SPC, glue-down LVT, and laminate compared — how to choose the right one, installation principles, and maintenance.
SPC, glue-down LVT, and laminate all deliver a wood- or stone-look floor at a fraction of the cost and installation time of natural materials — but they are genuinely different products with different strengths. Confusing them, or picking the wrong one for a wet area or high-traffic space, is the most common reason a flooring project underperforms.
This guide breaks down the real differences between Finfloor's ranges, how to choose between them, and what affects how well the finished floor performs over time.
Tswanacrete supplies Finfloor's range in Botswana. Each product type suits different rooms, traffic levels, and budgets.
Finfloor's Diamond Core SPC+ and Sapphire SPC Wide ranges use a rigid stone-polymer composite core for exceptional dimensional stability, click-lock installation, and genuine waterproof performance — suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet areas, as well as high-traffic residential and light commercial spaces. Both ranges require an HDPE moisture-barrier underlay beneath the SPC for the manufacturer's warranty to apply — this is a mandatory part of the system, not an optional extra.
FinCrete, Aurora II (including a herringbone option), and Galaxy II are glued directly to a prepared substrate rather than floating. This suits large-format planks and herringbone laying patterns, and is commonly specified for higher-traffic commercial spaces where a fully bonded floor is preferred.
Finfloor's laminate ranges — AGT Bella Neo (AC3), AGT Natura Line and AGT Armonia (AC4), Authentic Herringbone (AC4), and Parador and Black Forest Plus (AC5) — offer a more affordable wood-look entry point. The AC rating indicates wear resistance: AC3 suits light residential use, AC4 general residential and light commercial, and AC5 heavier commercial traffic. Standard laminate is not designed for consistently wet areas.
Finfloor's FINOak range offers genuine engineered hardwood flooring in pre-finished and unfinished options. This sits outside Tswanacrete's current core Finfloor range in Botswana — confirm current availability and lead time with us if a genuine timber floor is what you're after.
Underlay, transition profiles, and screeds and adhesives for glue-down installations are all part of a complete flooring specification. Correct underlay improves acoustic performance and underfoot comfort; correct screed and adhesive selection is critical to a glue-down floor's long-term bond. For SPC ranges specifically, an HDPE moisture-barrier sheet under the floor is a mandatory part of the warranted system.
Work through these factors before choosing a look or colour.
SPC and LVT are the right choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and similar wet-prone spaces. Standard laminate is not designed for consistent moisture exposure.
Click-lock floating floors (most SPC and laminate) are faster and more DIY-friendly. Glue-down LVT needs a flat, well-prepared substrate and professional installation, but suits large formats and patterns like herringbone.
Match the laminate AC rating, or choose SPC/glue-down LVT, to the actual traffic the space will see — residential living areas have very different demands to a retail shop or office corridor.
Herringbone and large-format plank options are available in specific ranges (Authentic Herringbone laminate, Aurora II Herringbone glue-down LVT) — decide on the look early, since it affects which range you're choosing from.
Many SPC and LVT products are compatible with underfloor heating — confirm compatibility for the specific range before specifying it over a heated slab.
Laminate is generally the most affordable wood-look option; SPC and glue-down LVT carry a higher cost that's usually justified by wet-area suitability and durability.
Talk to us about the room, traffic, and look you're after, and we'll recommend the right Finfloor range and confirm current lead times.
General principles apply across most vinyl and laminate installations, though exact requirements vary by product and installation method.
Confirming the subfloor is flat, dry, clean, and sound — moisture testing matters especially over concrete slabs.
Allowing the flooring to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity before installation, as recommended for the specific product.
Laying underlay for floating floors, or preparing the substrate and screed for glue-down installations.
Click-lock planks are floated and locked together; glue-down planks are bonded with a full-spread adhesive system.
Leaving the correct gap at walls and fixed obstacles so the floor can expand and contract without buckling.
Fitting transition profiles and skirtings to complete the installation and protect exposed edges.
Exact acclimation times, expansion gap requirements, and adhesive coverage vary by product and must be confirmed against the current Finfloor specification for the range selected. Installation should follow the correct specification, particularly for glue-down and herringbone patterns — talk to us about installation options for your project.
Most problems trace back to a handful of recurring causes.
Moisture coming up through an untested concrete slab is a common cause of bubbling, lifting, or damage over time.
Installing flooring straight out of the box without letting it adjust to room conditions can cause gapping or buckling later.
Floating floors installed tight to the walls have nowhere to expand, leading to buckling as temperature and humidity change.
Standard laminate in a genuinely wet area, or an under-rated AC laminate in a high-traffic space, is set up to wear out early.
An unlevelled subfloor telegraphs through the new floor and can affect the integrity of click-lock joints over time.
Harsh chemicals or excessive water, especially on laminate, can damage the wear layer and core over time.
The core plank itself is waterproof, but the floor as a whole is only as water-resistant as its installation — seams, edges, and skirting details still need to be done correctly, and standing water should never be left on any floor long-term.
Often yes, provided the existing surface is flat, sound, and free of loose or damaged tiles — but this should be assessed case by case, since an uneven or unstable substrate will telegraph through the new floor over time.
Click-lock floors float over the subfloor and lock together at the edges, making them faster to install and easier to DIY. Glue-down vinyl is bonded directly to a prepared substrate, which suits large-format planks, herringbone patterns, and higher-traffic commercial spaces, but requires more substrate preparation and professional installation.
We can support your flooring project with product supply, technical advice, and installation coordination — talk to us about what's right for your project.
AC ratings indicate a laminate's abrasion and wear resistance, from AC3 (suited to light residential use) up to AC5 (suited to heavier commercial traffic). Choosing the right AC rating for the space's traffic level affects how long the floor performs well.
Which should you choose for your room.
What actually drives the price of your floor.
Peaking, gapping, and water damage to watch for.
Why it's a glue-down job, not a floating floor.
Contact us to discuss your flooring project, view available samples, or get a supply price. We can advise on the best product type for your application and budget.