Choosing flooring is never easy for homeowners with ongoing construction or a flooring change project. Today, we will discuss Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) vinyl or stone dust composite vinyl. This type of flooring is considered an improved version of engineered vinyl flooring. It is particularly distinguished by its rigidity and solid polymer core. Discover in this guide how to choose the best vinyl flooring for your home.
All about high-end SPC vinyl flooring
SPC vinyl flooring is constructed with high-temperature calcined stone powder and PVC resin. Thanks to its modernity, durability, and affordable price for all, it continues to gain followers. Its polymer core is more solid than that of its counterpart, WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) vinyl flooring. Its vinyl top layer is thinner for more stability. This layer is directly fused and not glued or nailed to the core. No glue or other substances are used for the synthesis of stone powder and PVC resin. Moreover, the formaldehyde content of SPC vinyl is significantly lower than the national standard for flooring formaldehyde. The presence of stone in its composition makes this type of flooring a flame retardant.
What are the criteria for choosing SPC vinyl flooring?
Now that you have discovered or rediscovered the composition and the greatest advantages of Stone Plastic Composite vinyl flooring, let’s move on to the selection criteria to consider before buying it for your home or professional building. Even though SPC vinyl flooring is generally solid, some flooring manufacturers are more meticulous than others in their manufacturing process. It is then important to check the following points to ensure you have high-quality flooring.
The reliability of SPC vinyl flooring
How to know if SPC vinyl flooring is reliable or not. By ensuring that it has passed the mandatory national tests and certification. There should be one or more documents attesting to this fact. You can call on an expert like the installer of your choice to help you with this rather technical point. This is the very first criterion to check and make no compromise on this, as the strength and durability of your SPC vinyl flooring will greatly depend on it. For example, EU safety certification, ecological environmental certification, SGS international authority certification are strict standards applicable in France and in almost all other countries of the world. Make sure the flooring has successfully passed the tests imposed by national regulations before moving on to other selection criteria.
Physical and chemical performance indicators
Before buying SPC vinyl flooring, it is also advisable to pay particular attention to physical and chemical performance indicators. This is also a rather technical verification, you can ask a professional or a knowledgeable person to accompany you. It should be noted that the flooring should not be put on sale before passing very specific sampling inspections. It is therefore the manufacturer’s duty to offer its customers products that meet all regulatory requirements.
Check the uniformity of specifications and sizes
To be certain of acquiring durable, good quality flooring, you must pay close attention to the uniformity of specifications and sizes. For this, you must first know the different layers that make up SPC vinyl flooring:
- – the transparent wear layer on top, which protects the flooring from scratches and stains, and also makes it easy to clean.
- – the vinyl layer which plays a major role in the aesthetics of the plank as the colors and patterns of the covering are printed on it.
- – the SPC layer or the dense, waterproof core of the plank, which provides stability and rigidity to the floor.
- – The base layer made of cork foam or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam which ensures acoustic insulation and cushioning of the floor.
The size and thickness of each of these layers must imperatively meet national requirements. Otherwise, your floor risks deforming or even cracking very quickly.
The quality of raw materials
It’s now time to check the quality of the raw materials used and the manufacturing process in general. The most commonly used base materials by manufacturers are new materials and recycled materials. And a good quality SPC vinyl flooring is always made with new material that still has its elasticity. Thus, it cannot be easily deformed by moisture and it does not shrink during periods of extreme cold.
The quality of the floor’s appearance
As with any product, the design and aesthetics of vinyl flooring reflect its overall quality. In any case, even if the strength and resistance of floor coverings are crucial, you need to think about appearance, as it will have a big impact on your interior decor. We therefore recommend that you take the time to determine what you really want in terms of decoration. Moreover, the quality of the finish is as important as the quality of the material itself. Both will significantly affect the lifespan of your SPC vinyl flooring.
The SPC vinyl flooring manufacturer
If the criteria mentioned below seem too technical or too numerous, you can save time by opting for a product from a recognized brand with a very good reputation. This is the guarantee of an excellent choice, as a quality manufacturer will do everything necessary to satisfy its customers and thus preserve its brand image. How to recognize a reliable SPC vinyl flooring brand? By consulting online reviews, relying on word-of-mouth, asking advice from an expert. Then, you can go to the websites of the most reputable manufacturers to see the SPC vinyl flooring models they offer.
The price of SPC vinyl flooring
Obviously, the cost of the flooring remains a criterion not to be neglected, as you certainly have a budget to respect. You also need to consider the surface area of the floor to be covered. In any case, it’s better to prioritize superior quality flooring, even if it means slightly exceeding the planned budget. The price for quality vinyl flooring is between $2.50 and $4 per square foot. You can also consult a reliable comparison to get a better overview of the expenses to be made. The goal is not to buy the cheapest stone powder composite flooring, but to find the durable product that will give you the best value for money.
Why choose SPC vinyl flooring?
SPC vinyl flooring is the result of rather advanced technology. It’s a modern rigid flooring that is easy and intuitive to install, as it requires neither glue nor nails. You just need to click the planks together and you’ll have a beautiful floating floor that will resist all types of wear for years. As mentioned before, its rigid core makes it very stable and durable. Stone powder composite vinyl floors are not only appreciated by homeowners, as they are also gaining ground in the business world.
The advantages of vinyl flooring
In this case, its numerous advantages do not go unnoticed. It is particularly easy to install vinyl flooring on a subfloor or over an existing floor. It resists temperature changes very well and remains stable despite extreme cold or heat. SPC vinyl flooring is also waterproof and composed of a layer that effectively resists wear. It therefore adapts to all types of locations, even those where the risks of early wear are very present.
Which rooms in the house is this flooring suitable for?
Moreover, it is suitable for all rooms in the house: the living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. Furthermore, it is very easy to maintain. If you are looking for a type of flooring that is both aesthetic and durable, stone powder composite vinyl flooring is what you need. Colors and patterns are available to choose from. You can therefore choose according to your preferences: trendy, classic, understated, etc. Another advantage that continues to appeal to homeowners is the very affordable price of SPC vinyl flooring. Unlike laminate flooring, marble, and ceramic tiles, it contains less formaldehyde and fire retardants. Its lightness, elasticity, and absorbent properties are also appreciated.
