In 2024, rigid SPC flooring has lost some popularity despite its strong market presence. While it is still favored for its rigidity, time saving installation, and waterproof features, quality concern with thinner SPC products has caused product fault complaints from consumers. Many budget SPC options with cores thickness under 4.0mm have been prone to issues like telegraphing, cracking, and locking failures. As a result, retailers and installers are considering for more reliable flooring designs that comes with increasing durability characteristics.
Rigid SPC Flooring Product Trend
Thicker SPC for Superior Quality
Improvements with Thicker SPC:
- Thicker Core for improved Locking system, core thickness with 5.5mm and 6.5mm is becoming popular
- Thicker wear layer for surface durability. 0.5mm / 20mil is sufficient and popular for residential applications
- Underlayer EVA with 1.5mm thickness
- Total thickness of 7.0mm or 8.0mm rigid core SPC flooring
Improving Emphasis on Sustainability
Sustainability in rigid core SPC flooring is becoming an increasing trend even in the USA market. Leading global brands such as Mohawk and Shaw Industries are both working towards sustainability flooring products and contributing to better sustainability.
Mohawk for instance has highlighted two products that contribute to sustainability:
- PureTech: This is a PVC-free flooring made from recycled and renewable materials. It boasts 70% recycled content and an organic core with 80% plant-based material. PureTech also includes features like WetProtect, which offers a lifetime waterproof warranty for both surface and subfloor.
- SolidTech R: Another innovative line from Mohawk, SolidTech R uses a stone-cycled core made from 100% recycled single-use plastic. In partnership with Plastic Bank, each square foot of this product incorporates the equivalent of up to 20 reclaimed bottles. Additionally, it comes with enhanced protection against stains and scratches through All Pet Gold, as well as advanced waterproofing via WetProtect Gold, backed by a flood-proof warranty.
Tarkett Home also launched the ReNue collection. A 9.0mm thick hybrid flooring that is PVC Free. This product line is made in the USA with 100% recyclability.
Inhaus introduced its Ceramin technology, a fully recyclable PVC free flooring made in Germany. It contains 25% post-consumer recycled plastics (polypropylene) and Inhaus has implement a recycling scheme for the product in the United States.
Flooring Product Design / Structural Design
New flooring product design and structural design for improving performance is a major direction for outstanding flooring products. This is also true for rigid SPC flooring, and many brands are working with the following directions for flooring product improvements
- Improving Protective Layer Coating Technology
- Improving Underlayment with improved acoustic performance
- More pattern and color designs with EIR texture
- More bevel options such as pressed bevel and painted bevel
- Functional features such as anti-bacterial and acclimation free performance
Outlook for Durable SPC Flooring Products
Its obvious with the setback from thinner SPC failures, both flooring wholesalers and retailers will start to offer SPC flooring products that has thicker cores. The thicker core in SPC can improve both the stability and durability of the locking system and plank. The flooring product trends also see a shift towards improving sustainability. A huge emphasis on PVC free materials and high scratch performance seem to be more popular features that flooring brands are launching with their SPC products.
