SPC Rigid Core

SPC — Stone Plastic Composite — is rigid-core vinyl. A limestone-and-PVC core makes the plank dimensionally stable, dent-resistant and forgiving over slightly uneven subfloors. It's the modern answer to 'I want waterproof, hard-wearing, and I don't want to spend a week levelling the floor first.' Ideal for busy family homes, offices, retail, and any renovation over an old tiled floor.

Pros

• +Rigid core hides subfloor imperfections a click LVT would telegraph
• +Dent-resistant — safe for castor chairs, high heels and heavy furniture
• +Zero expansion/contraction with temperature — perfect for conservatories
• +Attached underlay in most ranges — one product, one install
• +Fully waterproof and quieter than laminate

Trade-offs

• −Heavier and colder underfoot than click LVT
• −Rigid boards need a very slight expansion gap but can crack under extreme load
• −Repair means unclipping back to the damaged plank — no hot swap
• −Cheap SPC uses a thin wear layer; check specs before comparing on price

FAQs

• Is SPC better than LVT?

  Different, not better. SPC is more dent-resistant, more forgiving over uneven subfloors, and better for commercial use. Click LVT is warmer, quieter underfoot and slightly cheaper. For a kitchen or a busy hallway, SPC usually wins.

• Can I install SPC over underfloor heating?

  Yes — SPC is the most UFH-friendly rigid floor available. Keep the surface temp below 27°C and use a UFH-approved SPC (most modern ranges are).

• Does SPC need underlay?

  Not extra underlay. Most SPC comes with attached underlay; adding another layer causes bounce and voids the warranty. Bare SPC (no attached backing) needs a purpose-made 1 mm SPC underlay only.

• How long does SPC last?

  A quality domestic SPC (0.5 mm wear layer) lasts 20+ years in a family home. Commercial-grade (0.7 mm wear layer) lasts 10–15 years in a retail setting.

• Can SPC crack?

  Only under extreme, sustained point loads (industrial racking with no spreader plates). In normal domestic or office use it doesn't crack — that's the whole point of the stone core.