What Is WPC Vinyl Flooring?
WPC vinyl flooring is a luxury vinyl with a wood-plastic composite core. The addition of the wood to the core does several things for this material. First, it makes the flooring thicker. Even the thinnest WPC is still thicker than many mid-grade solid vinyl floors. It also makes the floor springier and more comfortable underfoot. This can be beneficial for areas where people need to stand for long times.
WPC tends to be easier to cut and install than some rigid vinyl types. This is because the planks are more flexible and softer.
WPC has the same top and bottom layers as other types of vinyl flooring. It can have a printed or inlaid top layer, with the latter being more realistic and giving your floor a better appearance. WPC installs like regular vinyl flooring and is just as long-lasting but not as durable as stone-plastic core (SPC) flooring.
Layers of WPC Vinyl Flooring
Backing Layer
This is the backbone of your plank.
WPC Core
This stands as the main attraction! WPC flooring contains a solid, waterproof WPC core. It won’t ripple, swell or peel no matter much liquid you subject it to.
Printed Vinyl Layer
This is where you get your gorgeous photo imagery that makes the vinyl look (nearly) identical to natural materials like stone and wood. Often, WPC vinyl flooring is the highest quality vinyl on the market. This means you get the most realistic looks that people will swear are real wood/stone!
Wear Layer
Just like with traditional vinyl, the wear layer is like your bodyguard; it helps protect your floor from dents, scratches, etc. The thicker the wear layer, the buffer your bodybuilder, you feel me?
WPC indoor flooring is known for having buff, beefy wear layers offering more protection. When you look at vinyl flooring, it’s just as (if not more) important to look at wear layer thickness as plank thickness.
What are its advantages over laminate?
The big advantage for WPC over laminate is that it is waterproof and suitable for environments in which laminate shouldn’t normally be used—typically bathrooms and basements that have potential moisture infiltration. In addition, WPC products can be installed in large rooms without an expansion gap every 30 feet, which is a requirement for laminate floors. The vinyl wear layer of WPC provides cushion and comfort and also absorbs the impact sound to make it a quiet floor. WPC is also suitable for large open areas (basements and Main Street commercial areas) because it doesn’t need expansion moldings.
