Buying Guides · 13 min read
SPC Flooring: What It Is, How It Compares to LVT and Which to Buy
Reviewed by our team, led by Adam Williams, Managing Director
In this article
- SPC Options Compared
- What Is SPC Flooring?
- SPC vs Traditional LVT: What’s the Difference?
- SPC vs Laminate: Which Should You Choose?
- SPC, WPC and Rigid Core: The Names Explained
- SPC Flooring Ranges at Grosvenor Flooring
- Which GF SPC Floor Is Right for You?
- SPC Flooring Thickness: What the Numbers Mean
- Can You Use SPC with Underfloor Heating?
- SPC Flooring Installation
- See It in Person: Our 24/7 Smart Showroom
- Order Free Samples
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
SPC Options Compared
SPC flooring is the fastest-growing flooring category in the UK, but most buyers don’t know what it actually is – or how it differs from standard LVT. If you’ve been searching for waterproof click flooring, rigid-core vinyl, or wondering what the difference is between all the acronyms on flooring product pages, this guide explains everything in plain English.
| SPC option | Thickness | Wear layer | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| GF SPC (standard) | 5mm | 0.5mm | 25-year |
| GF SPC (premium) | 6.5mm | 0.5mm | 25-year |
| Karndean Knight Tile Rigid Core | 4.5mm | 0.3mm | Lifetime |
| Amtico Click Smart | 6mm | 0.55mm | 20-year |
What Is SPC Flooring?
SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite. It’s a type of rigid-core luxury vinyl flooring made from a mixture of limestone powder (calcium carbonate), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and stabilisers. The limestone content – typically around 60-70% of the core – is what gives SPC its rigidity and density. Unlike traditional LVT, which has a flexible PVC core that bends easily in your hands, an SPC plank is stiff and solid.
The structure of a typical SPC plank, from top to bottom: a UV-cured protective coating, a transparent wear layer (usually 0.3-0.7mm), a high-definition photographic print layer (the design you see), the rigid SPC core (usually 3.5-5mm) and often an integrated IXPE or cork underlay on the bottom.
The key properties that come from this construction: SPC is completely waterproof (the stone-polymer core physically cannot absorb moisture), dimensionally stable (it doesn’t expand or contract significantly with temperature changes) and rigid enough to bridge minor subfloor imperfections that would telegraph through flexible LVT.
SPC vs Traditional LVT: What’s the Difference?
Both SPC and traditional LVT fall under the “luxury vinyl” umbrella, but they behave quite differently in practice.
Traditional LVT (sometimes called “flexible LVT” or “dryback LVT”) is a thinner, more pliable product – typically 2-3mm thick – that is glued directly to the subfloor. It conforms to the surface beneath it, which means any bumps, dips, or debris in the subfloor will show through the finished floor. The upside: it creates a permanently bonded, completely sealed surface. It’s also thinner, so it’s easier to transition between rooms and works well with underfloor heating because there’s less material between the heat source and your feet. Browse our glue-down LVT range.
SPC flooring is thicker (typically 4-6.5mm), rigid and installed as a floating floor using a click-lock mechanism – no adhesive needed. The rigid core bridges minor subfloor imperfections (up to about 2mm variation per metre), which means less subfloor preparation. Installation is faster because you’re clicking planks together rather than spreading adhesive and positioning each piece. The integrated underlay on most SPC products means you don’t need to buy and lay a separate acoustic mat. Browse our click-fit LVT range, which includes all our SPC products.
When to Choose SPC Over Traditional LVT
SPC is the better choice when you want fast installation without adhesive, when the subfloor has minor imperfections you’d rather not spend time levelling, when you need waterproof flooring that can be uplifted and relaid (rental properties, temporary installations), or when you’re fitting flooring yourself and want the simplest possible installation method.
When to Choose Traditional LVT Over SPC
Glue-down LVT is the better choice in bathrooms and wet rooms where you need a fully sealed surface with no joints, when you want the thinnest possible floor profile (to match adjacent rooms or work with low door clearances), when maximum underfloor heating efficiency matters, or for commercial spaces where a permanently bonded floor is more practical than a floating one. For dedicated guides, see our best bathroom flooring guide and best flooring for underfloor heating guide.
SPC vs Laminate: Which Should You Choose?
SPC and laminate look alike in the box. Both are rigid planks that click together and float over the subfloor. Both copy the look of real wood. The difference is inside. Laminate is built on a high-density fibreboard core, which is made from compressed wood fibre. SPC is built on a stone-polymer core, which is mostly limestone. That one change decides where each floor belongs.
Wood fibre can swell if water gets into it, so standard laminate is kept out of bathrooms and needs spills wiping up quickly. Water-resistant laminates such as Quick-Step’s HydroSeal range narrow the gap by sealing the edges. SPC goes further because its core cannot absorb water at all. Laminate does have strengths of its own: a very hard, scratch-resistant surface and a feel underfoot that some people prefer. For a kitchen, a bathroom, a utility room or a home with pets, we recommend SPC. For a dry living room or bedroom where scratch resistance matters most, good laminate is a fair choice.
If you are torn between the two, our LVT vs laminate guide compares the wider vinyl family with laminate in more depth.
| Feature | GF Click SPC | Laminate | Glue-down LVT | Engineered wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Rigid stone-polymer | High-density fibreboard | Flexible vinyl | Real wood top layer on a ply or softwood base |
| Water | 100% waterproof | Water-resistant at best | 100% waterproof | Not waterproof |
| Fitting | Click, floating | Click, floating | Glued to the subfloor | Click or glued |
| Underlay | Built in | Usually separate | None | Usually separate when floating |
| Best rooms | Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, flats | Living rooms and bedrooms | Any room, including bathrooms | Living spaces and bedrooms |
SPC, WPC and Rigid Core: The Names Explained
Flooring labels can be confusing because several names describe overlapping things. Rigid core is the umbrella term for any vinyl plank with a stiff core that clicks together and floats. SPC is the most common kind of rigid core. Its dense core is made largely of limestone. WPC, or wood-plastic composite, is another kind. Its core is foamed, so it is a little softer and warmer underfoot but dents more easily than SPC. LVP, short for luxury vinyl plank, simply means vinyl in plank form and can describe glue-down or click floors.
When you see Amtico Click Smart, Karndean Rigid Core, Invictus Maximus Click or Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, you are looking at rigid-core click floors. Our own GF Click SPC belongs to the same family and is the one we recommend first.
SPC Flooring Ranges at Grosvenor Flooring
GF SPC
Our GF SPC range is 25 rigid-core click floors in two specification tiers, named after Cotswold villages – Kingham, Blenheim, Burford, Campden, Daylesford, Bourton, Stow, Broadway and more. As our own GF range, it’s priced without third-party brand markup.
The 5mm tier (0.5mm wear layer, built-in underlay) includes both plank and herringbone formats – 12 designs covering natural, medium and dark oak tones. The 6.5mm tier (0.5mm wear layer, built-in underlay) adds 13 further designs with a thicker, more substantial core for better acoustic performance and a more solid feel underfoot. Both tiers carry a 25-year guarantee and are compatible with underfloor heating.
To put that pricing in context: Amtico Click Smart and Karndean Knight Tile Rigid Core are premium rigid-core click products that deliver the same waterproof, click-fit installation – but at significantly higher price points. GF SPC is built for buyers who want the practical performance of SPC without the premium brand cost. Knight Tile Rigid Core is priced online, while Click Smart is sold by quote through the Request a Quote button on its product pages.
Every GF SPC floor is available to buy online with full pricing and we offer up to five free samples posted free so you can test colours and textures at home. The full range is also on display in our Altrincham showroom – walk on the product and compare it side by side with premium alternatives before you commit. GF SPC is part of the wider GF LVT collection.
Nordikka Click SPC
Nordikka Click SPC is a rigid-core plank with integrated acoustic underlay. The built-in backing eliminates the need for a separate underlay, saving cost and installation time. It sits within the Nordikka family alongside Living (entry-level), Original (mid-range glue-down) and Select (premium glue-down).
Nordikka Bodo Herringbone SPC
If you want the herringbone pattern in SPC, Nordikka Bodo is a click-fit herringbone in a rigid-core format – waterproof, fast to install and with the visual impact of a traditional herringbone layout without the cost or complexity of glue-down installation.
Premium SPC / Rigid-Core Options
The premium brands also offer rigid-core click products that use SPC or similar rigid-core technology:
Karndean Knight Tile Rigid Core and Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core bring Karndean’s design library into a click-fit waterproof format. Amtico Click Smart does the same for Amtico. Invictus Maximus Click is Invictus’s rigid-core range with realistic wood-effect planks.
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- 2We post them to you free
- 3Yours to keep
Which GF SPC Floor Is Right for You?
Our own brand has three SPC options. Choosing between them mostly comes down to the room.
All three are waterproof and suitable for underfloor heating. Board sizes and full specifications are on the Click SPC pages of the GF Flooring website. For an honest look at how the range performs, read our GF SPC review. If you are deciding between click and glue-down within GF, GF SPC vs GF Glue-Down LVT sets the two side by side.
SPC Flooring Thickness: What the Numbers Mean
SPC products typically range from 4mm to 8.8mm in total thickness. At the thick end is COREtec, the biggest click range we sell after GF: 8 to 8.8mm boards with a 0.55mm wear layer and a lifetime warranty. This number includes the SPC core, the wear layer, the print layer and any integrated underlay. A thicker product isn’t automatically “better” – it depends on what’s making up that thickness.
The wear layer is the critical number for durability: 0.3mm is fine for bedrooms and low-traffic areas; 0.5mm is the residential standard; 0.55mm handles high-traffic hallways and kitchens; 0.7mm is commercial-grade. Browse by wear layer: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.55mm, 0.7mm.
The total thickness affects feel underfoot, acoustic performance and how well the product bridges subfloor imperfections. Thicker SPC with an integrated underlay feels more substantial and quieter. Browse by thickness: 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 8mm.
To see how SPC thickness compares with glue-down LVT and the other brands we sell, read our LVT thickness and wear layer guide.
Can You Use SPC with Underfloor Heating?
Yes. Most SPC products are compatible with underfloor heating systems, including both electric mat and water-pipe systems. The stone-polymer core conducts heat reasonably well, though not quite as efficiently as thinner glue-down LVT (because of the extra thickness). Check the maximum surface temperature in the product specification – most SPC products are rated to 27C, which is standard for UFH. If you need confirmation for a specific product, get in touch and our team can check the spec sheet.
SPC Flooring Installation
SPC installation is one of its biggest advantages. The click-lock mechanism means planks snap together without adhesive – you’re building a floating floor that sits on top of the subfloor rather than being bonded to it. Most SPC can be laid over existing hard floors (tiles, concrete, old vinyl) as long as the surface is flat, clean and dry.
Key points: leave a 5-8mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room, use the manufacturer’s recommended underlay if the product doesn’t have one integrated and acclimatise the planks in the room for 24-48 hours before installation. A standard room can be completed in a day.
For detailed step-by-step guidance, read our LVT installation guide.
New to vinyl altogether? Our guide to what vinyl flooring is shows where SPC sits alongside sheet vinyl and glue-down LVT.
See It in Person: Our 24/7 Smart Showroom
The difference between SPC and traditional LVT is something you can feel. Picking up an SPC plank and a glue-down LVT plank side by side makes the difference immediately obvious – the rigidity, the weight, the thickness. Our 24/7 Smart Showroom in Altrincham is open any hour of day or night – no appointment needed. Request your access code or scan the QR code on the front of the showroom and visit when it suits you.
Order Free Samples
Order up to five free samples to compare SPC products at home. Feel the rigidity, check the colour in your room’s lighting and test the click mechanism before ordering. Browse our click-fit LVT range (which includes all SPC products) or our full LVT collection. Not sure which SPC product is right? Get in touch – our team can recommend the right product for your project.
For real fitted prices across every LVT brand we stock – including the SPC click ranges from Karndean, Amtico and Invictus – see our LVT supply & fit pricing guide.
Who leads our guides
Managing Director, Grosvenor Flooring
Adam Williams is Managing Director of Grosvenor Flooring in Altrincham. He sets the standards our guides are written to and guides the team that reviews them, so the advice matches the floors we supply, the manufacturers' specifications and the way the fitters we work with install them.
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Start Floor FinderFrequently Asked Questions
What does SPC stand for?
SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite – a rigid-core luxury vinyl flooring made primarily from limestone powder (calcium carbonate), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and stabilisers. The limestone content (typically 60-70% of the core) gives the plank its stiffness and density.
Is SPC flooring waterproof?
Yes. The Stone Polymer Composite core physically cannot absorb water, making SPC fully waterproof at the plank level. This makes SPC a strong choice for kitchens, utility rooms, hallways and rooms where occasional spills happen. Note: the click joints between planks are tight but not sealed, so prolonged standing water can seep through – for wet rooms and bathrooms with constant water exposure, glue-down LVT is the safer option.
Is SPC the same as LVT?
SPC is a type of LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Both fall under the LVT umbrella. The difference is the core: traditional LVT (glue-down) uses a flexible PVC core typically 2-2.5mm thick; SPC uses a rigid stone-polymer core typically 4-6.5mm thick. SPC is installed as a floating click-fit floor; glue-down LVT is bonded to the subfloor with adhesive.
How much does SPC flooring cost?
SPC pricing depends on the brand and the specification. Every floor in our own GF SPC range shows its price on the product page. Premium rigid-core click ranges from Karndean and Amtico cost more. For fitted prices across every LVT brand we stock, see our LVT supply and fit pricing guide.
Can SPC be installed over underfloor heating?
Yes. Most SPC products are compatible with both water-pipe and electric mat underfloor heating systems, subject to a maximum surface temperature of 27C. Heat transfer is slightly less efficient than thin glue-down LVT because of the thicker construction, but the difference is marginal in practice. Check the specific product spec sheet or contact us for confirmation on a particular range.
How long does SPC flooring last?
Quality SPC carries warranties from 20 years to lifetime residential depending on the brand and wear layer. GF SPC carries a 25-year guarantee. Real-world lifespan depends on traffic level, maintenance and wear layer thickness – 0.55mm or above is the residential standard for kitchens and hallways.
Is SPC better than laminate?
For any room that might get wet, yes. SPC’s stone-polymer core cannot absorb water, while laminate’s fibreboard core can swell. Laminate’s surface is very scratch-resistant, so it remains a good option for dry living rooms and bedrooms.
What is the best SPC flooring?
For most homes we recommend our own GF Click SPC. It has a 0.5mm wear layer, a built-in underlay and a 25-year guarantee. Every design is priced on its product page and free samples are available. If a project names a premium brand, Amtico Click Smart, Karndean Rigid Core and Invictus Maximus Click are the rigid-core options we also supply.
Is SPC flooring noisy?
A floating floor can sound a little hollow if it is laid without underlay. GF Click SPC has its underlay built in, which softens footfall. The 6.5mm tier is the quieter of the two GF Click SPC thicknesses.
Can I fit SPC flooring myself?
Many confident DIYers do, because there is no adhesive and the boards click together. The subfloor still needs to be flat, clean and dry. The expansion gap around the room must be kept too. If you would rather have it fitted, we supply and fit across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
GF by Associated Weavers
Premium-spec glue-down, fairly priced
0.55mm wear layerPlank & parquet25-year warranty
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