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LVT vs SPC vinyl flooring: what is the difference?
LVT and SPC are both vinyl floors with a printed wood or stone look under a clear wear layer, and both are waterproof. LVT (luxury vinyl tile) is flexible and usually glued down to a smooth, level subfloor. SPC (stone plastic composite) has a rigid core of limestone and vinyl, clicks together, and floats over the subfloor, so it hides small dips better and goes down faster.
LVT vs SPC at a glance
| LVT (glue down) | SPC (rigid click) | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Flexible vinyl | Rigid limestone and vinyl composite |
| How it is fitted | Glued to the subfloor | Clicks together and floats on an underlay |
| Subfloor needed | Very smooth and level, as dips show through | Level, but small dips are bridged |
| Feel underfoot | Softer, quieter | Firmer, can sound harder without a good underlay |
| Waterproof boards | Yes | Yes |
| Underfloor heating | Usually suitable | Usually suitable, check the maker's limits |
| Repairs | A damaged tile can be lifted and replaced | Boards can be replaced, more easily near the edges |
| Herringbone | Widely available | Available in click herringbone |
LVT (glue down)
- Core
- Flexible vinyl
- How it is fitted
- Glued to the subfloor
- Subfloor needed
- Very smooth and level, as dips show through
- Feel underfoot
- Softer, quieter
- Waterproof boards
- Yes
- Underfloor heating
- Usually suitable
- Repairs
- A damaged tile can be lifted and replaced
- Herringbone
- Widely available
SPC (rigid click)
- Core
- Rigid limestone and vinyl composite
- How it is fitted
- Clicks together and floats on an underlay
- Subfloor needed
- Level, but small dips are bridged
- Feel underfoot
- Firmer, can sound harder without a good underlay
- Waterproof boards
- Yes
- Underfloor heating
- Usually suitable, check the maker's limits
- Repairs
- Boards can be replaced, more easily near the edges
- Herringbone
- Available in click herringbone
Which one should I choose?
Choose SPC when you want a quick, waterproof floor over a subfloor that is sound but not perfectly flat, for example in a kitchen, hall or rental property.
Choose LVT when you want the thinnest, quietest floor, intricate patterns or borders, or where the floor height is tight, such as a bathroom or next to an existing floor. The subfloor must be properly levelled first, as every bump shows through a glued floor.
What the wear layer means
The wear layer is the clear top film that protects the printed design. A thicker wear layer resists scratches and scuffs for longer, so it matters most in halls, kitchens and homes with pets or children. Product sheets give it in millimetres, and makers grade products for domestic or commercial use.
Is vinyl waterproof enough for a bathroom?
The boards and tiles themselves are waterproof, which is why vinyl is the floor for bathrooms, ensuites and utility rooms. Water can still get under the floor at the edges, so in wet rooms the edges are sealed and the floor is fitted carefully around the toilet, bath and shower.
Looking after a vinyl floor
- Sweep or vacuum grit regularly, as grit is what wears the surface.
- Use a damp mop with a cleaner suited to vinyl, not steam or harsh solvents.
- Put pads under furniture feet and a mat at outside doors.
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