What Is SPC Flooring? Benefits, Design Ideas & More!

Are you looking to remodel your house? Are you searching for the best flooring option? We've got you covered!

We understand that it can be confusing seeing various acronyms for floors that don't make much sense to the average consumer.

If you've recently come across SPC Flooring labels, it means Stone Plastic Composite Flooring.

Want to learn more?

Keep reading to find out more SPC floors — what they are, the specifications, design ideas, and so much more!

spc flooring with white shaker cabinets

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What is SPC Flooring?

A few years ago, vinyl was the most popular flooring option. Today, it’s SPC flooring. SPC is a new and unique type of flooring that gives added durability thanks to a special blend of materials.

Also known as rigid core luxury vinyl flooring, SPC might be new to the flooring sphere, but it is one of the best flooring options. Essentially, it’s the higher quality version of vinyl flooring.

Between aesthetics, strength, and durability, SPC has it all. If you take a look at a piece of SPC flooring, you might not consider it as a viable flooring option. It is thin, small and might not look as hardy. However, when compared to WPC, SPC floors are much more durable.

Right now, SPC floors are the most durable flooring option on offer. It boasts 100% durability and waterproofing. But that isn't the only reason why SPC floors have become the latest hit with homeowners and business owners.

SPC is designed at its core to be highly sturdy, which makes it perfect for heavy traffic areas. In addition to its high functionality, SPC comes in different wood and stone tones to meet your aesthetic preferences.

grey spc flooring

Weatherwood Grey SPC Flooring

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Layers of SPC Flooring

Here’s how an SPC rigid core flooring plank is created to form the affordable, durable, and stylish option that gives your space a fresh new look.

Wear and Top Layer

The wear layer is transparent, easy to clean, and resistant to scratches.

Vinyl Top Coat

The top vinyl coat is the second layer underneath the wear layer. This layer determines the pattern or floor design.

SPC Core

The SPC core is the most important layer, and it is designed to be tough and impermeable. Made from a mixture of limestone powder and stabilizer, the SPC core is dense and provides a sturdy base.

Base Layer

The base layer is an optional layer that helps minimize sound. Without this layer, the SPC floor would still be durable and waterproof.

washed oak spc flooring

SPC Flooring Specifications

The specifications depend on the type of SPC floors. Let’s take a look at the standard and technical specifications as shown in this table below:

Characteristics	Standards	SPC Flooring
Thickness	EN428	4mm , 5mm
Size	1820X228 mm, 1230 x 180 mm, 1230 x 145 mm, 1515X228 mm, and so on.
Density	/	19050KGS ± 5%
Wear Layer	/	0.3mm - 0.5mm
Squareness
Surface Treatment	/	UV Coating
Performance Classification
Dimensional Stability	ASTM F1700	CLASS 33 Heavy Commercial
Guarantee	ASTM F2055-10	≤0.25MM
Static Load
Resistance to Impact	Commercial	15 years
Flexibility	ASTM F970	2000 PSI
Residential Indentation	ASTM F2199	≤0.1%
Abrasion Resistance	ASTM F1265	IC3
Reaction to fire	EN435	N/A
Light Fastness	EN433	≤0.05MM
Smoke Density	EN660-2	GROUP T Pass
Chemical Resistance	EN13501-1	Class B1-S1
Slip Resistance	ENISO 105 B02	≥6
Underfloor heating	DIN51130:2004	R10
VOC Emissions	ASTM F925	PASS

The Benefits of SPC Floors

SPC floors have become popular to install for several reasons, including:

Affordable

SPC flooring is quite affordable compared to other more luxurious floor types like hardwood floors and stop floors. SPC flooring is also easy to install, especially if you’d like to take the DIY route. This will save homeowners when it comes to installation costs in comparison to other flooring types.

Waterproof

SPC floor plates are designed with a sturdy waterproof core made of limestone powder and a stabilizer. Unlike the standard vinyl flooring and hardwood floors, SPC has a 100% waterproof quality, contributing to its durability.

It can also be comfortably installed in moisture-heavy areas like the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen.

Maintenance

No other floor option beats SPC in terms of maintenance. With SPC floors, you don't need to worry about stains, scratches, or water.

All you need to do to maintain SPC flooring is sweep, vacuum, and mop. Unlike other floor types that peel or begin to fade after years of usage, SPC floors stay fresh and superb looking for a lifetime.

SPC floors' ability to weather nicely is why they are one of the most durable flooring options in the market.

Environmental-Friendly

SPC floors are environment-friendly as well. They do not contain toxic substances like formaldehyde, benzene, or heavy metals.

Choice

There is a huge range of colors and patterns on the SPC market. From hardwood to marble patterns and a variety of colors, the options are endless with SPC. This is great for homeowners doing remodels. If your existing home has some flooring you’d like to keep and some you’d like to replace, it’s easy to find a SPC flooring style that matches seamlessly with the existing flooring style.

Comfort

SPC floors make walking a comfortable experience. The last layer in SPC floors is designed solely for comfort. They provide a cushioning effect as well as a balance for the hard SPC core. Note that a thicker SPC floor would make for more comfort and even less noise when moving around.

Heat Resistant

SPC floors meet the B1 standards, which mean it is non-flammable and fire-resistant as well.

weatherwood grey spc flooring

Weatherwood Grey SPC Flooring

SPC Flooring Design Ideas

One of the reasons SPC is a favorite flooring option for so many is its versatility. Unlike other flooring options like hardwood, you can install SPC in any part of the house. Here are some of our favorite SPC floor design ideas.

Beige Living Room SPC Flooring

beige spc flooring

Photo: Houzz

The beige SPC floors in this living room add to the spacious minimalist look the designer was going for.

Small Kitchen SPC Flooring

small white kitchen grey spc flooring

Photo:Houzz

The SPC floors in this kitchen blend in perfectly with the warm tones. It also makes for an easy-to-maintain kitchen floor considering the amount of spillage.

Wood-toned Bathroom SPC Flooring

bathroom natural wood spc flooring

Photo: Houzz

You can finally enjoy having a “hardwood” floor in your bathroom. Take a look at this wood-toned SPC floor idea made from 9 inches 100% waterproof SPC boards.

How to Install SPC Flooring

One of the major advantages of SPC floors is that it is DIY-friendly. If you can’t afford to hire a professional installer, you can do it yourself.

Here are some installation tips just in case you decide to do it yourself.

Pre-installation, the subfloor has to be prepared for installation. This entails removing all adhesives remnants from the floor and leveling the floor.

Although SPC can be installed on less than level grounds, folds in the subfloor need to be filled up. Moisture problems should also be fixed before installing SPC floors. If the subfloor has fresh concrete, it must cure for at least 60 days.

When installing, begin from one corner and gradually lock the SPC planks outwards. Ensure that the tongues lock perfectly into the grooves for a tight seam. You will hear a click when this happens. While locking, also remember to keep a maximum of 10mm for expansion.

Pricing

Pricing for SPC flooring varies widely depending on the flooring brand. Lily Ann Cabinets offers SPC flooring for 50% off big box store pricing so you can save big on your home remodel!

SPC flooring is the best flooring option. It is durable, 100% waterproof, affordable, and easy to maintain. Check out a variety of high-quality SPC flooring planks at Lily Ann Cabinets. Our floors are perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, basements and more!