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Choosing the right flooring for your home can be a daunting task, especially when you’re torn between two popular options: SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) flooring. Both options are versatile, durable, and aesthetically appealing, but there are key differences that might make one more suitable for your home than the other. Here in this article, I will focus on outlining both the advantages and disadvantages of each so that you can come to a decision on which one deserves your business more.
Both SPC Flooring vs. LVP Flooring fall under the umbrella of luxury vinyl flooring, which is celebrated for its resilience, waterproof nature, and ability to mimic natural materials like wood and stone. However, they have fundamental differences in their core composition, performance, and overall feel, which directly impact their durability, comfort, and cost. Now, let us see what these two types of flooring have to provide and on what they will differ.
What Is LVP Flooring?
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) flooring is a highly versatile option that mimics the appearance of hardwood or stone. It is made up of multiple layers of vinyl, topped with a high-resolution image of the chosen material (such as wood grain), and finished with a clear wear layer that protects against scratches, dents, and stains.
Core Composition: LVP features a flexible PVC core that gives it pliability and softness underfoot. This flexibility makes it comfortable to walk on and suitable for areas where comfort is a priority.
Installation: LVP can either be clicked and locked or glued in the place. It requires a smooth, level subfloor to avoid any imperfections showing through over time.
Durability: While LVP is durable and resistant to everyday wear and tear, it may not hold up as well as SPC in high-impact or high-moisture areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
What Is SPC Flooring?
SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring is a newer type of luxury vinyl that has gained popularity due to its superior durability and rigidity. The primary difference between SPC and LVP lies in the core material. SPC has a core made of a mix of limestone powder and plastic polymers, making it denser and more rigid than LVP.
Core Composition: SPC’s rigid core gives it a sturdier feel underfoot and ensures the flooring remains stable, even in fluctuating temperatures or moisture-rich environments.
Installation: Like LVP, SPC is also available in a click-and-lock system, but its rigid core makes it more forgiving when installed over imperfect subfloors.
Durability: SPC is incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, and dent-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial settings.
Key Differences Between SPC and LVP Flooring
Feature | LVP Flooring | SPC Flooring |
Core Composition | Flexible PVC core | Rigid core with limestone powder and plastic polymers |
Durability | Resistant to daily wear, less durable than SPC | Highly resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture |
Comfort | Softer underfoot, more comfortable for standing | Harder underfoot, less forgiving for long periods of standing |
Installation | Click-lock or adhesive, requires a level subfloor | Click-lock, more forgiving of imperfect subfloors |
Cost | Generally less expensive upfront | Slightly higher upfront cost, but longer-lasting |
Ideal Usage | Residential areas like bedrooms and living rooms | High-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements |
Performance in High-Moisture Areas
One of the key factors that influence flooring decisions is moisture resistance, particularly for areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
SPC Flooring: SPC has a rigid core, and this makes it fully waterproof making it very suitable for areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. It also protects the core from warping or buckling even when they are subjected to large amounts of water.
LVP Flooring: While LVP is also waterproof, its flexible core may not perform as well in high-moisture environments over time. In extreme cases, exposure to water could lead to the planks warping or separating.
Installation Process: DIY vs. Professional Help
Both SPC and LVP flooring are considered DIY-friendly due to their floating installation methods, but there are some differences to consider.
LVP Flooring: Due to its flexibility, LVP can easily conform to slight irregularities in the subfloor. However, it requires a level and smooth subfloor for best results.
SPC Flooring: The rigid core of SPC flooring makes it more forgiving during installation, particularly if your subfloor is not perfectly level. This can save time and money on subfloor preparation.
While both types of flooring can be installed without professional help, some DIY enthusiasts find SPC easier due to its rigidity and click-and-lock system.
Durability and Longevity: Which One Lasts Longer?
Durability is a key factor for many homeowners when choosing flooring, and both LVP and SPC have their strengths.
SPC Flooring: Known for its durability, SPC’s rigid core gives it an edge in high-traffic areas.It is more resistant to dents and scratches than LVP and, therefore, preferred where there is the likelihood of pet traffic, children, and heavy traffic from furniture.
LVP Flooring: Still very hard wearing, the closed core of LVP is slightly softer than PVC and can be dented by over zealous movements of furniture or home appliances. It typically has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, though high-quality LVP can last longer with proper maintenance.
Comfort Underfoot: How Does It Feel?
It becomes important to choose the right kind of flooring as comfort is one important criteria while choosing the right flooring for your home, especially in areas where you may have to stand or walk for long periods of time.
LVP Flooring: With its softer, flexible core, LVP is more comfortable underfoot. It is most suitable for places where one will be limited to standing position, such as the kitchen or the living room.
SPC Flooring: SPC Flooring: SPC flooring has a very dense core that makes it less comfortable for standing on during the course of the day. However, this also makes it feel more solid and stable, which can be preferable in areas like home gyms or hallways.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal
SPC and LVP are very diverse when it comes to the design, and you can always find the floor of your dreams with the looks of wooden planks or even stones.
LVP Flooring: Known for its high aesthetic versatility, LVP can mimic the look of hardwood, stone, or tile very convincingly. Its softer core allows for intricate designs and embossing, giving it a more natural feel.
SPC Flooring: While SPC also offers a variety of designs, its rigid core may not allow for the same level of embossing as LVP. However, advances in digital printing technology have made SPC designs more realistic and varied, offering beautiful wood and stone textures at a fraction of the cost.
Cost Comparison
When choosing between SPC and LVP flooring, cost is a major consideration, not just the upfront price but also the long-term costs.
LVP Flooring: LVP is typically less expensive than SPC, with prices ranging from $1 to $6 per square foot.It also implies that installation costs can also be lower due to simplicity of handling and versatility of the planks.
SPC Flooring: SPC flooring generally costs more upfront, ranging from $3.50 to $7 per square foot. However, due to its superior durability and resistance to wear, it may be more cost-effective in the long run, especially in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas.
Maintenance and Longevity
Both SPC and LVP flooring are low-maintenance, requiring simple cleaning methods like sweeping and occasional mopping. However, SPC has the advantage in terms of long-term durability.
SPC Flooring: With its rigid core and superior durability, SPC flooring is less likely to require repairs or replacements, making it a better long-term investment.
LVP Flooring: While still durable, LVP may show signs of wear earlier than SPC, particularly in high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
Wrapping Up
What separates SPC and LVP flooring is derived from their differences based on their uses, preferences and costs.
Generally, if you want long-wearing, waterproof performance and lower life-cycle cost, SPC flooring appears to be higher specified. Indeed, it is ideal for more traffic regions, washrooms, kitchens, and attics.
If your priorities are comfort, desire for variety, and a wallet, then LVP flooring will be perfect for you, and here is why. It is more comfortable when walked upon, costs less at the beginning of the process, and is best to install in the living rooms, bedrooms, and play areas.
Through comparing SPC with LVP, you will be well equipped to select the proper flooring for your house with specific regard to aesthetics, usage, and costs. With this detailed comparison, you’re now equipped with all the information you need to make the best decision for your home.
Happy flooring!
Frequently Asked Questions
SPC flooring is generally better suited for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and commercial spaces due to its rigid core, which offers excellent resistance to dents, scratches, and general wear and tear. While LVP flooring is still durable, it is more prone to denting under heavy pressure and may not hold up as well as SPC in these demanding environments.
Yes, SPC and LVP both are water-resistant and you can install both of these floors in the bathroom, kitchen or basement. However, SPC flooring has superior water resistance due to its stone-polymer core, making it a better option for rooms with high humidity or frequent water exposure. LVP can still perform well in these spaces but may not offer the same long-term durability as SPC in very wet conditions.
Generally, SPC flooring is slightly more expensive than LVP due to its more rigid, durable core and superior resistance to wear and moisture. SPC typically ranges from $3.50 to $7 per square foot, whereas LVP can range from $1 to $6 per square foot. However, SPC’s longer lifespan and lower maintenance needs may make it more cost-effective over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
LVP and SPC types of flooring are slightly easy to install especially where you consider using click and lock for both types of flooring. However, SPC flooring may be more forgiving when installed over imperfect subfloors due to its rigid structure. LVP’s flexibility, on the other hand, requires a smooth and level subfloor to prevent imperfections from showing through, making SPC easier to install in homes with uneven or older subfloors.
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is generally more comfortable underfoot because of its flexible PVC core, which provides a softer, more cushioned feel. This makes it suitable to be used in conditions that require comfort including living rooms or bedrooms. SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring, with its rigid core, feels harder underfoot and may be less comfortable for long periods of standing, but it offers superior stability and durability.
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