The SPC Lab · spcvinylplank.com/spc-buying-checklist/ · published by Vegas Flooring Outlet
Printable checklist
SPC buying checklist
Store-neutral questions to ask anyone selling you SPC, including us. Print it, bring it, and get the answers in writing.
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The plank
- Is it SPC (stone-plastic core) or WPC? What is the core made of?SPC and WPC feel and dent differently. Get the core type in writing.
- What is the wear layer, in mil?The surface durability number. Total plank thickness is a different spec.
- What is the total thickness, and how thick is the core itself?A thicker total can include the pad. Ask for the core on its own.
- Is there an attached pad? Is it foam (IXPE) or cork?If there is one, ask whether any extra underlayment is allowed.
- Which click-lock system does it use, and do the short ends lock too?You want joints that lock on all four sides.
- Can I take a full-size sample home?Color shifts a lot between showroom light and your windows.
The warranty fine print
- Does the warranty cover wear-through, or only manufacturing defects?Headline years mean little if wear is excluded.
- Is it prorated? What does a claim actually pay for?Some cover material only, not labor to replace it.
- Is it voided by commercial use, a rental, or an added underlayment?Matters for landlords and anyone with a home business.
- What temperature range does it require, during install and after?Critical for garages, casitas and sunrooms in Las Vegas.
- What cleaning products and care does it require?Using the wrong cleaner can void coverage.
The slab and the prep
- Will you test slab moisture? Which test (ASTM F1869 or F2170), and will I get the results?A waterproof plank still needs a moisture test underneath.
- How will you check flatness, and what prep is included in the price?Grinding and leveling are the most common surprise costs.
- Is a vapor retarder required for this product over concrete?Many floating-floor guides require one.
- Can it go over my existing tile, or does the tile have to come out?Ask how grout lines and added height will be handled.
- How are cracks, door jambs and transitions to other floors handled?Undercut jambs and proper transitions prevent pinch points.
The installer and the quote
- What is your Nevada contractor license number?Look it up yourself on the Nevada State Contractors Board site.
- Are your installers employees or subcontractors? Who carries the insurance?Know who is responsible if something goes wrong.
- What expansion gap will you leave, and how will baseboards be installed?The answer should come from the product guide, not a guess.
- Are stairs, baseboards, transitions, tear-out, disposal and furniture moving in the quote?Line by line, so two quotes can be compared fairly.
- How many square feet are you ordering, and what is the waste allowance?Vague square footage is a red flag.
- What is the installation warranty, separate from the product warranty?Workmanship coverage is a separate promise.
Before you sign
- Check the license number on the Nevada State Contractors Board license lookup
- Compare quotes line by line, not by the bottom number
- Get the moisture test result, product name, wear layer and gap size in the written quote
Notes
Ready for a measured quote? Request a free in-home estimate from Vegas Flooring Outlet.
Updated
See SPC in person at Vegas Flooring Outlet
Bring this checklist to Vegas Flooring Outlet, 4039 Spring Mountain Rd. We will answer every line, in writing, for the SPC you choose.