What is Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

What is Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Rigid core luxury vinyl flooring, also known as SPC flooring,

is the most durable waterproof vinyl flooring option on the market.

You know how vinyl has a reputation for being flexible and less sturdy than traditional wood or laminate? Well, WPC vinyl is pretty darn sturdy, but SPC rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is like standing on concrete.

This small, thin flooring may seem like it doesn’t have much unf to it, but it is the toughest of the tough, specially designed to withstand the use and abuse of commercial environments.

Like WPC, SPC rigid core vinyl flooring is the top of the line for not just functionality but looks, as well. With rigid core vinyl, you’ll see all the hottest wood and stone-look trends and colors in beautiful, convincing planks and tiles.

SPC rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is typically comprised of 4 layers.*

*Can vary between manufacturers.

Backing Layer: This is the backbone of your plank.

SPC Core: This is the main attraction! SPC flooring contains a solid, waterproof WPC core. It won’t ripple, swell or peel no matter much liquid you subject it to. This core is ultra-dense with no foaming agents like you’ll find in traditional WPC flooring. It gives you slightly less resilience underfoot, but it makes the flooring a superhero in the durability department.

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, rigid core luxury 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 bodyguard. SPC flooring is known for having a buff, beefy wear layer 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.

Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring Wear Layer Options

The wear layer is the top surface of your rigid core vinyl flooring. Like I said earlier, the wear layer is like the bodyguard for your floor. If your options were a scrawny little thing, or a big, bulky, tough and ready-for-battle bodyguard, obviously you’d want the latter.

While no bodyguard (wear layer) is perfect, there are a wide range and great options for every use and price point. Pretty simply put, thicker = better. Yes; for wear layers, this is still true.

The thicker the wear layer (or, the higher the MIL number), the more resistant your floor will be to scratching and scarring. Which wear layer do you need? Well, let’s take a look at our options.

12MIL: Although it’s the lowest option in rigid core, 12MIL is still pretty thick – definitely thick enough for any home and for less busy commercial areas.

20MIL: This is the most common wear layer for commercial environments.

22MIL: The best of the best. 22MIL is as scratch-resistant as vinyl flooring gets, specially designed to hold up in the most intense commercial environments.

Pros of Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring:

It’s 100% waterproof: I mean, this is the trademark of both rigid core and WPC vinyl. It’s perfect for business owners, pets and water-prone areas.

Perfect for imperfect subfloors: This is the other trademark of rigid core luxury vinyl flooring. All WPC vinyl is great for uneven subfloors, but rigid core is specially designed for these types of situations, engineered to be installed over any existing hard surface, including tile.

Ultra-durable: SPC vinyl flooring is the toughest, most durable vinyl flooring option on the market.

Realistic wood and stone looks: Seriously, vinyl is changing. Rapidly. The top-end vinyl floors mimic natural materials better than ever before. SPC vinyl is the best of the best, which means the looks are usually incredibly convincing and beautiful.

Zero maintenance: All you need is the occasional vacuum and damp mop to keep your floor looking fabulous.

Kiss the phthalates goodbye: Many of our SPC flooring options are phthalate-free. Just check the product highlights to be sure.

No expansion/contraction: One big worry for traditional wood flooring is expansion and contraction causing shifting or buckling in the floor. Rigid core does not expand or contract, even when moisture is present.

Easy, DIY installation: Rigid core luxury vinyl tiles and planks are easy to install yourself with most options interlocking and floating over your existing surface.

Sound absorbent: The SPC core of rigid core luxury vinyl flooring helps absorb sound, making it great for second story businesses.

Extra warmth:Rigid core is known for providing extra warmth, especially compared to cold ceramic tile.

Where Should You Use Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

While rigid core is typically sold as a commercial flooring option, it’s really a great choice just about anywhere you need durable, waterproof flooring. Popular applications include:

Commercial & high-traffic areas: Particularly, commercial kitchens and bathrooms that see a lot of traffic and need a waterproof floor. It’s also extremely popular in grocery stores and other environments where spills happen frequently.

Kitchens: If you’re like me and your kitchen sees lots of traffic, you might consider going the SPC rigid core route. You can always purchase an anti-fatigue mat to place over the areas you stand the most for added comfort.

Bathrooms: Because of its waterproof capabilities, rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is a great option for providing a gorgeous, realistic wood or stone look in your bathroom.

Basements: Basements are prone to flood and water damage so waterproof rigid core flooring is a great option. Additionally, you typically don’t spend as much time standing in a basement so the lower resiliency isn’t a big drawback.

Who Should Choose Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

You!

Just kidding. Well, probably not. Chances are if you’ve made it this far and you’re still interested in what rigid core has to offer, it’s probably a great fit for you.

SPC flooring started out primarily as a commercial flooring option. However, USFloors says they expect to see it become a residential staple. We spoke to Bryan Schwieger of USFloors who said,

"Although SPC is best suited for commercial applications because of its overall durability and high-traffic design, this category has really expanded its visual offerings, and because the cost to produce is less than WPC, we expect the sales to continue to grow on the residential side in the future."

Almost anyone can benefit from rigid core’s waterproof features and durability. Here are a few types of people we highly recommend it to.

Business owners: Like I’ve mentioned, rigid core luxury vinyl flooring is designed with business owners and commercial spaces in mind. It is the most durable waterproof vinyl flooring option on the market. And, its sharp looks keep your business looking modern and stylish.

Pet owners: We know pets can completely wreck a floor between accidents, nails and running, but rigid core is built to handle it. It’s also less slippery on those little puppy paws than laminate options.

Homeowners with imperfect subfloors: One of the biggest selling points for SPC rigid core flooring is that you can install it over uneven subfloors. Save money and ditch the leveling company by using rigid core flooring.*

DIYers: Most likely, you won’t need to rip out your existing subfloor. Just interlock and float your rigid core vinyl over your existing surface.

*Note: Rigid core can be installed over most uneven subfloors. If the imperfections are extremely large, some leveling may still be necessary.

Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring Installation

Good news! Just about every rigid core luxury vinyl flooring option is extremely DIY-friendly. These tiles and planks feature a tongue and groove interlocking installation that allows you to easily click and lock the floor together just like traditional laminate.

Instructions vary from product to product, but here is an example of what a typical installation consists of.

Complete any necessary floor prep.

Place your first plank with the tongue side facing the wall. Press the end seam of the second plank into the end seam of the first plank, and then lock them together by laying the plank down. Continue working left to right.

Install the first plank in the second row by inserting the tongue into the groove of the plank in the first row. Continue through the process until all planks are installed.

Protect all exposed edges by installing wall molding and/or transition strips. Make sure that no plank will be secured in any way to the subfloor.

How to Cut Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Another bonus about rigid core? Cutting the planks is super easy – you don’t even need any fancy tools. In order to cut your rigid core planks for installation, just follow these simple steps:

Mark the measurement then use a utility knife and straight edge to score the plank..

Turn the plank over and bend it back along the cut. Use your utility knife to cut the back in the same spot.

Voila! You’re done! Seriously.

LAMINATE VS VINYL FLOORING BUYING GUIDE

Learn the difference between vinyl and laminate flooring, the pros and cons of each and how to make the best decision for your home with our Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring showdown.

It’s true, if you’re not in the flooring industry or really up to date on house and home projects, you probably wouldn’t be able to pick out laminate or vinyl flooring out of a line-up. I mean tile, wood, even cork…is easy to pick out in a crowd, but these new wood-look next-gen flooring options are trickier and often misunderstood.

Laminate flooring has started to get a name for itself, but poor vinyl is the misunderstood red-headed stepchild that is secretly bright, brawny and beautiful. Okay, so if they both look like wood and aren’t wood, then what is the actual difference between

 vinyl and laminate flooring?

The video below covers laminate vs vinyl flooring in depth, but if you’re a reader, stick with me! I’ll explain how laminate and vinyl are constructed, go over their strengths and weaknesses and give you all the info you need to make your decision easier.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a synthetic (man-made) floor that made a splash on the flooring market in the 1970’s. The first man-made alternative to natural wood, laminate quickly gained popularity as manufacturers created increasingly realistic looks that could easily pass for real hardwood.

Laminate was kind of the pioneer for realistic wood-look flooring, and other types of flooring have caught on and have begun releasing their own realistic wood looks, but more on that later. Laminate planks are solid without give and movement, similar to traditional hardwood.

Laminate flooring is typically comprised of 4 layers.*

*Can vary between manufacturers.

Backing layer: This is the backbone of your laminate plank.

Base layer: HDF or MDF core – HDF stands for high-density fiberboard and, unsurprisingly, MDF stands for medium density fiberboard. Higher quality products come with an HDF core, so if you’re getting a smokin’ deal, check out that layer – could be the reason why! The HDF core is moisture resistant, which gives you more options and less fuss than traditional hardwood. Fiberboards in water-resistant laminate floors may feature more resins, making it less susceptible to swelling in water.

Print layer: The print layer is what most people will ooh and ahh over – it’s the design, the spectacle, the wow! Or, sometimes, it’s the deal breaker… ya know, if it’s ugly. Ain’t nobody got time for ugly. The print layer makes the laminate look like wood (or, now, stone, metal and more!) and can include rougher, more natural looking scrapes and knots just like the real deal. That’s right, it’s literally a photo (a really sweet, high-res photo) or the material being printed on your floor and, if you ask me, it is shockingly convincing.

Wear layer: The wear layer is what protects your laminate floor. It’s the reason that 10 years from now, after the wear and tear of everyday life, your laminate will still look great.

Pros of Laminate Flooring

Durable: Laminate flooring’s supreme durability makes it a good option for high-traffic areas or homes with kids and pets.

Scratch resistance: Laminate has a strong wear layer that protects the floor from scratches, dents, wear and staining, all the things pets love to test our floors on.

Realistic wood and stone looks: Laminate floor planks often have some surface detail to further mimic a natural hardwood look and can have the look and feel of a hand-scraped hardwood, embossed wood, distressed hardwood or come in textured or smooth. Unlike real hardwood, you’ll see consistent quality across all laminate flooring boards.

Can resist some water: Advances in construction are improving laminate’s water-resistant capabilities. While it’s still not as waterproof as other wood-look options like vinyl flooring, most new laminate floors can withstand topical moisture. Proper installation helps keep water from seeping through the planks.

Can be installed over radiant heating systems: You won’t find this feature with most hardwood flooring options.

Easy to clean and maintain: Simply mop or sweep up messes as needed. No floor waxing is ever necessary.

Easy to install: Laminate flooring is designed to be installed as a floating floor, meaning that it is not secured to the ground underneath, but rather “floats” by the means of an interlocking design.

Easy to stand on for longer periods of time: Most laminate installations include underlayment, which can make the floor feel more comfortable underfoot.

Cost effective: Laminate floors are an affordable alternative to hardwood floors. And when it comes to laminate vs vinyl flooring, laminate wins in the price category.

Cons of Laminate Flooring

Not as water-resistant as vinyl flooring: While laminate flooring has come a long way in its water-resistant capabilities, it still cannot tolerate standing pools of water. Unlike vinyl, laminate’s water resistance works from top to bottom rather than bottom to top. If you have moisture issues with your subfloor, you’ll still need a vapor barrier.

Not recommended for full bathrooms or basements: Since these areas are prone to leaks and flooding, you’ll want a more water-resistant floor. You can make your laminate floor more water resistant by installing an underlayment and vapor barrier as well as using the glue-down installation method.

Sound: If installed poorly, laminate floors can create a hollow, empty sound. Every product comes with thorough installation instructions, and if you’re really worried, you can always hire an expert. Plus, a good underlayment can make for a quieter laminate floor.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Now for the home team in this laminate vs vinyl flooring match. Vinyl flooring is also man-made with looks resembling natural materials (wood, stone, etc.), but it’s a completely different animal with a whole lotta variety. For the sake of comparison, we’re going to stick to the wood-look vinyl planks that people typically mistake for laminate.

Vinyl had a bad rap for a long time, but it is quickly taking over the market with luxury vinyl planks looking more realistic than ever. Vinyl is even less maintenance than laminate (as far as moisture and cleaning) and, if you ask me, it is that dark horse that is slowly, but surely, pulling ahead in the laminate vs vinyl flooring race.

The layers of vinyl are actually really similar to laminate, just using different materials. Vinyl is also typically comprised of 4 layers*

*Can vary between manufacturers.

Backing layer: Again, the backbone of your plank.

Solid vinyl core: The solid vinyl core accounts for most of the flooring. This high-density core layer is moisture resistant, durable, and built to last.

Print vinyl layer: Similar to laminate, this is where you get your gorgeous photo imagery that makes the vinyl look (nearly) identical to natural materials like stone and wood. As technology improves, you will see even more interesting vinyl looks, including leather, pebbles, chevron and more! For a long time, vinyl wasn’t able to produce anything that looked even remotely as realistic, beautiful or expensive as laminate, but times they are a-changin’!

Wear layer: Just like with laminate, 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? Thicker wear layers offer more protection, so make sure when you’re looking at vinyl flooring to look not just at plank thickness, but wear layer thickness as well.

Pros of Vinyl Flooring

Realistic wood and stone looks: Seriously, vinyl is changing. Rapidly. The top-end vinyl floors are able to more realistically mimic natural materials better than ever before. WPC vinyl is the best of the best, which means the looks are usually incredibly convincing and beautiful.

Easy, DIY installation: Most vinyl planks and tiles offer an easy interlocking or “floating” installation, perfect for most homeowners to do on their own without the help of an installation professional.

Realistic wood and stone looks: Laminate floor planks often have some surface detail to further mimic a natural hardwood look and can have the look and feel of a hand-scraped hardwood, embossed wood, distressed hardwood or come in textured or smooth. Unlike real hardwood, you’ll see consistent quality across all laminate flooring boards.

Easy to maintain: Vinyl flooring is super easy to take care of. Most options are water-resistant and many are fully waterproof. Just make sure you choose a thick wear layer to prevent scrapes and scratches.

Zero maintenance: All you need is the occasional vacuum and damp mop to keep your WPC looking fabulous.

Resilient: It’s true, you could just get a wood- or stone-look tile and it would also be waterproof. But tile is hard. Standing on a tile floor all day isn’t great for your joints or feet. Vinyl is more resilient and much more comfortable.

Waterproof options: Yes, 100% waterproof. They are awesome!

Cons of Vinyl Flooring

Doesn’t feel like real wood: To the touch, vinyl feels pretty different from solid hardwood. This feel is important to some homeowners.

Price: As you move onto waterproof and luxury options, this can run you more than other wood-look options like laminate. But they come with a whole lot more bells and whistles!

Low-quality planks scratch and dent easily: If you want a vinyl plank that can stand up to high traffic, family and pets, you’ve got to go with a high-quality plank with a thick wear layer. The cheaper options just won’t hold up.

Laminate vs Vinyl: Which One is Better?

Who’s the winner in our laminate vs vinyl flooring match? The real deal is this: There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The “better” option is mostly a matter of opinion. However, we can totally break things down on a point-by-point basis, so you can decide what is best for you.

Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: Which Floor is Best for You?

The winner of laminate vs vinyl flooring is really up to you. Both are strong, beautiful floors that are less expensive than natural wood, but if easy installation is your most important factor, laminate flooring is the more DIY friendly option (though we have plenty of instructions on installing vinyl as well!). If moisture resistance is your biggest concern, waterproof vinyl flooring will give you the most confidence.

Give each of these pros and cons some thought, and determine what’s most important to you in laminate vs vinyl flooring. The best part is, you can order free samples of both laminate and vinyl and compare and contrast for yourself.

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Contact Informations:

Jason Lee

HEBEI UTOP TECHNOLOGIES CO.,LTD

Email: [email protected]

whatsapp/wechat: 008613731131359