It’s not every day that a new technology starts to transform and take over the flooring industry… Believe it or not, floors have been largely the same for quite a while. However, with the introduction of Hybrid-Core flooring, also known as wood polymer composite or WPC, the industry has been shaken up.
If you feel a bit lost already or don’t know what WPC really means for you then don’t worry. I’m here to help.
(Pictured above is our 7" Embossed Golden Nugget Stone-Core Flooring)
First, let’s discuss why wood polymer composite or WPC is so ahead of the curve. WPC was created by USFloors for their COREtec line. It’s a vinyl plank that can mimic the look of almost any hardwood species, but is 100% waterproof and very durable.
The secret lies in its four layers.
Compare it to regular laminate pictured below and you may start to see why it’s so superior.
As you can see, the biggest difference is the core structure layer which has been completely overhauled from what is used in traditional vinyl flooring. The WPC core is solid, waterproof and won’t ripple, swell, or peel no matter how much liquid you introduce it to.
Click Here To Shop Our Selection Of WPC Flooring
The wear layer has also been beefed up to make this a very tough and durable flooring option. It is very resistant to scratches and dents.
This durability and toughness make WPC flooring ideal for businesses and rental houses, but still a great option for any house with a lot of traffic, children, or animals. Plus, the 100% waterproof guarantee makes this especially perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and showrooms.
Additionally, WPC flooring is a perfect choice for families with pets and small children. The flooring is scratch and stain resistant, great if you have allergies, and a breeze to clean and maintain. WPC flooring also has the added benefit of being softer to walk on. If you have pets, this should be a top contender when you are shopping for floors.
Take a look at what happens when the WPC flooring is subjected to a serious red wine test.
WPC panels are also surprisingly easy to install, just like typical click and lock flooring panels. As an added bonus due to the planks being thicker and more durable than other flooring types, they can be placed down on slightly uneven or rough subfloors without the need to adjust it first. This can save some valuable time and money in addition to making the whole project much more DIY friendly.
Here is a video by USFloors showing how to quickly install click and lock WPC flooring.
Finally, the most important part of WPC vinyl is that it looks great. It can convincingly mimic almost any species of hardwood or even stone tiles while being cheaper in price, offering a far tougher and longer lasting option.
As far as cons go… There really aren’t any, other than it’s higher price point compared to vinyl titles and some hardwood options.
Click Here To Shop Our Selection Of WPC Flooring
WPC is an amazing new product that is sure to become an industry leader in no time. However, if you thought that this would be the end of innovation then you’d be wrong. There is an even newer luxury plank product on the market called stone polymer composite (SPC). SPC replaces the wood (the W) in WPC with Stone (the S) to beef up the flooring even further.
SPC is even more durable, and now offers the very real bonus of being fire resistant in addition to the same waterproof protection that WPC offers. Not only that, but it can even be cheaper than WPC due to more companies being able to produce it.
The only downside so far with SPC is that it’s still very hard to find on the market. However, we have managed to get our hands on a few SPC floors, so click here to take a look at what we have to offer.
Click Here To Take A Look At Our SPC Flooring
There you have it. Everything you never knew you wanted to know about WPC and SPC vinyl floors. Let us know any thoughts questions you still have on these products in the comments below. To shop our amazing selection of WPC and other vinyl floors please click here. Thanks for reading!
