In today’s marketplace, luxury vinyl flooring with a stone polymer composite core (SPC) has become more common than ever before. Unlike traditional PVC flooring, luxury vinyl features a more dense stone-like core. In addition to this dense core, luxury vinyl flooring features a base layer known as an underlayment that provides padding for the planks and acts as a sound barrier. Read on to learn more about SPC.
SPC is a type of luxury vinyl tile
SPC is a luxury vinyl tile that is highly durable and waterproof. It comes with a printed or embossed wood-looking pattern. It can be installed over plywood, cement, or even concrete. It may be installed using glue down or loose-lay techniques, or it may have a cork or foam backing. Whether you opt for a click lock or tongue-and-groove system, SPC is an excellent choice for your flooring.
Rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is another choice. It is easy to install, thanks to its interlocking system. It is also highly sound-absorbing, making it an ideal choice for second-story businesses. Another advantage of SPC vinyl flooring is that it is easy to clean. While regular sweeping and mopping is required, it does not require extensive maintenance. SPC flooring is also resistant to fading and can resist direct sunlight.
It is a floating floor
If you are planning to replace your old flooring, consider rigid core flooring. This type of floor is similar in construction to vinyl tile, but it has a stronger core and snaps together instead of adhering to a subfloor. It can be installed over minor irregularities without losing its integrity. In addition, it won’t cause telegraphing or damage to the subfloor if it is exposed to water.
It can be installed in any room of the house and is particularly great for gathering spaces. Another advantage of rigid core flooring is that it’s easy to clean. It’s also comfortable and can be installed over areas with a lot of foot traffic and moisture. It can be installed over a wide area without transition strips, and it can be used in high-moisture areas. Rigid core flooring is often used in commercial settings, such as hotels, as it doesn’t require acclimation.
It is more durable than flexible vinyl
Rigid core vinyl flooring is highly durable, thanks to its WPC or SPC construction and upper wear layer. Although it may not last as long as stone tile or natural hardwood flooring, rigid-core luxury vinyl is still more durable than flexible-core flooring. This is mainly due to the construction of the wear layer and the level of detail added to the design layer. But if you’re considering rigid-core luxury vinyl, here are some advantages and disadvantages of this material.
A vinyl’s rigid core is what gives it most of its thickness, and that adds to its overall durability. Thick vinyls hide imperfections on the subfloor. Then comes the resilient vinyl backing, which can be made of felt, PVC, rubber, or cork. In some cases, resilient vinyl is designed to float on a subfloor rather than adhere to it. In addition, rigid-core vinyl is more comfortable to walk on and is much more difficult to damage than flexible-core flooring.
It is more affordable than hardwood flooring
Rigid core flooring is a good alternative for homeowners who want wood-like flooring without the high price tag. This engineered product costs only $2 to $5 per square foot. It is waterproof, durable, and easy to install, and can imitate both hardwood and stone. It is an ideal choice for single-family homes, small condos, and large multi-family homes. Rigid core flooring does not buckle or shrink when placed on uneven surfaces unlike hardwoods.
Because it is made of multiple layers, rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is less expensive than hardwood flooring. The first layer consists of a rigid limestone core, while the second layer is a luxury vinyl print. The top layer is a quartz enhanced urethane coating. Rigid core vinyl is also easy to install. In addition to being cheaper, this flooring option does not require any professional installation, which makes it a great choice for people on a budget.
It is waterproof
There are several benefits of rigid core flooring. This type of floor is 100% waterproof. Because it is made from polymer, water should not collect or seep through. This waterproofing property also makes this flooring ideal for kitchens and basements. Rigid core flooring is easy to install over most subfloors and can also be used as a whole-house floor. Rigid core flooring is not only waterproof, but also easy to clean and maintain.
The first rigid core product was the wood polymer composite. The main disadvantage of the WPC product was its thicker, aerated core, which meant that it was susceptible to dents and other damage. The SPC material is denser and more durable. It is also less forgiving to subfloor imperfections than WPC. It is the best choice for commercial buildings, where a waterproof flooring product is required.