Vinyl Plank, LVP, LVT, WPC, and SPC: What’s the Difference?

What’s the Difference Between Vinyl Sheet and Vinyl Plank?

You’ve probably read these initials before and wondered what the heck they mean. What’s the difference between vinyl plank and LVT? Where does WPC come in? We know, it’s a lot.

Here’s the easiest way we can explain it. “Vinyl plank” is a catch-all phrase that differentiates it from the vinyl sheet flooring of yesteryear.

Things that fall under the “vinyl plank” category include LVP, LVT, WPC, and SPC. But to make things even more confusing, people sometimes use the terms “LVT” and “vinyl plank” interchangeably.

For our purposes, we’re calling all modern vinyl products (aka not vinyl sheet) “vinyl plank” or “LVP”.

PS: “EVP flooring” is just another term for rigid vinyl plank.

LVP vs. LVT

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are marketing terms designed to elevate modern vinyl flooring above the decaying stuff in the kitchen of your first apartment.  

The significant differences between them are the design layer and shape.

l LVP is generally wood-inspired and comes in the same dimensions as other wood or fake wood planks. This includes both the classic thin strips, and also floors that mimic wide-plank wood flooring.

l LVT is typically stone-inspired and often comes in 12×12 and 12×24 inch tiles. The best vinyl plank flooring brands will attach prefabricated mock-grout for added realism.  

WPC vs. SPC

Wood Polymer Composite (WPC) and Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) are two popular types of rigid core luxury vinyl flooring. The “wood” and “stone” in WPC and SPC refer specifically to their core or base layers.

l WPC flooring incorporates fine, filtered sawdust called “wood flour” into its core layer to increase soundproofing, comfort, and insulation. Generally, WPC is better for domestic use. And you don’t need to worry about waterproofing—the sawdust is encased in the vinyl.

l SPC flooring has the same idea, but the core contains limestone instead of wood. SPC is thinner and more rigid, making it great for high traffic areas and commercial applications. Think an SUV on a showroom floor, or a retail cart laden with books—SPC is perfect for uses like that.