SPC vs Laminate Flooring: Which is Better for Toronto Homes? (2026)

If you're renovating a home in Toronto or anywhere in the GTA, two flooring options come up in almost every conversation: vinyl SPC flooring and laminate flooring. Both look like hardwood. Both are affordable. Both are DIY-friendly. So which one should you choose?

The honest answer is: it depends on the room. This guide breaks down every meaningful difference between SPC and laminate — cost, waterproofing, durability, feel underfoot, and best use cases — so you can make the right call for your specific home.

What Is SPC Flooring?

SPC stands for Stone Polymer Composite. It's a type of rigid core vinyl flooring made with a highly dense core of limestone powder and PVC. The result is a completely waterproof, dimensionally stable plank that doesn't expand, contract, or warp — even in the humidity swings and freeze-thaw cycles that Ontario winters bring.

SPC flooring has a printed wood or stone design layer on top, protected by a wear layer that determines how scratch-resistant the surface is. The thicker the wear layer (measured in mils), the more durable the floor. Our SPC options range from 12mil wear layers on our 8mm and 9mm products to 20mil on our thickest 10mm planks.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a composite product made primarily of high-density fibreboard (HDF) with a printed wood-look layer on top and a clear protective coating. It's been around longer than SPC and has historically been the go-to budget flooring choice for GTA homeowners.

Modern laminate — particularly 12mm EIR (Embossed in Register) product like we carry at Top Floorings Depot — is significantly better than the thin, hollow-sounding laminate of 10–15 years ago. The 12mm thickness feels solid underfoot, and the EIR texture aligns the surface embossing directly with the printed grain beneath it, creating a convincingly realistic wood look.

SPC vs Laminate: Head-to-Head Comparison

Waterproofing

SPC wins — and it's not close.

SPC flooring is 100% waterproof. The entire plank — core, surface, and edges — can be exposed to standing water without damage. You can mop it, spill on it, and install it in rooms with high humidity without concern.

Laminate is water-resistant, not waterproof. The surface layer can handle the occasional spill if cleaned up quickly, but water that gets into the joints or underneath the planks will cause the HDF core to swell, warp, and bubble — damage that is permanent and not repairable. In a bathroom or a basement with any moisture, laminate is a risk.

For any room in a GTA home where water is a possibility — kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements — SPC is the only sensible choice between these two options.

Durability and Scratch Resistance

SPC wins for most households.

SPC's wear layer directly determines scratch resistance. Our 10mm SPC with a 20mil wear layer is exceptionally tough — suitable for homes with dogs, kids, and heavy foot traffic. Even our entry-level 8mm SPC with a 12mil wear layer outperforms most laminate in real-world scratch resistance.

Our 12mm EIR laminate is AC4 rated, which means it's designed for residential high-traffic use and holds up well in normal family conditions. It handles everyday wear — chairs, foot traffic, pet claws — without issue. However, it is more vulnerable to deep scratches from sharp objects, and unlike SPC, it cannot be cleaned with a wet mop without risk.

Comfort and Sound Underfoot

Laminate wins slightly, SPC has caught up.

For years, laminate had the edge here because the HDF core gave it a softer, warmer feel underfoot compared to the denser SPC core. Thicker laminate (like our 12mm) with a good underlay also absorbs sound better than thinner products.

Today's thicker SPC (9mm and 10mm) with an attached underlay has narrowed this gap significantly. If sound and underfoot comfort are priorities — particularly in a condo or upper-floor room — choosing 10mm SPC with an attached underlay or adding a quality separate underlay to either product makes a meaningful difference.

Cost

Laminate wins on price.

At Top Floorings Depot, our 12mm EIR laminate starts at $1.29/sq ft. Our SPC flooring starts at $1.94/sq ft for 8mm and goes up to $2.84/sq ft for our thickest 10mm 20mil product.

For a typical 1,000 sq ft main floor in a Markham or Mississauga home, that price difference works out to roughly $650–$1,550 in material costs. If the room is above-grade, dry, and waterproofing isn't a concern, laminate at $1.29/sq ft is outstanding value for the quality you get.

Installation

Tie — both are DIY-friendly click-lock systems.

Both SPC and laminate use a click-lock floating installation method — no glue, no nails, no staples. Both can be installed over most existing subfloors with appropriate preparation. Both require an expansion gap around the perimeter.

The one practical difference: SPC can be installed directly over concrete in below-grade applications without a vapour barrier in many cases (check the specific product spec). Laminate always requires a moisture barrier over concrete due to its HDF core.

Stability in Ontario's Climate

SPC wins clearly.

This is where Ontario homeowners should pay close attention. GTA homes experience significant humidity swings between summer (humid) and winter (dry, heated air). Laminate's HDF core is more sensitive to these changes — it can expand slightly in humid conditions and contract in dry winter air, which over time can cause gapping or peaking at the joints.

SPC's stone polymer core is virtually immune to humidity-related movement. It stays dimensionally stable year-round, making it the lower-maintenance choice for Canadian homes — especially in rooms close to exterior walls, over unconditioned spaces, or in homes that are not climate-controlled year-round (like cottages or vacation properties).

Which Rooms Should Get SPC vs Laminate?

Use SPC flooring for:

• Basements — 100% waterproof, handles concrete moisture and humidity, no vapour barrier needed in most cases
• Kitchens — spills, splashes, and wet mopping are no issue
• Bathrooms — fully waterproof, suitable for full bathroom installation
• Laundry rooms — protects against appliance leaks
• Homes with dogs or heavy foot traffic — thicker wear layers handle more abuse
• Open-concept main floors — if the floor runs from kitchen into living area, SPC keeps it consistent

Use laminate flooring for:

• Bedrooms — dry environment, low moisture risk, comfortable underfoot
• Above-grade living and dining rooms — dry conditions where waterproofing isn't needed
• Rental units and investment properties — maximum value per square foot, easy to replace
• Budget-conscious full-home renovations — when waterproofing is not a concern in any room
• Rooms where carpet is being replaced — cost-effective upgrade that dramatically improves the look

Can You Mix SPC and Laminate in the Same Home?

Yes — and many GTA homeowners do exactly this. A common approach is to use SPC in the kitchen, bathrooms, basement, and any open-concept areas that connect to the kitchen, and use laminate in the bedrooms and upper-floor living areas where cost savings matter and moisture is not a concern.

The one consideration: if the two floors are visible from the same sightline (for example, a kitchen that opens directly into a dining room), you'll want to choose colours that complement each other since the textures won't perfectly match between SPC and laminate products.

The Bottom Line

For most GTA homes in 2026, the decision comes down to this:

• Basement, kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere moisture is possible → SPC. The waterproofing is non-negotiable, and the price difference is worth it for the protection it gives.
• Bedrooms, above-grade living areas, and budget renovations → laminate. At $1.29/sq ft for 12mm EIR, it's hard to beat the value for dry rooms.
• Not sure? → SPC. It performs well everywhere laminate does, with the added protection. The extra cost is modest and the peace of mind is real.

Shop SPC and Laminate Flooring in Toronto

At Top Floorings Depot, we carry both SPC vinyl and 12mm EIR laminate at wholesale prices — open to everyone, no contractor license required. Our showroom is located at 3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, with easy access from Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and North York.

• Browse our vinyl SPC flooring collection — from $1.94/sq ft
• Browse our laminate flooring collection — from $1.29/sq ft

Have questions about which product is right for your project? Call us at (416) 499-0117 or text/WhatsApp +1 (416) 770-8819. We're happy to help you make the right call before you buy.