Welcome to the Club Ceramic Cambridge — your trusted partner for complete premium flooring options in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph, Ontario.
Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)? If you’re renovating your home in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, or Guelph, you’ve probably seen both options and wondered: what’s actually better?
The answer isn’t straightforward because—and here’s the confusing part—SPC is technically a type of LVP. But they’re marketed differently, installed differently, and perform differently. Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
Working on a new home project? Call now for a free estimate: (647) 394-6030
First, let’s clear up the terminology confusion that trips up every homeowner.
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is the umbrella term for premium vinyl flooring that looks like wood planks. Under that umbrella, there are different core types:
When someone says “LVP,” they might mean WPC. When they say “SPC,” they’re being more specific about the core type. But in flooring showrooms across Waterloo Region, you’ll hear both terms used interchangeably—which doesn’t help.
SPC has a rigid stone-based core that’s hard and inflexible. WPC/traditional LVP has a foam-like core that’s softer and slightly flexible.
SPC flooring has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason.
SPC’s core is made from limestone powder (calcium carbonate) mixed with PVC. The result is an incredibly dense, rigid plank that:
Typical SPC construction:
We recommend SPC flooring for:
When most people say “LVP,” they mean WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) luxury vinyl plank, which has been around longer than SPC.
WPC has a core made from wood pulp or wood flour mixed with plastic. The result is a softer, slightly flexible plank with some cushion.
Typical WPC construction:
We recommend WPC/LVP for:
Let’s break down the key factors side-by-side:
Winner: SPC
SPC’s rigid stone core is harder to damage. It resists denting, won’t compress under heavy loads, and stands up to abuse better. If you’re hard on your floors—kids, dogs, lots of traffic—SPC wins.
That said, quality WPC is still very durable. We’re talking the difference between “excellent” and “nearly indestructible.”
Winner: WPC/LVP
No contest here. WPC is softer underfoot, warmer in winter, and more comfortable to walk on barefoot. If comfort matters, choose WPC.
Winner: WPC/LVP
WPC absorbs sound. SPC transmits it. If you’re installing flooring in a second-story bedroom or an open-concept home where sound echoes, WPC is the clear choice. You can add acoustic underlayment beneath SPC to help, but WPC starts with an advantage.
Winner: SPC (slightly)
Both are waterproof in practice, but SPC’s stone core has absolutely zero organic material. WPC’s wood content means it’s technically not 100% waterproof, though in real-world use for bathrooms and kitchens, both perform excellently.
For below-grade basements or areas with high moisture risk, SPC has the edge.
Winner: SPC
SPC won’t expand or contract with temperature changes. If you’re installing in a sunroom, three-season porch, or anywhere that experiences temperature fluctuations, SPC is the only choice.
WPC needs climate control—it’s for interior spaces in heated/cooled homes only.
Winner: Usually similar, sometimes SPC is cheaper
SPC typically costs $2.50-$5.00 per square foot.
WPC typically costs $3.00-$6.00 per square foot.
In Waterloo Region, expect to pay:
Installation costs are similar for both (usually $2-$4/sq ft for professional installation in Cambridge, Kitchener, or Waterloo).
After helping hundreds of homeowners in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph choose between SPC and WPC, here’s our honest advice:
For most Cambridge-area homes, we lean toward WPC for living spaces and SPC for basements, bathrooms, and high-abuse areas.
Specifically:
Here’s something homeowners don’t realize: brand quality matters more than whether you choose SPC or WPC.
A premium WPC product will outperform a cheap SPC product every time.
At our Cambridge showroom, we carry brands like:
The wear layer thickness, core density, locking system quality, and warranty all matter as much as whether it’s SPC or WPC.
Don’t buy flooring based solely on “SPC vs WPC.” Buy based on: Quality of the specific product, warranty length and coverage, wear layer thickness (20+ mil for high-traffic), brand reputation, and your specific needs (moisture, comfort, durability).
The best flooring installed poorly performs worse than mediocre flooring installed correctly.
Both SPC and WPC require:
We’ve seen too many homeowners choose the “right” flooring type and then skip professional installation to save money, only to have issues within a year.
Professional installation in the Waterloo Region typically costs $2-$4 per square foot, and it’s worth every penny. The flooring will last decades if installed correctly, or fail within years if done poorly.
When you visit a flooring store in Cambridge, Kitchener, or Waterloo, forget asking “SPC or WPC?”
Instead ask:
Still torn? Here’s our decision framework:
Start with location:
Then consider your lifestyle:
Then check your subfloor:
Finally, test in person:
Visit our showroom in Cambridge (serving Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph) and:
There’s no universally “better” choice between SPC and WPC. They’re both excellent flooring options with different strengths.
SPC wins for: durability, temperature stability, moisture resistance, budget.
WPC wins for: comfort, sound dampening, warmth, realistic appearance.
Most homeowners in Waterloo Region end up using both—WPC in living areas for comfort, SPC in basements and bathrooms for moisture resistance.
The key is choosing quality products from reputable brands and having them professionally installed. That matters more than the SPC vs WPC debate.
Stop by our Cambridge showroom at 15 Sheldon Drive (minutes from Kitchener and Waterloo) to see both SPC and WPC options in person. We carry premium brands from MSI, Impressive Floors, NAF, Toucan, and more.
Our 5-star rated team will help you:
Call (647) 394-6030
Visit Our Showroom
No pressure, no pushy sales—just honest advice from flooring experts who’ve helped hundreds of local homeowners make this exact decision.
About Club Ceramic Flooring
Club Ceramic is a family-owned flooring store in Cambridge, Ontario, serving the Waterloo Region. We specialize in vinyl flooring, hardwood, porcelain tile, and complete installation services. Visit our showroom to explore hundreds of flooring options, or call for a free consultation.
