HomeKnowledgeLuxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) — SPC Core
🧱 Materialmaterialsflooring

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) — SPC Core

Updated Mar 25, 2026
Rigid core luxury vinyl plank flooring. Waterproof, dimensionally stable. Fastest-growing flooring category.

SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) LVP: rigid core of limestone + PVC, vinyl wear layer, printed design layer, backing with attached pad. Thickness: 4-8 mm. Wear layer: 12-28 mil (20 mil+ for commercial). Click-lock installation — floating, no adhesive. Waterproof: can install in kitchens, bathrooms, basements. Installation: over most existing floors, subfloor flatness ±3/16 in per 10 ft. No acclimation needed. Expansion gap: 1/4 in. Underlayment: attached or separate 1-2 mm. Cost: $2-$7/sf material, $1-$3/sf install. Lifespan: 15-25 years (limited refinishability). Disadvantages: not biodegradable, can off-gas VOCs (look for FloorScore certified), dents under heavy point loads. CSI 09 65 16. SPC vs WPC: SPC denser/thinner, WPC softer/quieter.

TAGS
LVPvinyl-plankflooringwaterproofSPC
DETAILS
thickness
4-8mm
cost per sf
$2-$7 material
csi division
09 65 16
installed cost range
$3-$10/sf
sustainability grade
D
RELATED KNOWLEDGE
🧱 Material
Concrete — 4,000 PSI Normal Weight
Standard structural concrete mix with 4,000 psi compressive strength at 28 days, 150 pcf unit weight. Most common mix for foundations, slabs, columns, and beams in commercial and residential construction.
🧱 Material
Structural Steel — ASTM A992 (W-shapes)
Standard structural steel for wide-flange shapes (W-beams, W-columns). 50 ksi yield strength, 65 ksi tensile strength. The dominant steel grade for structural framing in commercial construction.
🧱 Material
Lumber — SPF 2x4 Stud Grade (Spruce-Pine-Fir)
Standard dimensional lumber for wall framing. Actual dimensions 1.5 x 3.5 inches. Available in 8, 10, 12, 16 foot lengths. Stud grade meets IBC requirements for bearing walls up to 10 feet.
🧱 Material
Romex NM-B 12/2 — Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Residential Wiring)
Standard residential electrical wiring: 12 AWG copper, 2 conductors + ground, NM-B rated. For 20-amp circuits. Used for kitchen, bathroom, laundry, garage receptacles per NEC. Interior dry locations only.
🧱 Material
Gypsum Board — 5/8" Type X (Fire-Rated)
Fire-rated gypsum wallboard providing 1-hour fire resistance when applied to each side of a wood or steel stud wall. Required by IBC for fire-resistance-rated assemblies. 4x8 and 4x12 sheets standard.
🧱 Material
Reinforcing Steel — Grade 60 Deformed Bar (#4 through #11)
Standard reinforcing steel for concrete construction. 60,000 psi yield strength. Deformed surface for bond with concrete. Used in foundations, slabs, columns, beams, and walls. Specified per ACI 318.
← Back to Knowledge Garden