If you're a flooring contractor in the GTA still specifying 6mm SPC vinyl on your jobs, you're leaving money on the table and creating callbacks you don't need. The shift from 6mm to 8mm SPC vinyl isn't a marketing trend — it's a physics and performance conversation, and it matters more in Toronto than almost anywhere else in Canada.
Toronto's building stock is unusual: high-rises with concrete slab subfloors on every level, older semi-detached homes with imperfect plywood subfloors, and basement suites with moisture issues that have been endemic for decades. 6mm SPC was designed for a perfect subfloor in a controlled climate. 8mm SPC was designed for what contractors actually encounter in the GTA. At Top Floorings Depot (3781 Victoria Park Ave, Toronto), we stock both — and we're seeing a clear pattern: contractors who switch to 8mm come back and don't go back.
Why 6mm SPC Creates Problems in Toronto Buildings
6mm SPC vinyl has a core of 4.5mm rigid stone polymer composite + 1.5mm IXPE foam pad underneath. That combination works fine when the subfloor is perfectly flat (within 3mm over 10 feet, per manufacturer standards). But in Toronto's older housing stock — and even in some newer condos — achieving that level of flatness isn't always realistic or affordable.
When a 6mm plank sits over a subfloor with minor variations, the plank bridges slightly across the low spot. Over time, that bridging creates stress in the click joint. The result: joint separation, edge curl, and that characteristic "snap" sound when you walk across certain areas. We've seen this in Markham homes with 1970s plywood subfloors, in Scarborough basements with old concrete that was never ground flat, and in North York condos where the concrete pour was rushed before the building closed in.
8mm SPC adds 1.5mm more core material — going from a 4.5mm core to a 6mm core. That extra 33% core thickness dramatically increases the plank's stiffness and resistance to bending under load. A stiffer plank bridges subfloor imperfections better without transferring as much stress to the joint. It's the same reason you don't lay 6mm hardwood over a rough subfloor — the physics just don't work.
The Sound Rating Difference Matters for Condo Work
If you're installing in a Toronto condo or any multi-unit residential building, you've likely been asked about sound transmission ratings. This is where the difference between 6mm and 8mm becomes a spec conversation, not just a preference.
Our Riche 8mm SPC vinyl with Valinge 5G locking has an IIC rating of 73 and STC rating of 72 — tested on a concrete slab. That's the level of sound isolation that satisfies most Toronto condo board requirements, which typically specify IIC 50 or above (and increasingly IIC 55+ in newer developments). The 6mm budget series doesn't have published IIC/STC ratings — it's not rated for sound isolation, it's just a floor.
For contractors working in multi-unit buildings, having a product that comes with documented sound ratings protects you in the specification process. If a building manager or architect asks for the IIC rating and you can't provide it, you either lose the job or you're using a product that might not meet code. 8mm SPC with documented ratings gives you a defensible spec.
Why Contractors Are Making the Switch Now
The concrete subfloor reality in GTA high-rises is not improving. New condo developments are delivering units faster than subfloor prep is being completed properly. The result: more planks over less-than-ideal substrates. Contractors who were doing 6mm installations for years are seeing a spike in post-install callbacks — joint separation, edge failure, moisture wicking through seams in basement applications.
The callback cost is real: a return trip to a Scarborough townhouse to re-glue two rows of separating 6mm SPC costs you time and eats into your margin. The material cost difference between 6mm and 8mm is roughly $0.85-$1.00/sqft at distributor pricing. On a 1,200 sqft job, that's about $1,000 more in material — but one callback visit costs you $300-500 in labour and creates customer friction that might cost you the next referral.
Contractors who spec 8mm consistently report fewer post-install issues. The thicker core handles the subfloor variation that Toronto buildings deliver, and the product performance in the field matches the specification. The job goes smoother, the customer is happy, and your reputation stays intact.
What About Cost for End Customers?
There's a legitimate cost conversation to have with homeowners. 8mm SPC costs more than 6mm — typically $2.49-$3.29/sqft for the 8mm series vs $1.64/sqft for the 6mm budget series at Top Floorings Depot. For a 1,200 sqft home, that's roughly $1,000-$2,000 more in material cost.
The way to position it: the 8mm is not a luxury upgrade — it's insurance against callback situations that cost more to fix than the upgrade difference. When you're renovating a home and the floor is going in for 15-20 years, a $1,500 upgrade that eliminates post-install issues is almost always worth it.
The 10mm Option for High-End Jobs
For some GTA contractors, the conversation has already moved past 8mm to 10mm SPC for the premium end of their market. Our Riche 10mm Ultra-Thick series has an 8mm core + 2mm EVA pad, giving it a much more substantial feel underfoot and better performance over imperfect subfloors. The 10mm also comes in a 20mil wear layer option, which matters in rental properties, basements with tenants, or commercial spaces.
For spec writers and contractors doing high-end residential work in North York, Thornhill, and Markham, the 10mm is becoming the default spec rather than the exception. The installed cost difference between 8mm and 10mm is marginal, and the floor profile is noticeably better — especially in open-concept spaces where the floor runs continuously from kitchen to living room without transition strips.
Our Top Picks at Top Floorings Depot
For GTA contractors specifying 8mm or 10mm SPC:
Riche Dark Walnut 8mm SPC vinyl — 5.9" plank, 12mil wear layer, Valinge 5G drop-lock, IIC 73 / STC 72. Our most popular 8mm spec for condo installations and renovation work. Dark Walnut has visual warmth that works across kitchen, living, and hallway applications without feeling cold.
Riche Espresso Walnut 10mm SPC vinyl — 5.9" narrow plank, 20mil wear layer for high-traffic applications. The 10mm core handles the worst subfloor conditions without complaint, and the 20mil surface is appropriate for rental properties and multi-family residential work.
Riche Washed Driftwood 10mm SPC vinyl — for projects where a light grey floor aesthetic is required. The wide 7.09" plank profile in the 10mm series creates a more premium installed look than the 5.9" standard, which matters when the homeowner is choosing 10mm specifically for the aesthetic.
## Visit Top Floorings Depot **Top Floorings Depot** 3781 Victoria Park Avenue, Unit 1, Toronto, ON M1W 3K5 www.topfloorings.com Call 416-499-0117 | Text 416-770-8819 **Showroom Hours:** Monday–Friday 9–5:30 | Saturday 9–4 | Sunday Closed Contractors — visit our showroom at 3781 Victoria Park Ave to set up a trade account. We offer quantity discounts across our full SPC vinyl range, and our staff can help you spec the right thickness for your specific project conditions. We serve installation professionals across Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, and the broader GTA. Follow us on Instagram: @topflooringsdepotgta