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SPC Flooring: The Ultimate in Style and Function

Introduction – The floor beneath your feet

Flooring has expanded from plain concrete to now include an array of styles in either solid wood, tile, carpeting, marble, and even imitation materials such as vinyl or laminate flooring. Each type is in constant development to maintain durability and ease of installation, which must adapt and grow with the consumer’s ever-changing needs.

With the recent advancement of industry research and technology, flooring materials have reasonably incorporated a tough compound or composite structure – essentially, a calculated mix of materials, to maximise their function and durability, whilst maintaining a sleek appearance.

It’s no wonder why we’re always spoilt for choice when entering showrooms and find it hard to choose just one floor covering.

Cấu tạo 5 lớp của sàn SPC, mỗi lớp có tác dụng chuyên biệt khác nhau, mang lại sự bảo vệ tối đa
Cấu tạo 5 lớp của sàn SPC, mỗi lớp có tác dụng chuyên biệt khác nhau, mang lại sự bảo vệ tối đa

Stone plastic composite (SPC) flooring is one of the more hardy types of flooring products available today. This type of flooring has long been in production, but quickly gained popularity after cushioned and plank varieties were launched in the 1960s. SPC flooring became an integral part of home design ever since.

What is SPC flooring?

The SPC (stone plastic composite or stone polymer composite) flooring material is a high-quality type of vinyl, commonly referred to as luxury vinyl with an exceptionally rigid and durable core composed partly of polymer. It is particularly useful in high-traffic environments such as those in commercial applications.

Vinyl flooring options are customizable and come in tile, sheet, and plank forms – all these forms of stone plastic composites are made to cover entire flooring areas and feature a click-and-lock system along its edges; they can be assembled and disassembled with relative ease.

Just like its other product forms, SPC in plank form is a resilient flooring option that can last a long time due to the combination of limestone or stone powder and assorted stabilisers in its core. The layers above and below the core assures dimensional stability in each plank.

SPC Flooring

The layers in each individual piece are as follows, labelled from top to bottom:

UV layer (topcoat)

Prolonged exposure to UV (ultraviolet light) rays can cause significant damage to most surfaces, including tough hardwood floors. Selected SPC flooring features a protective UV topcoat layer, which helps prevent unsightly discolouration from the sun.

Wear layer

Unlike premium brands, all forms of SPC flooring will have a heavy-duty, protective wear layer of varying thickness, which is resistant to scratches and stains. One example of this is an aluminium oxide wear layer. The lasting strength and durability of flooring planks are attributed to this transparent layer.

A urethane-based wear layer, for example, is easy to clean, enabling this type of flooring to look freshly installed even after lots of foot traffic and multiple wipes.

Vinyl image layer

Mimics the appearance of natural wood or stone via a decorative print – embossed stone plastic composite planks tend to have a natural yet realistic look to their vinyl images that belies the true nature of the material.

Composite core layer

The most unique component of stone plastic composites is its dense and rigid core, made from a mix of pulverised limestone and stabilisers such as bamboo dust and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) materials.

Stone plastic composite planks are an excellent choice for areas with heavy foot traffic due to this sturdy core layer which is able to withstand a variety of impacts that would dent regular vinyl or plank floors.

Backing layer (optional)

Resting behind the functional layers is a foam or cork backing layer that provides the stone plastic composite planks with added comfort and insulation.

Installing SPC flooring

SPC products are easily installed on your existing floor thanks to their nifty click-and-lock edges. The plank version, for example, is usually available in 2mm to 8mm+ thickness. Choosing thick or thin planks will depend on the type and condition of the existing floor or subfloor you already have.

Although you can forgo installation costs by hired contractors, you will still need ample planning and some elbow grease when affixing the planks yourself at home.

Flooring layout planning

Like regular vinyl plank flooring, stone plastic composite planks are best arranged by working from the most prominent wall of a room outward, towards the door- or entryway. In your DIY installation, plan to lay the first row of planks parallel to this wall.

As you continue across the room, stagger rows so that end joints do not align at the same point for adjacent rows – end seams offset at least six inches from row to row is recommended.

You can use baseboards or similar to hide uneven plank formation in your last row.

Remove trim moulds

Any wall trim in contact with the floor including baseboards and case mouldings around doors, should be removed for ease of plank installation. Trim mouldings can be pried off the wall with a flat pry bar, and reattached after the new plank floor has been installed.

Door case mouldings are also relatively easy to remove. Plank installation can be done quicker in rooms if you remove the door case mouldings and the doors from their hinges too.

Floor preparation

Before the new planks are affixed, be sure to sand down any uneven subfloors – a flat, even surface is optimum as the underlayment for plank flooring.

However, if you have a subfloor made of concrete or wood, be sure to use appropriate compounds to level the subfloor first. You can then choose a thick or thin stone plastic composite plank to lay over the modified subfloor, to ensure stability and prevent hidden irregularities.

Cutting SPC planks

Use a quality utility knife to carefully score through the face of a plank, several times. The pieces may snap off easily when folded backwards from the front of the plank – if not, lightly run the utility knife along the fold to finish the cut.

TIP: Use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut straight through the entire plank, to save some time.

Testing SPC planks

Start with a full plank at the very centre of the prominent wall and continue on either side until you reach the ends of the row. The flooring layout will be aesthetically pleasing if the planks are of equal lengths at the opposite side walls.

Remember to leave a 1/4 inch gap near the wall and at the ends for expansion and final adjustment. For this, you can place spacers against the walls to mark the gap.

The installation method for SPC planks

Each plank features a unique click-and-lock edge on both of its longer sides, so installation can be done in a snap. Just lay the first plank flat against the floor, while the second plank is angled down into the groove along the side of the first plank. The planks are locked into place when the second plank lies parallel to and is flush with the first plank.

Join the planks end-to-end before moving on to the next row. Be sure to stagger end joints in a new row such that they are at least six inches away from the end joints in the previous row.

Cut to fit SPC planks around protrusions

Cutting these planks to fit around immovable floor fixtures is easily done with just a utility knife. The cutout plank can still lock on to the others – first attach the cutout to the adjoining plank while holding it upward, at an angle, and slowly fold down the cutout until it snaps into place with the adjoining plank.

It may sometimes also be necessary to disassemble previous planks in order to get the cutout plank in place.

Installing the final SPC planks

A utility knife is again used to make lengthwise cuts along the plank, leaving room for a 1/4-inch gap with the wall. The planks can then be joined to the others as previously mentioned, by first clicking them together, end-to-end, then folding the tongues into the grooves of the second-last row of planks.

For a snug fit, use a drawbar tool to tug the final row of planks into place against the previous row.

Reattach trim moulds

Bare areas on the wall close to your new floor will make the whole room look unkempt, so reattach the wall trim removed earlier, preferably using a pneumatic brad nailer. Unlike manual nailing, a brad nailer will not damage the trim, but you can still use a nail set and hammer – recess the nail heads below the surface of the trim before manual nailing.

Depending on the thickness of the stone plastic composite planks of your choice, you may need to trim the ends of some mouldings or replace them with new ones to ensure a good fit.

Other considerations of SPC flooring

Stone plastic composites come in a wide range of designs and patterns according to their underlying vinyl image layer, and as such are adaptable to many different styles. The suitability of this type of resilient flooring is determined by its grade, application and functionality, usually for residential or commercial purposes.

Generally, SPC flooring is warranted by its grade. It is important to choose the correct type of flooring that will be able to sustain the related foot traffic after installation, in addition to other wear and tear.

Besides this, two safety functions should be considered when choosing stone plastic composite floors, namely anti-slip and anti-static ability.

The anti-slip rating (R-rating) of stone plastic composites ranges widely, depending on where the flooring is installed. In general, a high value of the R-rating denotes superior slip resistance – only if the floor is free of surface liquid. You should choose product forms with a high R-rating to install in potentially risky areas in your home, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Flooring protected by anti-static stone plastic composites does not conduct electrostatic charge. It can ideally be used in pharmaceutical commercial offices, laboratories, and hospitals to keep them from accumulating dangerous static electricity.

Advantages of SPC flooring

New SPC products are regularly being introduced in the flooring market in a huge variety, such as planks, sheets, or square tiles. Although these product forms have similar capabilities, each has special features suited to a specific application, such as the ability to withstand heavy foot traffic activity or its moisture-resistant surface.

For example, a traditional LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring has a flexible and soft core due to its polymer composition and often must be fastened down with industrial-strength glue. These planks might not provide as much support underfoot: heavy furniture can easily dent the soft and bendable material, despite it being water-resistant and highly tolerant to greasy stains.

Nevertheless, traditional luxury vinyl planks are a good aesthetic option as they look realistic and are available in a variety of colours and sizes.

Comparatively, for innovative hybrid forms of luxury vinyl planks, such as stone plastic composite flooring, the planks each have a sturdy and rigid core, and therefore, are more resilient to surface damage and/or heavy usage.

Stone plastic composite planks are made with a click-and-lock feature that makes installation a breeze for seasoned contractors and DIYers alike; their elegant, long-lasting, and sturdy finish bumps up the resale value of any property as well.

SPC floorings each have a decent style and are durable, water-resistant, stain-resistant, and pet-friendly to boot! They are available in just as many colours and sizes as regular vinyl planks – if you can’t find them in showrooms, you can just as easily get them for a fair price online.

SPC Flooring

Summary – The ideal flooring solution?

Regardless of the product form you decide to cover your floor with, SPC floorings are one of the best types of rigid core flooring that will allow for a quick, easy, and long-lasting upgrade to your home:

Versatile

The style possibilities you can opt to work SPC into are endless, due to the sheer variety of designs they come in.

Functional

SPC floorings are able to withstand the demanding requirements of high-use floors. Plus, they repel moisture and are highly resistant to physical and chemical abrasion, impact, humidity, and stains.

Quick fix

Each stone plastic composite product is manufactured with a click-lock system installation which easily and seamlessly fits together with other pieces of the same product family, much like interlocking pieces of a puzzle.

Easy clean

SPC floorings are manufactured with clear top layers which are highly resistant both to scratches and stains – they can be kept clean with just a simple wipe-down, without the need for harsh detergents or scrubbing.

With this, you can see why the stone plastic composite is the preferred choice of flooring in many homes – the composition will likely be improved for even better functionality as time goes by.

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What is the AC classification and what does it have to do with the quality of the laminate floor?

Quality is one of the big concerns when buying and installing floating floorboards for renovations and new construction projects.

Even though the manufacturer supplies a lot of information regarding the product specifications and its uses, sometimes there are technical details that we don’t know how to interpret.

At Neo Floor, we offer you some advice on how to choose the best laminate flooring for your property, and we will explain to you what is the AC classification and the difference between AC4 and AC5 laminate flooring.

The AC classification is a general standard that classifies laminate and floating floors according to their resistance to abrasion, friction, or wear.

Manufacturers perform a test known as “Taber’s Test” to determine the abrasion classification, which consists of passing a roller with a sandpaper that goes around and exerts pressure on the surface of the floor.

Depending on the number of rotations the sandpaper can make before the first layer of the laminate floor wears out, the following classification can be determined:

  • AC1: holds more than 900 turns.
  • AC2: holds more than 1800 turns.
  • AC3: holds more than 2500 turns.
  • AC4: holds more than 4000 turns.
  • AC5: holds more than 6500 turns.
  • AC6: holds more than 8500 turns.

On the laminate flooring specifications, the acronym AC is always accompanied by a number from 1 to 6.

The higher the number, the more resistant the floor will be.

AC4 vs AC5 laminate

AC4 or AC5 flooring, which one is better?

All laminate floors are stylish, easy to install and cost-effective compared to natural materials such as wood, but when choosing one or the other, we will have to consider some aspects that go beyond their design or their easy installation.

Typically, the floorings sold for residential purposes are classified as AC3, AC4, AC5 and AC6.

Even though, AC3 floors are not very resistant and are meant for houses with low traffic, so their demand tends to be smaller.

Considering a typical residential property, it is usual to choose AC4 or AC5 floating or laminate flooring because they offer the best price-performance-durability relation.

In general, the resistance of the AC5 laminate floor is higher, but this doesn’t mean that it is the most appropriate for you.

In fact, depending on the use you are going to give to the area, it may be enough to install an AC4 floorboard, which is also often more affordable.

On the other hand, the difference in terms of wear and tear between AC5 and AC4 flooring is minimal, especially if it is to be installed on a regular residential property.

In the case of businesses or spaces with high traffic, the AC5 floor offers additional advantages over the AC4 floor, especially because it remains in better condition, extending its lifespan considerably.

As you can see, there is no right answer to the question: what is better, AC4 or AC5 parquet? Instead, there are different alternatives depending on the needs of your house or commercial premises.

3 Tips for choosing an AC4 or AC5 laminate flooring

Color

AC4 or AC5 laminate flooring adapts to any decorative style.

Some even resemble patterned, stained or stripped wood, offering original finishes.

Before choosing the color of laminate flooring for your property, remember:

  • Light tones give luminosity and increase the feeling of spaciousness in the rooms.
  • Beige tones give greater emphasis to the wood.
  • Gray tones are original and attractive.
  • Dark tones offer a sense of coziness and elegance, and their defined grains are ideal for ethnic or minimalist decorations.
  • Shades that imitate natural woods (oak, beech, pine) are perfect for rustic style homes.
AC4 vs AC5

Usage

Depending on the intended use, it is recommended that you look for a laminate floor having a larger or smaller thickness.

For example, in rooms with low traffic such as the bedroom, a floor thickness of 7 mm would be enough; while in houses with children or pets or in areas such as the kitchen, it may be interesting to look for a laminate floor with a thickness between 8 and 12 mm.

Normally, all AC4 and AC5 floors fit these criteria.

Treatments and extra features

Other aspects that you can take into account when choosing an AC4 or AC5 floating floor are:

  • Board thickness: the thicker the intermediate layer of the laminate flooring, the more solid it will be, the click will be more resistant and a better acoustic performance when stepped on.
  • Antibacterial treatment: some AC4 and AC5 laminate floors have a special treatment to prevent the growth of bacteria on their surface. This type of flooring is recommended for homes with pets, small children or people with allergies.
  • Antistatic treatment: this treatment reduces static electricity and, therefore, the accumulation of dust and lint on the floor.
  • Anti-scratch treatment: this “extra” is especially important to protect the floor from when someone is moving furniture or when pushing trolleys or wheelchairs.
  • Anti-slip treatment: essential if you want to install laminate flooring in wet areas of the house, particularly in restrooms and bathrooms.
  • Slat size: floors with XXL slats provide a sense of depth and spaciousness. They are recommended for large, open spaces.

Lastly, when choosing an AC4 or AC5 laminate floor, you will also need to consider whether it has bevel or not.

Bevels are slits or oblique cuts on the edge of the slat that define the perimeter of each piece, and are recommended for floors with rustic or antique finishes.

Visit our website and choose the one that best fits your home.

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Advantages of Neo Floor SPC Flooring?

SPC flooring is becoming more and more popular thanks to all it’s remarkably desirable traits and features. However, how much do you really know about SPC flooring? Nothing is perfect in this world, it is no surprise that SPC flooring also carries some downsides with it.

It is only fair enough if you are made known of the advantages of SPC flooring before you join the SPC fanatic troop.

Here are the lists of Neo Floor SPC flooring advantages.

Advantages of Neo Floor SPC Flooring

Wide Range Of Style And Selections

 

This huge variation of styles give you abundant freedom to come out with the pattern and arrangement you like. If you are a risk taker, have fun mix-and-match with different colors to create your desired look. Just let your creativity flow!

Real Wood-like Design

 

Timeless design mimicking the beauty of nature is in fact what makes SPC flooring so popular. Some brands even able to achieve the real-wood likeliness that is difficult to tell the difference from far.You can proudly said that it is a ‘wood’ flooring without all the drawbacks of real wood. Isn’t it wonderful?

Budget Friendly

Generally, Neo Floor SPC flooring is way more affordable than hardwood flooring and yet it’s able to provide the same natural wood-look effect you desire. The installation cost is also inexpensive. You can even save up the labour cost by going diy the installation. Needless to say, it is definitely an alternative to expensive wood flooring.

Able To Sustain High Traffic

 

Don’t be surprise that Neo Floor SPC flooring is able to handle high traffic activity better than other type of flooring. In fact, this feature is one of the main reason why SPC flooring is so popular. It can sustain lots of foot traffic which is very suitable for large family or active people.

Durable And Long-lasting

 

Don’t be surprise, Neo Floor SPC flooring can actually last 30 years over if it’s well maintained. That is also why Neo Floor SPC flooring is able to provide warranties of 20 years and above.The quality range of SPC and ways of manufacture are the determining factors of how well your SPC flooring lasts.

Easy To Clean And Maintain

If you are not a homemaker or not having much time for house chores, SPC flooring might be what you need. All you have to do is to sweep and damp mop occasionally and it will be sufficient to keep your house clean.

Even if you found any damaged pieces or tiles, you can simply replace each individual piece without having to remove the entire flooring. You will soon find that maintaining the condition of SPC flooring is much easier comparing to other type of flooring.

Underfoot Comfort

Neo Floor is not as hard as wood flooring. A thin layer of foam or felt is normally use to backed SPC flooring.

This padded structure adds softness and flexibility and makes standing long hours feel less tired. The level of comfortness when stepping on it is also different from any other type of flooring could offer.

Simple And Direct Installation

 

SPC flooring can be installed directly on top of your existing floor as long as the condition of your flooring is flat and smooth. The installation is pretty simple particularly for click-lock type. It is said to be designed for people who love diy!

Stain Resistant

There is one type of SPC flooring which is famously known for stain resistant. It’s the printed SPC tiles or sheets. The theory behind is the wear layer on the SPC surface that act as a protective barriers against spillage and stains.

Since not all type of SPC flooring has strong stain resistant, you might want to avoid composite or solid SPC if this feature is your main concern.

Water Resistant

 

Neo Floor that is well-installed is almost seamless which makes it difficult for water to sips in. This interesting benefit allow it to be installed in almost every area of your house including laundry area.