SPC Flooring: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

When it comes to modern flooring solutions that combine durability with style, SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) flooring has become one of the most widely established and sought-after options on the market.

SPC flooring emerged as an answer to some common frustrations with traditional PVC core flooring. 

Traditional PVC (polyvinyl chloride) core flooring uses a softer, more flexible plastic material as its foundation layer. This softer composition made it vulnerable to denting under heavy furniture, prone to expansion and contraction with temperature changes, and it struggled to hold up in high-traffic areas over time.

Manufacturers saw an opportunity to do better and developed SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) flooring with a core that blends limestone powder and plastic polymers, creating a much more rigid and stable product. 

The “stone” in its name reflects the fact that SPC floors’ core is made by adding powdered limestone to the plastic, creating a dramatically harder, denser core. The goal was to design a flooring solution that could handle heavier foot traffic, resist indentation from furniture and appliances, and stay dimensionally stable no matter the temperature.

Let’s explore SPC flooring and see if this upgraded solution might be the ideal fit for your home or business.

What is SPC Flooring?

Okay, let’s cut to the chase. “SPC” is a special type of vinyl, and it stands for Stone Plastic Composite. That essentially means they take limestone (think chalk, but way tougher), mix it with PVC and stabilizers, and create an insanely dense and strong core for the flooring. 

Most SPC flooring is built like a sandwich, with several layers working together:

• Wear layer: This tough, transparent top layer protects the printed design and resists scratches and scuffs.
• Design layer: This is where they achieve those realistic wood or stone looks using high-definition printing.
• SPC core: The powerhouse of a layer we talked about, made from a limestone-based mixture. This is what gives SPC its rigidity and stability.
• Underlayment (optional): Some brands come with an attached backing layer for added comfort, sound reduction, and to smooth out slight imperfections in your subfloor.

You might have heard about WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) and the older PVC core options. All of these fall under the luxury vinyl plank (LVP) umbrella, but what sets them apart is their core construction.

The original PVC core flooring uses pure vinyl, while WPC introduced a wood-plastic blend that offered improvements but still had a softer, more flexible core. SPC represents the latest advancement, using that stone-limestone composite to deliver superior resistance to dents, better performance in temperature swings, and exceptional water resistance.

Advantages of SPC Flooring

When it comes to choosing the right flooring, it’s all about what you get out of the deal. With SPC flooring, you’re investing in floors that will give you peace of mind. Here’s the lowdown on the benefits that SPC flooring brings to the table:

Long-lasting durability:

SPC flooring isn’t just marketing hype. It’s designed to handle heavy foot traffic, dropped dishes in the kitchen, or kids and pets roughhousing without showing much wear and tear. We’re talking a potential lifespan of 20-30 years or longer – that’s the confidence reflected in many manufacturer warranties. It’s not rare for some SPC manufacturers to offer a limited residential lifetime warranty.

It’s completely waterproof:

SPC’s 100% waterproof construction makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, or any area prone to spills and moisture. This means no concerns about warping or water damage, even in humid climates.

Low-maintenance and easy to keep clean:

Regular sweeping and the occasional damp mop are typically all you need to keep SPC looking sharp. The dense, non-porous surface and wear layer help prevent most spills, whether it’s coffee, muddy footprints, or even red wine, from setting onto the floor. This means cleanup is usually a simple matter of wiping it away.

Design versatility to match your style:

Want the warmth of wood or the sleekness of marble without the high price tag or maintenance headaches? SPC has you covered. High-definition printing technology creates highly realistic visuals so you can achieve your ideal style without sacrificing practicality.

Stability in various environmental conditions:

Another great thing about SPC flooring is that it won’t expand or contract much with temperature changes or humidity. This means no annoying gaps between planks and a comfortable, consistent feel underfoot, no matter the season.

SPC is DIY-friendly:

Most SPC flooring utilizes an intuitive click-lock system. If you’re reasonably handy and enjoy a challenge, you could potentially save some serious cash on vinyl installation costs by tackling the project yourself.

Disadvantages of SPC Flooring

After talking about SPC’s strengths, it’s only fair to discuss the trade-offs, especially considering the price compared to other options like LVP:

Might not offer the most comfortable feeling underfoot:

SPC’s core is designed for toughness, and that can sometimes translate to a harder feel underfoot. While some folks don’t mind, others accustomed to softer flooring like carpet or cork might find it less comfortable for long periods of standing. Underlayment can improve the feel somewhat, but it’s a factor to consider.

Potential VOCs: Choose wisely for healthy air:

Not all SPC flooring is created equal. While many brands prioritize low-VOC or even zero-VOC materials and processes, some cheaper options might still release those chemicals into your home’s air. It’s essential to look for certifications like FloorScore or Greenguard Gold to ensure the flooring you choose prioritizes healthy indoor environments.

Price considerations: SPC vs. PVC:

SPC generally falls in the $3.50 to $7 per square foot range, with premium varieties reaching $8 or more.

On the other hand, regular LVP with basic PVC core can often be found as low as $2 per square foot with plenty of options to choose from in $3-$5 range. If durability isn’t a top concern, regular PVC cores can be a good temporary or even permanent solution for certain spaces 

SPC Vinyl Plank: Top Picks

Now that you have a good idea about what SPC has to offer and what its trade-offs are, you are well-equipped to decide if it is the right choice for your space. If the answer is yes, we are here to provide you a place to start looking with our selection of brands that offer high-quality SPC vinyl plank:

#1 Proximity Mills 

Proximity Mills built its reputation through a direct-to-retailer model, leveraging 50+ years of manufacturing expertise to eliminate middlemen and offer premium SPC flooring at competitive prices.

They offer 11 SPC collections with 40+ designs featuring commercial-grade 20-22 mil wear layer, which is thicker than most competitors.

Key differentiators of Proximity Mills SPC flooring include lifetime residential warranties, GREENGUARD Gold and FloorScore environmental certifications, built-in underlayment, and ceramic bead-infused wear layers.

• Waterproof Performance: Proximity Mills emphasizes their commitment to 100% waterproof SPC construction, making it a worry-free choice for spill-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Impressive Durability: Their collections feature wear layers ranging from 20 mils to 22 mils, indicating good scratch and dent resistance. This makes it suitable for high-traffic areas in your home or business.
• Wide Design Selection: Choose from a variety of realistic wood and stone looks to match your décor style, whether you favor classic or contemporary trends.
• Competitive Pricing: Proximity Mills SPC falls within the mid-range of SPC prices, offering a good balance between cost and the benefits of this durable flooring type.

If you think this set of features makes a compelling case for Proximity Mills as your go-to choice, you will be glad to know that all of those features are packed in the SPC LVP that can cost under $6 per square foot.

At $5.5 price point, you can find the Yukon River collection that brings the latest fashion-forward colors to your home. The products range from an elegant Scandinavian design to a more rustic, warm look.

The Yukon River collection is nature-inspired SPC flooring featuring beautiful wooden tones and sophisticated accents with a realistic wood-like texture across six warm colorways, including Campground, Fire Wood, Leaf, Northern Pike, and Rapids. 

Each 7″ x 48″ plank features a high-strength SPC core, micro bevel edge profile, and is 100% waterproof with zero-VOC construction, making it suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

#2 Newton Flooring

Newton Flooring delivers premium SPC specifications at budget-friendly prices with ten distinct collections of SPC products. Newton boasts manufacturing partnerships with the same facilities that produce major national brands, and their SPC LVP products are built for exceptional value:

• 100% Waterproof: All Newton SPC flooring is engineered to resist spills and moisture without warping, making it perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and high-moisture areas.
• Rigid SPC Core for Superior Stability: Unlike softer WPC alternatives, Newton exclusively uses rigid stone plastic composite cores that provide maximum dimensional stability, dent resistance, and durability even in temperature-variable environments.
• Budget-to-Premium Range: Choose from 10 collections spanning $3.96-5.53 per square foot, offering options for every budget without sacrificing quality specifications typically found in premium brands.
• DIY-Friendly Installation: Newton features intuitive click-lock floating installation systems across all collections, making professional installation optional and saving on labor costs.
• Environmental Certifications: FloorScore certified for low VOC emissions and phthalate-free construction ensures healthier indoor air quality for your family.

We highlight the Cosmic Collection as Newton’s flagship premium offering that delivers commercial-grade durability with sophisticated rustic aesthetics.

The Cosmic Collection features extra-wide 9″ x 48″ planks with a 20 mil commercial-grade wear layer, delivering the bold, distressed look of weathered hardwood in rich smoky greys and chocolate browns. 

With attached underlayment and a lifetime residential warranty, these planks handle heavy foot traffic, pets, and daily wear while staying 100% waterproof. At around $5.30-5.50 per square foot, you’re getting premium specifications and authentic rustic aesthetics without paying premium brand prices.

#3 Doma

Doma sets itself apart in the SPC flooring market with an emphasis on unique designs and high-quality construction.

• Design Focus: Doma stands out for its stylish and “runway-worthy” visuals. Expect a distinctive wood and stone look that brings personality to your space.

• Robust Construction: Their products don’t sacrifice performance for looks. Doma SPC features high-quality materials for long-lasting durability.

• Protective Wear Layers: Thick wear layers help safeguard your Doma floors against scratches and everyday wear and tear.

• Unique Value: Doma aims to combine a compelling style selection with competitive pricing within the higher-end of the SPC market.

If you want to take the best out of both worlds of design and practicality, we suggest Doma’s Cascade Collection. For just about $7 per square foot, you get all the features you’d expect in a premium SPC flooring, including a robust 20 mils wear layer, waterproof construction, and pet-friendly durability.

The Cascade collection features some of Doma’s boldest designs, with high-contrast floors that blend beautiful patterns with trendy beige, brown, gray, and black hues. The Cascade collection also employs wide planks for a look that’s both boldly on-trend and entirely timeless. Each floor in the Cascade collection is FloorScore-certified.

SPC vs WPC vs PVC: Comparing Core Technologies

When choosing luxury vinyl flooring, the core construction makes all the difference in how your floors perform over time. 

All three core types deliver excellent waterproof performance in kitchens, bathrooms, and moisture-prone areas, making them superior to traditional hardwood or laminate.

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) offers the highest density and dimensional stability, making it the most dent-resistant and best choice for temperature fluctuations, while WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) provides a softer, quieter underfoot feel with good durability at a mid-range price point. 

Older PVC cores remain the most budget-friendly option but are more prone to denting under heavy furniture and expansion issues, making them better suited for low-traffic areas or temporary installations.

Below is the comparison chart for all three sorts of LVP cores to help you make an informed decision:

Weighing the Options: Is SPC Flooring Right for You?

By now, you have a solid understanding of what SPC flooring is, its pros and cons, and some top brands to consider. But how do you know if it’s the perfect fit for your home or project? Here’s a recap of the key factors to weigh:

• SPC is ideal if…
  • You crave the look of wood or stone but want no-fuss maintenance.
  • Areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or entryways that need worry-free flooring.
  • You need the extra durability for high-traffic spaces or rental property.
  • Your budget calls for style and performance without breaking the bank.
• Consider alternatives if…
  • You prefer the appeal of natural materials
  • You prioritize a soft, warm feel underfoot above all else.

SPC flooring brings unique advantages to the table. You could find the perfect solution for your home or project by weighing your priorities and carefully choosing the right brand.