SPC flooring has been becoming more and more popular thanks to all its remarkably desirable traits and features. Some even say that SPC flooring will become the dominant product in the next two or three years, while some others have different considerations.

Nothing is perfect in this world, it is no surprise that SPC flooring also carries some downsides with it. Here are the lists of SPC flooring pros and cons.

Advantages of SPC Flooring

1. Water Resistant

SPC flooring that is well-installed is almost seamless which makes it difficult for water to sips in. This interesting benefit allows it to be installed in almost every area of your house including the bathroom and laundry area.

However, some low-quality or poorly installed SPC flooring may not able to handle moisture as efficiently as luxury SPC flooring. In such a case, moisture trap between gaps and causes odor and growth of mold.

It’s important to find a reliable manufacturer and supplier who can provide quality products.

2. Wide Range Of Style And Selections

This huge variation of styles gives you abundant freedom to come out with the pattern and arrangement you like. Decorative designs are printed and rested on top of the PVC core layer. This fine-printed layer using a high-grade printing technique provides a unique and authentic real wood, marble, and carpet effect.

Some SPC flooring even comes with the embossed surface of real wood “feel-alike”, as if you are stepping on a real wood flooring!

3. Budget Friendly

SPC flooring is way more affordable than hardwood flooring. It’s able to provide the same natural wood-look effect you desire.

The installation cost is also inexpensive. You can even save up the labor cost by going DIY the installation.

4. Able To Sustain High Traffic

SPC flooring can sustain a high traffic environment. To some extent, it can handle high traffic activity better than other types of flooring. This feature is one of the main reasons why SPC flooring is so popular. It can sustain lots of foot traffic which is very suitable for large families or active people in commercial areas.

5. Durable And Long-lasting

Compared with traditional PVC floorings such as LVT and WPC, SPC flooring is extremely durable. What’s more, it has greatly improved dimensional stability.

Don’t be surprised to find SPC flooring can last 20 years over if it’s well maintained. That is also why some big brands of SPC flooring can provide warranties of 15 years and above. These features allow it to be widely used in commercial areas like offices, retail shops, and restaurants.

However, it is important to know the wide variation of quality range that can be found in SPC flooring. The quality range of SPC and ways of manufacture are the determining factors of how well your SPC flooring is.

6. Easy To Clean And Maintain

If you are not a homemaker or do not have much time for house chores, SPC flooring might be what you need. All you have to do is to sweep and damp mop occasionally and it will be sufficient to keep your house clean.

Even if you found any damaged pieces or tiles, you can simply replace each piece without having to remove the entire flooring. You will soon find that maintaining the condition of SPC flooring is much easier compared to other types of flooring.

7 Underfoot Comfort

SPC flooring is not as hard as wood flooring. A thin layer of foam or felt is normally used to back SPC flooring.

This padded structure adds softness and flexibility and makes standing long hours feel less tired. The level of comfort when stepping on it is also different from any other type of flooring could offer.

8 Simple And Direct Installation

The whole process of installation is simple and quick. It is especially convenient for the house owners as they can move in sooner.

SPC flooring can be installed directly on top of your existing floor as long as the condition of your flooring is flat and smooth. The installation is pretty simple, particularly for click-lock type.

9 Stain Resistant

SPC flooring is famously known for stain resistance. The theory behind this is the wear layer on the SPC surface that acts as a protective barrier against spillage and stains.

10 Safety

SPC flooring is made from fireproof material which will hinder the spread of fire.

Depending on the type of SPC flooring that you choose, the embossed surface of SPC flooring offers firmer grip and anti-slip. All these features make it a safe flooring for families with elderly and toddlers.

11 Sound Proof

These special features absorb noise from outside helps make you're surrounding a peaceful and serene place to stay. With the feature of reducing indoor noise, you will not have to worry if your neighbors were affected by any noise.

12 Environmental Friendly

Depending on the brand of SPC flooring you purchase, some of the materials used in SPC flooring are from recycled sources with major eco-credential. Choosing SPC flooring reduces the usage of wood and this could help conserve the environment with lesser logging on the forest.

Disadvantages of SPC Flooring

1 Difficult Subfloor Preparation

The subfloor should be leveled, smooth, free of dust and dirt before installation. This process requires you to put some time and effort to get a perfect outcome. If the condition of the subfloor is not well prepared, any particles trapped underneath will cause lumps and bumps on the SPC surface. This will cause serious flooding issues over time and can even lead to the rip and tear of SPC parts.

2 Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)s Emission

SPC flooring is produced from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that causes the release of volatile organic compounds into the air, particularly when it is newly installed.

You should ventilate the area by opening doors and windows after installation.

3 Difficult To Remove Once Installed

You would need time and patience if you are planning to remove installed SPC flooring yourself. Depending on the type of SPC flooring installed, removing the adhesive type would cause you a mess.

4 Susceptible To Sharp Objects

Heavy furniture, pet paws, sands, or any sharp objects will leave scratches and abrasions on the SPC flooring surface.

Extra care is needed when it comes to contact with sharp and abrasive objects. Always remember to cover SPC flooring with a layer of felt, mat, or rugs to keep your flooring surface smooth.

5 Sensitive To Moisture

Not all SPC flooring is sensitive to moisture. However, SPC flooring of lower grade may swell or discolor when contact with moisture in a long term.

Moisture that traps under the SPC floor will encourage the growth of mold and cause odor. However, there is some type of SPC flooring suitable to be installed in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Just check with your SPC flooring supplier on its functionality before making any purchase.

6 Yellowing And Discoloration

Although SPC flooring can resist most stains, you should prevent the strong chemical from coming into direct contact with the SPC floor surface. Although yellowing of SPC flooring can be due to many factors, the chemical emitted from rubber is a major culprit of this issue. You could overcome this problem by replacing any rubber material with non-staining rubber material.

The discoloration is normally caused by long-term exposure to UV light as well as dirt that traps underneath the wax layer. However, not all SPC flooring will have discoloration, it all depends on the quality. High-quality SPC will be safe from discoloration.

7 Toxic Hazard When Burned

Since SPC flooring is made of plastic material, it will release odor and toxic chemicals into the air when burned. Therefore, it is not recommended to be used in high heat or fire hazard areas like commercial kitchens.

8 Environmental Issue

The material used to produce SPC flooring is not biodegradable. Therefore you can say that most SPC flooring is non-recyclable. But there are still certain manufacturers that produce recyclable SPC flooring. Worn-out SPC flooring that is unable to be recycled will end up in landfills.

Over time, chemicals released from worn SPC will become environmental pollution. Not just that, the manufacturing process of SPC flooring also requires high consumption of natural gas, petroleum, and other non-renewable resources.

9 Unable To Be Refinished Or Repair

Despite that SPC flooring is generally known for its high durability, some low-quality SPC flooring is easier to wear out or tear. Once it’s damaged, it is difficult to repair and the worse is no refinish work can be done. The only option is to have that particular piece replaced.

SPC tile or plank is much easier to replace compared to SPC sheet in most cases. So you should put this into consideration before choosing the type of SPC flooring best fits your use.