Dalton Direct Flooring

The main difference between the two engineered flooring constructions (WPC vs SPC) is the LVP with WPC core is manufactured with a thin PVC top cap which is fused to the top of the WPC composite core. This process involves bonding the wear layer and a High Definition(HD) PVC print pattern to a thin PVC core (1 mm - 2mm) which is then married to its composite core. This mandates an extra step in the manufacturing process. And makes WPC more expensive due to this extra manufacturing process.

SPC Core LVP has the same HD PVC print and wear layer as WPC core LVP and PVC core LVP. But instead of marrying the wear layer and print to a thin PVC core like WPC core LVP, it forgoes this process and instead bonds it directly to the composite core. SPC Core LVP is more dense than WPC core LVP due to a more compact stone or limestone(Calcium Carbonate) filling in the core. And has a higher resistance to indentations due to this increased PSI rating though WPC Core is still resistant to indentations.

WPC Core LVP is made with a foaming agent which creates tiny air bubbles in the core making it less dense. These air bubbles along with the thin PVC cap on top makes the WPC Core floor a very comfortable floor to walk on. Another advantage to air bubbles being injected into the core is greater sound insulation than SPC Core LVP. However, the addition of attached pads to almost all SPC Core LVP products has made this difference less noticeable. And both feel much better underneath the feet than ceramic or porcelain tile.

Many of the waterproof core LVP products currently in the market are SPC core LVP products with attached pad due to consumer demand. The comfort underneath the feet with the attached pad and the increase cost of WPC Core LVP has driven the consumer demand. However, the WPC Core products are the original waterproof luxury vinyl product and either choice will look good for decades. We have the Sparta Diamond WPC installed in our offices and it looks great after 6 years of high traffic.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WEAR - LAYER

A mil is not a millimeter.

This is often misunderstood.

The wear-layer is very important.

Once the wear-layer wears through, the pattern will damage, and the floor will need to be replaced.