC flooring is made, the benefits of choosing SPC vinyl flooring, and a few SPC installation tips to consider.

What Is SPC Flooring?

Short for stone plastic composite, SPC is designed to identically replicate traditional flooring materials such as stone, ceramic, or wood, yet provide many more practical benefits as you will see later on in the article. Using realistic photographic prints along with a clear, vinyl top layer, SPC opens the door to a wide variety of design concepts.

SPC flooring is generally comprised of the four following layers in mind:

Wear Layer — Playing a crucial role in the lifespan of your tiles, this layer uses clear coatings such as aluminum oxide that will keep your floor from rapidly wearing.

Vinyl Top Layer — Certain premium types of SPC come manufactured with realistic, 3D visuals that can be installed to identically resemble stone, ceramic, or wood.

Rigid Core — The core layer is where you get the most bang for your buck. Here, you will find a high density, yet stable waterproof center that provides rigidity and stability to the plank.

Backing Layer — Otherwise known as the flooring’s backbone, this layer provides your planks with added sound installation, as well as being naturally resistant to mold and mildew.

The Benefits of Choosing SPC Vinyl Flooring

Easy installation

SPC can be easily installed in two ways, either with glue or with a loose-lay floor. Using newer loose-lay systems makes it possible to use SPC with minimal surface preparation. With this solution, flooring installation costs, as well as installation time, can be reduced.

Waterproof

One of the biggest benefits of choosing SPC flooring is that it is completely waterproof. Due to its rigid, PVC core layer, these planks can withstand liquids and spills unlike many of the flooring products that it mimics.

Style and Comfort

SPC has a softer surface than other flooring materials such as wood or stone. It is also more comfortable underfoot and sound-reducing, which is a very important trait for many facilities.

Environmentally Friendly

Choosing SPC can help your facility earn LEED certification, as many of the materials used in its production are those of renewable products, recyclable content, and low-emitting materials.

Budget

Want flooring that is waterproof, scratch, stain a fade-resistant, yet won’t break the bank?  Look no further. SPC vinyl flooring is generally less expensive than the luxury floors that it mimics such as hardwood or stone.