SPC vs LVT Flooring

Understand the differences between SPC and LVT flooring, including their core materials, layer structure, durability and installation methods. A general guide for homeowners and renovation professionals.

MATERIAL & FINISHES

a stack of wood

Understanding their layer structures can help homeowners and renovation professionals compare products and choose the right flooring for their projects.

SPC vs LVT FLOORING

SPC and LVT are popular vinyl flooring options, but they differ in their core materials, construction, flexibility and installation methods.

SPC or LVT? Choosing the Right Vinyl Floor for Your Home
man in black t-shirt and pants sitting on floor
man in black t-shirt and pants sitting on floor
black tower speaker beside white wall
black tower speaker beside white wall

Stone Plastic Composite

SPC has a rigid core of limestone powder, PVC and stabilisers, usually 4–8mm thick with click-lock installation and an attached underlay; it is stable in heat and humidity, dent-resistant and forgiving enough to lay over existing tiles, though it feels harder, colder and louder underfoot than LVT.

Luxury Vinyl Tile/Plank

LVT has a flexible PVC core layered with a backing, printed design film and clear wear layer, usually 2–5mm thick in glue-down or click types; it feels softer, warmer and quieter underfoot, but needs a very flat screed, can dent under heavy furniture and expands with heat, especially near large windows with strong sun.

Where to use it & How it works ?

Note: This illustration is for general reference only. The flooring layer structure, materials, thickness, and specifications may vary by manufacturer and product model. Please refer to the individual brand’s official technical datasheet for accurate product specifications.

SPC suits dry areas like living rooms, bedrooms, corridors, offices and shops, including over firmly bonded existing tiles, but should be avoided in bathrooms, wet kitchens, balconies and outdoor areas. Its rigid core can bridge small floor dips, but the subfloor should still be flat within about 3mm over 2m, with an 8–10mm expansion gap at walls, and no cabinets or built-ins fixed on top of the floating floor. Most SPC planks come with a thin foam underlay already attached, so only a plastic sheet is needed as a moisture barrier; adding extra soft foam underneath makes the floor bouncy and weakens the click joints. Today, almost all SPC uses the click-lock method, which is faster, cleaner and needs no glue, and individual planks can be removed and replaced if damaged.

LVT suits dry indoor areas like bedrooms, living rooms, offices and stairs, but should be avoided in wet areas and spots with strong direct sun, where heat can cause expansion and lifting. Its flexible PVC core shows every bump, crack and grout line, so the floor must be skim-coated or self-levelled to a very smooth, clean and dry finish before laying. Glue-down LVT is bonded directly to the floor with no foam or plastic sheet, while click-type LVT can use a plastic sheet with a thin, firm foam, as thick soft foam lets the flexible planks sink and the joints open. The new generation of vinyl flooring is mostly click-lock, with glue-down LVT now mainly used for commercial projects, stairs and curved or irregular areas.

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