SPC flooring has taken the home improvement world by storm, but is it all sunshine and rainbows? Before you hop on the SPC bandwagon, let's peel back the layers and explore both the good and the not-so-good of this popular flooring option.

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The Allure of SPC:

• Effortless Beauty: SPC flooring boasts a wide range of realistic wood-look and stone designs, allowing you to create a stunning and stylish look for your home.
• Durability Champion: Highly resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture, SPC flooring can handle the daily wear and tear of busy households.
• Low-Maintenance Marvel: Unlike some natural materials, SPC flooring requires minimal upkeep. Simple cleaning keeps it looking its best.
• Easy Does It: Installation is often a breeze with SPC's click-lock system, making it a DIY-friendly option for many homeowners.

Beyond the Hype: SPC Considerations

• Not So Solid: While durable, SPC flooring can't compete with the sheer strength of some natural materials like stone. Heavy objects may cause damage.
• Comfort Considerations: SPC flooring can feel slightly colder underfoot compared to some materials like wood.
• Listen Up: Depending on the underlayment used, SPC flooring can have a slightly hollow sound when walked on.
• The VOC Question: Some SPC flooring options may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during installation. Look for low-VOC or VOC-free options.

What is SPC Flooring?

Looking for a waterproof, ultra-durable flooring option that conquers any level? Look no further than SPC flooring, the reigning champion of rigid core luxury vinyl!

What Makes SPC the King of Toughness?

• Rock-Solid Core: Unlike some vinyl floors, SPC boasts a core made from stone plastic or stone polymer composite (hence the name!). This innovative core is what gives SPC its incredible strength and stability.
• Built to Last: Say goodbye to warping and wobbling! SPC flooring can handle uneven subfloors with ease, making it perfect for any level of your home.

The All-Level Flooring Champion:

• Basement? No Problem! SPC's waterproof core makes it ideal for basements, where moisture concerns are a real issue.
• High-Traffic Hero: From busy kitchens to active playrooms, SPC flooring can handle even the most demanding areas.
• Kitchen Confidence: Spills and splashes? No worries! SPC's waterproof nature makes it a dream for kitchens and bathrooms.

But wait, there's more! In addition to its unmatched durability, SPC flooring also offers a range of other benefits:

• Effortless Beauty: Enjoy a wide selection of stunning wood-look and stone designs to create a stylish and sophisticated space.
• Low-Maintenance Marvel: Say goodbye to high-maintenance floors! SPC requires minimal upkeep to keep it looking its best.
• DIY Delight: The click-lock installation system makes SPC flooring a breeze to install, even for DIY enthusiasts.

Advantages of SPC Flooring

Advantages 1: Wide Range Of Style And Selections

This huge variation of styles gives you abundant freedom to create the pattern and arrangement you like. If you are a risk-taker, have fun mix-and-match with different colors to create your desired look. Just let your creativity flow!

Advantages 2: Real Wood-like Design

A timeless design mimicking the beauty of nature is, in fact, what makes SPC flooring so popular. Some brands can even achieve the real-wood likeliness that is difficult to tell the difference from far. You can proudly say that it is a ‘wood' flooring without all the drawbacks of real wood. Isn't it wonderful?

Advantages 3: Budget-Friendly

Generally, SPC flooring is way more affordable than hardwood flooring, yet it provides the same natural wood-look effect you desire. The installation cost is also inexpensive. You can even save up the labor cost by doing the installation yourself. Needless to say, it is definitely an alternative to expensive wood flooring.

Advantages 4: Able To Sustain High Traffic

Don't be surprised that SPC flooring is able to handle high-traffic activity better than other types of flooring. In fact, this feature is one of the main reasons why SPC flooring is so popular. It can sustain lots of foot traffic, which is suitable for large families or active people.

Advantages 5: Durable And Long-lasting

Don't be surprised to find SPC flooring can actually last over 20 years if it's well-maintained. The quality range of SPC and ways of manufacture determine how well your SPC flooring lasts. Speaking of quality, here are the SPC materials with a prominent durable feature that you should not miss.

• Solid and composite SPCs: These are homogeneous SPCs that are highly resistant to scratches and surface damage.
• Fiber-glass reinforced SPC: It is one of the most durable types as fiber-glass is great for its strength and flexibility. This type of SPC material is extremely durable and able to sustain heavy-duty usage.

Advantages 6: Not easily stained and scratched

SPC flooring is extremely durable and able to sustain a high-traffic environment. These features allow it to be widely used in commercial areas like offices, retail shops, and restaurants.

Pet lovers shouldn't be worried about your flooring as it is also not easily stained and scratched.

Not just that, certain brands provide years of warranty for it, which makes it even more ideal for both residential and commercial purposes.

Advantages 7: Sound Proof

These special features absorb noise from outside, helping make your surroundings a peaceful and serene place to stay. By reducing indoor noise, you will not have to worry if your neighbors are affected by any noise.

Advantages 8: Stain Resistant

There is one type of SPC flooring that is famously known for being stain-resistant. It's the printed SPC tiles or sheets. The theory behind this is the wear layer on the SPC surface that acts as a protective barrier against spillage and stains.

Since not all type of SPC flooring has strong stain-resistant, you might want to avoid composite or solid SPC if this feature is your main concern.

Advantages 9: Water-Resistant

Well-installed SPC flooring is almost seamless, which makes it difficult for water to sip in. As it is a water-resistant material, this interesting benefit allows it to be installed in almost every area of your house, including the bathroom and laundry area.

Advantages 10: Easy To Clean And Maintain

If you are not a homemaker or have little time for house chores, you might need SPC flooring. Sweeping and damp mopping occasionally will be sufficient to keep your house clean.

Even if you find any damaged pieces or tiles, you can simply replace each individual piece without having to remove the entire flooring. You will soon find that maintaining the condition of SPC flooring is much easier than other types of flooring.

Disadvantages of SPC Flooring

Disadvantages 1: No Extra Resale Value Added

Many might thought that installing SPC flooring in your property will help elevate the resale value. But here's the cold harsh truth… unlike hardwood flooring, SPC flooring is not providing any extra value if you plan to resell your property.

Disadvantages 2: Difficult To Remove Once Installed

You will need time and patience if you are planning to remove the installed SPC flooring yourself. Depending on the type of SPC flooring installed, removing the adhesive type would definitely cause you a mess.

Disadvantages 3: Susceptible To Sharp Objects

Heavy furniture, pet paws, sand, or any sharp objects will leave scratches and abrasions on the SPC flooring surface.

Extra care is needed when it comes to contact with sharp and abrasive objects. Always cover SPC flooring with a layer of felt, mat, or rugs to keep your flooring surface smooth.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of SPC Flooring Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Disadvantages 4: Sensitive To Moisture

Don't be confused. Not all SPC flooring is sensitive to moisture. However, SPC flooring of lower grade may swell or discolor when contact with moisture in a long term. Moisture that traps under the SPC floor will encourage the growth of mold and causing odor.

However, there is some type of SPC flooring suitable to be installed in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Just check with your SPC flooring supplier on its functionality before making any purchase.

Disadvantages 5: Unable to Be Refinished Or Repaired

Despite that SPC flooring is generally known for its high durability, some low-quality SPC flooring is easier to wear out or tear. Once it's damaged, it is difficult to repair and the worst is no refinishing work can be done. The only option is to have that particular piece replaced.

SPC tile or plank is much easier to replace compared to SPC sheet in most cases. So you should definitely take this into consideration before choosing the type of SPC flooring that best fits your use.

Is SPC Flooring a Good Choice?

If durability, longevity, and ease of installation are important, SPC flooring is a great choice. This luxury vinyl flooring can reproduce the look of natural materials without the extra cost and upkeep. However, if you are looking to add value to your home, natural stone such as marble, quartz, or granite flooring is a better choice. 

SPC flooring offers numerous advantages, making it a popular choice for homeowners. Its wide range of styles and selections, real wood-like design, and budget-friendly nature make it a versatile and attractive flooring option.

SPC flooring is durable, able to sustain high traffic, and can last over 20 years with proper maintenance. It is resistant to stains, scratches, and is water-resistant, making it suitable for various areas, including bathrooms and kitchens.

Additionally, it provides soundproofing qualities, making the surroundings peaceful. Cleaning and maintenance are easy, requiring only occasional sweeping and damp mopping.

The pros and cons of SPC flooring

Not all flooring is made equally and there is no single superior type of material. The right flooring for you will depend on your budget, features that are a priority to you, the overall look, and where you plan to install it. Here we will break down the pros and cons of SPC flooring so you can make an informed decision on whether it is the right material for your project.

Evolution of flooring

Before we dive in, it’s helpful to look at the brief history of wood flooring and the drivers behind the innovation in materials. Real hardwood flooring is the real deal and is still very popular. It can be easily sanded down and refinished, giving it a long life span. However, it is costly to purchase, install and maintain, requiring a certain level of humidity to prevent cracking. The demands on wood as a natural resource are also very high.

The industry begged for lower maintenance, cheaper version of solid hardwood floors so engineered hardwood was born. This solution helped with lowering maintenance and care for the floors but was still fairly expensive for consumers.

Then came laminate floors – a wood particle blend with an image layer on top to mimic the look of hardwood. As high-definition prints and embossing techniques continue to improve the look of laminate, the biggest problem is its tendency to swell with moisture.

Porcelain tile caught onto this desire for wood-looking floors so there has been an increasing trend in wood-like tile. Tile is great because it’s very durable and water resistant but is cold to the touch and the rock-hard surface can be tough on the feet. Tile also has a more complex installation requiring mortar and grout.

A luxury vinyl tile (LVT) was the next big thing. LVT is vinyl constructed into planks to mimic a wood-looking floor and is waterproof, which solves the problem with laminate. It is cheaper to install with both floating floor click-system or glue-down options but can shrink or buckle with cold and heat.

This leads us to the latest innovation in wood-like flooring – SPC.

What is SPC flooring?

SPC flooring, which stands for Stone Plastic Composite, is the latest innovative material in the flooring world. It is a premium type of LVT that is 100% waterproof and a much more stable material than traditional LVT.

The core of SPC multi-layered floor planks is created from a stone powder and PVC plastic combination that produces an incredibly durable dent-resistant material that doesn’t expand and contract with environmental changes.

One of the most significant advantages of SPC is that it is commonly installed with a click style system that is significantly faster to install than traditional tiles – making it a DIY homeowner favorite. No glue or nails are required to install, simply cut to size and click in place. Although it lacks some durability compared to traditional tiles, the speed of installation drives down the labor cost so significantly that it makes a great flooring option.

What are the various layers that makeup SPC flooring?

While it ranges depending on the manufacturer, SPC planks are generally made up of the following layers:

UV layer – Ensures stain-resistance, waterproof performance, and prevents fading.

Wear layer – Restores the authentic color and embossing, protecting it from abrasion.

Decorative layer – This is the printed wood-looking pattern.

SPC Core – Durable rigid core of plank that doesn’t expand and contract with shifts in temperature or humidity

Bottom layer – This May be cork or foam backing material that gives some cushioning for a more comfortable underfoot.

Pros and Cons of SPC flooring

Pros:

• 100% Waterproof
• Low installation cost – cheap to do yourself or save significantly on labor and materials for a professional install. Tile usually costs between $5-10/sq ft to get professionally installed whereas SPC is $1.50-2/sq ft.
• Easy installation – click system is easy to do with minimal tools, wait time, and effort
• Looks great – there are endless options of patterns, colors, and grains to get the precise look and shade you want
• Some are radiant heating compatible
• Environmentally friendly – avoiding the use of real wood protects the earth’s natural resources and it can be recycled
• Safe, better air quality – it is free from dangerous chemicals typically found in floorings such as formaldehyde, glues, benzene, and phthalates
• Some soundproofing – The multi-layered composition of materials provides some natural sound-proofing
• Warranty – SPC generally comes with great manufacture warranties, where the length of warranty generally increases with the thickness of the wear layer and the core of the planks

Cons:

• Not super scratch resistant. While the core is highly durable, the wear layer on top can show noticeable scratches with excessive use. It’s very suitable for regular use in a residential home and light commercial use but is not recommended for high-traffic commercial spaces.
• Thinner material doesn’t have as much cushioning underfoot, compared to hardwood or laminate.
• Needs to be applied to a flat floor: the thicker the plank, the more forgiving on uneven surfaces.
• Cannot be installed in outdoor spaces.
• It can quickly increase in price as you add the bells and whistles like going with a thicker layer, more desirable print, extra UV resistance, etc.
• Not fade resistant – if you’re putting SPC in a spot that has a lot of natural light, it can fade over time. We don’t recommend it for sunrooms.
• It’s not wood – ultimately these hardwood alternatives will never match the value of real solid wood so the resell for your home will be lower with SPC than true hardwood floors.

Where is the best place to use SPC flooring?

SPC is a great cost-effective choice for main floors of residential homes with normal wear in kitchens, living spaces, or bathrooms. It is also excellent for basements where you’ll benefit from waterproofing, secondary vacation homes, or rental homes as it is very low maintenance can take a beating and is cost-effective to change out to maintain a modern look.

What thickness do I need?

The thicker the plank, the more stable and comfortable it is to walk on. With this comes an increase in price but also the length of warranty. As the thickness increases, the more forgiving it is when installed on slightly uneven surfaces – although we always recommend laying SPC on as flat of a surface as possible free of debris. Dishover Flooring offers SPC flooring in 4mm-7mm, Thicknesses can be customized.

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