Examine the Color of the SPC Substrate

Pay attention to the color of the SPC substrate. Pure materials are usually a creamy yellow color, while mixed materials can be gray, green, white, or black. Recycled materials are typically gray-black or black. The color of the substrate can give you an idea of its quality and cost.

Assess the Texture

The SPC substrate should have a smooth and delicate texture, with a slight moist feeling. On the other hand, recycled and mixed materials tend to feel dry and lack moisture. Also, check the smoothness and fit of two assembled pieces when they are touched together.

Smell for Odors

High-quality SPC flooring should have little to no odor, even if it contains recycled or mixed materials. Only extremely poor-quality products may have a slight smell.

Check the Translucency of the Flooring

Using your mobile phone's flashlight, place it against the flooring to check its translucency. High-quality SPC flooring should allow light to pass through, while flooring with additives or recycled materials will not be translucent or have poor translucency.

Measure the Thickness of the Flooring

If possible, use calipers or micrometers to measure the actual thickness of the flooring. Normally, the actual thickness should be around 0.2mm more than the stated thickness. For example, if the label indicates 4.0mm, the measured thickness should be around 4.2mm due to the wear layer and UV coating. If the actual thickness is significantly less, it indicates that the manufacturer may have cut corners in production.

Test the Locking System of Pure Virgin Material

Apply some force to the edge of the flooring to test the strength of the locking system. Lower-quality products may break with minimal force, while flooring made of pure virgin material should have sufficient hardness and not easily break.

Evaluate the Bonding Strength Between the Decorative Film Layer and the Substrate

This test requires multiple samples from different manufacturers. Damage the corner of the flooring and peel back the decorative film layer to assess the bonding strength between the film and the SPC substrate. This will determine whether the flooring is prone to delamination in the future. Pure virgin material usually exhibits the strongest bonding strength, while others may vary. If you cannot perform this test, don't worry. By following the previous steps, you can already identify high-quality products from reputable manufacturers.

By considering these factors and following the steps mentioned above, you can confidently identify and choose high-quality SPC stone plastic composite flooring for your needs.