What Is SPC Flooring?
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) is rigid core vinyl flooring that combines limestone powder (~60%), PVC, and stabilisers into a dense, dimensionally stable plank. Unlike traditional flexible vinyl, SPC is rigid — it clicks together like laminate but is 100% waterproof like vinyl. This hybrid nature makes it the fastest-growing flooring category in both residential and commercial markets.
The 5-Layer Construction
Understanding SPC construction helps you compare quality between suppliers:
- UV coating (top): Ceramic bead or aluminum oxide reinforced. Protects against scratches, stains, and UV fading. Premium products use dual-cured UV ceramic bead.
- Wear layer: 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm clear PVC. This is the most important spec. 0.5 mm = commercial use; 0.3 mm = residential use.
- Decor film: High-definition printed wood grain, stone, or abstract pattern. Quality difference is visible: request physical samples before ordering.
- SPC core: 3.5-4.0 mm limestone-PVC composite. Density should be ~2,000 kg/m³. Lower density = lower quality, more expansion, less rigidity.
- IXPE underlayment (bottom): 1.0-1.5 mm pre-attached foam. Provides acoustic insulation (up to 19 dB impact noise reduction) and minor subfloor smoothing.
Key Specifications to Compare
Wear Layer: The #1 Quality Indicator
The wear layer thickness directly determines how long the floor lasts:
- 0.3 mm: Residential use. 10-15 year lifespan in normal home traffic. Acceptable for bedrooms, living rooms.
- 0.5 mm: Commercial use. 15-20 year lifespan in hotel, retail, office environments. AC5 heavy commercial rating (EN 13329). This is what NEXUS supplies as standard.
- 0.7 mm: Premium commercial. 20+ years. Over-spec for most applications but available for extreme-traffic commercial.
Click-Lock System Quality
The locking mechanism determines installation speed and long-term joint stability:
- Unilin click-lock (used by NEXUS): Industry-leading drop-lock system. Planks click together at a 20-30° angle and drop flat. Pull-apart resistance >850 N per linear metre.
- Valinge 5G: Also excellent. Similar performance to Unilin.
- Generic angle-angle: Requires tilting each plank at precise angle. Slower installation, more installer errors.
Test the locking mechanism yourself: request a sample plank, click it together, try to pull it apart. A quality lock holds firm with zero vertical movement.
AC Rating (Abrasion Class)
EN 16511 defines abrasion resistance for laminate and rigid core flooring:
- AC3: Residential heavy / light commercial. 2,000 cycles.
- AC4: General commercial. 4,000 cycles.
- AC5: Heavy commercial. 6,000+ cycles. NEXUS SPC achieves AC5.
For any project expecting foot traffic beyond a private home, specify AC4 minimum. For hotels, retail, and offices: AC5.
Plank Dimensions
| Format | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1220 x 182 mm | General use, fastest installation, lowest waste |
| Wide | 1524 x 228 mm | Premium look, fewer joints, modern aesthetic |
| Herringbone | 610 x 122 mm | Design feature areas, boutique retail, high-end residential |
| Tile Format | 610 x 305 mm | Stone-look, bathrooms, commercial washrooms |
SPC vs Other Flooring Types
| Feature | SPC | Laminate | Engineered Wood | Vinyl Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | 100% | No | No | 100% |
| Installation | Floating click | Floating click | Glue/nail | Full-spread glue |
| Speed/day | 50-80 m² | 40-60 m² | 20-30 m² | 30-40 m² |
| Seamless | No (gaps) | No | No | Yes (welded) |
| Underfloor heat | Yes, max 27°C | Limited | Yes | Yes, max 27°C |
| Cost (relative) | $$ | $ | $$$ | $$ |
Installation Quick Facts
- Subfloor: Flat to within 3 mm over 2 m. Use self-levelling compound if needed.
- Underlayment: Not required — IXPE is pre-attached.
- Moisture barrier: Use 0.2 mm PE sheet over concrete subfloors with RH > 75%.
- Expansion gap: 5-8 mm at all walls, door frames, and fixed objects. Covered by skirting or transition profiles.
- Acclimatisation: 24-48 hours in the installation area at 18-27°C.
- Direction: Lay parallel to the primary light source. In corridors, lay along the length.
- Stagger: End joints staggered by minimum 300 mm. Avoid H-patterns.
- Tools: Rubber mallet, tapping block, pull bar, spacers, utility knife, jigsaw for cuts.
Ordering Checklist
When requesting an SPC quotation, provide:
- Total area (m²): Add 5-8% for cutting waste. For herringbone, add 10-12%.
- Plank format: Standard / Wide / Herringbone / Tile
- Wear layer: 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm
- Decor selection: Request physical samples for accurate colour matching.
- Accessories: Matching stair nosing, transition profiles, and skirting.
- Delivery: Container quantity? Mixed decors in one container? Target port?
NEXUS SPC flooring is available in 80+ decors with AC5 rating and 0.5 mm wear layer as standard. View our SPC product page or request samples and a quotation.