SPC vs WPC: What’s the Difference?

Unfamiliar terms may arise when purchasing flooring. To help ease your journey, we decided to break down two of the most commonly confused terms – SPC vs WPC

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WPC Flooring

WPC stands for Wood Polymer Composite. This type of flooring is constructed with a combination of wood products or wood-like materials and typically has a thicker core than SPC flooring. Due to this thickness, sound is dampened and there is more cushioning when walking on it. It is also believed by many that WPC flooring remains warmer than SPC flooring, although this is not a proven fact.

However, WPC flooring also lacks certain benefits which are featured in SPC flooring. This includes slightly less durability than SPC flooring due to the cushioning; however, both are still exceptionally resilient and strong.

Image 1: Zion Oak; Image 2: Vista Oak

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SPC Flooring

SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite and as you can likely tell from its name, features stone in its makeup. With a slightly thinner core than WPC flooring, SPC is more rigid and has less cushioning. However, this core density also lends to the incredible strength of SPC flooring. In turn, this makes SPC planks heavier in weight than WPC planks. SPC flooring also slightly carries sound, while WPC flooring tends to absorb it. It is also believed by many that SPC is more impervious to UV rays and light, although, again, this is not a proven face.

Image 1: Gold; Image 2: Mercury

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WPC vs. SPC: The Similarities

So where are the similarities? Well, both are composed of the same construction featuring a wear layer on top, vinyl and rigid core layers in the middle, and a base layer of rubber, cork, or foam. In this case, Garrison SPC and WPC feature an EVA attached foam. In addition, by utilizing impervious materials during composition, waterproof flooring is constructed. This resistance to liquids is the cherry on top of an already durable, long-lasting floor.

The top layers of WPC and SPC are also incredibly realistic with a sculpted surface texture emulating its inspiration; natural hardwood. From the eye-catching hues and undertones to the blooming beauty of its construction, our Garrison WPC and SPC flooring are both excellent choices for any space.

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Overall

So, which should you go with? If you spend a lot of time standing, such as cooking in the kitchen, you may want to go with WPC flooring due to its cushioning properties. However, if you tend to drop everything from plates to maybe even a microwave, then SPC flooring is most likely the way to go. Overall, the flooring is so similar, oftentimes it comes down to which color you like best.