What is SPC and how is it constructed?
SPC flooring has a rigid core containing minerals and polymers. Its decorative finish can resemble wood or stone but is not a natural wood surface. Core composition and board construction vary by manufacturer.
- Surface coating and wear layer protect the décor. Assess them alongside the use class and intended application; wear-layer thickness alone does not describe overall durability.
- The decorative layer determines appearance. View a sample in your room’s lighting and check pattern repetition.
- The rigid core and locking joints form the plank’s structure and connections. Rigidity does not replace subfloor preparation.
- Underlay may be integrated or selected separately. Establish which applies before buying accessories.
Use classes 31, 32 and 33 — what do they mean for vinyl?
Use classes apply to LVT and SPC vinyl flooring as well as laminate. They indicate suitability for an intensity of use, rather than surface abrasion resistance alone. Under the EN ISO 10874 classification system, the first digit “3” denotes commercial use; the second identifies the level of traffic.
| Class | Commercial use | Example conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Moderate | Low or intermittent traffic, such as a hotel bedroom. |
| 32 | General | Regular, medium-intensity traffic, such as an office. |
| 33 | Heavy | A school corridor with heavy foot traffic. |
Examples illustrate intensity of use; they do not replace checking a particular building’s requirements. Classes 31–33 are not the entire classification system.
What does this mean for a home?
A commercial rating does not prohibit domestic use. Check the domestic classification too: for example, 23/33 means heavy domestic use and heavy commercial use. A higher class does not automatically mean better acoustics, comfort or resistance to every scratch or flooding event.
Use class, wear layer and AC are different specifications
For vinyl, compare the class declared for the exact model, its wear-layer thickness and other specifications. Do not assign a class from wear-layer thickness alone. Do not convert class 31 into AC3 or class 32 into AC4. AC describes an abrasion test used for laminate, whereas a use class identifies a broader intended application. Explore the distinction using laminate as an example.
Classification sources: ERFMI — resilient flooring use classes and EGGER — use classes under EN ISO 10874.
When should you consider SPC?
When comparing click vinyl, seeking a wood or stone décor, and planning everyday cleaning in line with product instructions. For a renovation, check the complete build-up height, whether the existing covering can remain and how long subfloor preparation will take.
In a kitchen or entrance, check permitted water exposure and edge finishing. With pets, consider the surface, care and repair options. SPC does not automatically take priority over laminate or glue-down LVT simply because of its category name.
Limitations to understand
Water: the plank is part of a complete solution
A waterproof plank claim does not mean substrate protection and edge details can be omitted. Bathrooms, regular wetting and shower areas need separate verification of approved uses. Do not treat the flooring as a substitute for required waterproofing.
Scratches and repairs
Do not assume a protective coating eliminates marks from grit, moving furniture or claws. Use suitable furniture-foot protection and clean as instructed. Minor damage may be repairable using a manufacturer-approved kit; larger damage may require plank replacement. SPC is not refinished by sanding like wood.
Temperature and sunlight
Check permitted temperatures around large windows, strong sunlight or in intermittently unheated rooms. A stable core does not mean there are no thermal limits. With underfloor heating, product approval, the complete assembly’s thermal resistance and temperature control instructions matter.
Acoustics
Walking noise heard inside a room and sound transmitted to neighbours below are different issues. Ask for data on the tested flooring-and-underlay assembly and test conditions. An “acoustic” label alone does not allow a comparison between solutions.
What do we check before installation?
- Flatness, stability and moisture. Assessment determines repairs and levelling needs. Unevenness may cause deformation and gaps; locking joints are not designed to bridge defects.
- Underlay and any moisture-control layer. Selection follows product instructions and substrate type. An extra underlay beneath a plank with integrated backing may be prohibited.
- Expansion gaps and fixed furniture. Plan perimeter gaps, transitions and details around islands and fitted cabinetry. Do not restrain a floating floor contrary to its instructions.
- Levels and doors. Allow for planks, underlay and levelling. Check tile transitions and access to appliances beneath fitted units.
- Working conditions. Establish the selected model’s acclimatisation, temperature and room preparation requirements.
There is no single flatness tolerance or expansion-gap dimension given here for all SPC. Use the current instructions for the product being purchased.
SPC, laminate or glue-down LVT?
| Solution | Installation | Question before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Click SPC | Rigid locking planks, usually installed as a floating floor. | Do the subfloor, underlay, fixed furniture and temperature meet the model’s requirements? |
| Laminate | Common systems float over an approved underlay. | How does the specific model compare for use, water exposure, acoustics and total cost? |
| Flexible glue-down LVT | Bonded to a prepared, suitably smooth surface. | What will subfloor preparation cost and how high will the complete assembly be? |
Compare complete solutions for the same room. Read the flooring selection guide
What does an SPC installation quote cover?
Scope follows assessment of the conditions: subfloor preparation, any removal, plank installation, skirting, profiles and transition finishing. A quote should distinguish necessary work, optional work and items requiring inspection. The laying rate per m² alone does not describe the entire project.
Prepare: the area, location, floor plan, subfloor photos, product name and instructions, heating details and preferred timing. LaFloor provides installation; you purchase the flooring independently. We can discuss installation requirements before you order.
Sources and documentation
The instructions below cover specific collections, not all SPC flooring. Linked resources are in Polish.