LVT vs SPC Click: Which Vinyl Flooring is Right for Your UK Home? (2026 Buyers Guide)
LVT and SPC are both vinyl flooring categories that have dominated the UK flooring market over the last decade. Most homeowners coming to us at Flooring Wholesale aren't sure which to pick. This guide breaks down the differences in plain terms, with the actual specs, prices, and best-use cases.
The quick answer
- Pick LVT (glue-down) if you want the most premium look, the best long-term performance, and you have a professional fitter doing the installation. Glue-down LVT is the contract-grade choice.
- Pick SPC click if you're a competent DIY fitter, you want to skip subfloor adhesive entirely, the room has occasional moisture exposure (bathroom, utility, kitchen), or you want the floor up faster. SPC is the easier install and the more forgiving of imperfect subfloors.
Both deliver the wood-effect or stone-effect designer look. Both are waterproof when properly installed. Both come in herringbone and standard plank formats. The choice mostly comes down to install method, subfloor condition, and budget.
What does each one actually mean?
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile / Plank)
LVT in the strict sense usually refers to glue-down vinyl planks or tiles, typically 2-3mm thick. The plank is bonded to the subfloor with a specific adhesive (F-Ball F44 for most installs). Once installed, it's effectively permanent. Replacement means cutting out and re-laying.
Wear layer typically 0.3mm (entry-level residential), 0.55mm (mid-tier domestic and light commercial), or 0.7mm (heavy commercial). Examples: Karndean Knight Tile, Karndean Van Gogh, Polyflor Camaro, Style LVT.
SPC Click (Stone Polymer Composite, click-system)
SPC is a rigid-core vinyl plank, typically 4-5mm thick with an integral locking edge that clicks into the next plank. No adhesive required. Floats over the subfloor on an underlay (sometimes attached). The rigid core is a stone-mineral composite that gives the floor structural stiffness and dimensional stability.
Wear layer ranges from 0.3mm (entry SPC) to 0.55mm+ (premium SPC like Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core). Examples: our own Woods Click SPC, Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core, Amtico Click Smart, Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core.
Spec comparison at a glance
| Spec | Glue-down LVT | SPC Click |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 2.0-3.0mm | 4.0-6.0mm |
| Install method | Bonded with adhesive | Click-lock, floating |
| Subfloor tolerance | Strict (3mm under 2m) | Forgiving (5mm under 2m) |
| Underlay needed | None | 2-3mm fibreboard or attached underlay |
| Waterproof | Yes if installed correctly | Yes (better edge-seal) |
| Underfloor heating | Yes (with right adhesive) | Yes (within manufacturer limits) |
| Replaceable? | No (permanent) | Yes (lift and re-click) |
| DIY install | Difficult | Easy to moderate |
| Cost (entry) | From £13/m² supply | From £15/m² supply |
| Cost (premium) | From £35/m² supply | From £39/m² supply |
Real-world performance differences
How they handle damp subfloors
LVT glue-down requires a dry subfloor (relative humidity below 75%). If the subfloor isn't dry, the adhesive fails and the floor lifts. SPC click is more tolerant because the floor floats above the subfloor rather than bonding to it. For unheated outbuildings, garages converted to living spaces, or houses with damp issues, SPC click is the more forgiving choice.
How they sound underfoot
Glue-down LVT sounds like a solid floor: dense, dull. SPC click on quality underlay sounds similar but can sometimes have a slightly hollow note depending on the underlay used. Premium SPC with attached underlay (e.g. Karndean Korlok) eliminates this almost entirely.
Long-term durability
Glue-down LVT with proper installation outlasts SPC click in heavy commercial settings. For domestic UK homes the difference is academic; both deliver 15-25+ years of life.Repair and replacement
If a plank gets damaged: glue-down requires cutting out the plank and adhering a replacement (skilled work, visible if not done well). SPC click can be lifted: unlock from the wall back, replace the damaged plank, re-click. Much easier mid-life maintenance.
Which rooms work best for each?
- Kitchens — either works. SPC click slightly preferred for the water resistance at the joints if a leak happens unnoticed.
- Bathrooms / utility / boot rooms — SPC click strongly preferred. The click joints with sealant are more leak-tolerant than glue-down edges.
- Living rooms / bedrooms — either works. Glue-down feels more premium underfoot, SPC is easier and faster to lay.
- Hallways / high traffic — both work. Choose by wear layer rather than format. 0.55mm minimum for hallways.
- Conservatories / extensions — SPC click preferred. SPC handles temperature swing better than glue-down (which can fail at the adhesive if temperature exceeds the adhesive's working range).
- Commercial / contract — glue-down LVT (Polyflor Camaro, Karndean Da Vinci, Opus) is the spec for retail, hospitality, healthcare.
Pricing comparison at FW (Spring 2026)
- Style LVT 2mm glue-down from £13/m² supply (residential 0.3mm wear)
- Style Parquet 2mm herringbone from £15/m² supply
- Woods Click SPC 4.4mm from £15/m² supply (entry SPC click, our own brand)
- Impression LVT 2.5mm from £20/m² supply (0.55mm wear, mid-tier)
- Grande LVT 2.5mm from £28/m² supply (0.7mm wear, premium own-brand)
- Karndean Knight Tile from £29/m² supply
- Karndean Van Gogh glue-down from £35/m² supply
- Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core SPC click from £39/m² supply
- Polyflor Camaro standard LVT from £32/m² supply
- Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core SPC click from £42/m² supply
Across both formats, our own-brand ranges (Style, Impression, Grande, Woods Click) deliver the same wear-layer specs at roughly half the price of the branded equivalents. Same residential-grade construction, no brand markup.
Common myths
SPC is always cheaper than LVT
Not always true. Premium SPC (Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core, Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core) costs more than entry-level LVT (Knight Tile or our Style LVT 2mm) because the rigid core construction adds material cost.
SPC isn't as durable as LVT
Wear layer determines durability not format. A 0.7mm wear layer SPC outlasts a 0.3mm LVT in real-world traffic.
SPC click can't go on a heated subfloor
Most SPC click ranges are underfloor-heating compatible. Check the manufacturer's max surface temperature spec, usually 27°C. Both LVT and SPC have UFH-compatible formats.
LVT is always for professionals, SPC is always for DIY
SPC click is genuinely DIY-friendly. Glue-down LVT can be DIY by an experienced person with good preparation but it's harder. For a first-time fitter, SPC click is the realistic choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPC the same as vinyl flooring?
SPC is a type of vinyl flooring. The construction layers from bottom to top are: rigid stone-polymer core, vinyl print layer with wood/stone effect, wear layer, sometimes attached underlay. So yes, SPC is vinyl, just with a stone-composite core.
Can I lay SPC click over my existing tiles?
Yes if the tiles are sound, level, and free of cracks. SPC's rigid core spans minor grout lines. Glue-down LVT cannot be installed over tiles without first applying a self-levelling compound.
Which is better for a rental property?
SPC click. Faster install means less time between tenancies. Replaceable planks mean a single damaged area doesn't require redoing the whole room. Cost-effective and forgiving.
Can SPC be used in commercial spaces?
Yes, with the right wear layer. Karndean Van Gogh Rigid Core and Polyflor Camaro Rigid Core have commercial-rated wear layers. For heavy commercial use glue-down LVT is still the industry standard, but SPC is closing the gap.
Do you sell both formats?
Yes. Our own Style LVT (glue-down) and Style Parquet (herringbone glue-down) sit alongside Woods Click SPC (rigid click). We also supply all major branded ranges direct from manufacturer: Karndean, Polyflor, Amtico available to order.
What to do next
Request free samples of any LVT or SPC range. Same-day dispatch from Worthing. Free m² calculator. Trade-direct supply for fitters and contractors. Volume discounts on full-pallet orders.
