Vinyl Flooring

WPC vs SPC

While searching for the perfect vinyl flooring, you’ve probably come across the terms SPC and WPC. Wanting to learn the differences and compare SPC vs WPC vinyl? You’re in the right place.

Thanks to new technology, there are numerous options for vinyl flooring. One of the latest luxury vinyl products is rigid core luxury vinyl flooring, which is a type of luxury vinyl flooring comprised of a more solid or “rigid” core for added durability. Rigid core luxury vinyl is a glueless format with a click locking installation system.

Two types of rigid core luxury vinyl are Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) and Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). When it comes to SPC vs. WPC flooring, it is important to note that while both share a variety of traits, there are differences between the two that should be considered when deciding which will work best for your space or interior design project.

SPC, which stands for Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite, features a core that is typically comprised of around 60% calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers.

WPC, on the other hand, stands for Wood Plastic (or Polymer) Composite. Its core typically consists of polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbonate, plasticizers, a foaming agent, and wood-like or wood materials such as wood flour. Manufacturers of WPC, which was originally named for the wood materials it was comprised of, are increasingly replacing the various wood materials with wood-like plasticizers.

The makeup of WPC and SPC is relatively similar, though SPC consists of far more calcium carbonate (limestone) than WPC, which is where the “S” in SPC stems from; it has more of a stone composition. In order to better understand the similarities and differences between SPC and WPC, it is helpful to look at the following quantifiable qualities: Look & Style, Durability & Stability, Applications, and Cost.

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