Vinyl Plank Flooring

SPC is the acronym for Stone Plastic Composite.  The core of the plank is comprised of a mineral core, typically 60% limestone, polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers which makes for a rigid material offering durability and density.  More similar to tile, it can get cold underfoot and has a hard feel, however it is a more economical choice.

WPC is Wood Plastic Composite.  Wood flour is fused with thermoplastic (like PVC).  This matrix features micro air bubbles which provide sound-deadening and insulating properties.  It is a little warmer, softer and quieter underfoot and costs a little more than SPC.

Vinyl flooring has been around for roughly 100 years and has been preferred for its waterproof nature.  Installed in sheet form, the material is typically glued to a smooth subfloor without holes or voids.

This newer “luxury vinyl plank” aka LVP (or LVT when it looks like tile) is re-worked into semi-rigid planks with additional hardness for dent and gauge resistance and includes a wear layer to prevent scratching.  These planks can be clicked together atop a variety of subfloor types, as long as they are flat, and are not picky about smoothness as sheet vinyl is.

There are similarities, but they are not the same.

Laminate, the “OG” of click-together flooring, is comprised of a high-density wood particle board with a design image laminated to the surface.   Vinyl plank is comprised of semi-rigid planks of vinyl which also click together. 

When laminate was introduced, it offered a handsome, durable and easy to install and price-point flooring solution.  However, being comprised of wood-material, it is prone to water absorption, and expansion and contraction with changing temperatures and humidity. 

As vinyl does not absorb water like wood does, vinyl plank will not swell or shrink when exposed to moisture, making it a better choice for most households.  And as vinyl does not expand or contract, the dimensional stability allows us to install flooring in multiple areas without transition moldings or interruption in the pattern.  Vinyl plank allows for a more continuous, flowing floor.