SPC vinyl flooring — rigid mineral core

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) is vinyl flooring with a mineral core — roughly 60 % stone powder bound with PVC. That core accounts for every practical difference from flexible vinyl.

What the rigid core buys you

Dimensional stability. SPC barely reacts to temperature swings, so it can go next to full-height glazing, in conservatories and in rooms where summer sun heats the floor — exactly where flexible vinyl starts to cup.

Tolerance of an uneven subfloor. A rigid plank bridges minor irregularities. Flexible vinyl follows them and shows them on the surface; SPC is more forgiving.

Click instead of adhesive. The floor is laid floating, with no glue. Installation is faster, and the floor can be lifted again if needed.

Where SPC gives ground

A rigid floor is louder underfoot than a glued one, because an air gap remains between plank and subfloor. Some ranges come with an acoustic backing already bonded; without it, a separate underlay is required.

SPC is also thicker than flexible vinyl and raises the floor level more. In a renovation with door frames already fitted that can be the deciding argument — in which case see flexible vinyl.

Brands

Lalegno — SPC in herringbone and chevron patterns, 6,5 mm. Amaron — a wide decor range for commercial use. Moduleo — Dutch manufacturer, SPC line with integrated underlay.

Frequently asked questions

Is SPC suitable for underfloor heating?

Yes. The mineral core conducts heat well and the plank does not shrink. The usual condition applies: subfloor temperature up to 27–29 °C depending on the manufacturer.

Can SPC be laid in a bathroom?

The material itself is unaffected by water, but a click joint is not watertight. A bathroom needs either a glue-down version or a floor with sealed joints — ask us before ordering.

How does SPC differ from laminate?

Laminate has an HDF core — compressed wood, which swells irreversibly once wet. The SPC core is mineral and absorbs no water. That is why SPC works in a kitchen or hallway where laminate is a risk.

What thickness should I choose?

For a home, 4–5 mm with a 0,3–0,4 mm wear layer is enough. For commercial use, from 0,55 mm wear layer — class 33 or 42. Class can be filtered in the catalogue.

Is an underlay required?

Unless the range has one integrated, yes. It dampens sound and evens out minor subfloor irregularities.

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