WPC and SPC are two of the fastest-growing flooring products on the market. They’re tough as nails, waterproof, easy to install, and available and a huge range of colors and styles. They’re quiet underfoot and can come with premium attached padding for extra installation convenience. Both of these vinyl flooring materials are great for busy households with kids and pets.
 
They can be grouped together under the umbrella term Rigid Core; they’re the closest thing on the market to a waterproof laminate floor.
 
So, what’s the difference between WPC and SPC? How are they different from flexible luxury vinyl? Read on to find out.
 

What Is WPC Flooring?

 
WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite, a hybrid material composed of wood or wood flour and plastic. It’s sometimes called Wood Plastic Core or Waterproof Core, but the WPC remains consistent. It’s a 100% phthalates free virgin material.
 

A plank of WPC vinyl is most often comprised of four layers:

 
• Transparent wear layer for extra protection
• Decorative vinyl that flawlessly mimics genuine hardwood or stone
• Waterproof WPC core
• Attached underlayment

What is SPC Flooring?

 
SPC flooring is distinguished by its heavy-duty core. SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite or Stone Polymer Composite; instead of wood this core contains limestone powder. It’s also a 100% phthalates free virgin material.
 

A plank of SPC vinyl is most often comprised of four layers:

 
• Transparent wear layer
• Decorative vinyl that flawlessly mimics genuine hardwood or stone
• Waterproof SPC core
• Attached underlayment
 
Just like with WPC, the number of layers in rigid core can vary based on the manufacturer, but four tends to be a reliable benchmark.

In other words, the main structural difference between WPC and SPC comes down to what their cores are made of. WPC’s core contains foaming agents and insulators that warm the floor’s feeling while increasing comfort underfoot. SPC doesn’t contain any foam, so the core is harder. It’s great for commercial environments with heavy foot traffic like retail stores and restaurants.

How Are WPC and SPC Different From Luxury Vinyl?

 
Once again we return to the core (sorry not sorry for the pun) of the issue, in this case core flexibility.
 
Where WPC and SPCs are rigid, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are both flexible plank waterproof flooring materials.

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David is has written and made videos about flooring products and installation since 2011 at Floors To Your Home (.com), where he is also the PPC Manager, a Researcher, a Website & Marketing Strategy Team member, Videographer, Social Strategist, Photographer and all around Resource Jito. In my spare time I shoot and edit video, put together a podcast, explore film history, and mix music (as in ‘play with Beatles multi-tracks’). Connect with  W. David Lichty

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