As flooring importers, you’re constantly pressured to source cheaper products. But what if that 15% cost saving today leads to 200% losses tomorrow? Let’s expose the hidden iceberg beneath bargain-priced LVT/SPC flooring.
Test 1: The Lighter Challenge (Burn Test)
We secretly sampled 12 “budget-friendly” SPC floors from online marketplaces. The result? 9 failed basic fire resistance:
Step 1: Hold a lighter flame under a sample for 5 seconds
Pass: Self-extinguishes within 3 seconds (EN 13501-1 compliant)
Fail: Melts with toxic fumes
Test 2: Lock & Drop (Click System Stress)
A distributor client lost $38K in installation delays due to faulty locking systems. Recreate this with a simple field test:
Assemble 5 planks without glue
Place a 20kg weight on the joint
Lift vertically – if it holds for 60 seconds, you’ve passed
Test 3: The Paper Trick (Core Layer Check)
Peel back the wear layer. Rub white paper against the core:
Good SPC: No color transfer (pure limestone composite)
Cheap SPC: Gray streaks (excess recycled PVC filler)
Your Safety Net
Reputable Chinese manufacturers like Green Covering back products with:
✓ 15-year commercial warranty
✓ Batch-specific test videos
Don’t gamble your reputation on spreadsheets. Request our Flooring Autopsy Kit to test competitors’ samples – we’ll prove why smart buyers pay 8% more for peace of mind.
