What Are The Different Types Of Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl flooring has many benefits, including its ability to withstand wear and tear, eye-catching looks, easy clean-up, affordability, and high-performance capabilities. These benefits make it an increasingly popular option–as they should–for commercial spaces and homes everywhere in the US.

Since luxury vinyl flooring combines beautiful style and design with functionality and strength, it’s an ideal option for families with lovable pets, high-traffic areas, or energetic children. There are three primary vinyl flooring types: luxury vinyl plank (LVP), sheet vinyl (SVF), and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). 

With so many options, choosing a vinyl flooring type can be challenging and will likely depend on factors like installation, budget, and style. However, selecting the right luxury vinyl flooring doesn't need to be difficult. 

This blog explores the different types of luxury vinyl flooring available. Our Baker Bros flooring experts have compiled this handy guide to the various types of luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl flooring to give you the confidence to select the flooring you'll love to have in your commercial or home space.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring: What's The Difference?

When looking for flooring for your space, choosing between tiles or planks can be challenging. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring are both excellent choices, but what's the difference? Not much, but the difference between these two separate floor types is their appearance. 

LVP flooring offers the warmth and linear appearance hardwood floors are known for, whereas LVT flooring mimics the appearance of stone or tile. When looking at installation methods for these two separate floor types, LVP provides a seamless flow, making rooms feel more cohesive and bigger. In contrast, LVT flooring may provide flexibility in creating a custom pattern or color. 

However, in terms of maintenance and durability, both LVP and LVT flooring boast ease of care and long-lasting capabilities. This makes LVP and LVT flooring suitable for multiple spaces and lifestyles. 

The Different Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Below are a few of the different types of vinyl plank flooring:

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Stone Plastic Composite, or SPC, is a type of luxury vinyl plank flooring known for its incredible durability. As the name indicates, this type of SPC flooring is manufactured from a combination of stabilizers (used to create a rock-solid composite core that strengthens each plank from within) and limestone. 

This floor composition makes the SPC core super flexible and strong. Additionally, in terms of floor feel, SPC typically provides less cushioning than WPC; however, its rigidity offers a more solid feel beneath your feet.

Benefits of SPC Flooring

• SPC flooring is ideal for spaces that require resistance against heavy traffic, heavy impacts, and even temperature fluctuations. 
• SPC flooring is also ideal for bathrooms and kitchen spaces since it is waterproof.
• Its SPC core allows for the inclusion of an extra-strong click-lock edge, making installations simpler and faster.

Luxury Vinyl Planks

LVP flooring is an abbreviation for luxury vinyl planks. These LVP planks are typically rigid, very durable, and scratch-resistant. They’re generally of greater quality than the peel-and-stick variety available. However, nowadays, even some peel-and-stick options are considered luxury!

When looking at luxury vinyl flooring, it’s worth noting that there is no defined industry standard for the term ‘luxury.’ Generally speaking, a luxury vinyl product includes multiple layers, a tough wear layer, a realistic image, and a durable and thick floor. If this is not the case, then the floor is not as luxurious or high-quality as it is made out to be.

Benefits of LVP Flooring

• Luxury vinyl planks can withstand kids, pets, and high-traffic wear and tear. 
• LVP floors feature highly realistic wood, decorative visuals, and stone.
• They’re designed for fast and easy installation.

WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Wood Plastic Composite, also known as WPC, is another luxury vinyl plank flooring variant that emphasizes comfort while retaining many of the SPC’s durability features. WPC combines plasticizers, a foaming agent, and wood pulp to create its distinct core. 

Newer versions of WPC have less wood, allowing for a more waterproof composition. While this floor type suits any room, its softness makes it more appealing for use in bedrooms and living rooms

Benefits of WPC Flooring

• Thanks to its foaming agent, wood plastic composite (WPC) is 100% waterproof and slightly softer than SPC. 
• Their composition gives WPC planks a somewhat more cushioned feel, making them more comfortable for prolonged standing or walking.
• Wood-plastic composite (WPC) planks are also typically thicker than SPC, giving them more of a hardwood floor feel.

WPC Waterproof Vinyl Planks

Waterproof vinyl plank flooring (or WPC vinyl flooring) is not to be confused with WPC (wood plastic composite) luxury vinyl plank flooring. WPC Waterproof luxury vinyl is 100% waterproof and typically has a four-layer construction. 

This four-layer construction includes a waterproof core manufactured from a combination of plastic and wood, making it completely water-resistant. The water-resistant core is resilient yet durable enough to offer some give beneath your feet. This sets WPC Waterproof vinyl floors apart, making them ideal for high-traffic homes

Benefits of Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring

• Waterproof vinyl planks provide easy installation regardless of location.
• WPC is typically thick enough to be installed in kitchens, basements, living rooms, and on imperfect subfloors.

SPC Rigid Core Vinyl Planks

Rigid core vinyl planks, or SPC vinyl plank flooring, are also 100% waterproof flooring types that are not to be confused with the WPC waterproof core. These two individual floor types (SPC rigid core and WPC waterproof core) differ due to the cores used in their manufacturing.

Rigid-core luxury vinyl flooring has a stone-plastic composite core, making it incredibly tough. This means SPC rigid-core vinyl planks are practically indestructible and super dense.

Benefits of SPC Rigid Core Vinyl Planks

• Since rigid core vinyl is so tough, it is ideal for commercial buildings and high-traffic areas.
• It is certified for use in commercial spaces.
• It is unlikely to dent under heavy furniture due to its ultra-dense core.

Speak To Luxury Vinyl Flooring Experts Baker Bros

Selecting the correct type of luxury vinyl flooring is a significant decision that could impact the aesthetics, functionality, and comfort of your home or commercial space. With numerous flooring types available, it is vital to factor in considerations like maintenance, design, and durability, allowing you to make an informed decision. 

You must consider these factors and explore the options to select the ideal flooring for your commercial or home space. Whether you prefer the classic look of LVP or the durability of LVT, there’s a flooring type to suit your needs and enhance the beauty of your home. If you are unsure which luxury vinyl flooring type to choose, speak with flooring experts at Baker Bros. We sell a wide range of luxury vinyl flooring and stock most of the types discussed in this blog.