ABA Flooring vs SPC Flooring: Structure, Benefits & How to Choose a Supplier

ABA Flooring vs SPC flooring: learn what ABA really means, how it compares to SPC, and how to choose the right rigid core flooring for your market. Shide Group explains.

The Short Answer

During my conversations with flooring distributors, I noticed one common problem: many buyers ask for “ABA flooring” but receive completely different products from different factories.If you have searched for ABA flooring suppliers, you probably noticed one confusing thing: almost every factory explains ABA differently. Because the term is used loosely, the label alone tells you little. What actually matters is which sandwich sits under the décor layer, how the layers are formed (co-extruded in one pass or laminated), and the resulting density, stability, comfort, and sound data. In Shide’s ABA line, the core is SPC–PVC foam–SPC, co-extruded in one pass with three different formulas, achieving a lower density of 1.3–1.4 g/cm³ while maintaining dimensional stability, with a 6–8 mm substrate. Choose ABA when foot comfort, noise, or transport weight matter; choose standard SPC when price leadership is everything. Below we show you how to compare ABA offers like-for-like.

Why There Is No Single Definition of ABA

Last year, we received an inquiry from a European distributor who compared three ABA samples from different factories. All three suppliers used the same word “ABA”, but after cutting the samples open, the structures were completely different.ABA started as a descriptive term: a board built in an A-B-A pattern, whatever the materials. In practice today, different factories mean different things when they say “ABA”. Some use two rigid SPC skins around a PVC foam core. Others press flexible LVT layers onto an SPC core and call the result ABA. The structures are different, but none of them is “wrong” — with no unified standard, a sandwich structure qualifies as ABA by the common meaning of the term.That is precisely why buying on the name is risky. Two suppliers can both quote “ABA flooring” with different cores, different densities, and different real-world performance. The only reliable way to compare is to ask each supplier to specify the actual structure, the process, and the numbers. The sections below give you the questions to ask and the data points to collect.

Three Sandwich Structures You Will Meet in the Market

We have tested ABA samples from different markets, and the biggest difference is usually not the name ABA, but how the middle layer is created.The first and most common premium structure is SPC–PVC foam–SPC. It is formed in a single co-extrusion pass using three different formulas, which brings its density down to around 1.3–1.4 g/cm³. Underfoot it feels light, springy and quiet — the reason it works so well in hotels, senior care, apartments and premium homes.The second common variant is LVT–SPC–LVT, where the layers are laminated or pressed together rather than co-extruded. Its density stays close to standard SPC at roughly 1.8–2.0 g/cm³, so it feels a little softer but still carries SPC’s weight. It is a mid-range choice where the comfort gain is real but limited.The third is simply a single homogeneous core wearing the “ABA” label. It does not actually deliver the strengths of a true sandwich core: at about 2.0 g/cm³ it feels no different from ordinary SPC, and in practice it is little more than a marketing name. Always ask to see the cross-section before you trust it.The first row is Shide’s ABA. The second is a common alternative that qualifies as a sandwich but achieves a smaller weight/comfort gain. The third row is a warning: if the cross-section shows one uniform material, it does not provide the typical sandwich-core advantages buyers usually expect from ABA flooring.

ABA vs SPC: The Comparison Table

On core structure, standard SPC is a homogeneous, dense board, while Shide ABA is built as SPC–PVC foam–SPC in one co-extrusion pass. The practical upshot is that ABA is lighter and softer, whereas SPC is denser and stiffer.Board density tells the freight story: standard SPC sits at about 2.0 g/cm³, but Shide ABA comes in at 1.3–1.4 g/cm³. That lower weight means cheaper shipping and easier handling for every square metre you move.Substrate thickness is where ABA feels more generous — typically 6–8 mm against the 4–5 mm (up to 6 mm) of standard SPC — so it reads as more substantial underfoot.Dimensional stability is very high for both, and ABA keeps that benefit through its twin SPC skins. You get the softness without giving up resistance to expansion and contraction.Foot comfort is the headline difference: standard SPC is harder, while Shide ABA is softer and more elastic. That makes ABA the better fit for the elderly, young children and retail staff on their feet all day.Sound insulation is only moderate in standard SPC but noticeably stronger in Shide ABA thanks to the foamed core — which means fewer noise complaints in apartments and hotels.Waterproofing is identical: both are 100% waterproof, with the same performance you expect from an SPC core.Underfloor heating is compatible in both, with no difference in capability.Price level is the trade-off — standard SPC is the lower-cost option, while Shide ABA sits higher as a premium tier rather than a budget product.In typical use, standard SPC covers high-volume residential and light commercial work, whereas Shide ABA targets hotels, senior care, apartments, pet-friendly households and premium residential programs.

Compare ABA Offers Like-for-Like: 4 Questions to Ask

Because “ABA” covers many structures, compare suppliers on these four points before you commit:1.What exactly is the core? Ask for the layer build-up: SPC–PVC foam–SPC? LVT plus SPC core? Request a cross-section photo or the TDS structure diagram.2.How are the layers formed? One-time co-extrusion of different formulas, or lamination/pressing? Co-extrusion bonds the layers during the extrusion process and is what makes the light, springy result possible.3.What is the density? Ask for the figure on the TDS. In our ABA production experience, SPC–PVC foam–SPC co-extruded structures are commonly designed around 1.3–1.4 g/cm³ depending on formulation and thickness; if the board weighs like SPC (≈ 2.0 g/cm³), the “ABA” is mostly label.4.What are the numbers? Sound reduction (dB), indentation/impact data, dimensional stability (EN ISO 23999-style test). If a supplier cannot produce test data, treat the claim as unverified.

When Should You Choose ABA Over SPC?

ABA wins in four concrete scenarios. First, senior care and children’s rooms — the elastic core reduces joint strain and cushions falls, a genuine safety benefit, not a marketing line. Second, hotels and serviced apartments — the foamed core cuts
impact noise between floors, which directly reduces guest complaints. Third, markets where freight is a big cost line — at 1.3–1.4 g/cm³ the same floor area ships lighter than SPC, which can offset part of the premium on long routes. Fourth, premium residential programs where a 6–8 mm thick board with a softer feel justifies a higher retail price point and healthier margins for your channel.Choose standard SPC instead when your market competes mainly on price, when your program is built around proven high-volume 4–5 mm SKUs, or when a project specification explicitly requires a dense core. Both products coexist in one program for most distributors — ABA as the margin tier, SPC as the volume tier.After years working with overseas distributors, our suggestion is simple: never choose ABA by thickness only. Always check the cross-section, density, and production process.

How Shide Develops ABA Flooring

Shide Group has manufactured building materials since 1992, operates multiple production bases in China with a combined annual capacity of nearly 500,000 tons, and exports to more than 60 countries. Our flooring lines are produced on dedicated extrusion equipment — the ABA line is produced on a dedicated co-extrusion line — with an in-house research institute and postdoctoral workstation behind formula development. Certifications covering our flooring include ISO 9001, CE, FloorScore, GREENGUARD, and SGS inspection support. All data above is consistent with our official product pages and TDS documents.

FAQ

Q1: Is ABA flooring waterproof like SPC?

Yes. The twin SPC skins are the same stone-plastic composite as standard SPC, so the board is 100% waterproof and dimensionally stable. The foamed core changes weight and feel, not water resistance.

Q2: Is ABA more expensive than SPC?

Yes, it is a premium tier. The extra co-extrusion step and thicker build cost more. In return you get lower density, softer feel, and better sound insulation — and typically a higher retail margin in the market.

Q3: If ABA is lighter, is it less durable?

Not structurally. Durability comes from the dense SPC skins and wear layer, which ABA keeps. The board’s hardness under heavy point loads can differ from solid SPC, so for extreme commercial traffic ask for the indentation test data of the specific SKU.

Q4: Why do “ABA” offers look so different from supplier to supplier?

Because there is no unified standard — any sandwich structure can be called ABA. Some are SPC–PVC foam–SPC co-extruded boards, some are laminated LVT-plus-SPC, and some are plain SPC wearing the label. Compare the structure, forming process, density, and test data as shown in the 4-question checklist above.

Q5: Can ABA be used with underfloor heating?

Yes. Like SPC, ABA works with underfloor heating systems; confirm the maximum surface temperature rating of the specific board with our technical team.

Q6: Do you support OEM and private label on ABA?

Yes. We offer OEM/ODM on thickness, color, surface embossing, packaging, and branding for volume orders. Contact our export team with your program details.

Q7: What information should I prepare before contacting an ABA flooring supplier?

If you are interested in purchasing ABA flooring, please provide the following information: target market, desired flooring thickness, wear layer thickness, purchase quantity, and required certifications. Our team will recommend the suitable ABA structure based on your market positioning and project requirements.