luxury vinyl plank flooring Supporting Innovation and Customization
Luxury vinyl flooring has become increasingly popular among homeowners seeking a durable, attractive, and cost-effective flooring solution. This versatile option mimics the look of natural materials such as hardwood and stone while offering superior water resistance and easy maintenance. In this guide, we’ll explore different luxury vinyl types, their benefits and drawbacks, installation methods, and how to choose the right option for your home.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring Types and Composition
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in two main types: planks and tiles. Both options offer realistic looks and textures, but their compositions and installation methods vary.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is designed to replicate hardwood flooring’s appearance. These planks come in various widths and lengths, often featuring realistic wood grain patterns and textures. LVP is an excellent choice for homeowners who want the look of hardwood without the maintenance concerns or high costs.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) mimics the appearance of natural stone or ceramic tile. These tiles come in various shapes and sizes, allowing for creative installation patterns. Some LVT products even allow for grouting, further enhancing the realistic look of stone or ceramic tile.
Stone plastic composite (SPC): SPC cores, introduced in 2017, contain limestone mixed with PVC and stabilizers. This creates a denser, more rigid plank that offers superior dent resistance. SPC cores are ideal for high-traffic areas or spaces with heavy furniture.
Core Materials: SPC vs LVT vs WPC
Luxury vinyl flooring’s core materials influence its performance and durability. Here are the two main types of cores used in luxury vinyl products:
- Stone plastic composite (SPC): SPC cores, introduced in 2017, contain limestone mixed with PVC and stabilizers. This creates a denser, more rigid plank that offers superior dent resistance. SPC cores are ideal for high-traffic areas or spaces with heavy furniture.
- Wood plastic composite (WPC): WPC cores are made from wood fibers, plastics, and foaming agents. This composition results in a softer floor that’s more comfortable and quieter underfoot. WPC cores are great for residential applications where comfort is a priority.
- luxury Vinyl Tiles(LVT): LVT is primarily made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and calcium carbonate (limestone). Luxury vinyl floors are made up of multiple layers that include a factory-applied urethane top-coat that protects against abrasions, scratches, scuffs, and chemicals, a protective vinyl layer that provides durability, a decorative PVC print film that provides the design and color, and a resilient vinyl backing.
| WPC | SPC | LVT | |
| Fade Resistance | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | High | High | High |
| Stain Resistance | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dent Resistance | Moderate | High | Low |
| Scratch Resistance | High | High | Moderate |
| Moisture Resistance | High | High | High |
| Care | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Installation | DIY Friendly | DIY Friendly | DIY Friendly |
An In-Depth Look at WPC vs SPC vs LVT Flooring
Let’s take a look at 15 of the differences and similarities between WPC, SPC, and LVT vinyl flooring.
1. Structure
All three of these flooring types feature layers, but the layers can vary between types. SPC floors, for example, have a core layer comprised of Calcium powder, a stabiliser, and PVC powder. LVT consists of a UV coating — to protect the floor’s colours, wear layer and decor layer.
WPC floors feature a core layer consisting of a LVT layer and a foaming agent. LVT core layer is comprised of Calcium powder, PVC powder and plasticiser.
2. Construction
The construction of LVT and WPC vinyl is the most significant difference between these two vinyl types.
Vinyl floors have a basic PVC core that make it a rubber product, meaning it can flex and move easily. WPC vinyl is more solid and stable due to its wood-plastic composite core.
3. Plank Thickness
WPC vinyl floors are thicker than standard LVT vinyl. Whereas traditional LVT is typically 4mm or less, WPC vinyl flooring ranges from 5mm to 8mm thick.
WPC vinyl floors often tend to run thicker than standard SPC vinyl that tends to stay between 4mm to 6mm thick.
4. Waterproof
All three types of these floors — SPC, LVT, and WPC — are waterproof, making them excellent choices for use in bathrooms or kitchens.
5. Subfloor
Traditional vinyl is thin and flexible, making it more at risk of subfloor imperfections. With WPC vinyl, the thicker planks help compensate for the majority of minor subfloor imperfections.
6. Sturdiness
Due to differences in the core materials, SPC tends to be the most dimensionally stable of these options. The sturdiness also helps the floor feel softer and increases its defenses against wear and dents.
7. Appearance
WPC and SPC vinyl flooring are produced using the latest digital imaging technology, lending them a realistic appearance that mimics the look and feel of stone tiles and real timber. Both WPC and SPC vinyls can be found in a variety of textures, colours, and styles.
Traditional LVT floors tend to project a look and feel that is expected of vinyl due to its thin plank structure. This is especially true of budget LVT options.
8. Environmentally Friendly
LVT and WPC floors both utilise plasticiser in their formulation (not exactly environmentally friendly).
If being considerate of the environment is at the top of your list, SPC might be a strong contender. It also does not contain any glue, making it a great option for kids or pets.
9. Comfort Under Foot
Due to the construction of the rigid cores, the WPC vinyl will feel softer underfoot than LVT or SPC vinyl. This is also a result of a foaming agent used in the core that gives it added cushioning.
Traditional LVT vinyl tends to be thinner and lacking in support. Adding underlayments can help LVT floors feel thicker and softer.
Consisting mostly of limestone, fillers, and adhering agents, SPC vinyl floors offer a more sturdy feel underfoot. An underlayment can be added to help your SPC vinyl flooring feel softer when you walk on it.
10. Dent Resistance
Traditional LVT floors are pliable and soft, making them an easy target for dents from heavy furniture.
Thanks to its rigid core construction, a WPC vinyl is less likely to dent. However, it is still a softer flooring that is not entirely safe from the threat of dents.
Comprised primarily of stone, SPC vinyl features superior resistance to dents compared to LVT and WPC vinyl. This makes SPC vinyl a top contender for commercial applications or areas of high foot traffic.
11. Installation
Any of these flooring options feature DIY potential. LVT planks can often be found with click-lock installation, glue down, or loose lay.
Most WPC or SPC vinyls feature a DIY click and lock system consisting of a tongue and groove construction that eliminates the need for nails or glues.
12. Price
Traditional LVT flooring is often the least expensive option amongst these types.
If you are looking for a more substantial option, the extra cost per square metre might be worth it for SPC or WPC vinyl. Often, WPC vinyl runs the most expensive.
Regardless of the type you choose, special wear layers, attached underlayments, or additional features can increase the final cost.
13. Maintenance and Cleaning
Cleaning and maintenance is simple with WPC, SPC, and LVT flooring. All it takes to maintain great looking floors is regular sweeping and an occasional deep clean.
14. Temperature Fluctuations
If temperature fluctuations are a concern, SPC vinyl will offer superior performance compared to WPC or LVT flooring.
The dense structure of SPC vinyl’s core construction makes it less susceptible to movement.
15. Application Area
Like most vinyl flooring, WPC and SPC vinyl can be installed above, and on grade. They can also be installed in wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, as well as commercial spaces.
Generally, WPC Floor is more suitable in a residential area while SPC vinyl is well suited for commercial applications.
Because of its rigid core construction, WPC floor has an advantage for hiding subfloor imperfections. Whereas a traditional solid-locking LVT or glue-down LVT may transfer any unevenness from the subfloor to the surface, WPC flooring can be used over cracks or divots in wooden or concrete subfloors.
LVT/LVP Flooring Specification
Name | LVT/SPC Flooring (PVC Flooring, Vinyl Flooring) | |
Color | As sample or upon request (Latest design film from Taiwan, more than a thousand colors to be chose） | |
Overall Thickness | 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm or upon request | |
Wear Layer Thickness | 0.07mm, 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm 0.55mm, 0.7mm | |
Surface Texture | Wood grain, Light wood grain, handscraped, EIR, Stone,Leather, Marble, Carpet | |
Finish | UV (Matt, semi-matt, light) | |
Paving Method | Click System, Dry back, Self adhesive, Loose lay | |
Production cycle | Within one month (Ask us now for optimal production cycle) | |
Service | Strict Quality Control System, One to one order following service | |
Size | Inch | mm |
6″*36″ | 152.4*914.4 | |
6″*48″ | 152.4*1219.2 | |
7″*48″ | 177.8*1219.2 | |
7.28″*48″ | 185.0 *1219.2 | |
9*48″ | 228.6*1219.2 | |
18*18″ | 457.2*457.2 | |
12**24″ | 312.8*617.6 | |
Why Choose MNS Flooring
MNSFlooring is a LVT/LVP flooring manufacturer in China, with more than 25 years experience in vinyl flooring. We can produce LVT/LVP dry back, LVT/LVP glue down, LVT/LVP peel & stick, LVT/LVP self adhesive, Loose lay based on the different installation way. And we can provide 1.8 meter LVT/LVP flooring, herringbone flooring, random installation, based on the size. Besides, we also provide deep embossing/ BP texture, wood embossing/ wood texture, EIR, register embossing/ register texture. As a LVT/LVP flooring manufacturer and wholesaler, we are proud to offer a wide range of vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl tile flooring and luxury vinyl plank flooring for your business or client.
MNSFlooring is committed to providing high-quality, environmentally friendly, durable and beautifully designed flooring solutions to customers around the world. Our products carefully imitate the texture and color of natural wood and stone, and have excellent waterproof, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant properties, which can be perfectly adapted to both domestic spaces and commercial places.
We produce products for importers who have their own brands or are ready to establish their own brands, and provide OEM services.
