Why Mumbai renovations use it
Because it goes over what is already there. Lifting an existing tiled floor in a flat means demolition, debris bags down a service lift, society permissions and two weeks of noise. SPC planks float over a sound, level tiled floor with a 1.5 mm underlay, add about 8 mm of height, and a 600 sq ft flat can be laid in two days. For a rental refresh or a redevelopment-era flat, that programme advantage is the entire argument.
Reading the specification
| Spec | Entry | Good | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total thickness | 4 mm | 5.5–7 mm | Rigidity over minor unevenness |
| Wear layer | 0.3 mm | 0.5 mm+ | Scratch life; 0.5 mm is the residential threshold |
| Attached underlay (IXPE) | None | 1–1.5 mm | Footfall sound, small level tolerance |
| Lock system | Generic | Branded drop-lock | Joint integrity after re-lifting |
| Rate installed / sq ft | ₹110–150 | ₹170–240 | Includes underlay and skirting trim |
What it does not do
- It does not hide an uneven floor. Deviations above 3 mm over 2 m telegraph and stress the locks.
- It does not like sustained direct sun through glass — expansion and mild fading at a south window.
- It does not feel like timber underfoot. It is harder and slightly hollow-sounding without a good underlay.
- It cannot be sanded. Damage means replacing planks, which is why two spare boxes should stay in the loft.
SPC, LVT and laminate
LVT is the flexible, thinner vinyl cousin, usually glued down, with a softer feel and better acoustic behaviour but needing a near-perfect substrate. Laminate has an HDF core that swells if water sits on it, so it is the wrong choice in a flat that floods in the monsoon. SPC's rigid mineral core is what makes it dimensionally stable and genuinely waterproof, and it is why we default to it for home renovations on a short programme. Compare the whole family on the flooring guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPC flooring really waterproof?+
The plank is — its core contains no wood. Water can still reach the subfloor through the joints and sit there, so a flooded room should be lifted and dried. It will not swell or delaminate the way laminate does.
Can SPC be laid over existing tiles?+
Yes, provided the tiles are sound, level within 3 mm over 2 m and free of hollow spots. Deep grout joints wider than 5 mm should be filled first, or the plank will flex into them over time.
How long does SPC flooring last?+
Ten to fifteen years in a home with a 0.5 mm wear layer. Entry-grade 0.3 mm planks in a busy passage will show traffic paths in four or five. The wear layer, not the core, decides the life.
Does SPC flooring need skirting?+
Yes. A floating floor needs an 8–10 mm expansion gap at every wall, and the skirting or a scotia bead covers it. Skirting is fixed to the wall, never to the floor, so the planks can still move.