In the same way that hardwood is not limited to just one species of tree, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are not limited to just one type of material. WPC flooring is a 100% waterproof luxury vinyl plank. WPC typically has four layers: a wear layer on top for protection, followed by a high-definition print layer for visuals, then a core layer for strength, and finally an underlayment on the bottom for cushioning. In WPC flooring, the core is comprised of various materials usually including wood-based materials and thermoplastics. This composition leads to a softer feeling underfoot and better insulative qualities. But considering the alternatives, is WPC the right pick for your home?
Material
Although named wood plastic composite, modern-day WPC often no longer contains any wood-based materials. This is due to those materials not being entirely waterproof. Newer WPC replaces those materials with wood-like plasticizers, which provide the qualities that wood normally comes with, but with the added benefit of complete waterproofing.
As mentioned in the overview, there are three other common layers that are present in all LVP, not just WPC. Layered on top of the WPC core is a high-definition image, which provides the visuals for the material. To protect the image, a clear wear layer is placed on top. This wear layer is what protects your flooring from day-to-day wear and tear, which we will talk more about under maintenance. Finally, there’s the underlayment layer underneath the core, which separates the core of the floor from the subfloor of a room. The underlayment layer can add additional cushioning to the floor, but that depends on the quality of the material.
100% Waterproof
Modern WPC is made specifically to be 100% waterproof. That means no water damage, no staining, and easier cleaning. This makes it great for rooms where moisture is common such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. This also means it’s great for any household with kids and/or pets, considering both tend to test the waterproof qualities of any flooring.
WPC’s waterproof construction is great if you want a waterproof floor combined with some of the great qualities of wood. If you value having a waterproof floor over anything else, we suggest also looking into stone polymer composite (SPC) flooring, which can be cheaper and more durable but is also harder to walk on.
Cost
WPC is relatively inexpensive for its performance but is definitely not the cheapest option. Averaging around $4-$12, it tends to be a few dollars more expensive than its close relative, SPC flooring. However, that cost is not wasted, as WPC is seen as more luxurious than SPC while still being cheaper than hardwood both in material cost and installation. Most LVP floors (including WPC) come with a click-together locking system and can be installed without any nails or adhesives. Many people even choose to install their LVP floors themselves, leading to additional savings.
Since WPC is made to last, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to replace yours based on damage. Of course, individual planks can be directly damaged, but that can be solved by replacing the damaged plank. This is easier for planks towards the edge of a floor since other planks may have to be removed to reach the damaged plank, but this is still cheaper than replacing your entire floor, or, in the case of hardwood floors, refinishing it.
Speaking of removing your floors, did you know that WPC can be moved to a different location? Although not entirely recommended, WPC flooring can be taken apart and moved to a different location, kind of like a set of Lincoln Logs. Some stores even sell materials that were previously installed, but we recommend extra caution when buying this type of product. If you’re considering purchasing or reusing previously installed materials, we recommend using only the best pieces, and in areas such as storage rooms and laundry rooms when style isn’t a priority.
Design
WPC’s massive design capabilities are part of the reason it’s so widely popular. The appearance of WPC is based on two factors: the texturing of the material and the image underneath. Considering this, almost any texture and color can be achieved depending on the brand and the quality of the flooring. This means no more compromising between the style of hardwood floors and the durability of sheet vinyl. Additionally, WPC’s durability and waterproofing make it a great option for laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens, which all usually have limited flooring options. If you’re looking for a cross between functionality and style, WPC is a great all-rounder.
Durability
A main feature of WPC is how durable it tends to be. With little maintenance, any WPC flooring can stay beautiful for a long time. This is partially dependent on the WPC’s wear layer thickness. A thicker wear layer means more material blocking damage from reaching the print layer of a WPC floor. Since WPC is already so durable, most households will not see much of a difference from thicker wear layers (besides the cost). If you are considering putting WPC in a commercial space, thicker wear layers are available, although we’d suggest looking into the cheaper alternative of SPC first. Otherwise, WPC is a great choice for those looking to replace their flooring once and never again.
Maintenance
Like all LVP floors, WPC is an easy-to-clean flooring. It’s easy to sweep, vacuum, or even mop and is resistant to staining. Although typically durable and scratch-resistant, you still want to avoid dragging furniture across WPC flooring as it can still be damaged. It may seem weird, but if you’re worried about your furniture scratching a specific product, we recommend getting a sample of that product and testing it underneath your furniture. If the material does scratch but you still like the product you chose, furniture pads are a cheap way to prevent scratches on any material.
As mentioned before, one great way to keep your floor looking great is to replace any damaged pieces. This is easier the closer the piece is to the edge of the floor, as other planks might have to be removed to access the damaged plank without breaking the plank locking system. If you have extra space, consider buying an extra box or two of material to keep around for this exact reason.
Comfort
After all this talk about the wood-like qualities of WPC, you may be wondering what exactly these qualities are. There are two main ones, both involving the comfort of the floor: softness and insulation. The wood-like material found in WPC is generally softer than the calcium carbonate (aka limestone) found in SPC. This leads to a softer step, which is nicer on joints or just for general comfort. WPC is also a way better insulator than SPC, with WPC being able to dampen sound and insulate heat better. Although not as comfortable as hardwood flooring, WPC is definitely a good choice if you want a little bit of the hardwood experience.
Conclusion
Given the different qualities of WPC, we recommend this flooring for those who like the combination of WPC’s comfort, durability, and price point. Its wide array of styles makes it a great visual fit in any home and can perform wonderfully in rooms with higher traffic and moisture. One last important thing to consider, however, is how it holds up to alternative hard flooring styles in those same categories.
WPC has one main competitor in the LVP market: stone plastic composite (SPC) flooring. SPC flooring has a similar core to WPC but with no wood-like materials and a high concentration of calcium carbonate, aka limestone. Think of WPC as the wood of LVP, whereas SPC would be the tile of LVP. Both are strong, durable floors, but wood is softer and more insulating, while tile is dense and durable. SPC also typically costs less than WPC of a similar quality, so if you want cheaper LVP, SPC is a good way to go. Otherwise, you’ll get more comfort out of WPC flooring.
Most people know pretty quickly whether they want LVP-type flooring or genuine hardwood, but if you still don’t then there are a few things to consider. First, if your budget is tighter or you’re under a time constraint, WPC is a definite winner, both in the price of the material and the price and duration of the installation. Second, if you really like the aesthetic of hardwood floors, WPC can get close to matching actual hardwood but can never perform the exact same. If that difference matters to you, go with hardwood floors. Otherwise, WPC is a great way to save money for another project.