Wpc Vs. Spc: What You Need To Know About Water-Resistant Vinyl Plank Flooring
What Is Rigid Core Flooring?
Rigid core flooring is the innovative vinyl flooring for today's demanding consumers. Available in both plank and tile shapes, it's a luxury material that can stand up to a lot of abuse, including water.
To understand rigid core, you have to move beyond the vinyl flooring you're familiar with. Standard vinyl flooring is a fairly thin, flexible material that is glued down to the sub floor. Rigid core is stiffer, thicker and sturdier, which gives it some unique advantages. One of its most-hyped pluses is its ability to handle water, but that's not the only check in the “pro” column. It can also handle sub floor imperfections, offer excellent sound insulation and superior comfort underfoot.
Here's where we get to the technical jargon: The assorted positives of vinyl plank flooring (or vinyl tile) depend on whether you go with a WPC or SPC construction.
How WPC and SPC Come into Play
Like engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl plank flooring is constructed from layers of material—typically four, though that can vary between manufacturers. Let's look at the different layers, starting with the surface:
Layer #1 is the wear layer. It's clear, durable and scratch-resistant.
Layer #2 is the vinyl layer, composed of multiple, compressed layers of vinyl. This layer facilitates the authentic embossing technology applied to the printed decorative film that lies between the wear layer and this vinyl layer.
Layer #3 is the rigid core layer. It's made from either wood plastic composite (WPC) or stone plastic composite, also referred to as a solid polymer core (SPC).
Layer #4 is the base layer. This is the bottom of your plank or tile, and it's usually made from foam or cork. Many WPC and SPC options also feature an attached pad (underlayment) that provides sound absorption and allows for under floor heating systems.
What Is WPC?
Wood plastic composite flooring, or WPC flooring, is a vinyl plank or vinyl tile flooring with a rigid core that's made from either recycled wood pulp and plastic or polymer composites that are expanded with air. It's sometimes called “wood polymer composite flooring.” It is a light weight, low density construction that is warm and soft underfoot with greater comfort.
Stone plastic composite, solid polymer core, or SPC flooring, is a vinyl flooring material that has a rigid core made from powdered limestone, polyvinyl chloride and stabilizers. Sometimes, you might see it referred to as “stone polymer composite flooring.” It is dense, dimensionally stable, quiet and strong. Pure from Beauflor are great options in this category and both include an attached pad.
SPC and WPC – Key Differences to Know
Similar to dryback luxury vinyl flooring (which is the traditional type of luxury vinyl that requires an adhesive to install), SPC and WPC flooring are comprised of multiple layers of backing that are fused together. However, unlike dryback flooring, both flooring options feature a rigid core and are a harder product all around.
Because SPC’s core layer is comprised of limestone, it has a higher density in comparison to WPC, though is thinner overall. This makes it more durable compared to WPC. Its high density offers better resistance from scratches or dents from heavy items or furniture being placed on top of it and makes it less susceptible to expansion in cases of extreme temperature change.
One important thing to note is that although SPC and WPC are often marketed as being waterproof, they are actually water resistant. Though neither product is entirely waterproof if submerged underwater, topical spills or moisture should not be an issue if properly cleaned in a reasonable amount of time.
Applications
Rigid core products including WPC and SPC were originally created for commercial markets because of their durability. However, homeowners have started using rigid core as well because of its ease of installation, design options and durability. It is important to note that some SPC and WPC products vary from commercial to light commercial use, so it is best to always consult your manufacturer to know which warranty applies.
Another highlight for both SPC and WPC, aside from their easy-to-install click locking system, is that they do not require extensive subfloor prep prior to installation. Though installing over a flat surface is always a good practice to be in, floor imperfections like cracks or divots are more easily hidden with SPC or WPC flooring due to their rigid core composition.
And, when it comes to comfort, WPC is generally more comfortable underfoot and less dense than SPC due to the foaming agent it is typically comprised of. Because of this, WPC is especially well suited for environments where employees or patrons are constantly on their feet.
In addition to offering more cushion when walking, the foaming agent in WPC provides more sound absorption than SPC flooring does, although many manufacturers offer an acoustic backing that can be added to SPC. WPC or SPC with acoustic backing are ideal for settings where noise reduction is key such as classrooms or office spaces.
What's the Difference Between Lvt Vs. Lvp?
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.
Here are some more details on these two wonderful luxury vinyl flooring choices…
What's Luxury Vinyl?
Luxury vinyl is a specific type of vinyl flooring. Old-school vinyl flooring used to be offered in sheet form only, and therefore wasn't able to mimic the realistic natural materials that luxury vinyl floors now can. Modern LVT and LVP floors are now offered in countless patterns and colors, and designed so that they appear to look almost exactly like natural materials such as wood, stone, and tile. Some LVT and LVP flooring options are even textured to appear like these materials as well. Many LVT and LVP floors even have seams for grout, and the planks can come in narrow or wide styles, as can the tiles.
Are LVT and LVP floors waterproof?
Yes! Both LVT and LVP floors constructed from layers of plastic, so they're waterproof, making them an ideal flooring choice for any room in your house, especially kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. LVT and LVP floors are designed to withstand moisture, heavy foot traffic, and plenty of scratches and spills.
What's VCT flooring then?
VCT stands for Vinyl Composite or Vinyl Composition Tile flooring. Though VCT floors are also made with some vinyl in them, unlike LVT floors, they contain less plastic and more natural materials such as limestone. Because of this, VCT floors are more porous than LVT floors, and thus they are not as waterproof and require more maintenance.
What about Engineered Vinyl flooring?
Engineered Vinyl flooring, or Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP), is a subset of LVPs. EVPs are simply even more durable than many LVP options, as they're built with the strongest high-density fiberboard core, and have a rigid stone-based core. EVPs are often considered the luxury vinyl planks on the market that most closely resemble real hardwood floors, but personal preference will often determine this for you!
What Is The Most Durable Garage Floor Covering? Whether you use your garage as a car parking area, laundry area, or home gym, you want a floor that sustains your uses. A durable garage floor is an asset because it saves costs on floor repairs. It also gives you the freedom to maximize garage usage. A floor that sustains high traffic, resists damage and offers easy cleaning is crucial. While most garage floor finishes are durable, not all may match your needs. With this list of garage floor coverings, you can find the perfect floor finish. The right floor covering transforms your boring garage into a modern, inviting space.
Epoxy is one of the most durable garage coatings. You can lay it on your concrete subfloor to liven up your garage. It provides unique colorful hues, metallic and natural stone finishes. Once dry, the epoxy forms a hardened and thick coating. This layer protects your floors from scratches, dents, chemical spills and cracks. No matter what you drop on your garage floor, the epoxy will resist damage.
The installation process may take 3-5 days or longer, depending on the floor size. You need to find alternative parking, but it's worth the wait. A professionally installed epoxy floor serves you for 5-10 years. However, it may last longer, depending on usage. For instance, commercial garage flooring wears faster than a private garage at home.
An epoxy floor expert prepares your floor before applying at least three coats. The preparation and layers provide the best durability. The primer is the first layer, followed by the base coat and, finally, the topcoat. As you can imagine, the finished coat is thick and hard enough to resist impact and chemicals. The base coat lets you play around with colors and designs. Lastly, the final coat gives you a smooth glossy finish.
Epoxy is also great for commercial garage flooring because it resists wear. You can park cars and walk over the years. With a non-slip additive, the floors resist slipping to prevent injuries. The thick coating also seals cracks and imperfections. You can enjoy a durable and smooth floor finish
Purpose of Skirting
Skirting in some projects is an aspect of beautification and for some, it’s a method to hide the unwanted features in the interior walls. These skirting boards were known as mop boards as they protect the wall from water when the floor was mopped. Different purposes for which skirting are installed are mentioned below:
Hide exposed electrical wiring: Skirting can be used to cover up the exposed electrical wires and connection that cannot be removed. Hiding these wiring under the skirting board is found more economical and practical compared to hiding under the ceiling board.
Cover the gap between the walls and floors: Some construction flops may result in unwanted gaps between the wall and the floor. Redoing such works is time-consuming and costly. One alternative is to install skirting so that the poor work is covered and cleared economically.
Avoids marks from furniture: The skirting board installed has a projection that always keeps a gap between the nearby furniture and the interior wall. This way rubbing and scratching from the furniture are avoided letting the wall free of scratches.
Improve Interior: A matched and good colored skirting gives the room a finished and cleaner look. Skirting throws a professional touch to the room it is installed.
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