When we talk about vinyl flooring, we find some acronyms (LTV, SPC or WPC) that indicate the different models of this type of flooring, ideal for small home renovations as well as for large works in hotels, stores, stores, bars, etc.
All vinyl floors are made from polyvinyl chloride, a material popularly known as PVC, and offer many advantages: they are resistant to moisture, easy to clean, flexible, pleasant to the touch, compatible with underfloor heating, easy to install and handle, and very aesthetic, with virtually endless color and design options.
The generic term “vinyl flooring” refers to LTV flooring, which is marketed in sheets and is made solely of polyvinyl chloride.
However, there are also SPC vinyl floors (also called “rigid” because of their hard core, combining stone and PVC) and WPC vinyl floors (manufactured using wood chips or sawdust and PVC).
The latter have been a revolution, since they offer the best of laminate and vinyl flooring in a single product.
Characteristics of WPC vinyl flooring
WPC flooring (acronym for Wood Plastic Core/Composite) is a type of “hybrid” flooring, composed of a percentage of wood and a percentage of high quality plastic polymers.
This combination allows them to adopt the best qualities of both materials (plastic and wood), becoming an alternative to traditional LTV flooring.
In its composition, WPC flooring has about 60% of cellulosic materials and 40% of high-density recycled plastic materials.
This percentage is what determines its quality and durability. In fact, one of the main characteristics of WPC flooring is its excellent structural properties, which make it much more resistant to moisture than traditional wood flooring.
WPC floors also have a more rigid structure than normal vinyl floors, making them harder, resistant to high temperatures and stable, as they do not transmit imperfections in the base.
Regarding their structure, we can distinguish four different layers:
- Lower layer. This is the layer located under the piece and is responsible for providing stability and firmness.
- WPC core. This layer is the one that differentiates WPC flooring from SPC flooring. It is an extruded, high-density, water-resistant composite core. It is composed of a mixture of wood and plastics, and is totally stable, so it will not expand or contract due to temperature changes.
- Middle or decorative layer. This is the layer that provides the design of the floor, usually with a “realistic” finish and texture in imitation of natural materials, such as wood or stone.
- Protective layer. Thanks to its thickness, the top layer of WPC flooring, also known as the “wear layer”, facilitates the cleaning of the flooring and protects it from discoloration, excess moisture or stains, giving it a longer service life.
Advantages of WPC decking
WPC flooring is ideal for humid areas and regions with high temperatures, as it is synthetic and waterproof, and does not soften or warp in water or heat.
In addition, thanks to its rigid construction and dimensional thickness (with AC5 resistance), it is also a good choice for commercial premises or spaces that require continuous maintenance with intensive cleaning (hotels, schools, public buildings, shopping centers, sports facilities, etc.).
Some of its main benefits are:
- Easy to install. WPC flooring can be installed on large surfaces, with no trims or supports, which offers very aesthetic finishes, with hardly any joints. In addition, like other L’Antic Colonial floors, it has a click system, so it is quick to lay, resistant to traction and with no opening between joints.
- Non-slip. In this sense, WPC flooring offers all the safety guarantees for traffic.
- Silent. Especially when compared to laminate flooring: the structure of WPC flooring absorbs impact noise and ensures maximum sound reduction capacity.
- Adaptable. Due to its characteristics, this type of flooring does not need to acclimatize to the temperature and humidity of its new environment. In addition, its mechanical performance remains unalterable over time.
- Ecological. Most WPC vinyl flooring is manufactured with recycled and low-emission products, making this material environmentally friendly.
- Resistant. This type of flooring is considered highly resistant to impact, weight, stains, scratches and wear and tear from traffic/use.
In this same line, WPC floors have many benefits when compared to conventional vinyl, among them:
- They resist water and temperature changes better, especially when laid continuously, i.e., without joints.
- They do not replicate irregularities, so it is not necessary for the surface on which they are laid to be completely level.
- They are rigid enough to support the weight of all types of furniture without suffering structural or aesthetic damage.
Looking for quality flooring for your home? Find the best WPC and SPC vinyl floors at L’Antic Colonial. We have the best designs to build an ideal space.
