What is WPC Vinyl Flooring?

WPC stands for “wood-plastic composite”, and it's a reference to the material used in this type of flooring's core. Like other types of vinyl flooring, it comes in wood and stone looks, is waterproof, and is easy for DIYers to install. However, the different core construction affects its performance in other key areas—let's take a closer look.

What Is WPC?

Wood plastic composite (WPC) is wood pulp and plastic (polymer) that's expanded with a foaming agent. This creates a rigid core that is also waterproof. The downside is that the wood pulp and air from the foaming agent make the core more susceptible to denting than other materials.

What Are My Alternatives?

You'll find that lots of luxury vinyl plank flooring uses a PVC-based core instead. This allows flooring to be manufactured thinner, which may be a cost-saving option for your low-traffic spaces.

At LL Flooring, all of our rigid core vinyl plank flooring uses an SPC core. SPC, or stone-polymer composite, consists of powdered stone instead of wood pulp, and does not contain any foaming agent. This combination of stone mixed with polymer creates a much denser product, making SPC extremely dent-resistant in addition to being waterproof. This type of flooring can hold up under heavy furniture and workout equipment and is also suitable for busy residential or even commercial areas.

Which Is Better, SPC or WPC?

Of course, “better” is a relative term, but if you’re looking for a more stable and dense vinyl flooring product for your long-term investment, then SPC vinyl plank is the winner. That's why you'll only find SPC core construction in LL Flooring's rigid vinyl collection. SPC provides the best of both worlds: superior dent resistance and comfort underfoot. Our Harmony Collection has its colors and textures printed directly onto an SPC core for the most realistic wood looks yet.