The pros and cons of SPC Flooring - SALE

Not all flooring is made equally and there is no single most superior type of material. The right flooring for you will depend on your budget, features that are a priority to you, the overall look and where you plan to install it. Here we will break down the pros and cons of SPC flooring so you can make an informed decision on whether it is the right material for your project. 

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Evolution of wood flooring

Before we dive in, it&#;s helpful to look at the brief history of wood flooring and the drivers behind the innovation in materials. Real hardwood flooring is the real deal and still very popular. It can be easily sanded down and refinished, giving it a long life span. However, it is costly to purchase, install and maintain, requiring a certain level of humidity to prevent cracking. The demands on wood as a natural resource are also very high.

The industry begged for a lower maintenance, cheaper version of solid hardwood floors so engineered hardwood was born. This solution helped with lowering maintenance and care for the floors but was still fairly expensive for consumers.

Then came laminate floors &#; a wood particle blend with image layer on top to mimic the look of hardwood. As high definition prints and embossing techniques continue to improve the look of laminate, the biggest problem is its tendency to swell with moisture. 

Porcelain tile caught onto this desire for wood-looking floors so there has been an increasing trend in wood-like tile. Tile is great because it&#;s very durable and water resistant but is cold to the touch and the rock hard surface can be tough on the feet. Tile also has a more complex installation requiring mortar and grout. 

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) was the next big thing. LVT is vinyl constructed into planks to mimic a wood-looking floor and is waterproof, which solves the problem with laminate. It is cheaper to install with both floating floor click-system or glue down options but can shrink or buckle with cold and heat. 

This leads us to the latest innovation in wood-like flooring &#; SPC. 

What is SPC flooring?

SPC flooring, which stands for Stone Plastic Composite, is the latest innovative material in the flooring world. It is a premium type of LVT that is 100% waterproof and a much more stable material than traditional LVT.

The core of SPC multi-layered floor planks is created from a stone powder and pvc plastic combination that produces an incredibly durable dent-resistant material that doesn&#;t expand and contract with environmental changes. 

One of the biggest advantages of SPC is that it is commonly installed with a click style system that is significantly faster to install than traditional tiles &#; making it a DIY homeowner favourite. No glue or nails are required to install, simply cut to size and click in place. Although it lacks some durability compared to traditional tiles, the speed of install drives down the labour cost so significantly that it makes a great flooring option. 

What are the various layers that make up SPC flooring?

While it ranges depending on the manufacturer, SPC planks are generally made up of the following layers:

1. UV layer &#; Ensures stain-resistance, waterproof performance and prevents fading.
2. Wear layer &#; Restores the authentic colour and embossing, protecting it from abrasion.
3. Decorative layer &#; This is the printed wood-looking pattern.
4. SPC Core &#; Durable rigid core of plank that doesn&#;t expand and contract with shifts in temperature or humidity
5. Bottom layer &#; May be cork or foam backing material that gives some cushioning for a more comfortable underfooting.

Pros and Cons of SPC flooring

Pros:

• 100% Waterproof
• Low installation cost &#; cheap to do yourself or save significantly on labour and materials for a professional install. Tile usually costs between $5-10/sq ft to get professionally installed where SPC is $1.50-2/sq ft.
• Easy installation &#; click system is easy to do with minimal tools, wait time and effort
• Looks great &#; there are endless options of patterns, colours and grains to get the precise look and shade you want
• Some are radiant heating compatible
• Environmentally-friendly &#; avoiding use of real wood protects the earth&#;s natural resources and it can be recycled
• Safe, better air quality &#; it is free from dangerous chemicals typically found in flooring such as formaldehyde , glues, benzene and phthalates
• Some sound proofing &#; The multi-layered composition of materials provide some natural sound-proofing
• Warranty &#; SPC generally comes with great manufacture warranties, where the length of warranty generally increases with the thickness of the wear layer and of the core of the planks

Cons:

• Not super scratch resistant. While the core is highly durable, the wear layer on top can show noticeable scratches with excessive use. It&#;s very suitable for regular use in a residential home and light commercial use but is not recommended for high traffic commercial spaces.
• Thinner material doesn&#;t have as much cushioning underfoot, compared to a hardwood or laminate.
• Needs to be applied to a flat floor. The thicker the plank, the more forgiving on uneven surfaces.
• Cannot be installed in outdoor spaces.
• Can quickly increase in price as you add the bells and whistles like going with a thicker layer, more desirable print, extra UV resistance etc.
• Not fade resistant &#; if you&#;re putting SPC in a spot that has a lot of natural light, it can fade over time. We don&#;t recommend it for sunrooms.
• It&#;s not wood &#; ultimately these hardwood alternatives will never match the value of real solid wood so the resell for your home will be lower with SPC than true hardwood floors.

Where is the best place to use SPC flooring?

SPC is a great cost-effective choice for main floors of residential homes with normal wear in kitchens, living spaces or bathrooms. It is also excellent for basements where you&#;ll benefit from waterproofing, secondary vacation homes or rental homes as it is very low maintenance, can take a beating and is cost-effective to change out to maintain a modern look.

What thickness do I need?

The thicker the plank, the more stable and comfortable it is to walk on. With this comes an increase in price but also length of warranty. As the thickness increases, the more forgiving it is when installed on slightly uneven surfaces &#; although we always recommend laying SPC on as flat of a surface as possible free of debris. The SPC floors we carry range from 3mm to 7mm.

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Related

Vinyl plank flooring has been tremendously popular across all significant commercial market groups since its introduction in the s. Spectra Contract Flooring has put in over 95 million square feet of vinyl flooring nationwide since alone. There is no restriction on where you might see these planks erected, from hotels and restaurants to schools, hospitals, and more. 

Furthermore, with the introduction of rigid core technology and the help of goods like SPC, vinyl plank flooring has become more dynamic and adaptable than before. Here, we'll go over what interior designers need to know about SPC flooring, how it's created, why picking SPC vinyl flooring is advantageous, and some installation advice for SPC.

Elevate Interiors, Choose SPC!

What is SPC Flooring?

SPC, short for stone plastic composite, is created to duplicate conventional flooring materials like stone, ceramic, or wood while offering several additional practical advantages, as you'll see in the following sections of the article. SPC opens the door to a wide range of design options by utilizing realistic photographic prints and a transparent vinyl top layer.

Keep the following four layers in mind when constructing an SPC floor:

&#; Wear Layer &#; This layer, which is essential to the longevity of your tiles, uses transparent coatings like aluminum oxide to prevent your floor from wearing out too quickly.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit SPC flooring Customize.

&#; Vinyl Top Layer - Some high-end SPC click flooring varieties are produced with 3D graphics that can be fitted to precisely simulate stone, ceramic, or wood.

&#; Rigid Core &#; The core layer is where your money is best spent. A high-density, stable, watertight center can be found here, giving the plank rigidity and stability.

&#; Background Layer - This layer, also referred to as the backbone of the flooring, offers your planks more sound installation and is inherently mold and mildew resistant. There is DIY flooring too.

How Is SPC Flooring Made?

Let's look at how SPC flooring is created to comprehend it fully. The six main methods listed below are used to make SPC.

Mixing

A mixing machine is first filled with a mixture of raw materials. The raw materials are heated to 125 and 130 degrees Celsius once inside to evaporate any water vapor. The material is chilled inside the mixing machine after completion to avoid early plasticization or processing auxiliary decomposition.

Extrusion

The raw material moves from the mixing device and undergoes an extrusion procedure. In this case, temperature management is essential for proper material plasticization. The material is passed through five zones, the first two of which are the hottest (about 200 degrees Celsius), and the following three gradually calm down.

Calendaring

It is time for the material to start the calendering process after it has completely plasticized into a mold. Here, the mold is compounded into a continuous sheet using a set of heated rollers. The width and thickness of the sheet can be precisely, consistently, and consistently regulated by adjusting the rolls. 

It is embossed using pressure and heat after reaching the proper thickness. A faint "tick" or a "deep" can be applied to the product's surface using engraved rollers. The scratch and scuff Top Coat will be applied following the texture application and placed in the drawer.

Drawer

To deliver the material to the cutter, the drawing machine, which uses frequency control, is directly coupled with a motor that perfectly matches the speed of the manufacturing line.

Cutter

Here, the material has been cross-cut to conform to the appropriate standard. A sensitive and precise photoelectric switch signals the cutter to ensure clean and uniform cuts.

Machine for Automatic Plate-Lifting

The automatic plate-lifting equipment will raise and stack the finished product into the packing area for pick-up once the material has been cut.

The Advantages of SPC Vinyl Flooring

Simple installation

Glue or a loose-lay floor are two simple methods for installing SPC. Modern loose-lay methods allow SPC to be used with little surface preparation. The price and duration of installing flooring can be decreased using this solution.

Waterproof

The fact that SPC click flooring is waterproof is one of its main advantages. Unlike many flooring items it imitates, these planks can survive liquids and spills because of their hard PVC core layer.

Elegant and cozy

Compared to other flooring types like wood or stone, SPC offers a softer surface. Additionally, it is quieter and more comfortable underfoot, an essential quality for many facilities.

Environmentally responsible

As many of the components utilized in its production are those of renewable products, recyclable content, and low-emitting materials, using SPC can assist your facility in achieving LEED certification.

Budget

Want inexpensive flooring that is waterproof, scratch-, stain-, and fade-resistant? Look nowhere else. SPC vinyl flooring is typically less expensive than the high-end floors it imitates, like stone or hardwood.

Maintenance

SPC is more straightforward to maintain than other high-end floorings because it never needs to be sanded or sealed. Simply take a moist mop, and you're good to go because it is entirely waterproof!

Installing SPC Flooring

When you hire our seasoned professionals to install commercial SPC floor, receive unbiased, best-value flooring solutions for your building.

Spectra Contract Flooring, including a wide range of vinyl planks, has placed nearly every business flooring. We can provide samples and assist you in choosing the finest floor based on your preferences, your facility's requirements, and your budget. There is DIY flooring too.

The subfloor needs to be leveled appropriately, cleaned, and dry before installing SPC vinyl flooring. The installation process is, after that, relatively straightforward. Tongue and groove technology is used to snap together most SPC vinyl planks easily. SPC doesn't have to be attached to the subfloor, although it can still be necessary for specific sections or spots in your facility.

Applications for SPC Vinyl Flooring

Here are just a few ways you can follow the trend and install SPC vinyl plank flooring in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen:

In the bathroom

To include nature in your bathroom design, return to the beloved natural look of stone and wood. You can assert a traditional rustic vibe with Oak Wood Effect SPC Vinyl bathroom floor tiles. To further the natural aesthetic, use the same colors and textures on the bathroom walls. Complement with some greenery and other organic elements for the perfect finishing touch.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of SPC Horizon Plank. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.