Flooring trends won’t change much from year to year for homeowners shopping for new types. Aside from MLF products, innovative styles and colors are introduced every year, but material innovation has slowed down. Among the many kinds of multilayer flooring currently in production is SPC flooring, an exception to this rule.
What is SPC Flooring?
Vinyl doesn’t appear in the name of SPC flooring, but it is, in fact, a type of vinyl. It is a composite material composed of stone plastic that is called SPC for its composition. Simply put, flooring in this class has a rigid core, which makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in your home.
When comparing SPC brands, you’ll need to know a few things about how the flooring is constructed, or you won’t be able to reach it comprehensively. From top to bottom, here is what SPC flooring is made of.
Types of SPC Flooring
It is possible to categorize SPC flooring in multiple ways… albeit quite confusing sometimes. SPC flooring offers an excellent selection of patterns and designs as well as several functionalities.
You may want to know about some of the different types of SPC flooring available today.
Tile flooring is made up of SPC.
Certainly, floors of this type have squarish shapes, like ceramic or stone tiles. The only difference is, it’s a PVC tile.
SPC tiles come in the following styles and designs:
- Inspired by granite
- The realistic look of natural hardwood
- Looks like luxury marble
High-quality, luxurious tile (LVT) offers a durable surface used in residential and commercial settings.
In most luxury tiles, the wear layer can be as thick as 0.5mm, and the SPC tile is usually at least 5mm thick. The durability of LVT is also superior to regular SPC tile flooring because of these factors.
Flooring made from SPC sheets
Rolls of flooring like this are available in a variety of widths and sizes. This flooring is in sheet form, so it does not affect its realistic appearance. Installing it according to your requirements requires cutting it to size. Different styles and textures are available for SPC sheets:
- Exotic wood appearance
- Inspired by Natural stones
- Made from Ceramic
You can install an SPC sheet over your existing floor, just like tile flooring. For
SPC sheet flooring to install successfully, the existing floor surface must be
flat, smooth, dust-free, and dry.
Before installing SPC sheeting, it is vital to ensure That existing floors have no cracks or uneven surfaces.
Flooring made with SPC planks.
Different types of SPC flooring are composed of planks. With a width less than 3 inches, SPC Plank is also known as a strip. The plank comes in various widths, thicknesses, and fitting systems. The width of wide planks is generally between 5 and 7 inches. Larger, more expansive spaces will appear with wider planks.
Benefits of SPC Flooring Compared to Other Flooring
Its numerous desirable features and characteristics have made SPC flooring one of the most popular flooring types available. Nevertheless, how much knowledge do you genuinely possess about SPC flooring? There are some drawbacks to SPC flooring, but nothing in this world is perfect.
SPC flooring has pros and cons; you should be aware of these before joining the SPC fanatics.
- There are many styles and options available
- Provides a timeless appearance with a natural wood-like appearance.
- A flooring solution for a more cost-effective flooring solution
- High-traffic-bearing composite flooring
- It is challenging and durable
- It can’t be scratched and is stain resistant
- Sound-resistant and stain-resistant
- Easy to maintain and clean
The disadvantage of SPC Flooring
- Preparation of subfloors can be challenging
- Nothing extra to add to the resale value
- CO2 Emissions from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
- Easily affected by moisture, making it water sensitive
- Discoloration and yellowing of the SPC floor
- Neither refinishes able nor repairable
Applications of SPC Flooring
The flooring can get easily used in the following sectors.
- Schools, training institute, kindergarten school
- Hospitals, laboratories, nursing home
- Hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and shops
- Stadium and event centers
- Factory and warehouses
- Bus stations, terminals, and train station
- Bedroom, balcony, living room, kitchen, and study
SPC Flooring Installation & Replacement
Including the floor preparation process in your installation process is an essential step. It contributes to ensuring a professional and long-lasting result. We should start by mentioning some things you should be aware of as you get ready.
In general, some types of SPC floors can be installed simultaneously, depending on the kind you purchased. Not sure what sort of SPC floor you have? You can learn more about flooring types by reading our guide.
Plank flooring that clicks into place
First-time DIYers will find it the easiest installation method to use click-lock SPCs. This method is sometimes known as the floating method. Your SPC plank must come with a long and short side design to apply the click-lock or floating method.
So both planks can be click together and form a firm grip. You may also need to measure and cut off any extra length to fit in your area. You should start your first plank from one corner of the room. Check out the step-by-step floating/ click-lock SPC flooring installation here.
Installing SPC plank flooring with glue
The glue-down installation method for SPC flooring requires consideration of the moisture content of the flooring. Test for concrete moisture or use a moisture barrier depending on what type of adhesive you’re using.
It is essential to keep moisture content under control to avoid installation failures or flooring panel damage that could void your warranty. Before
building, you may wish to check how much moisture is appropriate for your subfloor with your flooring supplier.
Choosing an adhesive type that is suitable for installation should be considered alongside moisture content in the subfloor. As you apply the SPC adhesive, be sure it is the correct type.
Floor Finishing – SPC
When completed the installation, ensure the ambient temperature and humidity remain the same for 48 hours. Stabilizing the floors and improving durability are both benefits of this action. Professionals should install the planks or tiles, ensuring that every corner is secure after installation. When you have extra planks or tiles left after installation, you can save them for future repairs.
Sweep the dirt and dust from your site after installation. Remove any adhesive traces on the surface after applying the glue-down structure.
Conclusion: What is the Best Flooring Material for your Home?
Despite what you think, floors endure much abuse, even if you don’t think about it often. You don’t have to spend an abundance of time and money maintaining your floors.
Muddy shoes, claws from pets, running kids-all these things do their damage over time. When it comes to hard flooring, if you were actively looking for it, you might already know.
Is SPC flooring safe? Stone-Plastic Composite Flooring upgrades Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), explicitly designed with click-locking joints, easy installation, and water-proof. It uses Stone-Plastic Composite as the material it is a safe material for both residential and commercial applications.
