WPC VS SPC

WPC and SPC are two of the fastest-growing flooring products on the market. They’re tough as nails, 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 high traffic areas.

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, 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.
• The Core or WPC Layer
• 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
• The Core or SPC Layer
• 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.