SPC, HPL or laminate: which flooring to choose for an apartment
Customers often come to us with one question: "Which is better, laminate or SPC?" The answer depends on the room, the subfloor and the way you live. Below is a plain comparison without the sales talk, to make the choice easier.
What SPC is
SPC stands for stone plastic composite. The core of the plank is made of mineral powder and PVC. It is dense, heavy and does not swell when wet. On top sit a decorative printed layer and a clear protective layer that takes the wear.
In the ECOEAGLE range the SPC core contains natural marble powder and is topped with an ultra wear-resistant PVC layer. The plank measures 18.1 × 122 cm.
What HPL is
HPL stands for high pressure laminate. The decorative layer is pressed under high pressure, so it is denser and tougher than the top layer of ordinary laminate. The surface copes better with knocks and scratches. The HPL planks in our catalogue measure 18.7 × 120 cm.
How ordinary laminate differs
Ordinary laminate is built on an HDF board made of wood fibre. It feels warm, is affordable and every fitter knows how to lay it. Its weak spot is that the wood-based board does not like water. If a puddle sits on a joint for a while, the edges can swell, and that cannot be fixed without replacing planks. Moisture-resistant ranges cope better, but they do not make the floor waterproof.
Side by side
| What we compare | SPC | HPL | Ordinary laminate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Core does not swell | Depends on the collection's core | Vulnerable at the joints |
| Surface wear | High, thanks to the protective layer | High, dense top layer | Depends on the class |
| Subfloor requirements | Strict, needs a flat screed | Moderate | Moderate |
| Feel underfoot | Solid, cooler to the touch | Hard | Warm, quieter with a good underlay |
Always check the specifications of a particular collection, including underfloor heating compatibility, against the manufacturer's documentation. General rules are no substitute for the product's own papers.
What to lay in each room
- Kitchen and hallway. SPC. Spilled water or snow brought in from outside will not hurt it.
- Living room and busy corridors. SPC or HPL. Both cope well with wear.
- Bedroom and study. Any of the three. Here you can choose by colour and feel.
- Children's room. SPC: toys, spilled juice and cleaning every day.
It is often easier to lay one floor throughout the apartment. There are no thresholds between rooms and the floor looks continuous. In that case SPC usually turns out to be the most versatile option.
The subfloor matters more than you think
A thin, rigid SPC plank follows every bump beneath it. If the screed has dips and humps, the locking joints work under strain and may open up over time. That is why the subfloor is checked with a long straightedge before laying, and the allowed deviation is taken from the manufacturer's instructions. Levelling the floor first costs less than relaying it later.
One more point for Almaty: apartments are dry and hot from the heating in winter, and the air is dry in summer too. Mineral and polymer-based floors hardly care. Wood-based materials have a harder time and need stable humidity.
How to work out the quantity
Take the floor area of the room and add an allowance for cutting. For straight laying 5 to 7 % is usually enough. For diagonal laying or irregular rooms, allow more. Buy the whole amount from one batch so there is no difference in shade.
You can browse the available designs in the flooring section. If you are renovating the whole apartment, it is easier to choose the floor together with the other finishes. We talk about this on our furnishing and sourcing page.