Jan 18/25; Volume 30/Number 15
With competitive price and timely delivery, Fanmao sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
By Ken Ryan
Flooring dealers are always looking for the next big thing, the game-changing product that can translate to bigger sales and profits. That is the promise WPC—wood plastic/ polymer composite—holds.
As the WPC category emerges, specialty dealers are faced with a few challenges, from explaining the features and benefits of the new category to customers to effectively merchandising this classification of product.
For those just getting into the category, or for those looking to learn more, here are five questions about WPC and how to answer them:
The “w” stands for wood, but the fact is the majority of WPC-type products entering the market today do not contain wood. WPC is a composite material made of thermoplastics, calcium carbonate and wood flour. Extruded as a core material, it is marketed as being waterproof, rigid and dimensionally stable—thereby overcoming various traditional engineered wood disadvantages while still offering wood-look visuals. In an effort to differentiate their products, suppliers are branding their WPC offerings with names such as enhanced vinyl plank, engineered vinyl plank (or EVP flooring) and waterproof vinyl flooring.
Shaw Floors, for example, brands its Floorté as enhanced vinyl plank with an “improved formulation” that gives it greater density than WPC. Mannington’s new Adura Max is an enhanced vinyl plank the company is touting as the “quietest product on the market.”
The main differences are that WPC flooring is waterproof and can go over most subfloors without much preparation. Traditional vinyl floors are flexible and any unevenness in the subfloor will transfer through the surface. Compared to traditional glue-down LVT or solid-locking LVT, WPC products have a distinct advantage because the rigid core hides subfloor imperfections. In addition, the rigid core allows for longer and wider formats. With WPC, it is not necessary to worry about the preparation LVT would require for use over cracks and divots in concrete or wooden subfloors.
The big advantage for WPC over laminate is that it is waterproof and suitable for environments in which laminate shouldn’t normally be used—typically bathrooms and basements that have potential moisture infiltration. In addition, WPC products can be installed in large rooms without an expansion gap every 30 feet, which is a requirement for laminate floors. The vinyl wear layer of WPC provides cushion and comfort and also absorbs the impact sound to make it a quiet floor. WPC is also suitable for large open areas (basements and Main Street commercial areas) because it doesn’t need expansion moldings.
Most manufacturers regard WPC as a subcategory of LVT. As such, it is likely to be displayed among other resilient and/or LVT products. Some retailers have WPC displayed between laminate and LVT or vinyl since it is the ultimate “crossover” category.
Jim Mudd, president of Sam Kinnaird’s Flooring in Louisville, Ky., merchandises WPC in the laminate section. “I consider WPC laminate even though I don’t think it matters,” he said. “All I care about is that the product is waterproof and quiet [underfoot].”
Is WPC a fad or the next big thing in flooring? No one can know for sure, but indications are this product offers great potential. “It absolutely can become the dominant player,” said Eric Mondragon, hard surface buyer for R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, with 13 locations in four Western states. “WPC is what the LVT category has evolved to, although I still see the need for traditional dry-back LVT for multi-family and commercial segments of the market.”
For more Waterproof WPC Flooringinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
USFloors helped usher in the WPC era with the launch of COREtec three Surfaces ago. In , the company received a patent that covers all engineered flooring products with a WPC core and veneer top layer with or without an attached backing. Noting that WPC is still at the early stages of its lifecycle and expansion, Piet Dossche, CEO of USFloors, predicted WPC “will forever change the landscape of LVT and several other flooring categories.” Specfically, he suggested some categories may even need to be reinvented.
That change could be happening soon. Jeff Striegel, president of Elias Wilf, a Top 20 distributor based in Owings Mills, Md., expects WPC to be the talk of Surfaces with as many as 40 introductions. “Any time you have a product that solves a problem it seems to do well,” he said. “One of the issues people have with LVT is that there is some telegraphing and, therefore, are limitations with what you can put LVT over. That is not the case with WPC. It is clearly a trend that is on the move.”
Since its unveiling at a major flooring conference a few years ago, WPC has vastly become a rising star in the world of commercial flooring. Short for wood plastic composite, WPC offers facilities a wood resembling solution that is unlike anything we have ever seen. To get more familiar with WPC flooring, let’s get started by putting few answers to some important questions.
Although the ‘W’ in WPC stands for wood, this type of flooring doesn’t actually contain wood in the traditional sense. It is, however, a composite material that is made up of a combination of wood flour or fibers and heated thermoplastic resins. Together, these materials surpass other conventional types of flooring pertaining to care, durability, and water resistance. WPC is typically comprised of the following four layers:
Wear Layer
As seen in traditional vinyl flooring, this layer is designed to protect your flooring surface from dents, scuffs, and scratches. Available in different ranges of thickness, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable your flooring will be.
Printed Top Layer
This layer is where the ‘W’ in WPC gets its credibility. By using 3D printing technology, the printed top layer adds depth and realism that one might see in classic hardwood floors.
Core Layer
The core layer is where you get the most bang for your buck. Here, you will find a high density, yet stable waterproof center that will not expand, contract, swell, or peel when faced with liquid, standing water, or any other form of moisture.
Backing Layer
Otherwise known as the flooring’s backbone, this layer provides your planks with added sound installation, as well as being naturally resistant to mold and mildew.
One distinct advantage that WPC has over laminate is that WPC flooring is 100% waterproof. This means that it can be installed in places that laminate should not—typically in spaces such as commercial bathrooms, commercial kitchens, and areas below ground level. However, if laminate is still something you want to incorporate within your facility, check out our page on waterproof laminate flooring.
When taking a look at WPC vs LVT, things get a bit more complicated. This is due to WPC often being marketed as an enhanced version of LVT. While both do have moisture resistance qualities, WPC is not a vinyl product. The main differences between the two are that WPC is completely waterproof and can easily hide subfloor imperfections better than traditional vinyl floors due to its rigid core construction.
Wood Plastic Composite flooring is a highly cost-effective solution, as it limits up-front costs when compared to other traditional flooring materials. Installed properly, WPC can provide solid, long-term value due to its unique durability and vital protection. If you believe that your facility could benefit from the installation of WPC flooring, our professionals can help you select the best materials for your budget, design, vision, and facility environment.