Waterproof Flooring
Waterproof flooring has been in high demand in the flooring market. Its ability to be installed in high moisture areas such as laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, makes it a much desired product. Flooring companies all over the U.S. promote the waterproof feature of this material, but leave out important information that may impact buyer decisions. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) was the first product to be introduced as waterproof, and manufactures everywhere have been coming out with new products continuing to improve the durability of LVP ever since. Two main products of waterproof flooring include Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), and Stone Plastic Composite (SPC). Here is some valuable information on these two products to help you decide which type of LVP flooring is best for you.
Wood Plastic Composite (WPC)
WPC reduces the amount of floor prep due to its rigid core that helps hide subfloor imperfections. This rigid core is typically comprised of polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, a foaming agent, and wood-like or wood materials such as wood dust. The core absorbs sounds making it quieter when walked on. It also helps provide insulation keeping the floors warm.
Stone Plastic Composite (SPC)
The most recent type of waterproof flooring is SPC. It is very similar to WPC, except the rigid core is made up of different materials. SPC core is made of limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizers. SPC is not as thick as WPC, but they are the denser product. This means they are better at resisting damage from impacts or heavy weights.
These two products are generally made up of four layers (bottom to top): cork or rubber underlayment, rigid core, luxury vinyl print, and a urethane wear layer. As previously mentioned, the difference in the construction of WPC and SPC is the rigid core. Both of these waterproof floors are great for both commercial and residential areas. They hold up extremely well even in high traffic areas. WPC and SPC can be easy installed over imperfect subfloors, reducing the amount floor prep. Both are resistant to scratches and dents. Along with their incredible durability, the designs for WPC and SPC are limitless. They have a printed vinyl layer that can make them look exactly like wood, stone, or tile. Design options are endless with these two versatile products!