SPC vs WPC: Which Flooring and Wall Panels Are Right for Your Project?

SPC and WPC are two of the most popular materials for modern fit-outs — and two of the most confused. Both are waterproof, both come in realistic wood and stone looks, and both are installed with click systems or clips. But they are built differently, and that difference matters depending on where you use them.

What SPC and WPC actually are

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) has a rigid core made mainly from limestone powder and PVC. It is dense, thin and very stable.

WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) has a core made from wood fibre or wood flour combined with plastic. It is lighter and slightly softer.

Both have a printed decor layer and a clear wear layer on top. The core is what makes the difference.

Side-by-side comparison

	SPC	WPC
Core	Limestone + PVC, rigid	Wood fibre + plastic, lighter
Feel underfoot	Firm and solid	Softer and warmer
Dent resistance	Higher — handles heavy furniture well	Lower under heavy point loads
Stability with temperature changes	Very stable	Stable, but moves slightly more
Water resistance	Waterproof	Waterproof
Typical use as flooring	Shops, cafés, offices, homes	Homes and lower-traffic spaces
Typical use as wall panels	Less common	Very popular — fluted and flat panels

When to choose SPC flooring

SPC is usually the better choice for commercial floors: cafés, restaurants, retail stores and offices. Its rigid core resists dents from chairs, tables and display units, and it stays flat in spaces where the temperature changes during the day, such as shopfronts with large windows.

When comparing SPC flooring, look at:

• Total thickness — commonly 4–8 mm
• Wear layer — commonly 0.3–0.7 mm; thicker layers suit busier spaces
• Click system — a well-machined click profile makes installation faster and joints tighter
• Underlay — an attached IXPE or EVA underlay reduces noise

When to choose WPC

As flooring, WPC suits homes where comfort underfoot matters more than resistance to heavy loads.

As wall panels, WPC is one of the most popular materials in modern interiors. Fluted (grille) WPC panels create the warm, textured feature walls you see in cafés, hotel lobbies and living rooms — without the cost, weight or maintenance of solid timber.

Can you use both in one project?

Yes — and many of the best spaces do. A common combination is SPC on the floor for durability, with WPC fluted panels on a feature wall or bar front for warmth and texture. Because both come in matching wood tones, they are easy to coordinate.

What to send for an accurate quote

• Floor area in m² (add a margin for cutting)
• Preferred decor — a photo or sample is ideal
• Thickness and wear layer, if you know them
• For wall panels: wall dimensions and the profile you like

Not sure which to choose? Send us your floor plan and photos of the look you want, and we will suggest suitable options. See our full range of flooring, wall panels and tiles.