SPC vs LVP Flooring: Which Should You Choose for Your Waterloo Region Home?

SPC vs LVP Flooring: Which Should You Choose for Your Waterloo Region Home?

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.

But first, take a tour of our Sheldon Drive showroom:

What’s the Real Difference Between SPC and LVP?

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:

• WPC (Wood Plastic Composite): Softer, quieter, more forgiving core made with wood pulp and plastic
• SPC (Stone Plastic Composite): Harder, denser core made with limestone powder and plastic
• Standard Vinyl: Basic vinyl with minimal core structure

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 Flooring: The Rigid, Durable Option

SPC flooring has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason.

What Makes SPC Different

SPC’s core is made from limestone powder (calcium carbonate) mixed with PVC. The result is an incredibly dense, rigid plank that:

• Won’t expand or contract with temperature changes
• Stands up to extreme temperature fluctuations (perfect for Waterloo Region’s -20°C winters and +30°C summers)
• Can handle heavy furniture without denting
• Works over slightly uneven subfloors (though you should still prep properly)

WPC/Traditional LVP: The Comfortable, Quiet Option

When most people say “LVP,” they mean WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) luxury vinyl plank, which has been around longer than SPC.

What Makes WPC/LVP Different

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.

The Honest Comparison: SPC vs WPC/LVP

Let’s break down the key factors side-by-side:

What Do We Actually Recommend?

After helping hundreds of homeowners in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph choose between SPC and WPC, here’s our honest advice:

The Brands Matter More Than the Type

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:

• MSI (excellent SPC and WPC options)
• Impressive Floors (quality European manufacturing)
• NAF (North American made, great warranties)
• CS (Canadian Standard) (solid mid-range options)
• Toucan (good budget-friendly choice)

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).

Installation Matters (A Lot)

The best flooring installed poorly performs worse than mediocre flooring installed correctly.

Both SPC and WPC require:

• Proper subfloor prep: Level within 3/16″ over 10 feet
• Acclimation: Let flooring adjust to your home’s temperature for 48+ hours
• Expansion gaps: Leave 1/4″ gap around all walls and fixed objects
• Quality underlayment: Especially for SPC (sound dampening) and WPC over concrete (moisture barrier)

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.

The Questions You Should Actually Ask

When you visit a flooring store in Cambridge, Kitchener, or Waterloo, forget asking “SPC or WPC?”

Instead ask:

1. “What wear layer thickness do you recommend for my traffic level?” (Minimum 12 mil, ideally 20+ mil)
2. “What’s your warranty coverage?” (Residential lifetime? Commercial? What voids it?)
3. “Can I see your thickest, highest-quality option in both SPC and WPC?” (Compare premium to premium, not premium to budget)
4. “What’s your installation process and prep requirements?” (Red flag if they skip talking about subfloor prep)
5. “Can you show me examples of this flooring installed in local homes?” (Experience with Waterloo Region conditions matters)
6. “What underlayment do you recommend?” (Should mention moisture barrier and sound dampening)
7. “What’s the return policy if I’m not happy?” (Restocking fees? Installation reversal costs?)

Making Your Decision

Still torn? Here’s our decision framework:

The Bottom Line

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.