Looking down at Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) you will first see the clear wear layer that covers the vinyl print. The thickness of this first layer is measured in mils. The thicker the wear layer, the more scratch resistance the floor will be. Generally, the wear layer can be 6-30 mils. At Wenke Flooring, most of the LVP we offer has a minimum of 12 mils. Under the wear layer is the vinyl print. After the print comes the core of the product. The last layer is the attached underlayment. There are two types of cores in LVP, SPC and WPC.
SPC - Rigid core:
SPC or commonly called Rigid Core is a stone plastic composite or stone polymer composite core. Most SPC cores are made up of limestone. SPC is denser than WPC, therefore more dent resistant. SPC products feel denser underfoot and may be cooler to the touch. SPC is Slightly more affordable because it is easier to manufacture than WPC.
WPC - Wood Plastic Composite:
WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite. Its core is comprised of wood-like materials, PVC, or a foaming agent. WPC vinyl planks have more give/bounce underfoot. WPC is not as dense as SPC. Generally, WPC vinyl is thicker overall. WPC sounds more like real wood when it is walked on. WPC cores are yellow or off-white in color, while SPC products are grey on the inside.
Both options are durable and waterproof. Vinyl is a floating floor that has a locking mechanism that makes it waterproof. LVP is a faux wood, the image is printed on a vinyl paper. Due to the fact the images are printed on paper, LVP will have pattern repeats. Most LVP styles have 5-12 different images in a box. LVP installers do their best to not have two of the same prints right next to each other. If LVP is in a large open space, homeowners may notice this pattern. These floors can be installed in any area of a home including, kitchens, entries, and bathrooms.
