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WPC flooring has become one of the most popular choices for both residential and commercial applications in the last few decades, but what exactly is it beyond the acronym? Short for Wood Plastic Composite, WPC flooring is a type of vinyl made of a plastic composite with the visual appearance of natural wood. Over the last few years, it has overtaken wood in both new construction and home remodeling due to its beauty of hardwood floors, while offering advantages such as water resistance, easy maintenance, and environmental sustainability.
In the late 18th and 20th century, technology saw significant advancements in material science with the introduction of the once popular linoleum flooring, which has since further evolved into the various types of vinyl sheeting and planks that we see today.
The idea of combining wood and plastic for a stronger, water resistant material was a great way to overcome the limitations of natural wood, while eliminating the constant upkeep of traditional hardwood, not to mention the ease of installation compared to natural wood.
By the mid-2000s, manufacturers really started producing WPC plank flooring on a large scale. WPC flooring was originally marketed as simply a cheaper alternative to wood flooring, but the market has since evolved, producing all sorts of WPC floor grades, with good quality plank flooring often being considered a better choice than real wood, because it offers a wood-like appearance without the problems associated with wood, such as swelling, warping, or fading in high-humidity environments.
Technological Advancements and Design Improvements
The early WPC flooring products were relatively simple, with only basic designs. The development of a more stable, durable, and rigid plank for WPC flooring made this type of flooring drastically increase in popularity. Early WPC flooring often lacked structural stability and was prone to expansion and contraction. More recently, many improvements occurred including:
High-Definition Printing: WPC flooring now uses high-definition printing techniques to create realistic wood designs. These designs give natural patterns, textures, and colors of hardwood,
Wear Layers and Scratch Resistance: The addition of wear layers made WPC flooring more resistant to scratches, dents, and stains This makes the product more durable in high-traffic areas.
Click-Lock Installation: Click-lock installation makes this interlocking flooring system easy for even a novice DIYer without the need for many tools or fasteners. The simplicity of installation is preferred for many professionals as well, because it reduces labor costs, tools needed and their valuable time. Why wouldn’t you want to save time and get a better product in the process?
Waterproof and Moisture-Resistant: WPC flooring’s ability to resist water and moisture made it perfect for almost any space, especially places like basements or bathrooms where there is high humidity.
Affordability: WPC flooring is considerably cheaper than hardwood floors in many cases. This can become a big factor, especially when covering large areas.
Sustainability: WPC can be made of recycled materials such as: wood fibers, plastics, and other eco-friendly materials that simply can’t be said with hardwood.
The Different Layers of WPC Flooring
WPC flooring is made of four main layers:
Wear Layer: This is the topmost layer of the flooring and serves as a protective shield against scratches, stains, and fading. The wear layer is transparent, so that it doesn’t interfere with the appearance of the wood look, while protecting it against furniture, pets and foot traffic.
Printed Vinyl Layer: Under the wear layer sits the printed layer, which features high-definition images of wood, stone, or other traditional materials. This layer gives the flooring its realistic appearance and can be designed to look like any type of wood grain you can imagine.
WPC Core: The core layer is what distinguishes WPC flooring from other types of flooring. It is made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic polymer, creating a strong, waterproof, and durable floor. The WPC core provides stability, moisture resistance, and thermal insulation properties.
Backing Layer: The backing layer is the bottom layer which makes contact with the subfloor itself and adds sound insulation and support. It also helps the floor stay level and prevents shifting.
What do I need to install it?
Most homeowners already have most, if not all of the tools needed to complete WPC flooring installation. If not, the basic tools needed are easy to use and affordable!
Tools and Materials You’ll Need:
· WPC flooring planks
· Measuring tape
· Rubber mallet
· Tapping block (optional)
· Spacers
· Utility knife (or saw for cutting)
· Underlayment (if required by the manufacturer)
· Chalk line (optional)
· Leveling compound (if needed for uneven floors)
· Clean the surface.
· Moisture check: Make sure the floor is dry. If you detect moisture, put down a moisture barrier first.
· Let the WPC planks adjust to the room temperature for at least 2 days before installation. Just like most materials, they can expand and contract slightly.
· Start in the corner: Begin in one corner of the room, and place the first plank against the wall with spacers to maintain the expansion gap.
· Connect planks: Use the tongue-and-groove system to lock the next plank into place
· Continue across the row: Keep adding planks to the first row, making sure they’re tightly connected and aligned.
· Most of the time, you will need to cut the last plank in each row to ensure a good fit. You can cut this with a utility knife, vinyl flooring snapper, or a saw. To cut the plank, measure the gap you need to fill, mark it, and then cut along the mark.
· Stagger the seams: As you install the next rows, make sure the seams between planks are staggered. This will make it look better and more natural, plus elkp prevent the floor from separating and buckling.
· Connect rows: Again, use the tongue-and-groove system. Angle the tongue into the groove of the previous row and press down.
6. Install the Final Row
· When you reach the last row, you may need to cut the planks long-ways to fit. You want them to get close the the wall while leaving enough room for expansion in the summer.
· Once all planks are in, go back and install or reinstall your baseboards. Add shoe molding or quarter round if you see any visible gaps on the edges.
Why Choose WPC Flooring?
Are you ready to transform your space with flooring that’s as stylish as it is durable? WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) flooring is the perfect solution for modern living in homes both old and new. Remodeling a corporate office? WPC flooring is prefect for that too! No matter your residential or commercial application, WPC flooring offers incredible benefits that make it the smart choice for any project
