Explore top rigid core SPC flooring advantage features. When it comes to resilient vinyl flooring categories, there are sheet vinyl options as well as tile and plank vinyl flooring options. While vinyl sheet flooring remain popular for wide range of commercial and public spaces, residential projects highly preferred tile and plank style vinyl floorings. Within the tile and plank styles there are semi-rigid LVT flooring and rigid core SPC flooring products.
Difference between Semi-Rigid LVT and Rigid Core SPC
The major difference between semi-rigid LVT and rigid core SPC (LVT vs SPC) is its formulated composition. LVT tiles are generally formulated with more PVC content that provide sufficient flexibility in the plank itself. For SPC planks, it has significantly higher proportion of calcium carbonate, also referred as stone powder, hence the name for stone polymer composition. Fundamentally, both LVT and SPC resilient flooring are both vinyl based with very similar formulation and product structure. The latest environmental trends has also lead to development for non-PVC material applications. From rubber to linoleum and to polypropylene and PET based compositions.
Different type of Resilient Flooring Product Comparison
| Type | Product Detail | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryback LVT | Semi-rigid Composition Thickness range between 1.2mm to 3.0mm | The most inexpensive option of resilient flooring products. | Requires a well prepared subfloor for installation |
| Loose Lay LVT | Semi-rigid Composition Thickness range between 4.5mm to 6.0mm | A glue free option which provide | Requires a well prepared subfloor for installation |
| Click LVT | Semi-rigid Composition Core Thickness range between 4.5mm to 6.5mm | Easy to install with waterproof joints to prevent leak between tiles | Requires Click Patent License making price higher |
| Click SPC | Rigid-core Composition Core Thickness range between 4.2mm to 7.5mm | Easy to install with waterproof joints to prevent leak between tiles. Lower price with reduced PVC composition ratio | Requires Click Patent License making price higher |
Popularity of Rigid Core SPC Flooring
Rigid core SPC flooring has gained hugh market demand since its early introductions in 2017. With increasing popularity for both residential and commercial applications, all the major flooring brands and distributors has launched their rigid core SPC flooring as part of their product collection. The demand to source vinyl flooring directly from China and Asia has rapidly increased and the market now sees more flooring distributors such as MSI Surface, Johnson Hardwoods, Inhus entering the resilient flooring category competing with 1st tier brands such as Mohawk and Shaw Industries.
Top Advantage Features in Rigid Core SPC Flooring
- Rigid Core performance offers more robust and long lasting product lifetime
- SPC are dimensionally more stable compare to flexible LVT flooring
- Click n Lock System for quick and easy floor installation
- Retailer price is cheaper when compared to LVT with same specification thickness / wear layer
Key Trends in SPC Vinyl Flooring
- More designs for Scandinavian style wood grains
- Wider SPC plank with extra long length (150cm and 180cm)
- Matt Bevel technology
- Ultra-Matte Coating Surface
- Click n Lock System
- Herringbone Style SPC Flooring
From Distributors to Private Label Brands
Increasing competition with no rooms to improve profit margin is currently a challenge that flooring distributors are facing. The reality is, rigid core SPC flooring are very homogeneous, which means the same SPC products offered by one brand to another, has very little difference in terms of cost and quality. Major brands are doing well because they offer wide range of pattern designs and colors which full fill significantly more design niche. Selling brand’s product can make business simpler as they offer low MOQ with localized warehouse for small quantity delivery within few days. However, significantly amount of profits goes to the brand, diminishing the capability for flooring distributors to profit, and with very limited business opportunities.
2025 Mega Trend for USA Flooring Importers
- More product sourcing goes to South East Asia Countries, mainly Vietnam and Thailand
- Supply Chain Disruption with Inventory Shortage and Back Orders
- Retailer Price to Slight Increase
- Exploring for Innovation Products that save on operations
- Flooring Distributors to purchase products directly from manufacturers