Where you have heavy furniture and appliances, durability is paramount. From commercial equipment to heavy-duty refrigerators, bulky dining tables or sink-heavy hotel beds, heavy items can cause significant damage to many flooring choices. Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) flooring has become the go-to solution for combining luxury with heavy weight durability. Let's learn about how SPC performs under pressure and if it might be your best flooring choice for spaces with heavy furniture and appliances.

What Makes SPC Flooring Better At Withstanding Pressure?

The Rigid Core Difference One of the biggest factors in SPC flooring performance under heavy items is in its composition. SPC is so much stronger than regular vinyl because of the composition of the flooring:

Rigid Core

• Durable limestone core for rigidity.
• Multiple compressed layers for weight distribution.
• Stable structure that doesn't compress or indent.
• Generally 4mm to 7mm thickness.

This rigid core composition means that SPC can take much more of a static load than other forms of flooring. The limestone reinforcement means that the core doesn't easily compress, even under incredible weight over long periods of time.

High Indentation Resistance

One of the most common concerns with heavy items is indentation. No one wants to see permanent dents or dips in their beautiful new flooring. SPC provides:

• High indentation resistance compared to LVT or WPC.
• Ability to spring back from compression.
• Stability under both point loads and distributed loads.

Unchanging performance under variable temperatures

These properties make SPC a great choice for heavy items that are not moved, such as a refrigerator, washer and dryer, or bedroom furniture.

SPC Flooring Performance Under Common Heavy Items Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is often home to some of the heaviest items in your home. SPC holds up well under load in heavy items like:

• Refrigerators (200-400 pounds): SPC resists the compression damage common in soft flooring.
• Dishwashers (90-130+ pounds): SPC's waterproof composition and weight resiliency combine for double protection.
• Ranges and ovens (130-200+ pounds): SPC maintains stability even with the added heat component Island counters: SPC supports the large fixed countertop installations common in island designs.

Commercial kitchens with heavy commercial equipment often select thicker SPC tiles with heavy grade wear layers to stand up to the heavy weight and high traffic.

Living and Dining Room Furniture

The living and dining room often houses heavy furniture that won't be easily moved. SPC flooring holds up well to weight including:

• Sectional sofa: With much of the weight distributed, the elevated pressure at legs and corners are better handled by SPC.
• Dining tables and chairs: Repeated movement and heavy weight are better handled by SPC, particularly at pressure points.
• Entertainment center: Additional weight load and heat from electronic equipment.
• Bookcases and display cabinets: Often one of the heaviest items in a house, the weight of items can exert incredible pressure on small areas SPC ensures your weighty furniture doesn't leave lasting impressions. The flooring maintains its appearance even after the furniture is moved.

Bedroom and Office Furniture

The bedroom and office are often home to some of the most uniquely heavy items in your home, including:

• Beds: Heavy weight of bed and occupants, concentrated on small support legs.
• Dressers and armoires: The tall and heavy furniture provide lots of downward pressure.
• Desk and computers: Weight of furniture and electronic equipment, with high traffic in chair areas.
• Filing cabinets: Filled with documents, the weight is concentrated on a small area,SPC resists compression that can cause their surface to become uneven under weight.

SPC Installation Considerations for Heavy Loads

To get the most out of SPC flooring under heavy items, installation is critical. Ensure that the subfloor is perfectly level, no flex, and if necessary, use an enhanced underlayment. Maintain the manufacturer's recommended acclimation periods. SPC will hold up to heavy items, but for added assurance, use furniture and appliance pads, weight distribution plates, appropriate hard surface flooring wheels, and follow the manufacturer's recommended weight limit for maximum static load.

How SPC Compares To Other Flooring Options

• Versus Carpet: Carpet shows compression damage quickly and often permanently. SPC maintains its appearance.
• Versus Hardwood: Hardwood dents under pressure. SPC holds up well to indentation.
• Versus Laminate: Laminate crushes at the core. SPC's dense core holds up to weight.
• Versus Ceramic Tile: Tile is highly resistant to compression but can crack under heavy items if there is any subfloor flex. SPC accommodates the weight without cracking.

• How Long SPC Flooring Will Last Under Heavy Items

• SPC flooring will show minimal or no indentation under heavy items, even after years. The flooring maintains appearance when furniture is moved. The flooring resists the compression fatigue typical with foam-backed flooring. The flooring's appearance will remain consistent despite varying temperatures and weight. This makes SPC flooring a great choice for spaces that may be rearranged, because the floor will remain consistent and not show compression patterns from previous furniture placement.

• Conclusion

• A Solid Foundation for Heavy Items SPC flooring was designed with heavy items in mind. It provides the flexibility to add and remove heavy furniture and equipment that other flooring solutions can't. For spaces needing a heavy item flooring solution, SPC offers the strength to handle any weight thrown its way.