01
Identify how the board becomes lighter
Välinge describes Liteback as material optimisation through grooves on the underside of a resilient panel. Unilin identifies Light SPC as a foamed core with micro cells. One changes the underside geometry; the other changes the core structure. The names therefore describe different technical routes, rather than two labels for one generic lightweight board. Request the cross-section and construction record for the actual product being offered.
02
Compare the finished floor on the same basis
Hold the intended format, total thickness, surface and application constant where possible. Record the wear system, decorative layers, core, underside treatment and attached backing separately. If one quotation includes backing and another does not, the whole-board comparison combines more than the lightweight technology. Where the constructions intentionally differ, explain the difference instead of forcing an apparently like-for-like result.
03
Use actual mass and packing data for the commercial comparison
Ask for mass per square metre and per finished plank, together with carton coverage, carton net and gross mass, and the proposed pallet configuration. This distinguishes a lighter board from a lighter packed order. Compare the shipment using the agreed pack and handling limits; do not convert a technology provider's headline material reduction into an automatic freight saving for your collection. Retain the source and product code for every measured value.
04
Match performance evidence to the supplied assembly
Check the intended-use, dimensional, indentation, connection and other relevant product evidence against the selected construction. Acoustic results also depend on the finished assembly, backing, test method and comparison basis. A result for a different core or underlay is not a substitute. The technology category is a useful starting point for questions; the product documents and installation instructions determine what the distributor can substantiate for the chosen range.
05
Approve the lightweight route before expanding the collection
Review full-size boards and assembled joints, then connect the chosen construction to the surface reference, backing, packing and production controls. Confirm the applicable technology and manufacturing arrangement for that programme rather than assuming a category name establishes a particular licence or supplier. Our purchasing office can compare the available routes against the buyer's range brief and keep the selected version identifiable for repeat orders.
Your buying worksheet
Lightweight flooring comparison worksheet
| Approval item | Liteback offer | Light SPC offer |
|---|---|---|
| Construction identity | Record the actual underside geometry and complete board build-up | Record the actual foamed-core structure and complete board build-up |
| Comparable format | State plank size, total thickness, wear system and backing | State the same comparison fields and explain any difference |
| Mass and packing | Request kg/m², plank mass, carton coverage and net/gross mass | Request the same measured values for the offered version |
| Product evidence | Match test method, specimen and assembly to this construction | Match test method, specimen and assembly to this construction |
| Production reference | Retain full-size sample, joint, surface, backing and pack revision | Retain the same approval record for this selected route |
Before the purchase order
Buying questions
Is Liteback the same as Light SPC?
No. Liteback uses underside material optimisation, while Light SPC identifies a foamed-core route. Confirm the actual construction because a lightweight marketing label alone does not identify the board.
Does a lighter board always reduce the cost of a shipped collection?
Not automatically. Compare the actual packed order, including carton coverage, packaging mass, pallet configuration, loading and handling constraints, on the same commercial basis.
Can we use a technology provider's acoustic result for our product?
Use it only if the applicable evidence supports the specific product, backing, assembly and claim. A category-level statement does not establish the result for every supplied range.
The product behind the programme